Methods and apparatus for an insertion guide device

Abstract

A delivery instrument for placing an interbody implant into an intervertebral space of a patient comprises a plurality of elongated plates disposed adjacent one another. Each elongated plate has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is sized and shaped to fit into the intervertebral space, and is configured to engage a vertebral body in the intervertebral space. An expandable member is coupled to the plurality of elongated plates so as to form an enclosed tube that is sized and shaped to receive the interbody implant. The expandable member allows for translation of the plurality of elongated plates relative to one another as the interbody implant passes through the tube.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A delivery system for placing an interbody implant into an intervertebral space of a patient, said delivery system comprising:
 a first elongated plate having an inner surface, an outer surface, a proximal portion, a distal portion, at least one notch near the distal portion of the first elongated plate, and an external planar surface, wherein the distal portion is sized and shaped to fit into the intervertebral space;   a second elongated plate having an inner surface, an outer surface, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an external planar surface, wherein the distal portion is sized and shaped to fit into the intervertebral space, wherein the first elongated plate is disposed over the second elongated plate; and   an expandable member coupled to the first and second elongated plates, wherein the expandable member is disposed between the proximal and distal portions of the first and second elongated plates such that the expandable member is configured to remain outside of the intervertebral space, wherein the expandable member engages the at least one notch of the first elongated plate to prevent axial migration of the expandable member along a length of the first elongated plate, and wherein the expandable member does not extend past the distal portions of the first and second elongated plates.   
     
     
         22 . The delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein the notch is on a medial edge of the plate. 
     
     
         23 . The delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein the notch is on a lateral edge of the plate. 
     
     
         24 . The delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein the first elongated plate comprises two notches. 
     
     
         25 . The delivery system of  claim 24 , wherein the two notches are placed on opposite sides of the first elongated plate. 
     
     
         26 . The delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein the second elongated plate comprises at least one notch. 
     
     
         27 . The delivery system of  claim 26 , wherein the notch on the second elongated plate is on a medial edge of the plate. 
     
     
         28 . The delivery system of  claim 26 , wherein the notch on the second elongated plate is on a lateral edge of the plate. 
     
     
         29 . The delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein the second elongated plate comprises two notches. 
     
     
         30 . The delivery system of  claim 29 , wherein the two notches are placed on opposite side of the second elongated plate. 
     
     
         31 . A method for delivering an interbody implant into an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a patient, said method comprising:
 providing a delivery instrument having a first and second elongated plate forming a channel therebetween and an expandable member coupled thereto;   advancing the interbody implant along the channel using a pusher element;   stretching the expandable member, wherein the expandable member is disposed over the first and second elongated plates;   moving the first and second elongated plates relative to one another as the interbody implant moves through the channel;   disposing the interbody implant into the intervertebral space;   rotating the interbody implant within the intervertebral space using the pusher element; and   returning the first and second elongated plates to an unbiased configuration after the interbody implant has been ejected therefrom.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the pusher element rotates the interbody implant while the interbody implant is at least partially within the channel. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the plates move away from each other as the implant move distally. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the plates come back together each other as the implant advances beyond a portion of the plates. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein rotating the interbody implant so it has an increased height. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein rotating the interbody implant such that the ridges of the implant engage with endplates of the vertebrae. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the implant is disposed outside of the channel. 
     
     
         38 . A delivery system for placing an interbody implant into an intervertebral space of a patient, said delivery system comprising:
 a first elongated plate having an inner surface, an outer surface, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an external planar surface having a raised stop portion, wherein the distal portion is sized and shaped to fit into the intervertebral space, wherein the raised stop portion is configured to control depth of the delivery system into the intervertebral space;   a second elongated plate having an inner surface, an outer surface, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an external planar surface, wherein the distal portion is sized and shaped to fit into the intervertebral space, wherein the first elongated plate is disposed over the second elongated plate; and   an expandable member coupled to the first and second elongated plates, wherein the expandable member is disposed between the proximal and distal portions of the first and second elongated plates such that the expandable member is configured to remain outside of the intervertebral space, and the expandable member does not extend past the distal portions of the first and second elongated plates.