Patent ID: 6558423
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:an interbody spinal fusion implant for surgical implantation at least in part within a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies in a segment of a human spine, said implant comprising a leading end for entry into the spine, a trailing end opposite said leading end, and a length therebetween; and upper and lower portions for contacting each of the adjacent vertebral bodies when positioned therein, each of said upper and lower portions having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower portions being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant, each of said upper and lower portions having at least one screw hole passing therethrough proximate said trailing end; bone screws adapted for placement through said screw holes of said upper and lower portions and into each of the adjacent vertebral bodies adjacent the disc space to be fused and into which said implant is adapted to be positioned; and a lock adapted to cooperatively engage said implant, said lock capable of being pre-installed to said implant prior to insertion of at least one of said bone screws into said at least one of said screw holes, said lock being movable from a first position to a second position, said lock being configured so as to permit insertion of at least one of said bone screws into at least one of said screw holes, when in said first position and so as to cover at least a portion of at least one of said bone screws inserted in at least one of said screw holes when said lock is in said second position.