Anterior impacted bone graft and driver instruments

Abstract

Instrument and implants are disclosed which provide for insertion of an implant into an intervertebral disc space from multiple approaches to the spine. Specifically, as a preferred aspect of the invention the implant includes a tapered portion and the implant may be inserted from multiple approaches to the spine with the orientation and taper properly oriented in the disc space regardless of the approach.

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . An inserter for inserting a spinal implant, comprising:
 a distal guide having a first angled drive surface,
 a second angled drive surface opposing said first drive surface, and 
 a third surface extending between said first drive surface and said second drive surface, wherein said third surface includes a concave surface; and 
   a locking mechanism adapted to abuttingly engage the implant against said first drive surface and said second drive surface.   
     
     
         58 . The inserter of  claim 57 , further comprising an outer shaft coupled to said distal guide. 
     
     
         59 . The inserter of  claim 58 , wherein said locking mechanism includes a threaded portion of an inner shaft adapted to threadedly engage the implant. 
     
     
         60 . The inserter of  claim 59 , wherein said distal guide further includes a pair of parallel side surfaces, said first drive surface and said second drive surface being oriented at an angle of substantially 18 degrees with respect to a reference line that is perpendicular to said side surfaces. 
     
     
         61 . The inserter of  claim 57 , wherein said distal guide further includes a pair of parallel side surfaces, said first drive surface and said second drive surface being oriented at an angle of substantially 18 degrees with respect to a reference line that is perpendicular to said side surfaces. 
     
     
         62 . An inserter for inserting a spinal implant, comprising:
 a distal guide having
 a first angled drive surface, 
 a second angled drive surface opposing said first drive surface, and 
 a third surface extending between said first drive surface and said second drive surface, wherein said third surface includes a third angled surface; 
   a locking mechanism adapted to abuttingly engage the implant against said first drive surface and said second drive surface; and wherein said distal guide is adapted to insert the implant at least at an obtuse angle with respect to a spinal column.   
     
     
         63 . The inserter of  claim 62 , further comprising an outer shaft coupled to said distal guide, wherein said locking mechanism includes a threaded portion of an inner shaft adapted to threadedly engage the implant. 
     
     
         64 . The inserter of  claim 63 , wherein said distal guide has a central longitudinal axis extending through said outer shaft and said distal guide, said distal guide having a bore in which said inner shaft is provided, said bore being offset with respect to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         65 . The inserter of  claim 64 , wherein said distal guide has parallelly oriented first and second sidewall surfaces, said first drive surface being oriented at a first angle with respect to said first sidewall surface, said second drive surface being oriented at a second angle with respect to said second sidewall surface, and said third angled surface being oriented at a third angle with respect to said first drive surface. 
     
     
         66 . The inserter of  claim 65 , wherein said first angle is approximately 42 degrees, said second angle is approximately 30 degrees, and said third angle is approximately 144 degrees. 
     
     
         67 . The inserter of  claim 62 , wherein said distal guide has parallelly oriented first and second sidewall surfaces, said first drive surface being oriented at a first angle with respect to said first sidewall surface, said second drive surface being oriented at a second angle with respect to said second sidewall surface, and said third angled surface being oriented at a third angle with respect to said first drive surface. 
     
     
         68 . The inserter of  claim 67 , wherein said first angle is approximately 42 degrees, said second angle is approximately 30 degrees, and said third angle is approximately 144 degrees. 
     
     
         69 . The inserter of  claim 67 , wherein said first, second and third angles are different from one another. 
     
     
         70 . The inserter of  claim 67 , wherein: said distal guide has a central longitudinal axis; and said locking mechanism is offset with respect to said central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         71 - 83 . (canceled)