Patent ID: 6042582
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A vertebral spacer apparatus, which comprises:an elongated member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis; anda vertebral spacer releasably mounted to the elongated member, the vertebral spacer including an insertion end portion and a trailing end portion, the insertion end portion configured to at least span an intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebrae to supportingly maintain the adjacent vertebrae in predetermined spaced relation, the trailing end portion defining a transverse dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis greater than a corresponding transverse dimension of the insertion end portion and being sized to prevent entry thereof within the intervertebral space, the insertion end portion having a first stationary spacer arm and a second stationary spacer arm, the first and second stationary spacer arms each defining first and second supporting surfaces for respectively engaging the adjacent vertebrae, wherein a dimension defined between the first and second supporting surfaces is sufficient to at least span an intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebrae.