Patent ID: 8147549

Claim:
A diagnostic system for a spinal implant, the system comprising: a spinal implant adapted to be situated within a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae; a containment portion adapted to separate the spinal implant from the disc space and extend therefrom and attach to an anterior surface of the adjacent vertebrae, said containment portion defining an opening oriented to face the anterior surface; an antenna located in, on or adjacent to the spinal implant for sending and/or receiving signals to and/or from a remote location; a sensor located in, on or adjacent to the spinal implant for measuring at least one diagnostic condition in, on or adjacent to the implant; an activating element located in, on or adjacent to the spinal implant that has the ability to affect the at least one diagnostic condition, said activating element positioned across and sealing said opening; a power source located in, on or adjacent to the spinal implant to provide power to the diagnostic system; and a network that electrically connects the antenna, sensor, activating element and power source.