Apparatus and Method of Spinal Implant and Fusion

摘要

An apparatus and method of performing a minimally invasive posterior spine fusion. More specifically an apparatus with a handle and a forked head on the distal end of the handle is used to grasp implant material and introduce the material to an implant site. The shaft of the apparatus is shaped so as to allow the affixation of a drill guide and drill while simultaneously holding the implant material in the implant site. After removal of the boring tools and assembly of the fusing element, the apparatus can be selectively removed from the implant site. A method of achieving facet joint fusion with near simultaneous fixation is also disclosed.

主权项

1. A system for minimally invasively accessing a spinal facet joint space to deliver an implant to the spinal facet joint space, the system comprising:
a tool comprising a proximal portion including a handle, a distal portion generally opposite the proximal portion comprising an elongated shaft having a first end connected to the handle and a distal end, said elongated shaft having a generally cylindrical body and having a hollow portion about a longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body that is in communication with at least one aperture located at the distal end of the elongated shaft, said shaft having a head, said head having a forked end with a first time having a free standing distal end, and a second tine having a free standing distal end, wherein the distal end of the first tine and the distal end of the second tine are not connected, said forked end adapted for grasping an implantable material; and wherein the first tine and the second tine each have a proximal-distal length adapted to extend substantially across the spinal facet joint space when the first tine and the second tine are positioned in the spinal facet joint space.