Patent ID: 8882841

Claim:
A method of fusing vertebrae, comprising the steps of: providing a steerable intervertebral cage comprising: a distal portion having front, back, top, bottom, inner and outer surfaces; a proximal portion having a front, back, top, bottom, inner and outer surfaces, and a hinge joining the front of the proximal portion to the back of the distal portion, such that the cage has a first, straightened shape with the hinge open and a second, crescent shape with the hinge closed; introducing the cage in the first, straightened shape into an anterior central position within an intervertebral disc space using a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) or transverse lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) approach; steering or allowing the cage to assume the second, crescent shape once within the intervertebral disc space; and wherein the method further includes the steps of: using a first instrument to maintain the cage in the straightened shape for introduction; and switching to a different instrument that facilitates articulation and final positioning.