Method for loading a spinal implant

1. A method for loading a first spinal implant with fusion promoting substances into an implantation space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a body of a patient, the method comprising:

utilizing an implant holder having a first passage therethrough;

inserting a guard through the body of the patient into position adjacent the implantation space, the guard including a second passage for providing protected access through the body to the implantation space;

attaching a first end of the implant holder to the first implant;

advancing the implant holder and the first implant through the second passage in the guard;

positioning the first implant into the implantation space using the implant holder; and

after the positioning of the first implant and before disengagement of the first implant from the implant holder, passing the fusion promoting substances through the first passage of the implant holder into the first implant.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fusion promoting substances comprise at least one from the group consisting of bone, bone morphogenetic proteins, mineralizing proteins, hydroxyapatite, bone graft, bone gel, bone putty, and genetic material coding for production of bone.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein passing the fusion promoting substances through the first passage comprises applying pressure to the fusion promoting substances in the first passage.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein applying pressure to the fusion promoting substances comprises passing at least one of a driver, a piston, or an impacter through the first passage from a second end of the implant holder.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first implant comprises a portion configured to permit growth of bone through the first implant to the adjacent vertebral bodies.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the portion configured to permit bone growth comprises a substantially hollow portion defined within the first implant.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first implant further comprises at least one opening defined in a wall between the substantially hollow portion and the implantation space.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising preparing the implantation space prior to passing the fusion promoting substances through the first passage.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein preparing the implantation space comprises removing laminar bone.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising removing an amount of laminar bone and an amount of disc material to allow access to the implantation site.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first implant is combined with an antimicrobial material.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the attachment of the implant holder and the first implant comprises engaging the first implant with the implant holder such that the first implant can be manipulated with the implant holder without inadvertent disconnection therebetween.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the attachment of the implant holder and the first implant comprises engaging at least one flange defined on one of the first implant and the implant holder with at least one slot defined on the other of the first implant and the implant holder.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising advancing the first implant to a depth wherein a trailing end of the first implant does not protrude beyond a posterior perimeter of the vertebral bodies.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising countersinking the first implant inside the posterior perimeter of the vertebral bodies.

16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising expanding the first implant in the implantation space.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising utilizing an expander to expand the first implant.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising rotating the first implant prior to expanding the first implant.

19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting a second implant into the implantation space.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising advancing the second implant to a depth wherein a trailing end of the second implant does not protrude beyond a posterior perimeter of the vertebral bodies.

21. The method of claim 19 , further comprising countersinking the second implant inside a posterior perimeter of the vertebral bodies.

22. The method of claim 19 , further comprising expanding the second implant in the implantation space.

23. The method of claim 19 , further comprising advancing the first and second implants into the implantation space on opposite sides of the vertebral bodies.

24. The method of claim 1 , further comprising advancing a second implant into the implantation space, and expanding the first and second implants in succession.

25. The method of claim 1 , further comprising advancing a second implant into the implantation space, and expanding the first and second implants substantially simultaneously.

26. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first implant is advanced into the implantation space by at least one of a pushing movement, an impaction force, or a combination thereof, with the implant holder.

27. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fusion promoting substances are passed through the first passage at least one selected time during performance of the method.

28. The method of claim 1 , further comprising disengaging the implant holder from the first implant, and withdrawing the implant holder from the implantation space.

29. The method of claim 28 , further comprising closing at least a portion of a trailing end of the first implant.

30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the at least a portion of the trailing end is closed with an end cap.

31. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying scar tissue-inhibiting material to at least one of the implantation space and the first implant.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the scar tissue-inhibiting material is applied after insertion of the first implant into the implantation space.

33. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first implant comprises at least one bone-engaging portion defined in an outer edge thereof.

34. The method of claim 33 , wherein the at least one bone-engaging portion comprises a thread.

35. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first implant comprises holes defined therein configured to receive bone screws therethrough.

36. The method of claim 35 , further comprising passing at least one bone screw from an interior of the first implant to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

37. The method of claim 35 , further comprising utilizing at least one bone screw to pull adjacent vertebral bodies toward the first implant.