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Intervertebral implants and graft delivery systems and methods

  • US 8,343,224 B2
  • Filed: 03/16/2011
  • Issued: 01/01/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A spinal implant configured for placement within an intervertebral space of a human subject, comprising:

  • an anterior wall and a posterior wall, said posterior wall being generally opposite of said anterior wall;

    a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall extending between the anterior wall and the posterior wall;

    at least one internal chamber defined, at least in part, by the anterior wall, the posterior wall and the first and second lateral walls;

    a top surface comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage a lower surface of a first vertebral body;

    a bottom surface comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage an upper surface of a second vertebral body, the second vertebral body being immediately adjacent to said first vertebral body;

    wherein the at least one internal chamber extends at least partially from the top surface to the bottom surface of the implant;

    at least one opening extending through the anterior wall, said at least one opening being in fluid communication with the at least one internal chamber;

    at least one access port located in at least one of the anterior wall, the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall, wherein the implant is configured to releasably secure to an insertion tool at said at least one access port;

    wherein the implant is sized and configured to span across an entire width of the first and second vertebral bodies of a mature adult human being;

    wherein each of the first and second lateral walls is configured to generally align with peripheral bearing areas of the first and second vertebral bodies and to support adjacent cortical rims of the first and second vertebral bodies;

    wherein the at least one access port is configured to provide a passage through which at least one graft material can be selectively delivered into the at least one internal chamber;

    wherein the posterior wall does not comprise any openings;

    wherein the posterior wall is generally planar to permit the implant to be inserted between the first and second vertebral bodies laterally; and

    wherein a length of each of the first and second lateral walls is a minimum of 12% of an overall length of the implant.

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