Patent ID: 8075620

Claim:
A biocompatible metallic, plastic or combined metallic-plastic doughnut-like implant capable of frontal insertion between a superior and inferior lumbosacral vertebra; said doughnut-like implant comprising: a) an asymmetrical central opening having a central vertical axis; b) an anterior curvature protruding forward and away from said central vertical axis, wherein said anterior curvature has superior and inferior edges; said anterior curvature further comprising one or more apertures located proximate said inferior edge for receiving one or more fasteners; c) a posterior curvature protruding forward and toward said central vertical axis, wherein said posterior curvature has superior and inferior edges, and wherein said posterior curvature is angled more acutely than said anterior curvature; d) a first annular-like side distinct from said anterior and posterior curvatures and connected with said anterior curvature and said posterior curvature, wherein said first annular-like side includes an upper boundary and a lower boundary, and wherein said upper boundary and said lower boundary taper toward each other as said first annular-like side traverses from said anterior curvature to said posterior curvature; e) a second annular-like side distinct from said anterior and posterior curvatures and connected with said anterior curvature and said posterior curvature, wherein said second annular-like side includes an upper boundary and a lower boundary, and wherein said upper boundary and said lower boundary taper toward each other as said second annular-like side traverses from said anterior curvature to said posterior curvature; f) a forwardly extending arm attached to said superior edge of said anterior curvature; and g) a plate comprising an aperture, wherein said plate is connected with said forwardly extending arm, wherein said plate extends upward from said forwardly extending arm, wherein said plate is generally parallel a reference plane intersecting said first annular-like side and said second annular-like side, and wherein said central vertical axis is coplanar with said referenced plane.