Patent ID: 7867263

Claim:
A method of fusing two or more adjacent vertebral bodies in a portion of a spinal column, the method comprising: axially distracting adjacent vertebral bodies of the spinal column into a final prescribed spatial relationship using a distraction device placed between the vertebral bodies and engaging upon vertebral end plate tissue; after the vertebral bodies have been placed into their final prescribed spatial relationship in the distracting step, placing a vertebral fixation frame on the distracted adjacent vertebral bodies over the distraction device; securing the vertebral fixation frame to the distracted adjacent vertebral bodies over the distraction device such that the vertebral bodies are maintained in their final prescribed spatial relationship after the fixation frame securing step is complete, the vertebral fixation frame configured to contact a surface of each of the vertebral bodies and comprising an implantable plate having at least one operating aperture there-through; after the fixation frame securing step is complete, removing the distraction device from between the vertebral bodies through the operating aperture in the vertebral frame; after the distraction device removing step, preparing a vertebral interspace to receive an interbody fusion implant by at least removing vertebral disc material through the aperture in the secured vertebral fixation frame, the adjacent vertebral bodies remaining in their final prescribed spatial relationship during the preparing step; inserting the interbody fusion implant through the operating aperture and into the prepared interspace, the implant being configured to compressively engage opposing inferior and superior surfaces of the adjacent vertebral bodies as the implant is being inserted; and maintaining the vertebral fixation frame in its originally secured position on the vertebral bodies postoperatively.