Spinal fusion cage system with inserter

Abstract

A bone graft delivery system and method for using same to deliver graft material into a surgical site. The system includes an interbody implant having a securing site disposed on a surface of the implant and a holder having an elongated, hollow handle including a distal end. The distal end of the holder is configured to removably engage the securing site of the interbody implant to secure the interbody implant to the distal end of the holder until such time as a user desires to disengage the holder from the interbody implant. The interbody implant may be a cage implant having opposing anterior and posterior surfaces, opposing first and second lateral surfaces, and opposing top and bottom surfaces, wherein the top surface comprises a first aperture and the bottom surface comprises a second aperture, the posterior surface comprising a third aperture, the first, second, and third apertures all linking to a main cavity, the main cavity generally extending between the top surface and the bottom surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical system comprising:
 a) a cage implant having opposing anterior and posterior surfaces, opposing first and second lateral surfaces, and opposing top and bottom surfaces, wherein the top surface comprises a first aperture and the bottom surface comprises a second aperture, the posterior surface comprising a third aperture, the first, second, and third apertures all linking to a main cavity, the main cavity generally extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a securing site disposed on one of the surfaces of the cage implant;   b) an elongated shaft comprising a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having an attachment end configured to rigidly attach to the cage implant so as to enable placement of the cage implant between two vertebrae; and   c) wherein the attachment end of the second portion of the elongated shaft is configured to releasably engage the cage implant.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical system of  claim 1 , wherein the securing site is configured to be contacted with at least a portion of the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical system of  claim 2 , wherein the securing site is configured to be complimentary in size and shape to a distal tip of the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical system of  claim 3 , wherein the securing site is configured so that the elongated shaft secures the fusion cage implant thereon until such time as a user desires to remove the elongated shaft from the securing site. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical system of  claim 1 , wherein the securing site is configured so that the cage implant is releasably securable to the second portion of the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical system of  claim 1 , wherein the cage implant includes a width, a length and a least one opening or fenestration. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical system of  claim 6 , wherein the securing site is located on a portion of the cage implant so as not to interfere with the openings or fenestrations and so as to facilitate surgical implantation of the cage implant. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical system of  claim 1 , wherein the securing site has a configuration used to operably connect two structures together. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical system of  claim 8 , wherein the configuration of the securing site is selected from the group consisting of a threading, a clamp, a snap-fit assembly, a bolted or screwed connection, a push-on/turn-on self-locking fastener, a press fit and a combination of two or more of such configurations. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical system of  claim 1 , wherein the securing site is a cavity or indentation located in an exterior portion of a single wall of the cage implant, and wherein the cavity or indentation does not extend through the entirety of the wall. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical system of  claim 1 , wherein the securing site is located in one of the opposing anterior and posterior surfaces of the cage implant. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical system of  claim 1 , wherein the securing site is located in one of the opposing first and second lateral surfaces of the cage implant. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated shaft has an integral, fixed, non-adjustable angle between the first portion and the second portion, the angle being within the range of 5 to 45°. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical system of  claim 1 , wherein the fusion cage implant further includes at least one ridge. 
     
     
         15 . A spinal implant system comprising:
 an interbody implant having opposing anterior and posterior surfaces, opposing first and second lateral surfaces, and opposing superior and inferior surfaces, a cavity in between all the surfaces, and a securing site disposed on one of the surfaces of the interbody implant;   a holder having an elongated, hollow handle including a distal end;   wherein the distal end of the holder is configured to removably engage the securing site of the interbody implant to secure the interbody implant to the distal end of the holder until such time as a user desires to disengage the holder from the interbody implant.   
     
     
         16 . The spinal implant system of  claim 15 , wherein the interbody implant includes a width, a length and a least one opening or fenestration. 
     
     
         17 . The spinal implant system of  claim 16 , wherein the securing site is located on a portion of the interbody implant so as not to interfere with the openings or fenestrations and so as to facilitate surgical implantation of the interbody implant. 
     
     
         18 . The spinal implant system of  claim 15 , wherein the securing site is located in one of the opposing anterior and posterior surfaces of the interbody implant. 
     
     
         19 . The spinal implant system of  claim 15 , wherein the securing site is located in one of the opposing first and second lateral surfaces of the interbody implant. 
     
     
         20 . The spinal implant system of  claim 15 , wherein the securing site is a cavity or indentation located in an exterior portion of a single wall of the interbody implant, and wherein the cavity or indentation does not extend through the entirety of the wall.