Methods and apparatus for implanting an interbody device

Abstract

A delivery device for inserting an interbody implant into an intervertebral space in a patient has an elongate tube with a channel and is sized to fit in an intervertebral space. The elongate tube has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a longitudinal axis, and a window with a longitudinal axis. The window is disposed adjacent the distal portion of the elongate tube and the longitudinal axis of the window is offset from the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube. The channel is sized to receive the interbody implant, and also the channel is configured such that the interbody implant is advanced therealong from the proximal region toward the distal region. The interbody implant is deployed into the intervertebral space from the window.

1 .- 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A delivery device for inserting an interbody implant into an intervertebral disc space, the delivery device comprising:
 a first elongate member comprising:
 a proximal portion; 
 a distal portion, the distal portion sized to fit within the intervertebral disc space and comprising at least a side window; 
 a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion; and 
 a channel extending at least partially through each of the proximal portion and the distal portion, the channel being sized to receive at least a segment of a first interbody implant, the distal portion of the channel comprising a first element that is disposed at a distal portion of the channel such that a position of the first element remains fixed relative to a position of the distal portion and the proximal portion throughout (i) delivery of the first interbody implant, and (ii) removal of the first delivery device from the intervertebral disc space, the first element being configured to:
 limit movement of the first interbody implant the first element during delivery of the first implant; and 
 engage the first interbody implant such that a force applied to the first interbody implant along the direction of the longitudinal axis is at least partially directed into a lateral force that advances the first interbody implant through the side window and into the intervertebral disc space; and 
 
   a first elongate pusher configured to engage and advance the first interbody implant at least partially through the channel.