Patent ID: 6656178
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
An intervertebral fusion device, the device having a single component comprising an elongate element, the elongate element providing one or more upper load bearing surfaces and one or more lower load bearing surfaces, to be engaged by respective vertebrae in use, the upper and lower load bearing surfaces being vertically spaced from one another by the elongate element, and the elongate element being rigid in a direction parallel to the vertical spacing of the upper and lower load bearing surfaces, the elongate element having a first state and a second state, the elongate element having a substantially linear configuration in the first state and a less linear configuration in the second state, the elongate element being capable of transition, at least once, from the second state to the first state and being capable of transition, at least once, from the first state to the second state, the elongate element being of shape memory alloy.