Patent ID: 9039773
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A unilateral method of inserting first and second interbody implants in performance of posterior lumbar interbody fusion, said method comprising: creating an interbody port posteriorly on one side of a spinal column, while maintaining structures of the spinal column and a lumbar musculoligamentous complex on an opposite side of the spinal column relative to the port, intact; removing disc material through an incision in an annulus fibrosus of a disc in communication with the port and through the port to leave a disc space remaining; inserting the first interbody implant through the port and into the disc space, wherein the first interbody implant has a first distal end portion, a first proximal end portion and first and second sides extending between said first distal end portion and said first proximal end portion, wherein a height of said first interbody implant on said first side is less than a height of said interbody implant on said second side, and wherein said first interbody implant is inserted such that said first side is medially placed and said second side is laterally placed on a first side of the disc space; driving the first interbody implant from a location in the disc space on the first side, over a median of the disc space and into a position in the disc space on a second side of the disc space, such that, as a result, the first side of the first interbody implant is laterally placed and the second side of the first interbody implant is medially placed on the second side of the disc space; and inserting the second interbody implant through the port and into the disc space on the first side of the disc space, wherein the second interbody implant has a second distal end portion, a second proximal end portion and third and fourth sides extending between said second distal end portion and said second proximal end portion, wherein a height of said second interbody implant on said third side is less than a height of said second interbody implant on said fourth side, and wherein said second interbody implant is inserted such that said fourth side is medially placed and said third side is laterally placed on a first side of the disc space.