초록

Stand alone fusion cage assemblies that can be secured to the adjacent vertebral bodies via an in-line approach that is substantially perpendicular to the anterior wall of the stand alone cage (or substantially parallel to the cage insertion direction).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of treating a spine, comprising the steps of: i) inserting into a disc space an intervertebral fusion device having an anterior wall, a posterior wall, and first and second side walls connecting the anterior and posterior walls, an upper bearing surface and a lower bearing surface, the a

1. A method of treating a spine, comprising the steps of: i) inserting into a disc space an intervertebral fusion device having an anterior wall, a posterior wall, and first and second side walls connecting the anterior and posterior walls, an upper bearing surface and a lower bearing surface, the anterior wall having a height and an anterior surface, and a first threaded throughhole extending into the anterior wall from the anterior surface,ii) disposing into the first threaded throughhole a fixation device comprising a proximal head and an intermediate flexible bellows having a corrugated wall comprising a helical threadform, wherein the helical threadform threadably mates with the first threaded throughhole. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the proximal head of the device comprises an internal drive feature. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the proximal head of the device comprises an axial through hole. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the axial through hole is cylindrical. 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the axial through hole is frustoconical. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the proximal head of the device is tapered and threaded. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the proximal head of the device has a peripheral groove. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising c) a guidewire extending through the fixation device. 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising d) a sleeve, wherein the guide wire extends through the sleeve. 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising e) a centering guide disposed in a hole in the intervertebral fusion device, wherein the sleeve extends through the centering guide. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the device further comprises a distal tip. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the distal tip has a tapered thread. 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the head, bellow and tip are independent elements joined by first and second joints.