Patent attributes
Methods for growing spinal implants in situ using a surgical additive-manufacturing system. In one aspect, the method includes positioning a dispenser at least partially within an interbody space, between a first patient vertebra and a second patient vertebra. The method includes maneuvering the dispensing component within the space to deposit printing material forming an interbody implant part, positioning the dispensing component adjacent the vertebrae, and maneuvering the dispenser adjacent the vertebrae to deposit printing material on an exterior surface of each vertebrae and in contact with the interbody implant part forming an extrabody implant part connected to the interbody implant part and vertebrae, yielding the spinal implant grown in situ connecting the first vertebra to the second vertebra. The extrabody part can be printed around anchors affixed to the vertebrae, and the anchors may be printed in the process.
