Patent ID: 8597333
Filing Date: 2013-12-03
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of inserting a spinal implant into an intervertebral disc, the method comprising: defining a path through a Kambin's triangle of the patient and into the intervertebral disc with an instrument comprising a plurality of dilators with cutting surfaces and an access cannula, wherein the access cannula is configured to be slidably inserted over the plurality of dilators; enlarging the Kambin's triangle about said path by sequentially advancing the plurality of dilators over each other into the Kambin's triangle and sequentially moving the cutting surfaces of the plurality of dilators against bone to form a pathway at least partially through a vertebrae and positioned about said about said path; and advancing the spinal implant through the access cannula of the instrument along said path utilizing the enlarged Kambin's triangle and into the intervertebral disc.