System and method for an intervertebral implant

摘要

The invention relates to the preparation of an intervertebral space with a trial implant (9), the insertion of an implant (5, 6, 7), the inserters (13, 16), and the method for feeding and inserting the implant (5, 6, 7) by means of an oblique anterior approach. In the novel improved method, the associated instruments (13, 16) for inserting an implant (5, 6, 7) into an intervertebral space, in particular for the lumbar spine at an oblique anterior angle of 45° was developed, the left side of the body being preferred for insertion of the implant (5, 6, 7). Either the implant (5, 6, 7) can be inserted all in one, or first the upper part (5) and lower parts (7) and then the inlay (6) may be inserted. By insertion by means of the left oblique anterior approach at 45°, optimum utilization of the area of the intervertebral space is ensured (footprint), and better retention of the implant is guaranteed by the exact chiselling at an angle of 90° normal to the respective intervertebral surface.

主权项

1. A trial implant configured to prepare an intervertebral space for insertion of an intervertebral disc prosthesis, the trial implant comprising:
a trial implant body defining a superior bearing surface, an inferior bearing surface that is opposite the superior bearing surface along a vertical direction, an anterior end, a posterior end spaced from the anterior end along an anterior-posterior direction that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction, and opposed lateral sides spaced apart with respect to each other, and each of the anterior and posterior ends define a midpoint located between the opposed lateral sides, the midpoints lying on an anterior-posterior axis that is aligned with the anterior-posterior direction, and the trial implant body further defining a superior guide slot that extends into the superior bearing surface, an inferior guide slot that extends into the inferior bearing surface, a superior bottom surface, and an inferior bottom surface, the superior and inferior bottom surfaces being spaced from each bearing surface along the vertical direction, wherein 1) each guide slot extends from the respective bearing surfaces to the respective bottom surfaces such that the guide slots do not extend entirely through the trial implant body, and 2) each guide slot is elongate along a respective guide slot axis that is perpendicular with respect to the vertical direction and is oblique with respect to the anterior-posterior axis, wherein the at least one guide slot is configured to receive a guide along the guide slot axis.