POSTERIOR ROD CAPTURING SPACER DEVICE AND METHOD

1 . An implantable device comprising:

a spacing member; and

an elongate member including a body portion having a first end coupled to the spacing member and a second end having a retention member.

2 . The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein the spacing member is compressible.

3 . The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein the spacing member is configured to include dual directional radii along a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis.

4 . The implantable device according to claim 3 , wherein the spacing member is oblong.

5 . The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein the spacing member is configured to translate along at least one axis.

6 . The implantable device according to claim 5 , wherein the spacing member is configured to translate along three axes.

7 . The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein the spacing member is configured to rotate about at least one axis.

8 . The implantable device according to claim 7 , wherein the spacing member is configured to rotate about three axes.

9 . The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein the retention member is a hook.

10 . A system for maintaining disc space between adjacent vertebrae comprising:

a spacing member adapted for insertion into a disc space between a pair of vertebrae;

a spine fixation member disposed between a pair of vertebrae; and

an elongate member having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to the spacing member and configured to extend out of the disc space, the second end adapted to be releasably connectable with the spine fixation member.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the spine fixation member further comprises bone anchors adapted to be affixed to the vertebrae and a spinal rod configured to be placed across and secured to the bone anchors.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the spacing member defines a longitudinal axis and is elongated along the longitudinal axis.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the spacing member defines a lateral axis and is elongated along the lateral axis.

14 . A method of maintaining spinal disc space comprising:

placing bone anchors in adjacent vertebrae of a patient;

introducing a spacing member operably connected to an elongate member into a disc space opening formed between the adjacent vertebrae;

extending a spinal rod across the bone anchors; and

securing the elongate member to the spinal rod.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of:

modifying the anatomy of the patient in order to access the disc space.

16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of:

manipulating the elongate member for optimal placement within the patient.

17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of:

introducing a trial device into the disc space to determine the optimal sizing of the spacing member.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of introducing the spacing member into a disc space further comprises the step of:

placing the spacing member centrally between the adjacent vertebrae.

19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of introducing the spacing member into a disc space further comprises the step of:

placing the spacing member within the disc space on the side containing the bone anchors.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:

placing a second set of bone anchors into the adjacent vertebrae such that the first and second sets of bone anchors are bilaterally positioned;

introducing a second spacing member operably connected to an elongate member into the disc space on the side containing the second set of bone anchors;

extending a second spinal rod across the second set of bone anchors; and

securing the second elongate member to the second spinal rod.

21 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of securing the elongate member to the spinal rod further comprises the step of:

fastening a screw within a hook of the elongate member.