Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Cage Devices and Related Systems and Methods

Abstract

A cage device for performing spinal fusion surgery and related methods. In some embodiments, a housing defining one or more ports may be provided that may be configured to be selectively disposed in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. One or more extensible retention structures may also be provided that may be configured to be selectively advanced out of the housing through the one or more ports. The one or more extensible retention structures may comprise a cutting edge configured such that the cutting edge is positioned entirely within the housing prior to selective advancement of the one or more extensible retention structures out of the housing through the one or more ports. One or more actuation mechanisms configured for selectively advancing the one or more extensible retention structures out of the housing through the one or more ports may also be provided.

1 . A cage device for performing spinal fusion, comprising:
 a housing defining one or more ports that is configured to be selectively disposed in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae;   one or more extensible retention structures that are configured to be selectively advanced out of the housing through the one or more ports and into one or more endplates of the adjacent vertebrae, wherein the one or more extensible retention structures each comprises a cutting edge, and wherein the cutting edge of each of the one or more extensible retention structures is configured such that the cutting edge is positioned entirely within the housing prior to selective advancement of the one or more extensible retention structures out of the housing through the one or more ports; and   one or more actuation mechanisms configured for selectively advancing the one or more extensible retention structures out of the housing through the one or more ports and into the one or more endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.   
     
     
         2 . The cage device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is sized and shaped to cover substantially all of the one or more endplates of the adjacent vertebrae. 
     
     
         3 . The cage device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more extensible retention structures comprises a pipe structure. 
     
     
         4 . The cage device of  claim 3 , wherein the pipe structure comprises an at least substantially unobstructed aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The cage device of  claim 3 , wherein the pipe structure comprises an annular structure having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape 
     
     
         6 . The cage device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an at least partially a radiolucent material. 
     
     
         7 . The cage device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more actuation mechanisms comprise at least one worm gear/mandrel pair. 
     
     
         8 . The cage device of  claim 7 , further comprising drive threads configured to engage the worm gear. 
     
     
         9 . The cage device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more extensible retention structures each comprises a retention structure configured to prevent the extensible retention structure from escaping the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The cage device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more extensible retention structures are configured to be selectively advanced out of the housing through the one or more ports and into the one or more endplates of the adjacent vertebrae with a rotational motion. 
     
     
         11 . A method for performing spinal fusion surgery, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a housing defining one or more ports, wherein the housing comprises an extensible retention structure, and wherein the extensible retention structure comprises a sharpened, non-serrated cutting edge defining an at least substantially circular opening;   positioning the housing in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae; and   advancing the extensible retention structure out of the housing through the one or more ports such that the cutting edge defining the at least substantially circular opening rotates and extends into one or more endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the cutting edge is part of an internal bone threading formed on the extensible retention structure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the internal bone threading extends along an at least substantially an entire length of the extensible retention structure. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises an at least partially radiolucent material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extensible retention structure is configured to prevent the extensible retention structure from being fully removed from the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of advancing the extensible retention structure out of the housing comprises advancing the extensible retention structure from a first configuration in which the extensible retention structure is wholly contained within the housing to a second configuration in which the extensible retention structure extends outside of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising placing a bone graft within the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of positioning the housing in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae is performed using an anterior surgical approach. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least substantially circular opening is at least substantially unobstructed prior to advancing the extensible retention structure out of the housing, and wherein the method is performed such that bone material from at least one of the adjacent vertebrae extends into the at least substantially circular opening. 
     
     
         20 . A method for performing spinal fusion surgery, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a cage device comprising:
 a housing defining an at least substantially circular port; 
 an extensible retention structure, wherein the extensible retention structure comprises a sharpened, non-serrated cutting edge defining an at least substantially circular opening in communication with the at least substantially circular port; and 
   an actuation mechanism configured for selectively advancing the extensible retention structure;   positioning the cage device in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae with the extensible retention structure wholly contained within the housing using an anterior surgical approach; and   advancing the extensible retention structure out of the housing through the port using the actuation mechanism such that the cutting edge defining the at least substantially circular opening rotates and extends into one or more endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.