Anatomical interbody implant and gripper for same

Abstract

The invention relates to an intersomatic implant designed to be inserted in the disk space defined between two adjacent vertebrae, namely an overlying vertebra and an underlying vertebra, for the purpose of reestablishing the anatomic space between the vertebrae, the implant being in the form of a cage ( 1 ) that is generally in the shape of a rectangular block having at least two sagittal walls ( 2, 3 ) interconnected at least by an anterior transverse wall ( 4 ) and by a posterior transverse wall ( 5 ), the walls ( 2 to 5 ) presenting rims ( 1 0) extending on one surface to define a first transverse face ( 8 ) and on the other side to define a second transverse face ( 9 ). According to the invention, the implant comprises: a first transverse face ( 8 ) presenting in the sagittal plane a convex profile congruent with the sagittal anatomic profile of an overlying vertebra; and a second transverse face presenting in the frontal plane a convex profile congruent with the frontal anatomic profile of an overlying vertebra.

1 . Manipulation forceps for an implant, the implant being in the form of a cage that is generally in the shape of a rectangular block-having at least two sagittal walls substantially parallel to a sagittal plane and interconnected at least by an anterior transverse wall and by a posterior transverse wall substantially parallel to a frontal plane, the cage being provided with two housings extending substantially facing each other in a frontal direction substantially perpendicularly to the sagittal plane of the cage, the forceps comprising two branches movable relative to each other and each provided with an insert-engaging jaw, 
 each jaw being provided with a radial stud extending in line with the other radial stud and suitable for being moved towards the other stud so as to be engaged in a respective housing formed in the implant.    
   
   
       2 . Manipulation forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the jaws are arranged to present antirotation means complementary to means provided on the cage so as to enable the cage to be prevented from moving relative to the forceps.  
   
   
       3 . Manipulation forceps according to  claim 2 , wherein each jaw includes, as its complementary antirotation means, an arm which is provided at its end with a radial stud and which is designed to be engaged, at least in part, in a groove formed in a sagittal wall and extending from the housing to the external face of the anterior wall.  
   
   
       4 . Manipulation forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein each jaw is provided with a stop abutment for coming into contact against the external face of the anterior transverse wall of the cage when the studs are engaged in the housings so as to transmit forces exerted on the forceps.  
   
   
       5 . Manipulation forceps according to  claim 4 , wherein each stop abutment is arranged on a jaw so as to come into contact with the external face of the anterior transverse wall of the cage substantially in line with the sagittal walls.  
   
   
       6 . Manipulation forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the jaws are urged towards each other by the branches.