Intervertebral implants and related methods of use
A method of implanting an intervertebral spacer may include positioning the intervertebral spacer within an intervertebral space defined by adjacent vertebral bodies. The intervertebral spacer may include a plurality of bores, and each of the plurality of bores may be configured to receive either a linear fastening element or a curvilinear fastening element. The method also may include selecting a first fastening element from a group including linear fastening elements and curvilinear fastening elements, and inserting the first fastening element into a first bore of the plurality of bores such that the first fastening element is inserted into one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to secure the intervertebral spacer within the intervertebral space.
1. An intervertebral spacer system, comprising:
an intervertebral spacer comprising a spacer portion and a plate portion, the plate portion including at least one bore configured and dimensioned to receive a vertebral anchor;
the vertebral anchor comprising:
a head portion that is at least partially spherical;
an elongate shank extending from the head portion; and
an elongate fin extending from the head portion and along a surface of the elongate shank, the elongate shank and the elongate fin disposed generally perpendicular to each other,
wherein the elongate shank is curvilinear,
wherein the elongate fin extends from the head portion to an apex of the elongate shank, the apex being defined as the most distal point of the vertebral anchor such that the most distal point of both the elongate fin and the elongate shank meet at the apex, wherein the apex is configured to be a point that first impacts bone by the vertebral anchor.
2. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 1 , wherein the elongate shank and the elongate fin form a t-shaped cross-section.
3. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 2 , wherein the elongate shank includes a concave surface.
4. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 1 , wherein a leading end of the elongate shank is formed by two inclined edges that converge laterally inward toward the apex.
5. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 4 , wherein the elongate fin includes a ramp that converges toward the apex, the ramp including two inclined edges having serrations.
6. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 1 , wherein the spacer portion and plate portion are made of different materials.
7. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 1 , wherein an upper surface and a lower surface of the spacer portion includes protrusions for engaging adjacent vertebrae.
8. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 1 , wherein the plate portion includes an anchor backout prevention mechanism having a head portion and shank portion.
9. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 8 , wherein the anchor backout prevention mechanism is capable of moving from a first position where the head portion does not block a portion of the bore to a second position where the head portion blocks a portion of the bore.
10. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 1 , wherein spacer portion includes at least one opening capable of receiving bone graft material.
11. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 1 , wherein the head portion of the vertebral anchor is capable of rotating in the bore of the plate.
12. The vertebral anchor of claim 11 , wherein the head portion includes a notches and a pair of protrusions that extend away from the head portion in opposite directions.
13. The vertebral anchor of claim 11 , wherein the elongate shank includes one or more apertures configured to promote bony-ingrowth when the vertebral anchor in inserted through a vertebral body.
14. The vertebral anchor of claim 11 , wherein lateral sides of the elongate shank include one or more cutouts.
15. The vertebral anchor of claim 14 , wherein the cutouts of the elongate shank form one or more keels.
16. An intervertebral spacer system, comprising:
an intervertebral spacer comprising a spacer portion and a plate portion, the plate portion including at least one bore configured and dimensioned to receive a vertebral anchor;
the vertebral anchor comprising:
a head portion that is at least partially spherical; and
an elongate shank extending from the head portion;
an insertion instrument, the insertion instrument engaging a portion of the plate portion of the intervertebral spacer and having at least one channel that aligns with the at least one bore, the channel configured and dimensioned to receive and guide the anchor from a first uninstalled position where the anchor is not seated in the bore to a second installed position where the anchor is seated in the bore,
wherein the elongate shank is curvilinear,
wherein an elongate fin extends from the head portion to an apex of the elongate shank, the apex being defined as the most distal point of the vertebral anchor such that the most distal point of both the elongate fin and the elongate shank meet at the apex, wherein the apex is configured to be a point that first impacts bone by the vertebral anchor.
17. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 16 , wherein insertion instrument threadingly engages the plate portion of the intervertebral spacer.
18. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 16 , wherein the elongate fin extends from the head portion and along a surface of the elongate shank, the elongate shank and the elongate fin are disposed generally perpendicular to each other.
19. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 18 , wherein the elongate shank includes a concave surface.
20. The intervertebral spacer system of claim 19 , wherein a leading end of the elongate shank is formed by two inclined edges that converge laterally inward toward the apex and wherein the elongate fin includes a ramp that converges toward the apex.