Methods and apparatus for an insertion guide device

摘要

A delivery instrument for placing an interbody implant into an intervertebral space of a patient comprises a plurality of elongated plates disposed adjacent one another. Each elongated plate has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is sized and shaped to fit into the intervertebral space, and is configured to engage a vertebral body in the intervertebral space. An expandable member is coupled to the plurality of elongated plates so as to form an enclosed tube that is sized and shaped to receive the interbody implant. The expandable member allows for translation of the plurality of elongated plates relative to one another as the interbody implant passes through the tube.

主权项

1. A delivery instrument for facilitating placement of an interbody implant into an intervertebral space of a patient, said delivery instrument comprising:
a plurality of elongated plates disposed adjacent one another, each elongated plate having an outer surface and an inner surface, and each elongated plate having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion of the elongated plates is sized and shaped to fit into the intervertebral space, and wherein the distal portion of the elongated plates is configured to engage a vertebral body in the intervertebral space; and an expandable member coupled to the plurality of elongated plates over at least a portion of a length of the plurality of elongated plates, the expandable member having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the expandable member is disposed over at least a portion of the outer surface of each of the plurality of elongated plates, such that at least a portion of the inner surface of the expandable member and the inner surfaces of the plurality of elongated plates form an enclosed tube sized and shaped to receive the interbody implant, wherein the expandable member expands to accommodate an increased distance between at least two of the plurality of elongated plates as the elongated plates translate relative to one another to allow the interbody implant to pass through the enclosed tube, wherein the plurality of elongated plates are expandable to allow the delivery instrument to expand in multiple directions in order to accommodate various sizes of interbody implants, and wherein the plurality of elongated plates have a longitudinally oriented slit located therealong, the slit configured to allow the plurality of elongated plates to expand and contract.