Posterior to Lateral Interbody Fusion Approach with Associated Instrumentation and Implants

摘要

Methods for accessing a disc space of a patient as a part of an interbody fusion, as well as the tools employed therewith. An exemplary method may include inserting a leading end of an tool into the patient's back at a location on the posterior surface that is laterally offset from a patient's spinous process and disc. The tool's initial entry into the patient may be from a posterior approach. As the tool is advanced along its designated path, it begins to deviate from the posterior approach towards a lateral approach. When the leading end reaches the disc, it may access the disc from a lateral or substantially lateral location. The tool may be used to access the disc location, to remove disc material, to deliver a cutting tool for removing the disc material, and other steps associated with the spinal interbody fusion procedure.

主权项

1. A method for accessing a disc of a patient's vertebrae of the patient's spine as part of a discectomy or spinal interbody fusion, the method comprising:
inserting a leading end of a tool into a posterior surface of the patient's back at a location on the posterior surface that is laterally offset from the patient's midline, the insertion being along a path that begins as a posterior or posterolateral approach to the disc; advancing the tool along the path towards the disc, the path deviating from the posterior or posterolateral approach towards a lateral approach as the tool is advanced from the posterior or posterolateral surface until it reaches a lateral aspect of the disc; and using the tool or a subsequently placed tool to access the disc and perform at least a portion of the discectomy or spinal interbody fusion.