Devices and systems for post-filling a spinal implant

Abstract

According to some embodiments, a method for promoting spinal fusion using a spinal implant comprises providing a spinal implant, wherein the spinal implant comprises an anterior wall, a posterior wall and two lateral walls configured to extend between the anterior wall and the posterior wall. In some embodiments, the spinal implant further comprises at least one internal chamber generally positioned between the anterior wall, the posterior wall and the two lateral walls, wherein the internal chamber being is adapted to receive at least one graft and/or other fill material. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the graft and/or other fill material delivered into the internal chamber is configured to exit through the one or more of the openings of the anterior wall.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A spinal fusion system comprising:
 an implant comprising a top surface configured to at least partially engage a lower surface of a first vertebral body and a bottom surface configured to at least partially engage an upper surface of a second vertebral body, the second vertebral body being adjacent to the first vertebral body;   wherein the implant comprises an internal chamber, wherein the internal chamber extends from the top surface to the bottom surface of the implant;   wherein the implant comprises at least one passageway extending from an outside of the implant to the internal chamber such that the at least one passageway in fluid communication with the internal chamber; and   wherein the internal chamber is configured to receive graft material delivered through the at least one passageway;   an implant insertion tool sized and configured to position the implant to a target intervertebral space; and   a graft material delivery system configured to deliver a volume of graft material into the internal chamber of the implant, the graft material delivery system comprising a conduit, wherein a volume of graft material is configured to be delivered to the internal chamber of the implant via the conduit;   wherein the internal chamber is configured to contain graft material delivered into the internal chamber such that graft material at least partially contacts endplate surfaces of both the first and the second vertebral bodies.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the conduit is configured to be placed in fluid communication with the at least one passageway and the internal chamber of the implant. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the graft material delivery system additionally comprises a fill tool assembly, the fill tool assembly being configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the implant, wherein the fill tool assembly comprises a cannulated shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein graft material is configured to be delivered through the fill tool assembly, either directly through the cannulated shaft or via the conduit, wherein the conduit is removably positioned through the cannulated shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the graft material delivery system further comprises a plunger assembly configured to be positioned and moved within the conduit, wherein actuation of the plunger assembly is configured to move a volume of graft material through the conduit and into the internal chamber of the implant. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one peripheral boundary of the implant does not comprise any openings other than the at least one passageway, wherein the at least one peripheral boundary defines the internal chamber of the implant. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one peripheral boundary of the implant comprises one or more openings in addition to the at least one passageway, wherein the at least one peripheral boundary defines the internal chamber of the implant. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the implant comprises a lateral implant, a TLIF implant, an ALIF implant or a PLIF implant. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the implant is configured to create a vertical distraction between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the fill tube assembly further comprises a plunger assembly configured to be positioned within the conduit, wherein the plunger assembly is selectively actuated in order to provide the necessary driving force to move a volume of graft material through the conduit and into the internal chamber of the implant. 
     
     
         12 . A spinal fusion system comprising:
 an implant comprising a top surface configured to at least partially engage a first vertebral body and a bottom surface configured to at least partially engage a second vertebral body, the second vertebral body being adjacent to the first vertebral body;   wherein the implant comprises at least one internal chamber, wherein the at least one internal chamber extends from or near the top surface of the implant to or near the bottom surface of the implant;   wherein the implant comprises at least one passageway that is in fluid communication with the at least one internal chamber, the at least one internal chamber being configured to receive graft material that is delivered through the at least one passageway of the implant; and   a graft material delivery system configured to deliver a volume of graft material into the at least one internal chamber of the implant, the graft material delivery system comprising a conduit, wherein a volume of graft material is configured to be delivered to the internal chamber of the implant via the conduit;   wherein the implant is configured to at least partially contain graft material delivered into the at least one internal chamber such that graft material at least partially contacts both the first and the second vertebral bodies.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the graft material delivery system additionally comprises a fill tool assembly, the fill tool assembly being configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the implant, wherein the fill tool assembly comprises a cannulated shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein graft material is configured to be delivered through the fill tool assembly, either directly through the cannulated shaft or via the conduit, wherein the conduit is removably positioned through the cannulated shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the graft material delivery system additionally comprises a plunger assembly configured to be positioned and moved within the conduit, wherein actuation of the plunger assembly is configured to move a volume of graft material through the conduit and into the at least one internal chamber of the implant. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the implant is configured to create a vertical distraction between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body. 
     
     
         17 . A spinal fusion system comprising:
 an implant comprising a top surface configured to at least partially engage a first vertebral body and a bottom surface configured to at least partially engage a second vertebral body;   wherein the implant comprises at least one internal chamber configured to receive graft material; and   a graft material delivery system configured to deliver a volume of graft material into the at least one internal chamber of the implant, the graft material delivery system comprising a conduit, wherein a volume of graft material is configured to be delivered to the internal chamber of the implant via the conduit;   wherein the implant is configured to at least partially contain graft material delivered into the at least one internal chamber such that at least a portion of graft material delivered into the at least one internal chamber extends from the first vertebral body to the second vertebral body.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of a peripheral boundary of the implant does not comprise any openings other than a passageway through which graft material is delivered into the at least one internal chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of a peripheral boundary of the implant comprises one or more openings in addition to a passageway through which graft material is delivered into the at least one internal chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the implant comprises a lateral implant, a TLIF implant, an ALIF implant or a PLIF implant. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the implant is configured to create a vertical distraction between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body.