SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR RESTORING AND MAINTAINING INTERVERTEBRAL ANATOMY

摘要

An implant (310) for the spinal column is disclosed, comprising an elongated body having convex upper and lower surfaces (314, 317), a pair of lateral sidewalls (313, 315) and a cavity (332) opening at said upper and lower surfaces. The implant further comprises a leading end portion (316) structured for insertion into the disc space in a collapsed condition. An instrument (100) is disclosed for insertion of a spinal implant (110) having notches (124) in its lateral surfaces, the instrument comprising fingers (104, 108) to grip the implant in said notches, wherein the fingers do not protrude outwardly from the lateral suface (115, 113) of the implant both in the gripping and the non-gripping position.