Patent ID: 6443990
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An intervertebral implant for insertion into an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, the intervertebral implant comprising:a yoke member having an first surface facing in a first direction and a second surface facing in a second direction; four legs attached to the yoke member and extending in the second direction, the ends remote from the yoke member of the four legs being spaced apart from one another, wherein there is a first gap defined between first and second legs and a second gap defined between third and fourth legs; a guide cylinder attached to the yoke member and extending in the second direction, the guide cylinder having a threaded surface extending at least along a portion thereof, wherein the legs being sized and shaped to support abutting vertebrae, the first and third legs being shaped and sized to support a first vertebrae, and second and fourth legs being shaped and sized to support a second vertebrae; a dilator member configured to simultaneously spread the first gap and the second gap as the dilator member travels along the guide cylinder toward the yoke member; and a first groove in the first leg on the portion of the first leg facing the first gap that is contacted by the dilator member, wherein the first groove runs transverse to the guide cylinder, wherein the first groove is shaped and sized so that a portion of the dilator member can enter the first groove, and wherein the first groove is a predetermined distance from the yoke.