Patent ID: 6875213
Filing Date: 2005-04-05
Classification: A61B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for performing surgery on a spinal segment including a disc space and two vertebral bodies adjacent the disc space, the method comprising the steps of: positioning at least a portion of one end of a hollow guard in contact with the adjacent vertebral bodies; distracting the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to one another; removing, through said guard, bone from the adjacent vertebral bodies to form an opening across the surgically corrected height of the disc space and into a portion of each of the two adjacent vertebral bodies; inserting, through said guard and into the opening, an implant having opposed surfaces adapted to contact one each of the adjacent vertebral bodies, each of said opposed surfaces having at least one opening to permit for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant; and utilizing at least in part radiologic imaging to visualize the position of at least a portion of at least one of said implant and said guard relative to the vertebral bodies during at least one of the planning and performing of the surgery.