Novel implant inserter having a laterally-extending dovetail engagement feature

Abstract

A spinal implant inserter having a) an outer sleeve having a bore, and b) a forked inner shaft having a proximal rod and a pair of distal tynes extending therefrom, each distal tyne comprising an engagement feature having a laterally-extending dovetail feature. An assembly comprising the implant inserter and an implant having a pair of mating dovetail features.

1 . An instrument for inserting an implant, comprising;
 a) an outer sleeve having a bore, and   b) a forked member having a proximal rod and a pair of distal tynes extending therefrom, each distal tyne comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion having a distal wall having an engagement member extending distally therefrom, each engagement member having a medial face forming a dovetail shape,   
       wherein the proximal rod and the proximal portion of each tyne are slidably received within the bore of the outer sleeve, and 
       wherein the distal portion of each tyne extends out of the bore of the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         2 . The instrument of  claim 1  further comprising:
 c) a frame having an actuator; wherein the outer sleeve is mechanically coupled to the frame. 
 
     
     
         3 . The instrument of  claim 2  further comprising:
 d) an inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, 
 
       wherein the distal end of the inner shaft is coupled to the proximal rod of the forked member, and 
       wherein the proximal end of the inner shaft is coupled to the trigger mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The instrument of  claim 3  wherein the actuator comprises a trigger mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The instrument of  claim 3  wherein the actuator comprises a knob. 
     
     
         6 . An assembly comprising:
 a) the inserter of  claim 1 , and   b) a spinal implant having a front wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a back wall,   wherein the front wall comprises a pair of recesses opening onto a respective side wall to form a dovetail shape in each respective side wall,   
       wherein each engagement feature of the instrument is received in a respective recess of the spinal implant. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6  wherein the front wall of the spinal implant is biased against the distal wall of each distal tyne of the inserter. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 6  wherein the spinal implant has a top surface and a bottom surface defining an implant height, wherein the forked member has a top surface and a bottom surface defining an inserter height, and wherein the inserter height is less than the implant height. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 6  wherein each engagement feature of the inserter is fully received in the respective recess of the spinal implant. 
     
     
         10 . An orthopedic implant having a front wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom surfaces,
 wherein the front wall comprises a pair of recesses, each recess opening onto a respective side wall and forming a dovetail shape in the respective side wall.   
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 10  having a throughhole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface for promoting fusion therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 11  having a bone graft material contained in the throughhole. 
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 10  wherein a component comprising the front wall is manufactured separately from the remainder of the implant. 
     
     
         14 . The implant of  claim 13  wherein the component comprising the front wall is metallic and the remainder of the implant is polymeric. 
     
     
         15 . The implant of  claim 10  wherein the top and bottom surfaces are spaced at a distance sized for contacting opposing vertebral endplates. 
     
     
         16 . The implant of  claim 10  having first and second bone fasteners extending through the front wall. 
     
     
         17 . The implant of  claim 16  wherein the first fastener further extends through the top surface. 
     
     
         18 . The implant of  claim 17  wherein the second fastener further extends through the bottom surface. 
     
     
         19 . The implant of  claim 10  wherein the first and second bone fasteners extend only through the front wall. 
     
     
         20 . The implant of  claim 10  having an articulation interface. 
     
     
         21 . The implant of  claim 10  being a spinal implant. 
     
     
         22 . A spinal implant having a front wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom surfaces,
 wherein the front wall comprises a pair of recesses, each recess opening onto a respective side wall and forming at least two acute angles α and β in each of the respective side walls.