EXPANDABLE INTERBODY FUSION DEVICE

摘要

An apparatus and method is provided for interbody fusion including distracting, in a given direction, and supporting opposing vertebral bodies. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted between the vertebral bodies to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the vertebral bodies so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column.

主权项

1. A method of supporting and distracting opposing vertebral bodies of a spine having spaced opposing endplates and a disc therebetween, comprising the steps of:
forming an opening in said disc between said vertebral bodies, said opening being in communication with said opposing endplates; inserting a distracting instrument in said opening such that said distracting instrument contacts said endplates at endplate surfaces; operating said distracting instrument to distract said vertebral bodies and thereby prepare said endplate surfaces for receipt of an expandable interbody fusion device; thereafter, placing an inserter with an expandable interbody fusion device on the distal end of said inserter into said opening with said expandable interbody fusion device contacting said prepared endplate surfaces of said opposing vertebral bodies; expanding said expandable interbody fusion device to distract said opposing vertebral bodies until stability is reached; and then, removing said inserter from said expanded expandable interbody fusion device.