Steerable interbody fusion cage

摘要

An interbody vertebral cage facilitates minimally invasive approaches to the intervertebral disc for corrective restoration of disc height, stabilization between vertebra, and fusion. The preferred embodiment provides a streamlined, slender straight contour with a central hinge or other articulating apparatus that allows the introduction of the cage into the operative field and disc space in a minimally invasive, bone-sparing manner. After partial insertion, the hinge component is activated, allowing the operator to steer the cage anterior-medially within the disc space to an anterior-central position within the intervertebral space. In this state the cage is shaped like a crescent, chevron or boomerang.

主权项

1. A method of fusing vertebrae, comprising the steps of:
providing a steerable intervertebral cage comprising:
a distal portion having front, back, top, bottom, inner and outer surfaces;a proximal portion having a front, back, top, bottom, inner and outer surfaces, anda hinge joining the front of the proximal portion to the back of the distal portion, such that the cage has a first, straightened shape with the hinge open and a second, crescent shape with the hinge closed; introducing the cage in the first, straightened shape into an anterior central position within an intervertebral disc space using a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) or transverse lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) approach; steering or allowing the cage to assume the second, crescent shape once within the intervertebral disc space; and wherein the method further includes the steps of:
using a first instrument to maintain the cage in the straightened shape for introduction; andswitching to a different instrument that facilitates articulation and final positioning.