Intervertebral disc and insertion methods therefor
View Patent ↗A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space includes accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies. The method includes securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body, using the first and second pins for distracting the disc space, and providing an inserter holding the intervertebral disc implant. The method also desirably includes engaging the inserter with the first and second pins, and advancing the inserter toward the disc space for inserting the intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, whereby the first and second pins align and guide the inserter toward the disc space.
1. A surgical method comprising:
securing a first pin to a first vertebral body;
securing a second pin to a second vertebral body;
engaging a distractor with the first and second pins;
actuating the distractor to move the first vertebral body with respect to the second vertebral body;
providing first and second members of an implant held in registration by a dispenser; and
implanting the implant between the first and second vertebral bodies.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of transferring the first and second members of the implant to an inserter, while maintaining the first and second members in registration.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the transferring step includes moving a first arm and a second arm of the dispenser about a connecting element.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of engaging the inserter with the first and second pins.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of advancing the inserter along the first and second pins towards the first and second vertebral bodies.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the advancing step results in movement of the first vertebral body with respect to the second vertebral body.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of allowing the first and second vertebral bodies to move with respect to each other subsequent to the implanting step.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of selecting the implant from a plurality of first and second members held in registration by a dispenser.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the selecting step is performed based upon an indicia provided on the dispenser.
10. A surgical method comprising:
engaging a distractor with a first elongate element in a first vertebral body and a second elongate element in a second vertebral body;
actuating the distractor to move the first vertebral body with respect to the second vertebral body;
selecting an implant from a plurality of two-part implants, each implant having first and second members held in registration by a dispenser; and
implanting the implant between the first and second vertebral bodies.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of transferring the first and second members of the implant to an inserter, while maintaining the first and second members in registration.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the transferring step includes moving a first arm and a second arm of the dispenser about a connecting element.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of engaging the inserter with the first and second elongate members.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of advancing the inserter along the first and second elongate members towards the first and second vertebral bodies.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the advancing step results in movement of the first vertebral body with respect to the second vertebral body.
16. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of allowing the first and second vertebral bodies to move with respect to each other subsequent to the implanting step.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the selecting step is performed based upon indicia provided on the dispensers.
18. A surgical method comprising:
securing a first pin to a first vertebral body;
securing a second pin to a second vertebral body;
engaging a distractor with the first and second pins;
actuating the distractor to move the first vertebral body with respect to the second vertebral body;
choosing an implant and dispenser combination based upon indicia provided on the dispenser, the implant having first and second members held in registration by the dispenser; and
implanting the implant between the first and second vertebral bodies.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of transferring the first and second members of the implant to an inserter, while maintaining the first and second members in registration.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the transferring step includes moving a first arm and a second arm of the dispenser about a connecting element.