Patent ID: 8608804

Claim:
A spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction positionable within an interbody space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, said implant comprising: an upper surface including generally parallel ridges to contact said first vertebra when said implant is positioned within the interbody space, a lower surface including generally parallel ridges to contact said second vertebra when said implant is positioned within the interbody space, a distal wall, a proximal wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall generally opposite from the first sidewall, wherein said distal wall, proximal wall, first sidewall, and second sidewall comprise a radiolucent material; wherein said implant has a longitudinal length extending from a proximal end of said proximal wall to a distal end of said distal wall, wherein said longitudinal length of said implant is greater than 40 mm said implant has a maximum lateral width extending from said first sidewall to said second sidewall along a medial plane that is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal length, said implant has a height extending from said upper surface to said lower surface and extending generally perpendicular to said longitudinal length and said maximum lateral width, wherein said longitudinal length is greater than said maximum lateral width, and said maximum lateral width is greater than said height; a threaded receiving aperture configured to releasable mate with an inserter tool, the threaded receiving aperture extending into said proximal wall and having a central longitudinal axis generally parallel to said longitudinal length of said implant; first and second lateral grooves positioned in said proximal wall and positioned laterally of said threaded receiving aperture; at least a first fusion aperture extending through said upper surface and lower surface and configured to permit bone growth between the first vertebra and the second vertebra when said implant is positioned within the interbody space, wherein the first fusion aperture is symmetric about the central longitudinal axis of the threaded receiving aperture, said first fusion aperture having: a longitudinal aperture length extending generally parallel to the longitudinal length of said implant, and a lateral aperture width extending between said first sidewall to said second sidewall, wherein the longitudinal aperture length is greater than the lateral aperture width; and first, second, third, and fourth radiopaque markers positioned in said radiolucent material, each of said first, second, third, and fourth radiopaque markers including an elongate body oriented generally parallel to said height of the implant, wherein the first radiopaque marker is positioned in said distal wall, wherein the second radiopaque marker is positioned in said proximal wall, wherein the third radiopaque marker is positioned in the first sidewall and extends in the medial plane, wherein the fourth radiopaque marker is positioned in the second sidewall and extends in the medial plane.