Interbody spinal fusion implants with end cap for locking vertebral body ...

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2003/0199983 Al Oct. 23, 2003

Related U.S. Application Data

(60) Continuation of application No. 10/310,522, filed on Dec. 5, 2002, which is a division of application No. 09/565,392, filed on May 5, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,558,423.

(60) Provisional application No. 60/132,665, filed on May 5, 1999, provisional application No. 60/133,214, filed on May 7, 1999.

(51) Int. CI.

A61F 2/44 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 623/17.11

(58) Field of Classification Search .. 623/17.11 17.13,

623/17.16, FOR. 17 See application file for complete search history.

DE

(Continued)

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

3 505 567 Al 5/1986

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OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Crock, H.V; Practice of Spinal Surgery; Springer-Verlag/ Wien, New York (1983), pp. 74-85.

(Continued)

Primary Examiner—David H. Willse

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Martin & Ferraro, LLP

An apparatus including an interbody spinal fusion implant having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length therebetween, and opposed upper and lower portions adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebral bodies. Each of the upper and lower portions having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one each of the adjacent vertebral bodies and to communicate with one another to permit for the growth of bone from vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through the implant. Each of the upper and lower portions has at least one screw hole passing therethrough proximate the trailing end. The apparatus further includes bone screws adapted for placement through the screw holes of the upper and lower portions and into each of the adjacent vertebral bodies adjacent the disc space to be fused and into which the implant is adapted to be positioned. At least one lock may be used to prevent the bone screws from backing out of the vertebral bodies and implant.

49 Claims, 22 Drawing Sheets

Page 2

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

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A picture of a Medtronic, Sofamor Danek Display; titled "Evolving With Your Needs" (Apr. 6, 2000).

* cited by examiner