Bone Blocks and Methods for Inserting Bone Blocks Into Intervertebral Spaces

Abstract

A bone block for insertion into a patient's intervertebral space. A method for inserting a bone block into a patient's intervertebral space, comprising: supporting the bone block in an inserter; advancing the inserter into the intervertebral space; rotating the inserter, thereby separating adjacent vertebrae; separating the bone block and the inserter with a push rod; and removing the inserter from the intervertebral space.

1 . A system for introducing a bone block into the intervertebral space of a patient, comprising:
 a rotatable inserter having two prongs at a distal end; and   a bone block received between the two prongs.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each prong has an outer convexly curved camming surface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the two prongs are disposed on opposite sides of the bone block, with each prong having a longitudinally extending groove on an inner surface adjacent to the bone block. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the bone block has lateral protrusions which extend longitudinally along the length of the bone block; and
 wherein the lateral protrusions on the bone block are dimensioned to mate with the longitudinally extending grooves on the inner surfaces of the prongs such that the bone block can slide longitudinally between the prongs.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cannula dimensioned to receive the inserter therein.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula has an oval or racetrack-shaped cross section, the cross section being defined by an ellipse having a major dimension and a minor dimension. 
     
     
         7 . The system  claim 4 , wherein the inserter comprises a first half and a second half which are separable from one another such that the first and second halves can be separately withdrawn through the cannula. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bone block has at least one anchoring fin. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bone block is cannulated along its length. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a fastening pin dimensioned to be received in the cannulation in the bone block.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second bone block, wherein the second bone block is adapted to interlock with the bone block.