| abstract |
A laparoscopic surgical technique is provided for preparing a site for implantation of a novel fusion device or implant. In accordance with one embodiment of the technique, laparoscope (170) is provided having an outer sleeve (171) with distraction fingers (173) at one end to distract the disc space. The laparoscope (170) provides a sealed working channel to the disc space, through which the disc space is distracted, the vertebral endplates and surrounding disc is reamed, and the fusion device (250) inserted. A distraction plug (290) is provided for centering the outer sleeve (171) and for providing midline distraction of the disc space. In one embodiment, a fusion device (250) includes diverging bone screws (280) passing through an end wall (256) and upper and lower walls (260, 261) of the device to engage the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a connector plate (365, 375) is engaged to bilaterally position fusion devices (350) to prevent rotation and resist expulsion of the devices from the disc space. |