INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT, INSERTION TOOL AND METHOD OF INSERTING SAME

摘要

An intervertebral implant, alone and in combination with an insertion tool for inserting same and a method for inserting same. The implant has upper and lower parts which have universal movement relative to each other. Each of the upper and lower parts also has a surface engaging an adjacent vertebrae. Each part has a keel extending from said surface into a cutout in the adjacent vertebrae, and each keel has an anterior opening recess therein. An insert tool has a pair of arms which are received in the recess of the keels through the anterior opening to securely hold and insert the implant. Projections and matching indentations in each arm and the base of its recess securely attached each arm within its keel.

主权项

1. An intervertebral implant comprising
an upper part adapted to engage an adjacent vertebrae and a lower part adapted to engage an adjacent vertebrae, the upper and lower parts being in operative contact with each other so as to allow them limited universal movement relative to each other, each of the upper and lower parts having a raised keel on its surface engaging the adjacent vertebrae, which keel is adapted to be received within its adjacent vertebrae through a cutout formed in the anterior of that vertebrae, and each keel having a recess therein, which has an anterior opening, for receiving an insertion tool for inserting the implant into the intervertebral space.