Patent ID: 9095449
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of minimally invasively inserting a spinal implant in a disc space comprising: providing a delivery instrument containing the spinal implant in a first configuration; inserting the delivery instrument through a cannula to the disc space, the delivery instrument including a pusher to contact the spinal implant; deploying the implant from the delivery instrument to position the implant in the disc space at a desired implant location, the implant composed of a shape memory material and being in a first substantially linear elongated configuration and a compressed configuration in the delivery instrument for delivery and a second curved and shape memorized expanded configuration when deployed from the delivery instrument to fill a height of the disc space, the implant returning towards the shape memorized configuration and curved configuration within the disc space when deployed from the delivery instrument and fully contained within the disc space in a desired position within the disc space upon delivery from the delivery instrument, the implant having an upper surface and a lower surface joined by a side wall and a cushioning filler material between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein deploying the implant exposes the implant from the delivery instrument so that the implant moves from the compressed configuration toward the memorized position, the implant having a first cross-sectional transverse dimension measured from the upper surface to the lower surface in the compressed configuration and a second transverse cross-sectional dimension upon delivery from the instrument, the second transverse dimension measured from the upper surface to the lower surface in the second configuration which is greater than the first cross sectional transverse dimension; and removing the entire delivery instrument including the pusher completely from a body of the patient after delivery of the implant and leaving the implant in place along a periphery of the disc space, the delivered implant spaced from a center of the disc space and extending circumferentially along the periphery of the disc space, the implant moving between unstressed and stressed positions within the disc space, with the filler material providing additional springiness, in response to a load placed on the implant, the cross-sectional transverse dimension of the implant varying as the load is placed on the implant in its shaped memorized expanded configuration within the disc space.