Patent ID: 7763079

Claim:
A spinal implant for insertion into a space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a load bearing member including an elongated central element extending along a longitudinal axis and opposite first and second end pieces integral with said central element, at least one of said first and second end pieces including a plurality of radially extending spokes defining apertures therebetween to facilitate bone ingrowth and wherein said apertures have a triangular shape, said spokes extending radially outward from a central portion of said at least one said first and second end pieces, said central element extending axially from said central portion and defining a first outer dimension transverse to said longitudinal axis, said first and second end pieces defining a second outer dimension transverse to said longitudinal axis; and wherein said first outer dimension of said central element is less than said second outer dimension of said first and second end pieces to define an annular pocket surrounding and extending continuously about said central element and extending between inwardly facing surfaces of said first and second end pieces.