Intervertebral implant with integrated fixation

1. A method for spinal fusion, comprising:

removing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc from between adjacent vertebral bodies;

inserting an intervertebral spacer between the vertebral bodies, wherein the spacer is encircled by a rigid jacket;

securing the spacer to the vertebral bodies by slidingly engaging at least two rigid anchors each with the spacer, the jacket, and one of the vertebral bodies, so that at least one anchor is secured to each of the vertebral bodies, so as to substantially immobilize the spacer, the jacket, the anchors, and the vertebral bodies relative to one another and against opposing spinal motion.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting the spacer and the jacket between the vertebral bodies from one of an anterior approach, a lateral approach, an antero-lateral approach, a postero-lateral approach, and a posterior approach.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of securing includes engaging the anchors with the spacer, the jacket, and the vertebral bodies from an approach substantially parallel to the spacer insertion approach.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least two anchors are secured to each of the vertebral bodies, wherein each of the anchors secured to one of the vertebral bodies is oriented at a compound acute angle relative to the remaining anchors secured to that vertebral body.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the spacer between the vertebral bodies occurs before securing the spacer to the vertebral bodies.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the spacer and the jacket between the vertebral bodies comprises orienting the spacer and the jacket generally concentric with the vertebral bodies so that opposing top and bottom faces of the spacer abut adjacent endplates of the vertebral bodies.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein engaging the anchors with the spacer and the jacket comprises rigidly securing each anchor to opposite sides of the jacket.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein engaging the anchors with the spacer and the jacket comprises releasably securing each anchor to opposite sides of the jacket.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein securing the spacer to the vertebral bodies comprises sliding an interconnection portion of each anchor into engagement with a corresponding interconnection feature extending across the spacer and the jacket so that an enlarged fixation portion of each anchor penetrates one of the vertebral bodies.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting bone graft into a chamber within the spacer before inserting the spacer between the vertebral bodies.

11. A method for spinal fusion after removal of at least a portion of an intervertebral disc from between adjacent superior and inferior vertebral bodies, comprising:

inserting an intervertebral spacer between the vertebral bodies, so that a top side of the spacer is adjacent the superior vertebral body, and a bottom side of the spacer is adjacent the inferior vertebral body, the spacer comprising a body extending between the top and bottom sides, wherein the body of the spacer is encircled by a jacket;

sliding a first anchor into engagement with the spacer and opposite regions of the jacket, so that the first anchor slides into engagement with the superior vertebral body;

sliding a second anchor into engagement with the spacer and opposite regions of the jacket, so that the second anchor slides into engagement with the inferior vertebral body,

wherein the first and second anchors substantially immobilize the vertebral bodies against the spacer.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting the spacer and the jacket between the vertebral bodies from one of an anterior approach, a lateral approach, an antero-lateral approach, a postero-lateral approach, and a posterior approach.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein each step of sliding includes sliding the respective anchor from the same general approach used to insert the spacer and the jacket.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein each step of sliding includes sliding the respective anchor at an angle to the approach used to insert the spacer and the jacket.

15. The method of claim 11 ,

wherein a first interconnection feature extends across the spacer and the jacket proximate the top side and a second interconnection feature extends across the spacer and the jacket proximate the bottom side,

wherein the step of sliding the first anchor includes sliding an interconnection portion of the first anchor into engagement with the first interconnection feature, so that the interconnection portion is secured to opposite regions of the jacket, and a fixation portion of the first anchor slides into engagement with the superior vertebral body, and

wherein the step of sliding the second anchor includes sliding an interconnection portion of the second anchor into engagement with the second interconnection feature, so that the interconnection portion is secured to opposite regions of the jacket, and a fixation portion of the second anchor slides into engagement with the inferior vertebral body.

16. The method of claim 15 ,

wherein the fixation portion of the first anchor comprises a sagittate plate spaced apart from the interconnection portion of the first anchor and the fixation portion of the second anchor comprises a sagittate plate spaced apart from the interconnection portion of the second anchor.

17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising inserting bone graft into a chamber within the spacer before inserting the spacer between the vertebral bodies.