SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SPINAL FIXATION

摘要

Featured are a method, and apparatus for fixing adjacent vertebrate of a spine that avoids the need, associated problems with prior cage or straight rod and screw systems. Methods and apparatus of the invention utilize a new implant member (160), which preferably is arcuate. Preferred methods of the invention for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae of the spine, include steps of providing a positioning apparatus (100) including two guide sleeves (102), each guide sleeve (102) having a long axis, and locating the two guide sleeves (102) with respect to the adjacent vertebrae such that a vertex formed by the long axis of each guide sleeve (102) is located in the intervertebral space for the adjacent vertebrae. The method further includes forming an aperture in each of the adjacent vertebrae so that the implant (160) extends between the adjacent vertebrae, and through the intervertebral space.