Patent ID: 8740983

Claim:
A spinal fusion implant, comprising: a body configured for implantation between a superior and an inferior vertebrae, having a top surface and a bottom surface, an anterior height and a posterior height, and a fusion aperture defined by an anterior wall, a posterior wall, and first and second lateral walls; a plurality of fastener apertures extending through the anterior wall at oblique angles relative to a horizontal axis, each of said fastener apertures dimensioned to receive a bone fastener for insertion into one of the superior or inferior vertebrae, said bone fastener having a head, a shank and a collar disposed between said head and said shank; wherein said plurality of fastener apertures have an anterior diameter and a posterior diameter, wherein said anterior diameter is greater than said posterior diameter; and wherein said plurality of fastener apertures comprise an annular groove dimensioned to retain the head of the bone fastener therein, and wherein said plurality of fastener apertures includes a visualization marker on an exterior-facing surface of each of said plurality of fastener apertures, said visualization marker being partially obscured under direct visualization by said bone faster during insertion of said bone fastener and said entire visualization marker being wholly visible by direct visualization when said bone fastener is fully inserted into said spinal fusion implant.