Patent ID: 8425569
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of fusing two or more adjacent vertebral bodies in a portion of a spinal column, the method comprising: inserting an interbody repair implant into an intervertebral space; securing an implantable vertebral fixation frame to the adjacent vertebral bodies over the implant such that a desired spatial relationship between the vertebrae is maintained, the fixation frame having an internal aperture there-through for providing visual access to at least a portion of the interbody repair implant intra-operatively and post-operatively, the aperture sized to have a smaller medio-lateral width than that of the interbody repair implant; visualizing the interbody repair implant through the aperture intra-operatively or post-operatively; installing a retention member to the frame to cover at least a portion of the aperture; after the installing step, moving a locking portion of the retention member from an unlocked position to a locked position to prevent the retention member from being separated from the frame, wherein the locking portion comprises at least one section that contacts a posterior side of the frame when the locking portion is in the locked position; and wherein the step of moving a locking portion of the retention member comprises rotating an elongated locking arm that is elongated along a first axis around a second axis transverse to the first axis.