System and methods for inserting a spinal disc device into an intervertebral space

1. A system for replacing a natural nuclear disc in an intervertebral space, the system comprising:

a spinal device configured for placement in the intervertebral space;

an insertion tool configured for holding the spinal device while the spinal device is inserted into the intervertebral space;

a gripping member of the insertion tool having an end configured for adjustably holding the spinal device within the intervertebral space;

a steering actuator of the insertion tool being operably connected to the spinal device and being configured for pivoting the adjustably held spinal device within the intervertebral space and for being controlled remotely from the intervertebral space;

wherein the gripping member and the steering actuator have portions selectively opposed to each other and being configured for alternatively engaging the spinal device; and

wherein the spinal device has a body and a link pivotally mounted on the body and having a selectively free end, and wherein the selectively opposed portions are configured for receiving the free end of the link.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gripping member further includes a locating portion configured and disposed for engaging and locating the spinal device at a predetermined orientation on the gripping member for being subsequently shifted into engagement with the steering actuator.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the gripping member and steering actuator are configured for manually loading of the spinal device onto the gripping member and automatically shifting of the spinal device between engagement with the gripping member and engagement with the steering actuator.

4. A system for replacing a natural nuclear disc in an intervertebral space, the system comprising:

a spinal device configured for placement in the intervertebral space;

an insertion tool configured for holding the spinal device while the spinal device is inserted into the intervertebral space;

a gripping member of the insertion tool having an end configured for adjustably holding the spinal device within the intervertebral space;

a steering actuator of the insertion tool being operably connected to the spinal device and being configured for pivoting the adjustably held spinal device within the intervertebral space and for being controlled remotely from the intervertebral space;

wherein the gripping member and steering actuator are configured for manual loading of the spinal device onto the gripping member and automatic shifting of the spinal device between engagement with the gripping member and engagement with the steering actuator; and

wherein the insertion tool further includes shifting structure extending from at least one of the gripping member and steering actuator for engaging the spinal device to shift the spinal device between the gripping member and steering actuator.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the steering actuator has an elongate main member extending generally parallel to the gripping member and having a distal end interconnected to the spinal device, and wherein both the gripping member and main member have at least one protrusion extending toward the other of the gripping and main member for engaging and shifting the spinal device while the spinal device is engaged on the other member.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the steering actuator includes a ratchet mechanism operably connected to the gripping member for shifting the spinal device by a predetermined increment.

7. A system for replacing a natural nuclear disc in an intervertebral space, the system comprising:

a spinal device configured for placement in the intervertebral space;

an insertion tool configured for holding the spinal device while the spinal device is inserted into the intervertebral space;

a gripping member of the insertion tool having an end configured for adjustably holding the spinal device within the intervertebral space; and

a steering actuator of the insertion tool being operably connected to the spinal device and being configured for pivoting the adjustably held spinal device within the intervertebral space and for being controlled remotely from the intervertebral space, wherein the steering actuator includes a ratchet mechanism operably connected to the gripping member for shifting the spinal device by a predetermined increment;

wherein the ratchet mechanism further comprises a drive arm connected to the gripping member and the drive arm comprises a set of teeth for incrementally advancing and retracting the gripping member and thereby shifting the spinal device by a predetermined increment.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the steering actuator further comprises a trigger mechanism operatively connected to the ratchet mechanism for incrementally translating the drive arm to incrementally shift the spinal device by a corresponding predetermined increment.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the insertion tool further comprises a pistol-grip handle operably connected to the steering actuator for allowing the user to operate the insertion tool with a generally neutral wrist position.