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Intervertebral implant

  • US 8,715,354 B2
  • Filed: 10/28/2011
  • Issued: 05/06/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An intervertebral implant configured to be inserted into an intervertebral space, the intervertebral implant comprising:

  • (a) an integral one-piece body defining a rear body surface, a front body surface spaced from the rear body surface along a forward direction, an upper body surface, a lower body surface spaced from the upper body surface a first vertical distance with respect to a vertical direction, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface along a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the forward direction, the one-piece body further defining a first portion of the upper body surface that is continuous along the lateral direction from the first side surface to the second side surface, the front body surface further defining a forward-most portion with respect to the forward direction,wherein the one-piece body is configured such that when the intervertebral implant is inserted into the intervertebral space;

         1) at least a portion of the upper body surface contacts an endplate of an upper vertebral body; and

         2) the lower body surface contacts an endplate of a lower vertebral body; and

    (b) a plate comprising a biocompatible, non-bone material, the plate defining a front plate surface and a rear plate surface that is opposite the front plate surface, a first plate hole, and a second plate hole, the first plate hole configured to receive a portion of a first bone fixation element such that the first bone fixation element passes through the endplate of the upper vertebral body, the first plate hole including a first opening in the front plate surface and a first central axis, the first central axis extending centrally through the first plate hole and passing through the first opening, the second plate hole configured to receive a portion of a second bone fixation element such that the second bone fixation element passes through the endplate of the lower vertebral body, the second plate hole including a second opening in the front plate surface and a second central axis, the second central axis extending centrally through the second plate hole and passing through the second opening;

    wherein the plate is configured to be mounted to the one-piece body such that a portion of the plate faces the one-piece body and is positioned between the forward-most portion of the front body surface and the rear body surface with respect to the forward direction, and when the plate is mounted to the one-piece body, the first central axis passes through the first opening at a first location that is;

         1) spaced from the upper body surface a second vertical distance with respect to the vertical direction;

         2) spaced from the lower body surface a third vertical distance with respect to the vertical direction, such that the second and third vertical distances are each less than the first vertical distance; and

         3) positioned between the first and second side surfaces with respect to the lateral direction, and the second central axis passes through the second opening at a second location that is;

         1) spaced from the upper body surface a fourth vertical distance with respect to the vertical direction and

         2) spaced from the lower body surface a fifth vertical distance with respect to the vertical direction, such that the fourth and fifth vertical distances are each less than the first vertical distance; and

         3) positioned between the first and second side surfaces with respect to the lateral direction.

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