Articulating interbody spacer, vertebral body replacement

Abstract

An interbody spacer implant assembly for interbody fusion in a vertebral body and a method of insertion comprises a plurality of links and an elongated connector mechanism adapted to retain the plurality of links and allow the plurality of links to articulate with respect to one another. An interbody spacer implant apparatus for interbody fusion in a vertebral body comprises a plurality of individually articulating links and a connector mechanism adapted to retain the plurality of links and allow the plurality of links to articulate with respect to one another, wherein the connector mechanism is dimensioned and configured to have a length-to-width ratio greater than a length-to-width ratio of each of the plurality of links. The apparatus may further comprise an insertion rod adapted to insert the plurality of links and the connector mechanism into the vertebral body.

1 . An interbody spacer implant assembly for interbody fusion in a vertebral body, said assembly comprising:
 a plurality of links; and   a flexible elongated connector mechanism adapted to retain said plurality of links and allow said plurality of links to articulate with respect to one another.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each one of said plurality of links comprise:
 a groove; and   a hole configured through a side of said each of said plurality of links.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said elongated connector mechanism comprises a substantially J-shaped mechanism adapted to allow said plurality of links to slide thereon. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of links comprise a continuous flexible structure. 
     
     
         5 . An interbody spacer implant apparatus for interbody fusion in a vertebral body, said apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of individually articulating links; and   a connector mechanism adapted to retain the plurality of links and allow said plurality of links to articulate with respect to one another,   wherein said connector mechanism is dimensioned and configured to have a length-to-width ratio greater than a length-to-width ratio of each of said plurality of links.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising an insertion rod adapted to insert said plurality of links and said connector mechanism into said vertebral body. 
     
     
         7 . A method of inserting an interbody spacer implant assembly for interbody fusion into a vertebral body, said method comprising:
 connecting an elongated connector mechanism to a plurality of links; and   inserting said elongated connector mechanism and said plurality of links into said vertebral body,   wherein specified ones of individual links of said plurality of links are adapted to articulate individually with respect to other individual links upon insertion into said vertebral body.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 attaching an insertion rod to said elongated connector mechanism;   using said insertion rod to push said elongated connector mechanism and said plurality of links into said vertebral body; and   removing said insertion rod from said elongated connector mechanism upon full insertion and final positioning of said elongated connector mechanism and said plurality of links into said vertebral body.