Intervertebral implants and related tools
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 spinal fusion system for placing an implant and graft material within a target intervertebral space, the system comprising:
(i) an implant comprising:
a first wall and a second wall, the second wall being generally opposite of the first wall;
first and second side walls configured to extend between the first wall and the second wall;
a top surface configured to at least partially engage a lower surface of a first vertebral body;
a bottom surface configured to at least partially engage an upper surface of a second vertebral body, the second vertebral body being adjacent to the first vertebral body;
at least one internal chamber defined, at least in part, by the first wall, the second wall, the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein the at least one internal chamber extends from the top surface to the bottom surface of the implant; and
an access port extending through the first wall and being in fluid communication with the at least one internal chamber;
wherein graft material is configured to be passed through the access port so at least a volume of graft material is selectively delivered into the at least one internal chamber;
(ii) an implant insertion tool sized and configured to position the implant to a target intervertebral space; and
(iii) a graft material delivery system for delivering a volume of graft material into the at least one internal chamber of the implant, 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;
wherein, after delivery of the implant within the target intervertebral space, the first and second walls and the first and second sidewalls of the implant are configured to extend between superior and inferior vertebral members adjacent the target intervertebral space; and
wherein the walls and sidewalls of the implant form a continuous peripheral boundary around the at least one chamber upon implantation into the target intervertebral space such that the at least one chamber contains graft material delivered through the access port, thereby enabling the at least one internal chamber to be filled such that graft material is in flush contact with endplate surfaces of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebral members.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the conduit is configured to pass through the access port of the implant to position the conduit within the at least one internal chamber of the implant.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the graft material delivery system additionally comprises a fill tool assembly, the fill tool assembly being configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the implant, wherein the fill tool assembly comprises a cannulated shaft.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the fill tool assembly is configured to ensure that a distal end of the conduit routed through the cannulated shaft of the fill tool assembly is properly positioned within the at least one internal chamber of the implant.
5. The system of claim 3 , wherein graft material is configured to be delivered through the fill tool assembly, either directly through the cannulated shaft or via the conduit, wherein the conduit is removably positioned through the cannulated shaft.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the fill tool assembly comprises at least one alignment feature configured to engage at least a portion of the implant, wherein at least one alignment feature provides assurance that the fill tool assembly is properly positioned relative to the implant.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the last one alignment feature comprises at least one of a tab and a wing.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the implant insertion tool is configured to releasably secure to the access port.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second side walls of the implant does not comprise any openings.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises at least one of polyether etherketone (PEEK), a metal and an alloy.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the implant is generally planar.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the implant is generally curved.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a lordotic implant, such that a height of the first wall is different than a height of the second wall.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a lateral implant, a TLIF implant, an ALIF implant or a PLIF implant.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fill tube assembly further comprises a plunger assembly configured to be positioned within the conduit, wherein the plunger assembly is selectively actuated in order 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.
16. A spinal fusion system for placing an implant and graft material within a target intervertebral space, the system comprising:
(i) an implant comprising:
a first wall and a second wall, the second wall being generally opposite of the first wall;
side walls configured to extend between the first wall and the second wall;
a top surface configured to at least partially engage a lower surface of a first vertebral body;
a bottom surface configured to at least partially engage an upper surface of a second vertebral body, the second vertebral body being adjacent to the first vertebral body;
at least one internal chamber defined, at least in part, by the first wall, the second wall and the side walls, wherein the at least one internal chamber extends from the top surface to the bottom surface of the implant, wherein the first and second walls and side walls form a continuous peripheral boundary around the at least one chamber upon implantation into a target intervertebral space; and
an access port extending through the first wall and being in fluid communication with the at least one internal chamber;
wherein graft material is configured to be passed through the access port for delivery into the at least one internal chamber;
(ii) an implant insertion tool sized and configured to position the implant to a target intervertebral space; and
(iii) a graft material delivery system for delivering graft material into the at least one internal chamber of the implant, 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;
wherein, after delivery of the implant within the target intervertebral space, the first and second walls and the first and second sidewalls of the implant are configured to extend between superior and inferior vertebral members adjacent the target intervertebral space; and
wherein the at least one internal chamber is configured to contain graft material enabling the at least one internal chamber to be filled such that graft material is in flush contact with endplate surfaces of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebral members.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the graft material delivery system additionally comprises a fill tool assembly, the fill tool assembly being configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the implant, wherein the fill tool assembly comprises a cannulated shaft.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the fill tool assembly is configured to ensure that a distal end of the conduit routed through the cannulated shaft of the fill tool assembly is properly positioned within the at least one internal chamber of the implant.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein graft material is configured to be delivered through the fill tool assembly, either directly through the cannulated shaft or via the conduit, wherein the conduit is removably positioned through the cannulated shaft.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the fill tube assembly further comprises a plunger assembly configured to be positioned within the conduit, wherein the plunger assembly is selectively actuated in order 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.