Patent ID: 6165219
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A kit for placing an implant into a disk space between opposing vertebrae having opposing end plates to be separated by a predetermined degree of lordosis, said kit comprising:(A) an implant having:a generally frusto-conical hollow body having:a leading enda trailing end comprising:a trailing end risea terminal enda longitudinal axisa first taper increasing from said leading end to said trailing end rise; anda second taper increasing from said terminal end to said terminal end risesaid first taper of said frusto-conical body having a conical angle approximating said degree of lordosis;an implant thread pattern surrounding said body;openings formed through a conical wall of said body into an interior of said body with said openings formed at least on diametrically opposite sides of said body;said implant thread having a generally flat radial extremity in a surface of a cone defined by said implant thread;(B) a tap having;a shaft defining a longitudinal axis;a tapping head at a distal end of said shaft, said tapping head having a tapping thread surrounding said axis with a thread pattern substantially matching said implant thread pattern;said tapping thread includes a plurality of peaks and valleys defining a conical path around said axis with a leading end tap diameter adjacent said distal end and with a trailing end tap diameter spaced from said distal end, said trailing end tap diameter being greater than said leading end tap diameter;said leading end tap diameter being substantially equal to said leading end implant diameter.