Patent ID: 8623087

Claim:
An intervertebral cage configured for insertion between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra, comprising: an elongated main wall having first and second opposing ends thereof; a first return part extending away from the first end of the main wall; a second return part extending away from the second end of the main wall; a first end part extending from the first return part and terminating at a first end face; a second end part extending from the second return part and terminating at a second end face; an upper surface configured for contact with the upper vertebra, the upper surface comprising teeth arranged in a substantially planar array and at least portions of the main wall, the first return part, the second return part, the first end part, and the second end part; a lower surface configured for contact with the lower vertebra, the lower surface comprising teeth arranged in a substantially planar array and at least portions of the main wall, the first return part, the second return part, the first end part, and the second end part; and a cavity delimited by the main wall, the first return part, the second return part, the first end part, and the second end part, the cavity open along the upper surface and the lower surface, with the intervertebral cage having an opening to the cavity along a gap; the gap formed between the first end face and the second end face and having a width that corresponds to between 100% and about 50% of the largest dimension of the cavity parallel to the main wall, which width extends fully along the opening between the first end face and the second end face, with the gap open at the upper surface and the lower surface and extending therebetween so that the first end part and the second end part are connected only through the first return part, the second return part, and the main wall; and a coupler for a placement instrument disposed in the first or second return part or the first or second end part and adapted to place the cage between the upper and lower vertebrae.