摘要:
An implant for placing in the spine is disclosed. The implant has a tool engaging surface on its trailing end configured for intimate engagement with an insertion tool. The insertion tool configuration is particularly suited for implants made of brittle materials including bone and bone substitutes. Also disclosed is an insertion tool having a gripping end adapted for intimate engagement with an implant. In one embodiment, the insertion tool is operable by axial movement of one gripping arm with respect to the other.
摘要:
A guide and a blade for contouring vertebral bodies. The guide is sized to be mounted between two vertebral members and includes a pair of edges for receiving the blade. The pair of edges are spaced a distance apart for the first edge to align with a first vertebral member, and the second edge to align with a second vertebral member. The blade includes a pair of arms with at least one cutting edge. The arms are sized to fit within the pair of edges respectively. Using the blade and guide comprises inserting the guide adjacent to two vertebral members, and inserting the arms through the pair of edges to contour the ends of the members. In an embodiment with cutting edges at the distal ends of each of the arms, the two vertebral members can be contoured simultaneously.
摘要:
The present invention provides an implant for use in fusing adjacent bony structures. The implant comprises at least one structural member combined with at least one flexible planar member to retain the at least one structural member to form the implant.
摘要:
A method is disclosed for increasing the stiffness of an intervertebral disc between vertebral bodies. The method includes providing a syringe with a needle approximately in the range of 16 to 25 gauge; providing a material having a first stage with a first viscosity adapted to flow through the needle, the material having a second stage with a second viscosity greater than the first viscosity, the second stage material having a stiffness in a range of 1.0-5.0 MPa; testing the annulus fibrosus of the disc to ensure that the annulus fibrosus has sufficient continuity so as to retain the first flowable stage material when subsequently injected into the disc; inserting the needle into the annulus fibrosus; injecting the first stage material into the disc; and permitting the first stage material to become the second stage material so as to form a load bearing implant in the disc.