Intervertebral spacer and insertion tool providing multiple angles of insertion

Abstract

An intervertebral spacer includes a trailing end having a surface shaped to engage a complementary surface of an insertion tool and also includes an opening configured to receive an extending portion from the tool. While the extending portion is disposed within the spacer's trailing end, the tool may be positioned at one of a plurality of different, selectable positions relative to the spacer where the mutual engaging surfaces may secure the tool and the spacer.

1 . An intervertebral spacer comprising: 
 a leading end; and    a trailing end, configured to accept therein an extending portion of an insertion tool, the trailing end comprising an external surface configured to securely engage a complementary surface of the insertion tool at a plurality of different angles.    
   
   
       2 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an anterior side connecting the leading end and the trailing end; and    a posterior side opposite the anterior side and connecting the leading end and the trailing end.    
   
   
       3 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 2 , wherein the anterior side and the posterior side are arcuate.  
   
   
       4 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 3 , wherein the anterior side and the posterior side have different respective radii of curvature.  
   
   
       5 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 2 , wherein the anterior side, the posterior side, the leading end, and the trailing end are arranged to form a cage having a cavity.  
   
   
       6 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a generally planar superior side, generally perpendicular to the posterior and anterior sides and extending substantially from the leading end to the trailing end; and    a generally planar inferior side, opposite the superior side, and generally perpendicular to the posterior and anterior sides and extending substantially from the leading end to the trailing end.    
   
   
       7 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 6 , wherein a first height of the anterior side is greater than a second height of the posterior side such that the superior side slopes downwardly from the anterior side to the posterior side.  
   
   
       8 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 6 , wherein a first height of the anterior side is greater than a second height of the posterior side such that the inferior side slopes upwardly from the anterior side to the posterior side.  
   
   
       9 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 2 , wherein the leading end comprises: 
 a first, generally actuate, portion; and    a second, substantially straight, portion adjoining the first portion.    
   
   
       10 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 2 , wherein the trailing end comprises: 
 a first, generally actuate, portion; and    a second, substantially straight, portion adjoining the first portion.    
   
   
       11 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 9 , wherein the second portion adjoins the posterior side and the first portion adjoins the anterior side.  
   
   
       12 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the trailing end further comprises: 
 a first channel configured to receive the extending portion; and    a second channel substantially collinear with the first channel, and extending from the exterior surface to the first channel.    
   
   
       13 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 12 , wherein a first height of the first channel is greater than a second height of the second channel.  
   
   
       14 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 12 , wherein the first channel extends from a first end at the exterior surface of the trailing end to a second end within the intervertebral spacer.  
   
   
       15 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 14 , wherein the first end is located substantially at a juncture between the anterior side and the trailing end.  
   
   
       16 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 14 , wherein the first end is located substantially at a juncture between the posterior side and the trailing end.  
   
   
       17 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first major axis and, wherein the insertion tool comprises a second major axis.    
   
   
       18 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of teeth configured to engage one or more complementary teeth on the complementary surface, in a plurality of different engagement positions, wherein an angle between the first and second major axis differs at each of the different engagement positions.    
   
   
       19 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of teeth are one of rounded, squared, and pointed in shape.  
   
   
       20 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 18 , wherein the trailing end is generally arcuate and the plurality of teeth are disposed radially along the exterior surface.  
   
   
       21 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 18 , wherein the trailing end further comprises: 
 a first channel configured to receive the extending portion; and    a second channel substantially collinear with the first channel, and extending from the exterior surface to the first channel.    
   
   
       22 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of teeth engage the complementary teeth when the extending portion is disposed within the first channel.  
   
   
       23 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of teeth are configured to be moved in and out of engaging contact with the complementary teeth while the extending portion is disposed within the first channel.  
   
   
       24 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of teeth are configured to be changed from one engagement position to a second engagement position while the extending portion is disposed within the first channel.  
   
   
       25 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is generally kidney-shaped.  
   
   
       26 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is substantially a cage having a central cavity.  
   
   
       27 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the trailing end further comprises: 
 an upper edge;    a lower edge; and    a semicircular channel positioned between the upper edge and the lower edge.    
   
   
       28 . An intervertebral spacer comprising: 
 a trailing end configured to engage an insertion tool at an angle,    the trailing end comprising: 
 a first portion configured to securely receive an extending portion of the insertion tool; and  
 a second portion having a surface shaped to engage a complementary-shaped surface of the insertion tool at a plurality of different positions such that the angle differs for each of the different positions.  
   
   
   
       29 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 28 , wherein the surface is configured to be moved from a first position to a second position while the extending portion is disposed within the first portion.  
   
   
       30 . The intervertebral system of  claim 28 , wherein the first portion comprises a channel having an opening on an exterior of the spacer.  
   
   
       31 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 28 , wherein the second portion comprises a plurality of teeth.  
   
   
       32 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 28 , wherein the first portion includes: 
 an upper edge;    a lower edge; and    a semicircular channel positioned between the upper edge and the lower edge.    
   
   
       32 . A method for using an intervertebral spacer comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an extending portion of an insertion tool within the intervertebral spacer; and    securely engaging a first surface of the intervertebral spacer with a second surface of the insertion tool in one of a plurality of different adjustable positions, while the extending portion is disposed within the intervertebral spacer.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising the step of: 
 changing from the one position to a different position among the plurality of positions while the extending portion remains disposed within the intervertebral spacer.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the first surface has a plurality of shaped protrusions and the second surface has a complementary shape configured to mate with at least one of the shaped protrusions.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the first surface and second surface comprises respective pluralities of teeth.