Method of inserting an interbody fusion device
An apparatus for use in spinal interbody fusion comprises, in combination, a spinal interbody fusion implant and an inserter releasably attached thereto. The implant comprises a hollow interior through which the inserter extends, the inserter having a tapered distal tip projecting exteriorly beyond the distal end of the implant to initially distract opposing tissue surfaces and to facilitate insertion of the implant into the intradiscal space between the vertebral bodies.
1. A method of inserting a spinal implant between opposing tissue surfaces of a spine, comprising the steps of:
releasably attaching an inserter to said spinal implant, said spinal implant including a hollow body having a proximal open end, a distal open end and a distal facing engagement surface, such that an expandable distal end of said inserter defines a tapered distal tip that extends exteriorly distally beyond the distal open end of said implant, said distal tip defining a proximal facing latching surface that upon expansion of said expandable distal end is in releasable engagement with said implant engagement surface;
inserting said implant with said inserter attached thereto between opposing tissue surfaces of said spine with the tapered distal tip of the distal end of said inserter providing an initial distraction of said tissue surfaces; and
contracting said expandable distal end of said inserter to remove said inserter from said implant.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said implant with said inserter attached thereto is inserted between opposing tissue surfaces of spinous processes.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said implant with said inserter attached thereto is inserted into the intervertebral space within a vertebral body between opposing tissue surfaces therewithin.
4. A method of inserting a spinal interbody fusion implant into the intradiscal space between endplates of opposing vertebral bodies of a spine, comprising the steps of:
releasably attaching an inserter to said spinal implant, said spinal implant including a hollow body having a proximal open end and a distal open end such that an expandable distal end of said inserter defines a tapered distal tip that extends distally beyond the distal open end of said implant, said inserter comprising a holder including a pair of resilient arms normally biased toward each other, each arm including a latching surface and terminating in a tip portion including an exterior tapered surface, said inserter further comprising an expander supported by said holder for movement between said flexible arms in both proximal and distal directions, said expander comprising an end extent at the distal end comprising a tapered surface, wherein said inserter is attached to said implant by introducing said arms into said hollow spinal implant until said tip portions extend beyond the distal end of said implant and then moving said expander distally to move said tip portions on said arms away from each other and to cause said latching surfaces on said tip portions to resiliently releasably engage said implant, with said end extent being moved adjacent the distal ends of said tip portions to define therewith said tapered distal tip;
inserting said implant with said inserter attached thereto into the intradiscal space between endplates of opposing vertebral bodies of said spine with said tapered distal tip of the distal end of said inserter providing an initial distraction between said vertebral bodies; and
contracting said expandable distal end of said inserter to remove said inserter from said implant.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said inserter is removed from said implant by moving said expander proximally thereby allowing said flexible arms to move under normal bias toward each to thereby separate said latching surfaces from said implant, and thereafter withdrawing said inserter from said implant.