Methods of post-filling an intervertebral implant
According to some embodiments, a method for promoting spinal fusion using a spinal implant comprises providing a spinal implant, wherein the spinal implant comprises an anterior wall, a posterior wall and two lateral walls configured to extend between the anterior wall and the posterior wall. In some embodiments, the spinal implant further comprises at least one internal chamber generally positioned between the anterior wall, the posterior wall and the two lateral walls, wherein the internal chamber being is adapted to receive at least one graft and/or other fill material. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the graft and/or other fill material delivered into the internal chamber is configured to exit through the one or more of the openings of the anterior wall.
1. A method of promoting spinal fusion within a spine of a patient, comprising:
advancing an implant through an anatomy of a patient, the implant comprising at least one internal chamber defined by peripheral walls of the implant, wherein the implant comprises at least one access port extending through at least one of the peripheral walls of the implant;
wherein the implant is advanced through an anatomy of a patient using an insertion tool;
positioning the implant between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a patient, the first and second vertebrae being immediately adjacent to one another;
directing graft material into the at least one internal chamber of the implant through the at least one access port to fill the at least one internal chamber of the implant, after positioning the implant between the first and second vertebrae, such that the graft material is in flush contact with endplate surfaces of each of the first and second vertebrae, and wherein the graft material is contained within the at least one internal chamber;
wherein the at least one internal chamber of the implant, after implantation, extends from or near an endplate of the first vertebra to or near an endplate of the second vertebra such that the graft material directed into the at least one internal chamber can be substantially retained between the first and second vertebrae; and
withdrawing the insertion tool from the anatomy of the patient, leaving the implant situated between the first and second vertebrae.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is advanced through the anatomy of a patient and positioned between the first and second vertebrae using a lateral approach.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is advanced through the anatomy of a patient and positioned between the first and second vertebrae using a transforaminal approach.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is advanced through the anatomy of a patient and positioned between the first and second vertebrae using an anterior approach.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is advanced through the anatomy of a patient and positioned between the first and second vertebrae using a posterior approach.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein directing the graft material into the at least one internal chamber comprises using a graft material delivery system, the graft material delivery system comprising a conduit, wherein a volume of graft material is configured to be delivered to the at least one internal chamber of the implant via the conduit.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein directing the graft material into the at least one internal chamber comprises passing the conduit through the at least one access port of the implant to position the conduit within the at least one internal chamber of the implant.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the graft delivery system further comprises a plunger assembly configured to be positioned and moved within the conduit, the method further comprising actuating the plunger assembly to provide the necessary driving force to move a volume of graft material through the conduit and into the at least one internal chamber of the implant.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein graft material is directed into the at least one internal chamber of the implant so that at least a volume of excess graft material exits the at least one internal chamber of the implant through at least one opening along a peripheral wall of the implant.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein graft material is directed into the at least one internal chamber of the implant so that at least a volume of the graft material delivered into the at least one internal chamber exists through an interface between an endplate surface of the first or second vertebra and an upper or lower surface of the implant.
11. A method of promoting spinal fusion within a spine of a patient, comprising:
advancing an implant through an anatomy of a patient, the implant comprising at least one internal chamber;
positioning the implant between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a patient, the first and second vertebrae being immediately adjacent to one another; and
directing graft material into the at least one internal chamber of the implant through an access port of the implant to fill the at least one internal chamber of the implant, after positioning the implant between the first and second vertebrae, such that the graft material is in flush contact with endplate surfaces of each of the first and second vertebrae, and wherein the graft material is contained within the at least one internal chamber;
wherein the at least one internal chamber of the implant, after implantation, extends from or near an endplate of the first vertebra to or near an endplate of the second vertebra such that the graft material directed into the at least one internal chamber can be substantially retained between the first and second vertebrae.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the implant is advanced through the anatomy of a patient and positioned between the first and second vertebrae using a lateral approach.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the implant is advanced through the anatomy of a patient and positioned between the first and second vertebrae using a transforaminal approach.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the implant is advanced through the anatomy of a patient and positioned between the first and second vertebrae using an anterior approach.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the implant is advanced through the anatomy of a patient and positioned between the first and second vertebrae using a posterior approach.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein directing the graft material into the at least one internal chamber comprises using a graft material delivery system, the graft material delivery system comprising a conduit, wherein a volume of graft material is configured to be delivered to the at least one internal chamber of the implant via a conduit.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein directing the graft material into the at least one internal chamber comprises passing the conduit through the access port of the implant to position the conduit within the at least one internal chamber of the implant.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the graft delivery system further comprises a plunger assembly configured to be positioned and moved within the conduit, the method further comprising actuating the plunger assembly to move a volume of graft material through the conduit and into the at least one internal chamber of the implant.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein graft material is directed into the at least one internal chamber of the implant so that at least a volume of excess graft material exits the at least one internal chamber of the implant through at least one opening along a peripheral wall of the implant.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein graft material is directed into the at least one internal chamber of the implant so that at least a volume of the graft material delivered into the at least one internal chamber exists through an interface between an endplate surface of the first or second vertebra and an upper or lower surface of the implant.