Vertebral body replacement

Abstract

This invention concerns a vertebral body replacement element to be inserted into an intervertebral space, thus supporting the spinal column of a patient. The present invention further concerns a system and method for expanding and distracting a vertebral body replacement into and within the spinal column of a patient.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A method for implanting a vertebral body replacement device, comprising:
 attaching a distracter instrument to a vertebral body replacement device, wherein the vertebral body replacement device comprises a first component having a first end and an open second end and a second component having a first section and a second section, the first section having a third end and a fourth end and the second section extending from the fourth end, the second section having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first section and configured to telescope within the open second end of the first component, and wherein the distracter instrument comprises a first arm configured to engage the first component and a second arm configured to engage the second component;   delivering the vertebral body replacement device to a location in a patient's spine using the distracter instrument;   expanding the vertebral body replacement device by moving the first and second arms of the distracter instrument away from each other causing the first and second components to move outwardly away from each other; and   inserting a spacer between the first component and the first section of the second component.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the spacer comprises a split ring. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second components are non-circular. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein attaching the distracter instrument to the vertebral body replacement device comprises inserting ends of the distracter instrument into distraction slots in the first and second components. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein inserting the spacer comprises disposing the spacer around the second section of the second component. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising selecting the spacer from one of a plurality of spacers having different lengths. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a length of the vertebral body replacement device can be adjusted by selecting a spacer having a different length. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein delivering the vertebral body replacement device to the location in the patient's spine comprises positioning the vertebral body replacement device such that the first end contacts a first vertebral body and the third end contacts a second vertebral body. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first end and third end comprise a series of teeth or serrations configured to secure the first and second components to the first and second vertebral bodies, respectively. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein inserting the spacer comprises positioning the spacer such that one end of the spacer abuts the second end and an opposite end of the spacer abuts the fourth end.