Patent ID: 8470042

Claim:
A composite vertebral implant for positioning between adjacent vertebrae, the composite vertebral implant comprising: a first porous metallic scaffold member defining a plurality of pores formed therein, the first porous metallic scaffold member having a first surface on a first side of the first porous metallic scaffold member and a second surface on a second side of the first porous metallic scaffold member; a second porous metallic scaffold member defining a plurality of pores formed therein, the second porous metallic scaffold member having a first surface on a first side of the second porous metallic scaffold member and a second surface on a second side of the second porous metallic scaffold member; a polymeric body of a thermoplastic polymeric material positioned between the first porous metallic scaffold member and the second porous metallic scaffold member; wherein a portion of the pores of the first porous metallic scaffold member proximate the first surface of the first porous metallic scaffold member are filled with a portion of the thermoplastic polymeric material of the polymeric body; wherein a portion of the pores of the second porous metallic scaffold member proximate the first surface of the second porous metallic scaffold member are filled with a portion of the thermoplastic polymeric material of the polymeric body; wherein the second surface of the first porous metallic scaffold member is configured to be positioned against a first vertebra and promote bone in-growth into a portion of the pores of the first metallic scaffold member proximate the second surface of the first porous metallic scaffold member; and wherein the second surface of the second porous metallic scaffold member is configured to be positioned against a second vertebra and promote bone in-growth into a portion of the pores of the second metallic scaffold member proximate the second surface of the second porous metallic scaffold member.