Spinal system and method including lateral approach

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include devices and methods for implanting a vertebral body spacer. A lateral surgical approach is contemplated with some disclosed procedures. Instruments of some embodiments are insertable into a disc space to achieve distraction, to determine a desired disc space height, and to select a corresponding implant.

1 .- 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . An implant positionable in a spinal disc space between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra, comprising:
 a leading end portion, an opposite trailing end portion, and a longitudinal axis extending between the leading and trailing end portions;   a convexly curved upper surface orientable toward the upper vertebra;   a convexly curved lower surface orientable toward the lower vertebra;   a convexly curved anterior sidewall extending between the leading end portion and the trailing end portion; and   a posterior sidewall arranged opposite the anterior sidewall and extending between the leading end portion and the trailing end portion.   
     
     
         49 . The implant of  claim 48  wherein the convexly curved anterior sidewall includes a maximally anterior portion defining a maximum width of the implant along a lateral midline of the implant. 
     
     
         50 . The implant of  claim 49  wherein the convexly curved anterior sidewall includes a first anteriorly-facing convexly curved surface portion defining a first convex curve extending from the leading end portion to the maximally anterior portion, and a second anteriorly-facing convexly curved surface portion defining a second convex curve extending from the trailing end portion to the maximally anterior portion. 
     
     
         51 . The implant of  claim 50  wherein the first anteriorly-facing convexly curved surface portion is symmetrical to the second anteriorly-facing convexly curved surface portion relative to the maximally anterior portion. 
     
     
         52 . The implant of  claim 50  wherein the first and second convex curves defined by the first and second anteriorly-facing convexly curved surface portions are part of the same convex curvature, and wherein the maximally anterior portion comprises a point along the convex curvature. 
     
     
         53 . The implant of  claim 48  wherein the convexly curved upper and lower surfaces define an implant height therebetween that is tapered from the anterior sidewall to the posterior sidewall. 
     
     
         54 . The implant of  claim 53  wherein the implant height adjacent the anterior sidewall is greater than the implant height adjacent the posterior sidewall. 
     
     
         55 . The implant of  claim 53  wherein an average anterior height of the implant adjacent the anterior sidewall is greater than an average posterior height of the implant adjacent the posterior sidewall. 
     
     
         56 . The implant of  claim 48  wherein the convexly curved upper and lower surfaces each include a number of engagement members positioned along portions of the anterior and posterior sidewalls and projecting outwardly therefrom for engagement with bony tissue. 
     
     
         57 . The implant of  claim 48  wherein the implant defines a cavity extending therethrough from the convexly curved upper surface to the convexly curved lower surface. 
     
     
         58 . The implant of  claim 57  wherein the cavity comprises an elongate slot having a length extending along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         59 . The implant of  claim 57  wherein the anterior and posterior sidewalls each define an opening in communication with the cavity. 
     
     
         60 . The implant of  claim 48  wherein the leading end portion includes a self-distracting nose defining a first convex curvature that curves along a height of the implant from the convexly curved upper surface to a leading end surface, the nose also defining a second convex curvature that curves along the height of the implant from the convexly curved lower surface to the leading end surface. 
     
     
         61 . The implant of  claim 60  wherein the self-distracting nose defines a third convex curvature extending from the anterior sidewall to the posterior sidewall. 
     
     
         62 . The implant of  claim 48  wherein the leading end portion includes a convexly curved leading end surface defining a convex curvature extending from the convexly curved upper surface to the convexly curved lower surface. 
     
     
         63 . The implant of  claim 48  further comprising:
 a first notch in the anterior sidewall and extending to the trailing end portion; and 
 a second notch in the posterior sidewall and extending to the trailing end portion; and 
 wherein the first and second notches are sized and configured for receipt of first and second fingers of a coupling member. 
 
     
     
         64 . The implant of  claim 48  wherein the convexly curved upper surface and the convexly curved lower surface are each convexly curved along an entire length of the implant from the leading end portion to the trailing end portion. 
     
     
         65 . The implant of  claim 48  wherein the convexly curved upper and lower surfaces define an implant height therebetween that varies along the longitudinal axis from the leading end portion to the trailing end portion. 
     
     
         66 . The implant of  claim 65  wherein the implant height along the longitudinal axis varies along a constant radius of curvature. 
     
     
         67 . The implant of  claim 65  wherein the implant height along the longitudinal axis is symmetrical relative to a transverse axis passing through a midline of the implant. 
     
     
         68 . The implant of  claim 67  wherein the transverse axis passes through a location of the implant defining a maximum implant height adjacent the anterior sidewall.