Patent ID: 9737413
Date: 2017-08-22
CPC Classifications: A61F

Claim:
1. A method for fusing vertebrae of a patient, comprising: forming an access window into a disc space between first and second vertebrae of the patient; inserting an insertion guide into the disc space along an insertion axis, the insertion guide having a proximal end portion that is parallel to the insertion axis and a distal end portion that is not parallel to the insertion axis, the insertion guide being positioned such that the distal end portion is disposed in the disc space; positioning an implant having proximal and distal ends and a plurality of flexible joints in a first state in which opposed lateral sidewalls of the implant are substantially straight; passing the implant through the access window and into the disc space; sliding the implant within the disc space to position the proximal and distal ends of the implant within the disc space, the guide being attached to the implant to guide sliding of the implant and to flex the plurality of flexible joints of the implant and transition the implant to a second state in which the opposed lateral sidewalls of the implant are curved; and filling a cavity defined by the implant with graft material.