Patent ID: 7341601

Claim:
An orthopedic implant comprising: an interconnecting network of flexible and deformable metallic fibers configured to conform to a selected bone structure; one or more reinforcing elements comprising a reinforcing band secured to and bounding an entire outer perimeter of said network of metallic fibers to provide the orthopedic implant with a low profile, sheet-like structure having a substantially planar configuration; one or more bone fasteners extending through the network or one of the reinforcing elements; an osteogenic material impregnating at least a portion of the interconnecting network between said metallic fibers to promote bone growth into said network of metallic fibers, wherein said implant is adapted for promoting fusion between adjacent bone structures; and wherein the sheet-like structure is sized to extend across a space between the adjacent bone structures and includes opposite end portions, at least one of the bone fasteners extending through each of the opposite end portions to secure the sheet-like structure to the adjacent bone structures.