Interbody fusion system with intervertebral implant retention assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed towards a biomechanical implant and anterior, lateral or posterior instrumentation construct. The construct may be of unitary or modular construction, whereby a single molded construction can form the entire assembly, in which case the through holes may be adapted to receive a metallic insert for screw fixation; or alternatively be of a modular construction wherein the anterior/lateral instrumentation and intervertebral spacer are designed for removable locking engagement, one with the other, for insertion by the surgeon as a unitary construct. A unique feature of the construct resides within the instrumentation construction, whereby a single opening formed therein permits two bone screws, or the like fastener device, to be positioned within both the superior and inferior vertebral bodies surrounding the spacer implant, or, for example in the case of a corpectomy or diskectomy with cage insertion, wherein two screws can be fixed within a single vertebral body through a single through hole, and wherein the bone screws are constructed and arranged to cooperate with the retention plate so as to provide locking engagement, one to the other, with the retention plate, upon final fixation thereof. Screw retention elements of alternative shape, based upon the choice of vertical or horizontal orientation, based upon an opened figure eight design, are provided for insertion in a groove formed in the borehole of the instrumentation plate which allows insertion of each fixation element but will prevent a loosened fixation element from falling out of the plate.