Patent ID: 6126688
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: A61F,A61L

Abstract:
A prosthetic implant apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebral portions, comprising an implant member dimensioned to be at least partially positioned within an intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebral portions, the implant member defining a longitudinal axis and having a cross-sectional dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis sufficient to at least span the intervertebral space, the implant member having an outer wall and an internal cavity defined within the outer wall for reception of bone growth inducing substances, the implant member comprising a bioabsorbable material and having a nonabsorbable cage structure associated therewith, the cage structure having sufficient rigidity to support and maintain the adjacent vertebral portions in spaced relation during healing, the cage structure including at least two axial rib portions and a plurality of peripheral rib portions connecting the axial rib portions.