Method of inserting an expandable intervertebral implant without overdistraction
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Accused Products
Abstract
An artificial functional spinal unit including an expandable intervertebral implant that can be inserted via a posterior surgical approach and used with one or more facet replacement devices to provide an anatomically correct range of motion is described. Lordotic and non-lordotic expandable, articulating implants and cages are described, along with embodiments of facet replacement devices and instruments for insertion. Methods of insertion are also described.
441 Citations
187 Claims
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1-157. -157. (canceled)
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158. A method of performing a surgical procedure on a human spine, comprising:
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removing a portion of a disc between two vertebrae of the human spine to create a disc space between the two vertebrae;
positioning an unexpanded intervertebral implant in the disc space between the two vertebrae;
expanding the intervertebral implant to increase a height of the intervertebral implant, wherein increasing the height of the intervertebral implant increases a separation distance between an upper body and a lower body of the intervertebral implant; and
maintaining the height of the intervertebral implant at substantially the expanded height, wherein the maximum separation distance between the two vertebrae during the procedure is the separation distance created during expansion of the intervertebral implant. - View Dependent Claims (159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167)
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168. A method of performing a surgical procedure on a human spine, comprising:
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removing a portion of a disc between two vertebrae of the human spine to create a disc space between the two vertebrae;
positioning an unexpanded intervertebral implant in the disc space between the two vertebrae;
expanding the intervertebral implant to increase a height of the intervertebral implant, wherein increasing the height of the intervertebral implant increases a separation distance between the two vertebrae; and
maintaining the height of the intervertebral implant at substantially the expanded height, wherein the maximum separation distance between the two vertebrae during the procedure is achieved during expansion of the intervertebral implant. - View Dependent Claims (169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177)
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178. A method of performing a surgical procedure on a human spine, comprising:
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removing a portion of a disc between two vertebrae of the human spine to create a disc space between the two vertebrae;
positioning an unexpanded intervertebral implant in the disc space between the two vertebrae;
expanding the intervertebral implant to increase a height of the intervertebral implant, wherein increasing the height of the intervertebral implant increases a separation distance between the two vertebrae;
securing the height of the intervertebral implant at substantially the expanded height; and
wherein the maximum distance between the two vertebrae during the procedure is achieved as the increased height of the intervertebral implant is being secured or after the increased height of the intervertebral implant is secured. - View Dependent Claims (179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187)
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Specification