Patent ID: 8002837
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An implant device for implantation within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, the implant device comprising: an implant body having an insertion end, a trailing end, and a longitudinal axis extending generally between the insertion end and the trailing end; an upper surface and a lower surface of the body; and one or more first rows of gripping members formed on at least a portion of both the upper and lower surfaces for engaging the adjacent vertebrae, the one or more first rows of gripping members being spaced apart by a channel having a first width and a first depth, and the gripping members including peaks that are spaced apart by a depression having a second width and a second depth, the first width being greater than the second width and the first depth being greater than the second depth, with each row having a leading inclined surface, the first rows having a predetermined orientation relative to the longitudinal axis such that the leading inclined surfaces extend transverse thereto at an angle of less than 90° and thereby turn the implant body during insertion about an axis generally parallel to the superior-inferior axis of the spine from an insertion orientation with the longitudinal axis extending in a generally anterior-posterior direction toward an implantation orientation in the intervertebral space via the rows of gripping members engaging the adjacent vertebrae and the predetermined orientation of the rows thereof causing the implant body to be frictionally biased toward the implantation orientation from the insertion orientation, wherein the implant body has one or more second rows of gripping members, the one or more second rows each having a second inclined surface that extend generally transverse to the leading inclined surfaces of the one or more first rows so as to engage the adjacent vertebrae frictionally biasing the implant body to be turned about the axis generally parallel to the superior-inferior axis of the spine toward the implantation orientation in the intervertebral space.