Anterior spinal instrumentation and method for implantation and revision

Abstract

A system and method for anterior fixation of the spine utilizes a cylindrical implant engaged in the intradiscal space at the cephalad and caudal ends of the construct. The implants are cylindrical fusion devices ( 10 ) filled with bone material to promote bone ingrowth and fusion of the disc space. An attachment member ( 40 ) is connected to each of the fusion devices ( 10 ) and bone screws ( 30 ) having similar attachment members ( 33 ) are engaged in the vertebral bodies of the intermediate vertebrae. A spinal rod ( 50 ) is connected to each of the attachment members using an eyebolt assembly ( 53, 54, 55 ). In a further inventive method, a revision of the construct is achieved by removing the fusion devices. Each fusion device is engaged by an elongated guide member ( 62 ) over which a cylindrical trephine ( 70 ) is advanced. The trephine ( 70 ) has an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the fusion implant and includes cutting teeth ( 72 ) for extracting a core ( 84 ) of bone material around the fusion implant. The trephine ( 70 ) and guide member ( 62 ) are removed along with the bone core ( 84 ) containing the fusion implant ( 10 ). The trephine ( 70 ) is also used to extract a bone dowel from a solid bone mass to be inserted into the space left by the removed bone core ( 84 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for anterior fixation of a spine, comprising the steps of: 
       performing a thoracoabdominal exposure of the segments of the spine to be instrumented with fixation implants;  
       implanting a fusion device into at least one of the cephalad and caudal disc spaces;  
       engaging an attachment member to each fusion device, the attachment member being configured for attachment to an elongated member to extend along the spine; and  
       fixing the elongated member to each attachment member.  
     
     
       2. The method for anterior fixation of the spine of claim  1 , wherein: 
       the step of engaging an attachment member includes positioning the attachment member laterally to a vertebral body.  
     
     
       3. The method for anterior fixation of the spine of claim  1 , further comprising the step of positioning the elongated member posteriorly to the attachment member. 
     
     
       4. The method for anterior fixation of the spine of claim  1 , further comprising the steps of: 
       implanting bone screws into one or more vertebrae intermediate the cephalad and caudal disc spaces; and  
       attaching the bone screws to the elongated member.  
     
     
       5. The method for anterior fixation of the spine of claim  1 , further comprising the step of implanting a fusion device into the other of the cephalad and caudal disc spaces. 
     
     
       6. The method for anterior fixation of the spine of claim  1 , wherein the fusion device is hollow and is filled with bone growth material prior to one step of implanting the fusion device. 
     
     
       7. The method for anterior fixation of the spine of claim  1 , further comprising the steps of: 
       contouring the elongated member to conform to a normal sagittal plane curvature of the segments of the spine to be instrumented;  
       attaching the elongated member to the attachment members with the contour of the elongated member lying in a frontal plane; and  
       with the elongated member attached to each of the attachment members and before the step of fixing the elongated member, rotating the elongated member such that the contour of the elongated member lies in the sagittal plane.  
     
     
       8. A system for anterior fixation of the spine comprising: 
       an elongated member configured to extend along a portion of the length of the spine, said member having a first end adjacent a cephalad vertebra and a second end adjacent a caudal vertebra;  
       a cylindrical implant sized to be disposed in the intradiscal space adjacent at least one of said cephalad and caudal vertebrae, said cylindrical implant defining an interior chamber for retaining bone growth material and one or more apertures communicating with said interior chamber, said implant having a rear surface accessible from outside said intradiscal space when said cylindrical implant is disposed therein, said implant further having a longitudinal axis extending away from said rear surface;  
       an attachment member connected to said rear surface of said cylindrical implant, said attachment member having a head portion for attachment to said elongated member adjacent the at least one vertebra; and  
       a connection member rigidly attaching said attachment member to said elongated member at a location offset from said longitudinal axis of said cylindrical implant.  
     
     
       9. The system for anterior fixation of claim  8 , wherein 
       said cylindrical implant defines a threaded opening in said rear surface; and  
       said attachment member includes a threaded stem for engagement to said cylindrical implant at said threaded opening.  
     
     
       10. The system for anterior fixation of claim  8 , wherein said head portion and said connection member have mutually interdigitating splines to permit rigid attachment of said cylindrical implant to said elongated member at variable angles. 
     
     
       11. The system for anterior fixation of claim  8 , further comprising a number of bone screws engaged in the vertebral body of corresponding vertebrae, each of said number of bone screws having a head portion for receiving a connection member to rigidly attach the bone screw to said elongated member.