Patent ID: 6485517
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A pair of non-identical, complementary, interbody spinal fusion implants for insertion across a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said pair of implants comprising:a first spinal fusion implant having a leading end, a trailing end opposite said leading end and a mid-longitudinal axis and length therebetween, said first implant having opposite portions adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the adjacent vertebral bodies and having a distance therebetween defining a first implant height greater than the normal height of the disc space to be fused, said opposite portions being angled toward each other along at least a portion of said length, each of said opposite portions having at least one opening communicating with one another for permitting the growth of bone from vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said first implant, at least a portion of a thread formed on the exterior of each of said opposite portions for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said first implant into the spine by at least in part rotating said first implant about the mid-longitudinal axis of said first implant, said first implant having a lateral side and a medial side and having a distance therebetween defining an implant width transverse to said first implant height, said implant width being less than said first implant height along at least a portion of the length of said first implant; and a second spinal fusion implant having a leading end, a trailing end opposite said leading end and a mid-longitudinal axis and length therebetween, said second implant having opposite portions adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the adjacent vertebral bodies and having a distance therebetween defining a second implant height greater than the normal height of the disc space to be fused, said opposite portions being angled toward each other along at least a portion of said length, each of said opposite portions having at least one opening communicating with one another for permitting the growth of bone from vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said second implant, at least a portion of a thread formed on the exterior of each of said opposite portions for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said second implant into the spine by at least in part rotating said second implant about the mid-longitudinal axis of said second implant, said second implant having a lateral side and a medial side and having a distance therebetween defining an implant width transverse to said second implant height, said first implant being configured to receive at least a portion of said medial side of said second implant; said first and second implants having a combined width therebetween less than the combined height of said first implant and said second implant when said medial side of said second implant is placed in close proximity to said medial side of said first implant.