Bone fusion device, system and method

Abstract

A bone fusion method, system and device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together in order to replace degenerated discs and/or bones, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises a frame and one or more extendable plates that are able to be angled, rotatable, adjustable, and have top profiles designed to correct and/or match the replaced discs/bones. The bone fusion device is able to be inserted between or replace the vertebrae by using a minimally invasive procedure wherein the dimensions and/or other characteristics of the bone fusion device are selectable based on the type of minimally invasive procedure.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A method of implanting a bone fusion apparatus into a desired location having a height, the method comprising:
 detachably coupling together two or more of the group consisting of bone fusion devices having a body and one or more extendable tabs and spacers to form a bone fusion assembly;   inserting the bone fusion assembly into the desired location; and   extending one or more of the tabs out from the bodies to extended positions such that the height of the bone fusion assembly is substantially similar to the height of the desired location.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the number of spacers and bone fusion devices coupled together is based on the height of the desired location. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the one or more spacers are hollow. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the detachably coupling comprises coupling one of the bone fusion devices to another one of the bone fusion devices. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the detachably coupling comprises coupling one of the spacers to another one of the spacers. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the detachably coupling comprises coupling one of the spacers to one or more of the bone fusion devices. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the bone fusion devices and spacers comprise one or more rails and one or more slats and the detachably coupling comprises sliding the slats under the rails. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the one or more slats and one or more rails comprise one or more snap-fit members and one or more cutouts and the detachably coupling comprises depressing the snap-fit members when the slats are slid under the rails and springing the snap-fit members into the one or more cutouts when the snap-fit members are aligned with one or more of the cutouts in order to prevent the slats from sliding out from under the rails. 
     
     
         60 - 62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . A method of implanting a bone fusion apparatus into a desired location, the method comprising:
 inserting the bone fusion device into the desired location, wherein the bone fusion device comprises a body having an interior cavity, one or more extendable tabs having an outward facing surface and a tab positioning assembly coupled with the one or more tabs;   moving the tabs between a retracted position within the interior cavity and an extended position extending out of the cavity with an extension positioning element of the tab positioning assembly; and   adjusting the angle of the outward facing surface with respect to the body with an angle positioning element of the tab positioning assembly.   
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the movement of the tabs between the retracted position and the extended position is independent of the adjustment of the angle of the outward facing surface with respect to the body. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the movement of the tabs between the retracted position and the extended position and the adjustment of the angle of the outward facing surface with respect to the body occur simultaneously. 
     
     
         66 - 70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . A method of implanting a bone fusion apparatus into a desired location having a height, the method comprising:
 detachably coupling together two or more of the group consisting of bone fusion devices having a body and one or more extendable tabs and spacers to form a bone fusion assembly, wherein the bone fusion devices and spacers comprise one or more rails and one or more slats and the detachably coupling comprises sliding the slats under the rails;   inserting the bone fusion assembly into the desired location; and   extending one or more of the tabs out from the bodies to extended positions such that the height of the bone fusion assembly is substantially similar to the height of the desired location.   
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the number of spacers and bone fusion devices coupled together is based on the height of the desired location. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the one or more spacers are hollow. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the detachably coupling comprises coupling one of the bone fusion devices to another one of the bone fusion devices. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the detachably coupling comprises coupling one of the spacers to another one of the spacers. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the detachably coupling comprises coupling one of the spacers to one or more of the bone fusion devices. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the one or more slats and one or more rails comprise one or more snap-fit members and one or more cutouts and the detachably coupling comprises depressing the snap-fit members when the slats are slid under the rails and springing the snap-fit members into the one or more cutouts when the snap-fit members are aligned with one or more of the cutouts in order to prevent the slats from sliding out from under the rails.