Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A non-threaded interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, theimplant comprising: a body having a mid-longitudinal axis, an insertion end, a trailing end, a length between said ends, an upper portion adapted to be oriented toward one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, a lower portion adapted to be oriented towardthe other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, and a height between said upper portion and said lower portion transverse to the length, the height of said upper and lower portions along a portion of the length of said implant being constant, said bodyhaving at least two openings in communication with one another for permitting the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant; and a non-threaded bone engaging means extending from at least a portion ofsaid upper and lower portions adapted to engage said implant to the adjacent vertebral bodies of the spine when implanted in the spine, said bone engaging means having a maximum height that increases from one of said ends to the other of said ends alongat least a portion of the length of said body where the height of said upper and lower portions is constant, said implant being made of a material appropriate for human implantation.

2. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said body includes two opposed sides between said upper and lower portions, said sides being planar along at least a portion of the length r.

3. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said upper and lower surfaces form at least a portion of a cylinder.

4. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said implant comprises a bone ingrowth material.

5. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said implant comprises a fusion promoting material.

6. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

7. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said body has a plurality of openings adapted to retain fusion promoting material.

8. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said bone engaging means includes an outer surface that is at least in part porous.

9. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said bone engaging means comprises a plurality of posts spaced apart along at least a portion of the outer surface of said body.

10. The spinal fusion implant of claim 9 in which said plurality of posts have a head portion and a stem portion, said head portion having a wider diameter than said stem portion.

11. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said bone engaging means comprises a mesh-like material having a plurality of interstices for receiving fusion promoting material.

12. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said bone engaging means includes a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings being presenton at least a portion of said outer surface of said implant.

13. The spinal fusion implant of claim 12 in which said surface roughenings include a plurality of ratchetings.

14. The spinal fusion implant of claim 12 in which said surface roughenings include knurling.

15. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said body has an internal chamber and means for accessing said internal chamber.

16. The spinal fusion implant of claim 15 in which said internal chamber is capable of containing fusion promoting material.

17. The spinal fusion implant of claim 15 in which said body includes a wall surrounding said internal chamber.

18. The spinal fusion implant of claim 17 in which said wall has a plurality of openings passing therethrough in communication with said internal chamber.

19. The spinal fusion implant of claim 15 in which said body has a cap for closing said accessing means.

20. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said implant includes an engagement means for engaging instrumentation for the insertion of said implant.

21. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which at least a portion of said outer surface comprises wells having at least partial walls.

22. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said implant is configured to be placed in close proximity in a side by side alignment to a second spinal fusion implant, said first and second implants when placed together having a combinedoverall width that is less than the sum of the individual maximum diameters of each of said first and second implants.

23. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said body has at least one truncated side forming a planar surface parallel to the mid-longitudinal axis.

24. The spinal fusion implant of claim 1, in combination with a fusion promoting material.

25. The spinal fusion implant of claim 24, wherein said fusion promoting material includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite compounds, and osteogenic proteins.

26. A non-threaded interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, said implant comprising a body having a substantially frusto-conicalconfiguration along a sufficient portion of said body that is adapted to contact the adjacent vertebral bodies when implanted in the spine so as to maintain an angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to one another, said body having aninsertion end, a trailing end, and an outer surface including bone engaging means for engaging said implant to the adjacent vertebral bodies, the locus of said bone engaging means forming a substantially cylindrical configuration, said implant being madeof a material appropriate for human implantation.

27. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said trailing end is larger than said insertion end.

28. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said implant comprises a bone ingrowth material.

29. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said implant comprises a fusion promoting material.

30. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

31. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said body has a plurality of openings for retaining fusion promoting material.

32. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said bone engaging means includes said outer surface being porous at least in part.

33. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said bone engaging means comprises a plurality of posts spaced apart along at least a portion of the outer surface of said body.

34. The spinal fusion implant of claim 33 in which said plurality of posts have a head portion and a stem portion, said head portion having a wider diameter than said stem portion.

35. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said bone engaging means comprises a mesh-like material having a plurality of interstices for receiving fusion promoting material.

36. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said bone engaging means includes a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging said adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings being presenton at least a portion of said outer surface of said implant.

37. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said surface roughenings include a plurality of ratchetings.

38. The spinal fusion implant of claim 36 in which said surface roughenings include knurling.

39. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said body has an internal chamber and means for accessing said internal chamber.

40. The spinal fusion implant of claim 39 in which said internal chamber is capable of containing fusion promoting material.

41. The spinal fusion implant of claim 39 in which said body includes a wall surrounding said internal chamber.

42. The spinal fusion implant of claim 39 in which said wall has a plurality of openings passing therethrough in communication with said internal chamber.

43. The spinal fusion implant of claim 39 in which said body has a cap for closing said accessing means.

44. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which one of said ends includes an engagement means for engaging instrumentation for the insertion of said implant.

45. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which at least a portion of said outer surface comprises wells having at least partial walls.

46. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said implant is configured to be placed in close proximity in a side by side alignment to a second spinal fusion implant, said first and second implants when placed together having a combinedoverall width that is less than the sum of the individual maximum diameters of each of said first and second implants.

47. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26 in which said body has a longitudinal central axis and at least one truncated side forming a planar surface parallel to said central axis.

48. The spinal fusion implant of claim 26, in combination with a fusion promoting material.

49. The spinal fusion implant of claim 48, wherein said fusion promoting material includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite compounds, and osteogenic proteins.

50. A non-threaded interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies, the implant comprising a body having a substantially frusto-conical configurationalong a sufficient portion of said body that is adapted to contact the adjacent vertebral bodies when implanted in the spine so as to maintain an angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to one another, said body having at least two openingsin communication with one another for permitting the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant, said body having an insertion end, a trailing end being larger than said insertion end, and an outer surfaceincluding bone engaging projections for engaging said implant to the adjacent vertebral bodies, the outer locus of said bone engaging projections forming a substantially frusto-conical configuration, at least one of said bone engaging projections havinga forward portion oriented toward said insertion end and being ramped to facilitate linear insertion of said implant into the disc space and having a rearward portion oriented toward said trailing end adapted to resist expulsion of said implant in adirection opposite to the direction of insertion, said implant being made of a material appropriate for human implantation.

51. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which said implant comprises a bone ingrowth material.

52. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which said implant comprises a fusion promoting material.

53. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

54. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which said body includes a plurality of openings adapted to retain fusion promoting material.

55. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which said bone engaging projections include said outer surface being at least in part porous.

56. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which said bone engaging projections comprise a mesh-like material having a plurality of interstices adapted to receive fusion promoting material.

57. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which said bone engaging projections include a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging said adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings beingpresent on at least a portion of said outer surface of said implant.

58. The spinal fusion implant of claim 57 in which said surface roughenings include a plurality of ratchetings.

59. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which said implant has an internal chamber and means for accessing said internal chamber.

60. The spinal fusion implant of claim 59 in which said internal chamber is configured to contain fusion promoting material.

61. The spinal fusion implant of claim 59 in which said body includes a wall surrounding said internal chamber.

62. The spinal fusion implant of claim 61 in which said wall has a plurality of openings passing therethrough in communication with said internal chamber.

63. The spinal fusion implant of claim 59 in which said body has a cap for closing said accessing means.

64. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which one of said ends includes an engagement means for engaging instrumentation for the insertion of said implant.

65. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which at least a portion of said outer surface comprises wells having at least partial walls.

66. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which said implant is configured to be placed in close proximity in a side by side alignment to a second spinal fusion implant, said first and second implants when placed together having a combinedoverall width that is less than the sum of the individual maximum diameters of each of said first and second implants.

67. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50 in which said body has a longitudinal central axis and at least one truncated side forming a planar surface parallel to said central axis.

68. The spinal fusion implant of claim 50, in combination with a fusion promoting material.

69. The spinal fusion implant of claim 68, wherein said fusion promoting material includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite compounds, and osteogenic proteins.

70. A non-threaded interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the implant comprising a body having an insertion end, a trailing end,and an outer surface including a plurality of posts having a head and a stem, said head being wider than said stem, said stem having a first portion proximate said head and a second portion proximate said body, a maximum dimension transverse to thelength of said stem at said second portion being smaller than a maximum dimension transverse to the length of said stem at said first portion, said posts being spaced apart along at least a portion of said outer surface of said body for engaging saidimplant to adjacent vertebral bodies of the spine, said body having at least two openings in communication with one another for permitting the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant, said implant beingmade of a material appropriate for human implantation.

71. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70 in which said implant comprises a bone ingrowth material.

72. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70 in which said implant comprises a fusion promoting material.

73. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70 in which said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

74. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70 in which said body includes a plurality of openings adapted to retain fusion promoting material.

75. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70 in which said outer surface is at least in part porous.

76. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70 further comprising a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging said adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings being present on at least a portionof said outer surface of said body.

77. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70 in which said implant has an internal chamber and means for accessing said internal chamber.

78. The spinal fusion implant of claim 77 in which said internal chamber is adapted to contain fusion promoting material.

79. The spinal fusion implant of claim 77 in which said body includes a wall surrounding said internal chamber.

80. The spinal fusion implant of claim 79 in which said wall has a plurality of openings passing therethrough in communication with said internal chamber.

81. The spinal fusion implant of claim 77 in which said body has a cap for closing said accessing means.

82. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70 in which one of said ends includes an engagement means for engaging instrumentation for the insertion of said implant.

83. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70 in which at least a portion of said outer surface comprises wells having at least partial walls.

84. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70 in which said implant is configured to be placed in close proximity in a side by side alignment to a second spinal fusion implant, said first and second implants when placed together having a combinedoverall width that is less than the sum of the individual maximum diameters of each of said first and second implants.

85. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70, wherein said implant is made of a material that is stronger than bone.

86. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70, in combination with a fusion promoting material.

87. The spinal fusion implant of claim 70, wherein said fusion promoting material includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite compounds, and osteogenic proteins.

88. A non-threaded interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the implant comprising a body having a substantially frusto-conicalconfiguration along a sufficient portion of said body that is adapted to contact the adjacent vertebral bodies when implanted in the spine so as to maintain an angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to one another, said body having at leasttwo openings in communication with one another for permitting the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant, said body having an insertion end, a trailing end being larger than said insertion end, and anouter surface including bone engaging projections for engaging said implant to the adjacent vertebral bodies, said bone engaging projections having a forward portion oriented toward said insertion end and being ramped to facilitate linear insertion ofsaid implant into the disc space and having a rearward portion oriented toward said trailing end adapted to resist expulsion of said implant in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion, said implant being made of a material appropriate forhuman implantation.

89. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which said insertion end is tapered.

90. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which said implant comprises a bone ingrowth material.

91. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which said implant comprises a fusion promoting material.

92. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

93. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which said body includes a plurality of openings adapted to retain fusion promoting material.

94. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which said bone engaging projections include said outer surface being at least in part porous.

95. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which said bone engaging projections comprise a mesh-like material having a plurality of interstices adapted to receive fusion promoting material.

96. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which said bone engaging projections include a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging said adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings beingpresent on at least a portion of said outer surface of said implant.

97. The spinal fusion implant of claim 96 in which said surface roughenings include a plurality of ratchetings.

98. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which said implant has an internal chamber and means for accessing said internal chamber.

99. The spinal fusion implant of claim 98 in which said internal chamber is configured to contain fusion promoting material.

100. The spinal fusion implant of claim 98 in which said body includes a wall surrounding said internal chamber.

101. The spinal fusion implant of claim 100 in which said wall has a plurality of openings passing therethrough in communication with said internal chamber.

102. The spinal fusion implant of claim 98 in which said body has a cap for closing said accessing means.

103. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which one of said ends includes an engagement means for engaging instrumentation for the insertion of said implant.

104. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which at least a portion of said outer surface comprises wells having at least partial walls.

105. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which said implant is configured to be placed in close proximity in a side by side alignment to a second spinal fusion implant, said first and second implants when placed together having a combinedoverall width that is less than the sum of the individual maximum diameters of each of said first and second implants.

106. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88 in which said body has a longitudinal central axis and at least one truncated side forming a planar surface parallel to said central axis.

107. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88, wherein said implant is made of a material that is stronger than bone.

108. The spinal fusion implant of claim 88, in combination with a fusion promoting material.

109. The spinal fusion implant of claim 108, wherein said fusion promoting material includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite compounds, and osteogenic proteins.

110. A non-threaded interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the implant comprising a body having an insertion end, a trailing endbeing larger than said insertion end, a length between said ends, and an outer surface including bone engaging projections for engaging said implant to adjacent vertebral bodies of the spine, said body having at least two openings in communication withone another for permitting the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant, the outer locus of said bone engaging projections forming a substantially frusto-conical configuration along at least a portion ofsaid bone engaging projections that is adapted to contact the adjacent vertebral bodies when implanted in the spine, said substantially frusto-conical configuration being along at least a portion of the length of said implant nearer said trailing endthan said insertion end, said bone engaging projections having a forward portion oriented toward said insertion end and being ramped to facilitate linear insertion of said implant in the disc space, said implant being made of a material appropriate forhuman implantation.

111. The spinal fusion implant of claim 110 in which said body has a substantially frusto-conical configuration along a portion of said outer surface oriented toward said adjacent vertebral bodies.

112. The spinal fusion implant of claim 110 in which said body has a substantially cylindrical configuration along a portion of said outer surface oriented toward said adjacent vertebral bodies.

113. The spinal fusion implant of claim 110 in which said bone engaging projections comprise a mesh-like material having a plurality of interstices adapted to receive fusion promoting material.

114. The spinal fusion implant of claim 110 in which said bone engaging projections include a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging said adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings beingpresent on at least a portion of said outer surface of said implant.

115. The spinal fusion implant of claim 110 in which said body includes a longitudinal central axis and at least one truncated side forming a planar surface parallel to said central axis.

116. The spinal fusion implant of claim 110, wherein said implant is made of a material that is stronger than bone.

117. The spinal fusion implant of claim 110, in combination with a fusion promoting material.

118. The spinal fusion implant of claim 110, wherein said fusion promoting material includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite compounds, and osteogenic proteins.

119. A spinal fusion implant for insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, said implant comprising a mid-longitudinal axis and a body having a distal end adapted forinsertion first into the disc space, a proximal end opposite thereto, upper and lower surfaces adapted to contact the adjacent vertebral bodies adjacent that disc space, and an outer locus larger than the space between two adjacent vertebral bodies to befused, said body being formed of a mesh-like material other than bone capable of supporting two adjacent vertebral bodies in a spaced apart relationship to each other, said mesh-like material having a plurality of interstices adapted to receive fusionpromoting material and for engaging said implant to said adjacent vertebral bodies of the spine, said interstices being along at least a portion of said outer locus of said body, within at least a portion of an interior of said body, and along at least aportion of a proximal-most portion of said proximal end, said body being adapted to permit the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant, said implant being made of a material appropriate for humanimplantation.

120. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119 including a plurality of openings in the outer locus of said implant.

121. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119 further comprising a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging said adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings being present on at least a portionof said outer surface of said implant.

122. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119 in which said body includes a longitudinal central axis and at least one truncated side forming a planar surface parallel to said central axis.

123. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119 in which said mesh-like material comprises a metal.

124. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119, wherein said body has a hollow interior in communication with at least a portion of said interstices.

125. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119, in combination with a fusion promoting material.

126. The spinal fusion implant of claim 125, wherein said fusion promoting material includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite compounds, and osteogenic proteins.

127. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119, wherein said body is adapted to permit the growth of bone along at least a portion of the length of the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant.

128. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119, wherein said upper and lower surfaces are at least in part arcuate in a direction transverse to the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant.

129. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119, wherein said upper and lower surfaces are in angular relationship to one another.

130. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119, wherein said outer locus of said body has a substantially frusto-conical configuration along a sufficient portion of said body that is adapted to contact the adjacent vertebral bodies when implantedin the spine so as to maintain an angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to one another.

131. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119, wherein said implant has a maximum width that is less than one-half the width of the disc space into which said implant is adapted to be inserted.

132. The spinal fusion implant of claim 119, wherein said mesh-like material comprises strands.

133. A non-threaded interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the implant comprising a body having an insertion end, a trailingend, a length between said ends, and upper and lower arcuate portions adapted to contact the adjacent vertebral bodies when implanted in the spine, said body having at least two openings in communication with one another for permitting the growth of bonefrom adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant; and bone engaging projections for engaging said implant to the adjacent vertebral bodies, said bone engaging projections extending from at least a portion of said upper andlower arcuate portions, said bone engaging projections having a maximum height as measured from each of said arcuate portions that increases from one of said ends to the other of said ends along at least a portion of the length of said body.

134. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133 in which said bone engaging projections include second arcuate portions oriented toward the adjacent vertebral bodies.

135. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said bone engaging projections comprise a mesh-like material having a plurality of interstices adapted to receive fusion promoting material.

136. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said bone engaging projections include a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging said adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings beingpresent on at least a portion of said outer surface of said implant.

137. The spinal fusion implant of claim 136 in which said surface roughenings include a plurality of ratchetings.

138. The spinal fusion implant of claim 137, wherein said ratchets are configured to facilitate insertion of said implant between the adjacent vertebral bodies while resisting movement of said implant in a direction opposite to the direction ofinsertion.

139. The spinal fusion implant of claim 137, wherein at least one of said ratchets includes an opening configured to permit bone growth therethrough.

140. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said implant is made of a material that is stronger than bone.

141. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, in combination with a fusion promoting material.

142. The spinal fusion implant of claim 141, wherein said fusion promoting material includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite compounds, and osteogenic proteins.

143. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said body includes two opposed sides between said upper and lower arcuate portions, said sides being planar along at least a portion of the length.

144. The spinal fusion implant of claim 143, wherein said sides include at least one opening.

145. The spinal fusion implant of claim 143, wherein said sides are parallel to the central longitudinal axis of said body.

146. The spinal fusion implant of claim 143, wherein said sides have a width therebetween that is less than the height between said upper and lower arcuate portions of said body.

147. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein the height between said upper and lower arcuate portions is constant along at least a portion of the length of said body.

148. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said upper and lower arcuate portions form at least a portion of a cylinder.

149. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein the height between said upper and lower arcuate portions increases from one of said ends to the other of said ends along at least a portion of the length of said body.

150. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said upper and lower arcuate portions are angled relative to one another.

151. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said body has a width that is less than the height between said upper and lower arcuate portions.

152. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said body includes at least one truncated side between said upper and lower arcuate portions.

153. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said body includes at least one side between said upper and lower arcuate portions that is adapted for side-by-side placement with a second implant within at least a portion of the same discspace.

154. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said bone engaging projections have a radius as measured from the central longitudinal axis of said body, the radius of said bone engaging projections increasing from one of said ends to theother of said ends along at least a portion of the length of said body.

155. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said bone engaging projections have as an outer locus forming a generally frustoconical configuration along at least a portion of the length of said body.

156. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said bone engaging projections have a radius as measured from the central longitudinal axis of said body, the radius of said bone engaging projections being substantially constant from one ofsaid ends to the other of said ends along at least a portion of the length of said body.

157. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said bone engaging projections have an outer locus forming a generally cylindrical configuration along at least a portion of the length of said body.

158. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein the maximum height of said bone engaging projections is between 0.25 to 2.0 mm.

159. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, further comprising a hollow.

160. The spinal fusion implant of claim 159, wherein said hollow forms a chamber in communication with said openings, said chamber having an access opening for loading said chamber with fusion promoting substances.

161. The spinal fusion implant of claim 133, wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

162. A non-threaded interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the implant comprising: a body having a insertion end, a trailingend, a length between said ends, an outer surface, and bone engaging projections extending from said outer surface for engaging said implant to the adjacent vertebral bodies, said bone engaging projections having arcuate portions adapted to contact theadjacent vertebral bodies when implanted in the spine, said bone engaging projections having a distance between said arcuate portions and said outer surface of said body that increases from one of said ends to the other of said ends along at least aportion of the length of said body so as to maintain an angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to one another, said body having at least two openings in communication with one another for permitting the growth of bone from adjacentvertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant.

163. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162 in which said bone engaging projections comprise a mesh-like material having a plurality of interstices adapted to receive fusion promoting material.

164. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162 in which said bone engaging projections include a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging said adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings beingpresent on at least a portion of said outer surface of said implant.

165. The spinal fusion implant of claim 164 in which said surface roughenings include a plurality of ratchetings.

166. The spinal fusion implant of claim 164 in which said surface roughenings include knurling.

167. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162, wherein said implant is made of a material that is stronger than bone.

168. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162, in combination with a fusion promoting material.

169. The spinal fusion implant of claim 168, wherein said fusion promoting material includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite compounds, and osteogenic proteins.

170. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162, wherein said body includes two opposed sides between said upper and lower arcuate portions, said sides being planar along at least a portion of the length.

171. The spinal fusion implant of claim 170, wherein said sides include at least one opening.

172. The spinal fusion implant of claim 170, wherein said sides are parallel to the central longitudinal axis of said body.

173. The spinal fusion implant of claim 170, wherein said sides have a width therebetween that is less than the height between said upper and lower arcuate portions of said body.

174. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162, wherein said bone engaging projections have a radius as measured from the central longitudinal axis of said body, the radius of said bone engaging projections increasing from one of said ends to theother of said ends along at least a portion of the length of said body.

175. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162, wherein said bone engaging projections have as an outer locus forming a generally frustoconical configuration along at least a portion of the length of said body.

176. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162, wherein said bone engaging projections have a radius as measured from the central longitudinal axis of said body, the radius of said bone engaging projections being substantially constant from one ofsaid ends to the other of said ends along at least a portion of the length of said body.

177. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162, wherein said bone engaging projections have an outer locus forming a generally cylindrical configuration along at least a portion of the length of said body.

178. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162, wherein the maximum height of said bone engaging projections is between 0.25 to 2.0 mm.

179. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162, further comprising a hollow.

180. The spinal fusion implant of claim 179, wherein said hollow forms a chamber in communication with said openings, said chamber having an access opening for loading said chamber with fusion promoting substances.

181. The spinal fusion implant of claim 162, wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

182. A spinal fusion implant for insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, said implant comprising a body having a distal end adapted for insertion first into the discspace, a proximal end opposite thereto, upper and lower surfaces adapted to contact the adjacent vertebral bodies adjacent that disc space, and an outer locus larger than the space between two adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused, said body being formedof a cancellous material other than bone capable of supporting two adjacent vertebral bodies in a spaced apart relationship to each other, said cancellous material having a plurality of interstices for holding fusion promoting material and for permittingthe growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant, said proximal end having a proximal-most portion formed of said cancellous material, said implant being made of a material appropriate for humanimplantation.

183. The spinal fusion implant of claim 182 including a plurality of openings in the exterior surface of said implant.

184. The spinal fusion implant of claim 182 further comprising a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging said adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings being present on at least a portionof said outer surface of said implant.

185. The spinal fusion implant of claim 182 in which said body includes a longitudinal central axis and at least one truncated side forming a planar surface parallel to said central axis.

186. The spinal fusion implant of claim 182, in combination with a fusion promoting material.

187. The spinal fusion implant of claim 186, wherein said fusion promoting material includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite compounds, and osteogenic proteins.

188. The spinal fusion implant of claim 182, wherein said upper and lower surfaces are at least in part arcuate in a direction transverse to the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant.

189. The spinal fusion implant of claim 182, wherein said upper and lower surfaces are in angular relationship to one another.

190. The spinal fusion implant of claim 182, wherein said outer locus of said body has a substantially frusto-conical configuration along a sufficient portion of said body that is adapted to contact the adjacent vertebral bodies when implantedin the spine so as to maintain an angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to one another.

191. The spinal fusion implant of claim 182, wherein said implant has a maximum width that is less than one-half the width of the disc space into which said implant is adapted to be inserted.

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Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to interbody spinal fusion implants, and in particular to spinal fusion implants configured to restore and maintain two adjacent vertebrae of the spine in anatomical lordosis.

2. Description of the Related Art

Interbody spinal fusion refers to the method of achieving bony bridging between adjacent vertebrae through the disc space, the space between adjacent vertebrae normally occupied by a spinal disc. Numerous implants to facilitate such a fusionhave been described by Cloward, Brantigan, and others, and are known to those skilled in the art. Generally, cylindrical implants offer the advantage of conforming to an easily prepared recipient bore spanning the disc space and penetrating into each ofthe adjacent vertebrae. Such a bore may be created by use of a drill. It is an anatomical fact that both the cervical spine and the lumbar spine are normally lordotic, that is convex forward. Such alignment is important to the proper functioning ofthe spine. Commonly, those conditions which require treatment by spinal fusion are associated with a loss of lordosis.

Therefore, there exists a need for spinal fusion implants that permit for the restoration of anatomical lordosis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a variety of interbody spinal fusion implants having at least a partially frusto-conical configuration to achieve a desired anatomical lordosis of the spine. In the preferred embodiment, the spinal fusionimplants of the present invention have an outer locus in which at least some of the points of the implant comprise a partially or fully frusto-conical shape substantially along those portions of the implant in contact with the adjacent vertebrae of thespine and have an insertion end and a trailing end. The spinal fusion implants of the present invention may be further modified so that while the upper and lower surfaces are portions of a frusto-cone, at least one side portion may be truncated to forma planar surface that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the implant to form straight walls. These implants may have a more tapered aspect at the insertion end of the implant to facilitate insertion. The spinal fusion implants of thepresent invention may be relatively solid and/or porous and/or hollow, and may have surface roughenings to promote bone ingrowth and stability.

The spinal fusion implants of the present invention may have wells extending into the material of the implant from the surface for the purpose of holding fusion promoting materials and to provide for areas of bone ingrowth fixation. These wells,or holes, may pass either into or through the implant and may or may not intersect. The spinal fusion implants of the present invention may have at least one chamber which may be in communication through at least one opening to the surface of theimplant. Said chamber may have at least one access opening for loading the chamber with fusion promoting substances. The access opening may be capable of being closed with a cap or similar means. Still further, a variety of surface irregularities maybe employed to increase implant stability and implant surface area, and/or for the purpose of allowing the spinal fusion implant to be inserted easily but to resist motion in the oppostion direction. The exterior of the spinal fusion implant of thepresent invention may have wholly or in part, a rough finish, knurling, forward facing ratchetings or other surface irregularities sufficient to achieve the purpose described.

The spinal fusion implants of the present invention offer significant advantages over the prior art implants: 1. Because the spinal fusion implants of the present invention are at least partially frusto-conical in shape, those that taper fromthe leading edge to the trailing edge are easy to introduce and easy to fully insert into the spinal segment to be fused. 2. The shape of the implants of the present invention is consistent with the shape of the disc, which the implants at least inpart replace, wherein the front of the disc is normally taller than the back of the disc, which allows for normal lordosis. The implants of the present invention are similarly taller anteriorly than they are posteriorly. 3. The spinal fusion implantsof the present invention conform to a geometric shape, which shape is readily producible at the site of fusion, to receive said spinal fusion implants.

The spinal fusion implants of the present invention can be made of any material appropriate for human implantation and having the mechanical properties sufficient to be utilized for the intended purpose of spinal fusion, including various metalssuch as cobalt chrome, stainless steel or titanium including its alloys, various plastics including those which are bio-absorbable, and various ceramics or combination sufficient for the intended purpose. Further, the spinal fusion implants of thepresent invention may be made of a solid material, a mesh-like material, a porous material and/or may comprise, wholly or in part, materials capable of directly participating in the spinal fusion process, or be loaded with, composed of, treated or coatedwith chemical substances such as bone, morphogenic proteins, hydroxyapatite in any of its forms, and osteogenic proteins, to make them bioactive for the purpose of stimulating spinal fusion. The implants of the present invention may be wholly or in partbioabsorbable.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a spinal fusion implant that is easily inserted into the spine, having a tapered leading end; It is another object of the present invention to provide a spinal fusion implant that tapers inheight from one end to the other consistent with the taper of a normal spinal disc; It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a spinal fusion implant that is capable of maintaining anatomic alignment and lordosis of two adjacentvertebrae during the spinal fusion process; It is still another object of the present invention to provide a spinal fusion implant that is self stabilizing within the spine; It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a spinal fusionimplant that is capable of providing stability between adjacent vertebrae when inserted; It is still another object of the present invention to provide a spinal fusion implant that is capable of participating in the fusion process by containing, beingcomposed of, or being treated with fusion promoting substances; It is further another object of the present invention to provide a spinal fusion implant that is capable of spacing apart and supporting adjacent vertebrae during the spinal fusion process;It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a spinal fusion implant that is consistent in use with the preservation of a uniform thickness of the subchondral vertebral bone; It is another object of the present invention toprovide a spinal fusion implant having a shape which conforms to an easily produced complementary bore at the fusion site; and It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frusto-conical spinal fusion implant which may be placed side byside adjacent to a second identical implant across the same disc space, such that the combined width of the two implants is less than sum of the individual heights of each implant.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the spinal fusion implant of the present invention having a frusto-conical body and a surface configuration comprising ratchetings for engaging bone, with wells and channels for bone ingrowth.

FIG. 1A is an enlarged fragmentary view along line 1A of FIG. 1 illustrating the surface configuration of the implant of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along line 2–2 of the implant of FIG. 1 illustrating the channels and wells of the implant of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view along line 3–3 of the implant of FIG. 1 illustrating the channels and wells of the implant of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the spinal fusion implant of the present invention having a frusto-conical body and a plurality of ratchetings forming a cylindrical external configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the spinal fusion implant of the present invention having truncated sides forming a planar surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant and ratchetings having a radiusand height that are not constant.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the spinal fusion implant shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the spinal fusion implant of the present invention having a body that is made out of a fibrous mesh-like material that is partially frusto-conical with one side that is truncatedshown next to an identical second implant illustrated in hidden line.

FIG. 7 is sectional view along line 7–7 of the implants of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view along line 8 of FIG. 6 illustrating the surface configuration of the implant of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view along line 8 of FIG. 6 illustrating an alternative embodiment of the surface configuration of the implant of the present invention made of a cancellous material.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view along lines 10–10 of FIG. 9 illustrating the alternative embodiment of the surface configuration of the implant of the present invention made of a cancellous material.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view in partial cut-away of an alternative embodiment of the spinal fusion implant of the present invention having a body that is frusto-conical and a surface configuration comprising a plurality of spaced apartposts.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view along lines 12–12 of FIG. 11 illustrating the surface configuration of the implant of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the spinal fusion implant of the present invention is shown and generally referred to by the numeral 220. The implant 220 has a frusto-conical body 222 and an outer locus that is generally frusto-conicalsubstantially along the portion of the implant 220 that is in contact with the adjacent vertebrae of the spine. The implant 220 has a surface configuration of forward facing ratchetings 240 suitable for engaging the bone of the adjacent vertebrae. Eachof the plurality of ratchetings 240 has a bone engaging edge 242 and ramped portion 244. The ratchetings 240 have a radius R.sub.4 measured from the central longitudinal axis L.sub.4 of the implant 220 that increases from the insertion end 224 to thetrailing end 226. The height of the ratchetings 240 measured from the body 222 is constant throughout the length of implant 220.

The orientation of the ratchetings 240 makes the insertion of the implant 220 easier than its removal, as the ramped portions 244 act as an inclined plane on the way in, while the bone engaging edges 242 resist motion in the opposite directions. These forward facing ratchetings 240 tend to urge the implant 220 forward until the unremoved bone of the vertebrae blocks further motion resulting in a very stable spine and implant construct.

The implant 220 has a recessed slot 234 at its trailing end 226 for receiving and engaging insertion instrumentation for inserting the implant 220. The recessed slot 234 has a threaded opening 236 for threadably attaching the implant 220 toinstrumentation used for inserting the implant 220.

In the preferred embodiment, the bone engaging edges 242 of the ratchetings 240 have a height at a highest point measured from the body 222 (root diameter) of the implant 220 in the range of 0.25-2.0 mm, with the preferred height being 0.4 mm foruse in the cervical spine and 1.25 mm for use in the lumbar spine.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, cross sectional views of implant 220 are shown. The implant 220 has channels 250 passing through the implant 220 and wells 260 formed in the surface of the implant 220. The wells 260 may or may not communicate withthe channels 250. In the preferred embodiment of implant 220, the channels 250 have a diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 6 mm, with 2-3 mm being the preferred diameter. The wells 260 have a diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 6 mm, with 1-3 mm being thepreferred diameter range. It is appreciated that although the channels 250 and wells 260 are shown having a generally rounded configuration, it is within the scope of the present invention that the channels 250 and wells 260 may have any size, shape,configuration, and distribution suitable for the intended purpose.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the implant 220 has an outer surface 238 that is porous to present an irregular surface to the bone to promote bone ingrowth. The outer surface 238 is also able to hold fusion promoting materials and provides for anincreased surface area to engage the bone in the fusion process and to provide further stability. It is appreciated that the outer surface 238, and/or the entire implant 220, may comprise any other porous material or roughened surface sufficient to holdfusion promoting substances and/or allow for bone ingrowth and/or engage the bone during the fusion process. The implant 220 may be further coated with bioactive fusion promoting substances including, but not limited to, hydroxyapatite compounds,osteogenic proteins and bone morphogenic proteins. The implant 220 is shown as being solid, however it is appreciated that it can be made to be substantially hollow or hollow in part.

While the implant 220 is shown as being solid, it is appreciated that the implant 220 can be hollow at least in part to provide an internal chamber for holding bone or any fusion promoting material. Such an implant could have openings to allowbone external to the implant to grow into the internal chamber. Such structure is disclosed in detail in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/390,131, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,409 and application Ser. No. 08/074,781, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,437, bothof which are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIG. 3A, an alternative embodiment of the implant 220 is shown and generally referred to by the numeral 220′. The implant 220′ is similar in configuration to implant 220 except that the body 222′ of the implant is frusto-conical inconfiguration and the ratchetings 240′ have a radius R.sub.3 measured from the longitudinal central axis L.sub.4 that is constant in size from the insertion end 224′ to the trailing end 226′. The ratchetings 240′ each have a height measured from thebody 222′ that is not constant throughout the length of the implant 220′ and decreases from the insertion end 224′ to the trailing end 226′. In this manner, the ratchetings 240′ form an external configuration of the implant 220′ that is substantiallycylindrical in shape, while the body 222′ is frusto-conical. The insertion end of implant 220′ may have a tapered portion 223′ of lesser diameter to facilitate insertion of the implant 220′. The insertion end of the implant may also be larger than thetrailing end where so desired.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternative embodiment of the implant 220 is shown and generally referred to by the numeral 220″. The implant 220″ is similar in configuration to implant 220 and has ratchetings 240″ having a radius R.sub.5measured from the longitudinal central axis L.sub.5 that increases in size from the insertion end 224″ to the trailing end 226″. The ratchetings 240″ each have a height measured from the body 222″ that is not constant throughout the length of theimplant 220″. In the preferred embodiment, the ratchet radius R.sub.5 and the ratchet height increase in size from the insertion end 224″ to the trailing end 226″.

As shown in FIG. 5, the implant 220″ has truncated sides 270 and 272 forming two planar surfaces which are diametrically opposite and are parallel to the longitudinal axis L.sub.5. In this manner, two implants 220″ may be placed side by sidewith one of the sides 270 or 272 of each implant touching, such that the area of contact with the bone of the adjacent vertebrae and the ratchetings 240″ is maximized. Alternatively, the implant 220″ may have one truncated side.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, an alternative embodiment of the spinal fusion implant of the present invention is shown and generally referred to by the numeral 320a. The implant 320a is shown placed next to a second identical implant 320b shown inhidden line. The implant 320a has a body 322 that is made of a mesh-like material comprising strands, which may be made of metal, that are pressed together and molded into a partially frusto-conical configuration substantially along the portion of theimplant 320a in contact with the adjacent vertebrae of the spine. The implant 320a has an insertion end 324 and a trailing end 326 and may be made wholly or in part of a solid material and/or a porous material, and/or a mesh-like material. The implant320a may have a surface comprising of a porous material, a mesh-like material, or have a surface that is roughened. It is appreciated that the implant 320a may be solid or may be partially hollow and include at least one internal chamber. As shown inFIG. 8, the mesh-like material comprises strands that are formed and pressed together such that interstices 339, capable of retaining fusion promoting material and for allowing for bone ingrowth, are present between the strands in at least the outersurface 338 of implant 320a.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, alternatively the implant may be made of a cancellous material 350, similar in configuration to human cancellous bone, having interstices 352 such that the outer surface has a configuration as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. As the implant may be made entirely or in part of the cancellous material 350, the interstices 352 may be present in the outer surface and/or within the entire implant to promote bone ingrowth and hold bone fusion promoting materials.

Referring again to FIG. 7, the implant 320a is partially frusto-conical, similar in shape to implant 220 but having at least one truncated side 340 that forms a planar surface parallel to the central longitudinal axis of implant 320a. Thetruncated side 340 allows for the placement of two implants 320a and 320b closer together when placed side by side between two adjacent vertebrae as set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/390,131, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,409, incorporatedherein by reference. Implant 320a may be partially threaded or may otherwise resemble any of the other embodiments herein described or that are functionally equivalent.

Referring to FIG. 11, a side elevational view in partial cut-away of an alternative embodiment of the implant of the present invention is shown and generally referred to by the numeral 420. The implant 420 has a body 422 that is frusto-conicalin shape substantially along the portion of the implant 420 that is in contact with the adjacent vertebrae of the spine and has an insertion end 424 and a trailing end 426. The implant 420 has an outer surface 438 that is capable of receiving andholding bone, or other materials capable of participating in the fusion process and/or capable of promoting bone ingrowth. In the preferred embodiment, the surface 438 comprises a plurality of posts 440 that are spaced apart to provide a plurality ofinterstices 442 which are partial wells with incomplete walls capable of holding and retaining milled bone material or any artificial bone ingrowth promoting material. The implant 420 may be prepared for implantation by grouting or otherwise coating thesurface 438 with the appropriate fusion promoting substances.

Referring to FIG. 12, an enlarged view of the surface 438 of implant 420 is shown. In the preferred embodiment, the posts 440 have a head portion 444 of a larger diameter than the remainder of the posts 440, and each of the interstices 442 isthe reverse configuration of the posts 444, having a bottom 446 that is wider than the entrance 448 to the interstices 442. Such a configuration of the posts 440 and interstices 442 aids in the retention of bone material in the surface 438 of theimplant 420 and further assists in the locking of the implant 420 into the bone fusion mass created from the bone ingrowth. As the bone ingrowth at the bottom 446 of the interstices 442 is wider than the entrance 448, the bone ingrowth cannot exit fromthe entrance 448 and is locked within the interstice 442. The surface 438 of the implant 420 provides for an improvement in the available amount of surface area which may be still further increased by rough finishing, flocking or otherwise producing anon-smooth surface.

In the preferred embodiment, the posts 440 have a maximum diameter in the range of approximately 0.1-2 mm and a height of approximately 0.1-2 mm and are spaced apart a distance of approximately 0.1-2 mm such that the interstices 442 have a widthin the range of approximately 0.1 to 2 mm. The post sizes, shapes, and distributions may be varied within the same implant.

While the present invention has been described in detail with regards to the preferred embodiments, it is appreciated that other variations of the present invention may be devised which do not depart from the inventive concept of the presentinvention. In particular, it is appreciated that the various teachings described in regards to the specific embodiments herein may be combined in a variety of ways such that the features are not limited to the specific embodiments described above.

Each of the features disclosed in the various embodiments and their functional equivalents may be combined in any combination sufficient to achieve the purposes of the present invention as described herein.