Patent ID: 7320688
Filing Date: 2008-01-22
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of restoring disc height between adjacent vertebrae of a patient, the method comprising: inserting a cannula through tissue of the patient in one of a posterior or postero-lateral approach to create a working channel to the disc space; distracting the disc space to a disc space height with a distractor extending through the working channel into the disc space; inserting an instrument through the working channel, wherein inserting the instrument includes inserting a shim through the working channel, the shim having a distal blade with a height corresponding to the distracted disc space height; positioning a distal portion of the instrument adjacent a distal portion of the distractor in the disc space, wherein positioning the distal portion of the instrument in the disc space includes positioning the blade of the shim adjacent the distractor, the blade contacting the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae; removing the distractor from the disc space; maintaining the distracted disc space height with the blade of the shim; and performing a procedure in the disc space.