Patent ID: 9180017
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of installing an implant to distract and stabilize a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so as to enable bone graft material to fuse said adjacent vertebrae, said vertebrae each having a cortical rim and an endplate, said adjacent vertebrae having an annulus and a disc space therebetween, said implant being configured to have a width and a height such that the implant may be inserted into a disc space through an incision in a posterolateral quadrant of the annulus and to have an elongate body of a length sufficient to extend laterally across said cortical rims of the adjacent vertebrae and to be supported at least in part by said cortical rims of said adjacent vertebrae, said method comprising the steps of: a. making a posterior oblique incision in said annulus at the desired level to access disc space between the adjacent vertebrae to be fused; b. performing a discectomy of the disc material within the annulus via said oblique incision in said annulus via said oblique incision; c. preparing the endplates of said adjacent vertebrae via said oblique incision; d. forming a first opening via said oblique incision generally in the anterolateral side of said annulus distal from said oblique incision; e. forming a second opening via said oblique incision in the anterolateral side of said annulus generally opposite said first opening; f. inserting said implant into said disc space via said oblique incision; g. installing a first end of said implant in said first opening; h. installing a second end of said implant in said second opposite opening such that said implant extends generally laterally of said vertebrae with said implant being at least in part supported on the cortical rims of said adjacent vertebrae; and i. distracting said disc space such that said implant maintains a desired amount of disc space height.