Articulating intervertebral devices, related tools, systems, and methods

Abstract

An intervertebral implant may include a superior exterior surface, an inferior exterior surface, a first exterior lateral surface, and a second exterior lateral surface. The first and second exterior lateral surfaces may be substantially transverse to the superior and inferior exterior surfaces. The implant may further include a first curved end wall at a first longitudinal extremity of the body. The first curved end wall may include a bore configured to receive a first shaft of a tool. Additionally, the implant may include a second curved end wall at a second longitudinal extremity of the body and an elongated slot extending from a portion of the first curved end wall to a portion of the first exterior lateral surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intervertebral implant, comprising: a superior exterior surface; an inferior exterior surface; a first exterior lateral surface; a second exterior lateral surface, wherein the first and second exterior lateral surfaces are substantially transverse to the superior and inferior exterior surfaces; a first curved end wall at a first longitudinal extremity of the body, the first curved end wall including a bore configured to receive a first shaft of a tool; and a second curved end wall at a second longitudinal extremity of the body, wherein the implant further includes an elongated slot extending from a portion of the first curved end wall to a portion of the first exterior lateral surface. 
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first exterior lateral surface includes at least a central portion having a concavity. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the second exterior lateral surface includes at least a central portion having a convexity. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated slot includes a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration such that an anterior-posterior dimension of the elongated slot is greater than an anterior-posterior dimension of an opening of the elongated slot. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the body further includes a through hole in one or both of the first and second exterior lateral surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the second curved end wall includes a leading edge angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein each of the superior exterior surface and the inferior exterior surface include a portion angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the bore is internally threaded. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more protrusions extending from one or both of the superior exterior surface and the inferior exterior surface. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a central through opening. 
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated slot is configured to receive and retain a second shaft of the tool. 
     
     
         12 . A system for performing interbody fusion, the system comprising: an intervertebral implant including a body, the body comprising: a superior exterior surface; an inferior exterior surface; a first exterior lateral surface; a second exterior lateral surface, wherein the first exterior later surface and the second exterior lateral surface are substantially transverse to the superior and inferior exterior surfaces; a first curved end wall at a first longitudinal extremity of the body, the first curved end wall including a bore; a second curved end wall at a second longitudinal extremity of the body; and an articulation groove extending from a portion of the first curved end wall to a portion of the first exterior lateral surface; a locking shaft configured for selective coupling and uncoupling from the bore; and a shaft configured for selective insertion and retraction from the articulation groove. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the bore is internally threaded. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a distal end of the locking shaft is externally threaded. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the shaft includes a distal end having an enlarged extension. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the shaft is rotatable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the extension is oriented such that the extension is configured for insertion within the articulation groove, and wherein, in the second configuration, the extension is oriented such that the extension is retained within the articulation groove. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the extension is configured to move within the articulation groove. 
     
     
         18 . A method for delivering an interbody device, the method comprising: inserting a body into a prepared disc space between adjacent vertebrae of a patient, the body comprising: a superior exterior surface; an inferior exterior surface; a first exterior lateral surface; a second exterior lateral surface, wherein the first exterior later surface and the second exterior lateral surface are substantially transverse to the superior and inferior exterior surfaces; a first curved end wall at a first longitudinal extremity of the body, the first curved end wall including a bore; a second curved end wall at a second longitudinal extremity of the body; and an articulation groove extending from a portion of the first curved end wall to a portion of the first exterior lateral surface; uncoupling a locking shaft from the bore; and moving a shaft along the articulation groove so as to articulate the body relative to the shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including: rotating the shaft relative to the body; and removing the shaft from the articulation groove of the body. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein uncoupling the locking shaft from the bore includes rotating the locking shaft.