Patent ID: 7935124
Filing Date: 2011-05-03
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A spinal implant insertion assembly, comprising: an inserter including a shaft having a proximal handle portion extending along a first longitudinal axis and a distal portion including a connecting portion for engagement with a spinal implant, said connecting portion extending along a second longitudinal axis obliquely oriented to said first longitudinal axis, said shaft further including a lateral offset portion extending between said connecting portion and said proximal handle portion of said shaft proximally of said connecting portion, said lateral offset portion being obliquely oriented to said proximal handle portion of said shaft; a pusher including a distal end engaged with said shaft at a position proximal to where said lateral offset portion is obliquely oriented to said proximal handle portion and where said shaft lies on said first longitudinal axis and said pusher extends from said shaft toward said proximal handle portion of said inserter along a second shaft to a second proximal handle portion; and a spinal implant having an insertion tool engaging portion, wherein said implant defines a shape in a plane generally parallel to opposing vertebral endplates, wherein said shape includes an elongated convexly curved outer wall and an opposite elongated concavely curved outer wall and opposite convexly curved outer end walls at opposite ends of said spinal implant extending between and connecting said convexly curved outer wall and said concavely curved outer wall and said insertion tool engaging portion of said spinal implant lies on one of said convexly curved outer end walls of said spinal implant, wherein said inserter engages said insertion tool engaging portion of said spinal implant so that said elongated concavely and convexly curved outer walls of said spinal implant extend distally from said inserter to the other of said convexly curved outer end walls.