Insertion guide for a spinal implant

Abstract

A spinal implant insertion guide is disclosed. The insertion guide includes at least one channel suitable for receiving and facilitating movement of a spinal implant into an intervertebral space between two vertebrae and a portion suitable for insertion into the intervertebral space. In embodiments for use with spinal implant having multiple pieces, the pieces of the spinal implant remain in cooperation throughout movement. The guide may further include a plunger for facilitating the movement of the spinal implant.

1 . A method of inserting a multi-piece spinal implant comprising: 
 providing an insertion guide defined by a channel having at least two slots therein;    inserting at least a portion of the insertion guide into an intervertebral space between two vertebrae;    placing each piece of the multi-piece spinal implant into the channel such that each implant piece engages at least one slot and the spinal implant pieces cooperate with one another; and    moving the spinal implant pieces into the intervertebral space while maintaining the spinal implant pieces in cooperation with one another and allowing slight canting of the spinal implant pieces with respect to each other.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said insertion guide further includes at least one extension for insertion into the intervertebral space.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said inserting step includes distracting the vertebrae.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of preparing each vertebrae for receiving the spinal implant.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of stabilizing the insertion guide with respect to the vertebrae.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the stabilization is achieved by supporting the insertion guide outside of the vertebrae.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilization is achieved by supporting the insertion guide within the vertebrae.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the insertion guide further includes a plunger.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said moving step includes manipulating the plunger to move the spinal implant pieces.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the plunger is inserted into the channel subsequent to the spinal implant pieces.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said placing step is performed prior to said inserting step.  
     
     
         12 . A multi-piece spinal implant insertion guide comprising: 
 a channel including at least two slots lying in a transverse plane, each of the at least two slots capable of engaging a different portion of a multi-piece spinal implant; and    at least one extension suitable for insertion into an intervertebral space,    wherein said guide is configured so that the pieces of the multi-piece spinal implant remain in cooperation throughout movement in said channel and are capable of slight movement with respect to each other.    
     
     
         13 . The multi-piece spinal implant insertion guide of  claim 12 , further comprising a plunger for facilitating movement of the spinal implant pieces.  
     
     
         14 . The multi-piece spinal implant insertion guide of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one extension is capable of causing distraction of adjacent vertebrae.  
     
     
         15 . The multi-piece spinal implant insertion guide of  claim 12 , wherein the cooperation of the pieces of the multi-piece spinal implant includes the mating of at least two articulating surfaces.  
     
     
         16 . The multi-piece spinal implant insertion guide of  claim 12 , further comprising a multi-piece implant disposed within said channel.  
     
     
         17 . The spinal implant insertion guide of  claim 12 , wherein said insertion guide is packaged with a spinal implant.  
     
     
         18 . The spinal implant insertion guide of  claim 17 , wherein said insertion guide and the spinal implant are sterilized.  
     
     
         19 . The spinal implant insertion guide of  claim 12 , wherein said insertion guide is constructed of a polymeric material.  
     
     
         20 . A multi-piece spinal implant insertion guide comprising: 
 a channel including at least two slots lying in a transverse plane, each of the at least two slots capable of engaging a different portion of a multi-piece spinal implant;    at least one extension suitable for insertion into an intervertebral space; and,    a plunger for facilitating movement of the spinal implant pieces,    wherein said guide is configured so that the pieces of the multi-piece spinal implant remain in cooperation throughout movement in said channel and are capable of slight movement with respect to each other.