Interbody fusion device
Devices for fixing interbody fusion devices to bone by helically or corkscrew-shaped elements are provided. Methods for surgically implanting an interbody fusion device using helically-shaped fixation wire are provided.
1. A method for treating a spine, comprising:
inserting an interbody spacer between two vertebral bodies;
engaging a distal tip of a helically-shaped wire with a notch at an interface with a hole of a plate, wherein the notch extends a helically shaped groove to a proximal surface of the plate, the notch and the helically shaped groove directly formed in the plate; and
engaging the helically-shaped wire with the helically shaped groove and into a vertebral body adjacent to the interbody spacer, wherein the notch directs the initial placement of the distal tip of the helically-shaped wire into the vertebral body.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising maintaining a fully inserted position of the helically-shaped wire in the vertebral body.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising limiting further rotation of the helically-shaped wire.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising limiting further insertion of the helically-shaped wire.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising limiting further movement of the helically-shaped wire.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising engaging a feature of the helically-shaped wire with the notch.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the helically shaped groove comprises a rounded inner surface.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the helically shaped groove and the helically-shaped wire each comprises coils which are spaced the same distance apart.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising engaging a second helically-shaped wire with a second helically shaped groove of the plate.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the helically-shaped wire comprises clockwise turns.
11. A method for treating a spine, comprising:
inserting at least a portion of an implant between two vertebral bodies;
engaging a distal tip of a helically-shaped fixation device with a notch at an interface with a proximal surface of the implant, wherein the notch provides a rotational starting point for the distal tip; and
engaging the distal tip of the helically-shaped fixation device with a helical groove directly formed in the implant, wherein the helical groove provides a rotational ending point for the distal tip such that the distal tip contacts a vertebral body at a pre-determined angle.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising maintaining a fully inserted position of the helically-shaped fixation device in the vertebral body.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising limiting further rotation of the helically-shaped fixation device.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising limiting further insertion of the helically-shaped fixation device.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising limiting further movement of the helically-shaped fixation device.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the helically-shaped fixation device comprises spaced apart adjacent coils.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the helical groove comprises a linear axis through the implant.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the distal tip comes into contact with the vertebral body from a perpendicular direction.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the helical groove comprises a semi-circular inner surface.
20. The method of claim 11 , further comprising engaging a second helically-shaped fixation device with a second helical groove of the implant.