| abstract |
Instrumentation for implanting an intervertebral disc replacement device includes an insertion plate, comprising a base, a first mounting element of the base operable to engage a first member of an intervertebral disc replacement device and a first intermediate mounting element of the base operable to engage a first intermediate member of the intervertebral disc replacement device, wherein the first and first intermediate mounting elements are offset with respect to one another relative to a longitudinally directed axis of the base running substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a spinal column, and the first and first intermediate mounting elements cooperate to engage and orient the first and first intermediate members of the intervertebral disc replacement device for simultaneous insertion into an intervertebral disc space of the spinal column. The invention also comprising a method for replacing at least a portion of at least two intervertebral discs in a spinal column, comprising removing respective portions of the intervertebral discs from the spinal column, simultaneously inserting first and first intermediate members of an intervertebral disc replacement device into a first intervertebral disc space of the spinal column, and simultaneously inserting second and second intermediate members of an intervertebral disc replacement device into a second intervertebral disc space of the spinal column. |