Patent ID: 8273128

Claim:
A method of performing a surgical procedure, said method comprising: engaging an intervertebral sliding implant in a non-extended position to a vertebral body, wherein said intervertebral sliding implant comprises: a first member adapted to connect to an intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae, wherein said first member has a curved configuration and comprises a pair of curved side walls connected to each of a front wall, an upper curved wall, and a lower curved wall, wherein a length of a first curved side wall is less than a length of each of a second curved side wall, said upper curved wall, and said lower curved wall, and wherein an edge of said second curved side wall is offset from an edge of said front wall; and a second member slidably attached to said first member, wherein said second member has a curved configuration and comprises a top and bottom curved wall each connected to a truncated inclined side wall and a guide wall positioned opposite to said truncated inclined side wall, wherein said guide wall comprises a plurality of oppositely positioned grooves, adjusting said first member according to said intervertebral space of said vertebral body; aligning said second curved side wall of said first member in said plurality of grooves of said second member; and sliding said second curved side wall of said first member in said plurality of grooves of said second member within a limitation of a pre-set curvature to an extended position, wherein said pre-set curvature is based on a pattern of an outer shape of said intervertebral space, wherein said first member and said second member are adapted to articulate from said extended position to said non-extended position as said first member slides into said second member, and wherein said first curved side wall of said first member is adapted to connect to said truncated inclined side wall of said second member in said non-extended position.