Patent ID: 8353962
Filing Date: 2013-01-15
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A dual composition vertebral defect device for insertion between a pair of adjacent lumbar or thoracic vertebrae, the dual composition vertebral defect device comprising: a frame comprised of a generally rigid first material for structural support strength, visibility by x-ray imaging and rapid fixation having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions being spaced from each other and permanently joined together by a distal support and a proximal support, the upper portion of the frame including an upper opening to encourage vertebral fusion and fixation within an intervertebral space and the lower portion of the frame including a lower opening to encourage vertebral fusion and fixation within the intervertebral space, at least one arch spans at least one of the upper opening and the lower opening from the distal support to the proximal support; and a housing comprised of a second material for minimizing interference with imaging having a convexly tapered distal end for driving into a disk space to provide distraction of a periphery of vertebral bodies and two generally parallel side walls spaced from each other and extending from the tapered distal end, the taper of the distal end having a slope of no more than 2 mm for every 1 mm change in length, the distal end being at least generally closed except for one or more holes for fixation or to promote bone growth, the housing being coupled to the frame by cooperatively surrounding at least a portion of the distal support of the frame and oriented such that the side walls are generally perpendicular to the upper and lower portions of the frame when assembled, wherein the assembled frame and housing define a hollow interior space that extends from one of the side walls of the housing to the opposing side wall of the housing, wherein the at least one arch extends in a direction at least generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of both the frame and the housing, and wherein the assembled frame and housing are configured to be driven into a disk space between the pair of adjacent vertebrae to provide distraction.