Intervertebral implant

Abstract

An intervertebral spacer for therapeutic treatment of a patient includes a link sized and dimensioned to fit within an intervertebral space in the patient, and is configured to maintain a separation of two adjacent vertebrae for a period of time. A rigid guiding object, which may be a tool or a successive link, is insertable into the patient, to guide the link into the patient using an MIS approach. A pivot is connected within the links configured to limit a relative range of angular orientation between the link and the guiding tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for therapeutic treatment of a patient, comprising:
 a spacer sized and dimensioned to fit within an intervertebral space in the patient and configured to maintain a separation of two adjacent vertebrae,   wherein the spacer includes a body having a leading end and a trailing end, the trailing end including a pivot pin rotatably retained within a mating chamber formed within the body, and a radiused nut retained within a mating radiused chamber formed within the pivot pin, wherein the radiused nut and the pivot pin move such that an orientation of the spacer is changeable during or after insertion of the spacer into the intervertebral space; and   a spinal stabilizer configured to limit the separation of the two adjacent vertebrae, wherein the spinal stabilizer includes a rod connected to the two adjacent vertebrae at each end.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot pin permits a range of rotation of the spacer of about 35 to 145 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the leading end forms a tapered edge. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer includes one or more apertures through which bone of the patient may grow. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer includes a therapeutic substance operative to promote at least one of healing, anti-microbial growth, and bone growth. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface and a lower surface of the spacer includes one or more projections configured to engage the adjacent vertebrae and secure the spacer in the intervertebral space. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spinal stabilizer is connected to the two adjacent vertebrae with polyaxial pedicle screws. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rod is a rigid or flexible rod. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an elongated guiding member configured to pass into the patient and push the spacer into the intervertebral space. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further including a slot formed within the pivot pin to allow sliding passage of the guiding member. 
     
     
         11 . A system for therapeutic treatment of a patient, comprising:
 a spacer sized and dimensioned to fit within an intervertebral space in the patient and configured to maintain a separation of two adjacent vertebrae,   wherein the spacer includes a body having a leading end and a trailing end, the trailing end including a pivot pin rotatably retained within a mating chamber formed within the body, and a radiused nut retained within a mating radiused chamber formed within the pivot pin, wherein the radiused nut and the pivot pin move such that the spacer is insertable in a first orientation and moveable through a range of motion to a second, final orientation; and   a spinal stabilizer configured to limit the separation of the two adjacent vertebrae.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the pivot pin permits a range of rotation of the spacer of about 35 to 145 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the leading end forms a tapered edge. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the spacer includes one or more apertures through which bone of the patient may grow. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the spacer includes a therapeutic substance operative to promote at least one of healing, anti-microbial growth, and bone growth. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein an upper surface and a lower surface of the spacer includes one or more projections configured to engage the adjacent vertebrae and secure the spacer in the intervertebral space. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the spinal stabilizer includes a rod connected to the two adjacent vertebrae at each end with polyaxial pedicle screws. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the rod is a rigid or flexible rod. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , further including an elongated guiding member configured to pass into the patient and push the spacer into the intervertebral space. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further including a slot formed within the pivot pin to allow sliding passage of the guiding member.