Dynamic guard and method for use thereof

1. A method for inserting a spinal implant at least in part within and across the generally restored height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a guard having a body with a distal end proximate the adjacent vertebral bodies, the guard providing a protected pathway to the disc space and the adjacent vertebral bodies, the guard having a first portion oriented toward one of the adjacent vertebral bodies and a second portion oriented toward another of the adjacent vertebral bodies, the first and second portions being rotatably articulating relative to one another about a pivot having an axis passing through the protected pathway to move between an open position and a closed position;

rotatably articulating the guard to move the body between the closed and open positions;

forming, through the guard, an implantation space across the height of the disc space and into at least a portion of the endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies; and

inserting the implant through the guard and into the implantation space.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of performing the procedure on both sides of the spinal midline of the spine and inserting two implants into the spine, each of the implants having a width less than half the width of the disc space.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed without removing the guard between the positioning step and the inserting step.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of securing the body of the guard in one of the closed position and the open position.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the forming step includes the step of forming the implantation space with a bone removal device.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of forming includes the step of inserting a bone removal device through the guard to a desired depth.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the forming step includes one of the steps of milling, drilling, reaming, and trephining the implantation space.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the forming step includes the step of forming opposed receiving surfaces in the end plates of the vertebral bodies corresponding at least in part to the size, shape, and contour to an implant to be implanted.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting the implant includes the step of using an implant inserter to insert the implant through the guard and into the implantation space.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inserting step includes the step of inserting an implant that is a bone graft.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of loading the implant with fusion promoting substance.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the loading step includes loading the implant with the fusion promoting substance being selected from one of bone, bone derived products, demineralized bone matrix, ossifying proteins, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of treating the implant with a fusion promoting substance.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is in combination with a chemical substance adapted to inhibit scar formation.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is in combination with an antimicrobial material.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inserting step includes inserting an implant comprising a fusion promoting substance.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inserting step includes inserting an implant comprising a bone ingrowth surface.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inserting step includes the step of inserting an implant comprised at least in part of one of bone and bone growth promoting material.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is in combination with at least one of a fusion promoting substance, bone, bone growth promoting material, bone derived products, demineralized bone matrix, ossifying proteins, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of visualizing at least a portion of the spine through the guard.