Multi-segment lateral cages adapted to flex substantially in the coronal plane

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10646350-B2
Application number	US-201715692061-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 31, 2017
Priority date	Jun 24, 2010
Publication date	May 12, 2020
Grant date	May 12, 2020

Abstract

The present invention concerns several fusion devices and methods for laterally inserting a fusion device at an initial trajectory that is not parallel to the disc space. Each fusion device incorporates components that enable flexing, bending or pivoting of the device during its final approach to the prepared disc space.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method of implanting an intervertebral fusion device in a disc space in a patient, comprising the steps of:
creating an access path to the disc space wherein the access path is substantially in a coronal plane and has an elbowed portion;
advancing the intervertebral fusion device through the access path, wherein the device bends substantially in a coronal plane while in the elbowed portion of the access path;
implanting the intervertebral fusion device in the disc space,
wherein the intervertebral fusion device comprises first and second cages and a tether, each cage comprising:
a) an anterior wall,
b) a posterior wall, and
c) proximal and distal end walls connecting the anterior and posterior walls,

wherein the proximal end wall of the first cage is fixedly secured to the distal end wall of the second cage by a snap-connection,
wherein each cage has at least one hole passing therethrough, and the tether is received through at least one hole in each cage,
and wherein the entire tether is removed from the cages after the snap-connection between cages is made.

Assignees

• Depuy Synthes Products Inc

Inventors

• O'Neil Michael J
• Raymond Douglas
• Bellas Jonathan
• Dooris Andrew
• Grinberg Alexander
• SHAW Derek

Classifications

• A61F2/4425

  made of articulated components · CPC title

• A61B17/1757

  for the spine · CPC title

• A61F2002/30326

  differing in height or in length · CPC title

• A61B2017/3433

  with different outer diameters of the cannula · CPC title

• A61F2/4637

  for connecting or disconnecting two parts of a prosthesis · CPC title