Patent ID: 8906101
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of inserting an intervertebral prosthesis into an intervertebral space between respective endplates of adjacent first and second vertebral bones of a spine, comprising: placing the intervertebral prosthesis into the intervertebral space, the intervertebral prosthesis including: a body including first and second spaced apart major surfaces and at least one sidewall extending therebetween, the first major surface for engaging the endplate of the first vertebral bone, and the second major surface for engaging the endplate of the second vertebral bone, and the first and second major surfaces defining a longitudinal axis extending substantially normal to said surfaces; and simultaneously pushing at least three anchoring elements from within the body of the intervertebral prosthesis out through at least three respective apertures in the body and into at least one of the first and second vertebral bones, without rotating the at least three anchoring elements about respective axes thereof, wherein: a first deployment direction of a first of the anchoring elements includes: (i) a first substantial directional component in one of an anterior and posterior direction of the body; and (ii) a second substantial directional component parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body; a second deployment direction of a second of the anchoring elements includes: (i) a first substantial directional component in one of an anterior and posterior direction of the body; and (ii) a second substantial directional component parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body and opposite to the second substantial directional component of the first deployment direction of the first anchoring element; and the step of pushing the at least three anchoring elements from within the body of the intervertebral prosthesis out through at least three respective apertures and into the at least one of the first and second vertebral bones, includes moving the first anchoring element at least some distance in the first deployment direction and moving the second anchoring element at least some distance in the second deployment direction.