Patent ID: 8167945

Claim:
A biocompatible metallic, plastic or combined metallic-plastic doughnut-like implant capable of frontal insertion between a superior and inferior lumbosacral vertebra, wherein said doughnut-like implant comprises a plurality of distinct generally upright load-supporting curvatures including load-bearing superior and inferior edges; said doughnut-like implant comprising: a) an asymmetrical central opening, including a central vertical axis, surrounded by said plurality of distinct generally upright load-supporting curvatures; b) an anterior load-supporting curvature protruding forward and away from said central vertical axis further comprising: i) one or more apertures located proximate said inferior edge for receiving one or more fasteners; ii) one or more windows allowing insertion of osteogenic, arthrodesis accelerating or other substances; and iii) a bore complementary to each said window and proximate said superior edge; c) a posterior load-supporting curvature angled more acutely than said anterior member; d) a first lateral load-supporting curvature intermediate between and connected with said anterior and said posterior load-supporting curvatures, wherein superior and inferior edges of said first lateral load-supporting curvature taper toward each other as said first lateral load-supporting-curvature traverses from said anterior load-supporting curvature to said posterior load-supporting curvature; e) a second lateral load-supporting curvature intermediate between and connected with said anterior and said posterior load-supporting curvatures, wherein superior and inferior edges of said second lateral load-supporting curvature taper toward each other as said second lateral load-supporting-curvature traverses from said anterior load-supporting curvature to said posterior load-supporting curvature; f) one or more detachable connectors associated with said one or more windows; each said detachable connector comprising: i) a first member including a hole for receiving a first fastener; ii) a second member capable of covering a majority of one of said windows for limiting outflow of said osteogenic, arthrodesis accelerating or other substances, wherein said second member comprises a hole for alignment with one of said bores and for receiving a second fastener; and iii) a transitional body connecting and offsetting said first member from said second member such that when said detachable connector is attached to said anterior load-supporting curvature said first member extends anterior to said anterior load-supporting curvature and superior to said anterior load-supporting curvature's superior edge; and g) a plurality of fasteners for use with said doughnut-like implant.