Patent ID: 8685101

Claim:
An intervertebral spacer comprising: an upper layer having a first exterior surface and a first interior surface; a lower layer having a second exterior surface and a second interior surface; a non-planar compliant layer substantially disposed between the first interior surface of the upper layer and the second interior surface of the lower layer, wherein the first interior surface of the upper layer and the second interior surface of the lower layer each have a predetermined complementary shape to receive the non-planar compliant layer, wherein the non-planar compliant layer includes a u-shaped portion along a cross-section thereof, and a leading portion and a trailing portion on opposite sides of the u-shaped portion, the leading portion and the trailing portion each having a planar inclined surface having its highest location most proximate the u-shaped portion and its lowest location farthest from the u-shaped portion, the first interior surface and the second interior surface each defining a corresponding leading portion and a trailing portion; wherein the upper layer and lower layer comprise a first biocompatible material, and wherein the non-planar compliant layer comprises a second biocompatible material that is more yielding than the first biocompatible material; wherein the u-shaped portion comprises at least one island portion that is disposed within a recessed area of the lower layer, wherein the first interior surface includes a complementary protrusion that is received within the at least one island portion.