US6749636B2 — Contoured spinal fusion implants made of bone or …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 298 words

An interbody spinal implant made of cortical bone for insertion at least in part into an implantation space formed across the height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect and a depth therebetween, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end; opposed upper and lower portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed at least in part within and across the height of the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper and lower portions being non-arcuate along at least a portion of the length of said implant; and opposite sides between said upper portion and said lower portion, and between said leading and trailing ends, said opposite sides defining a width of said implant, at least one of said opposite sides being at least in part straight along at least a portion of the length of said implant, said leading end configured in the shape of approximately one half of a circle from one of said opposite sides to another of said opposite sides, the circle having a diameter generally equal to the width of said implant; said implant being manufactured from a bone ring obtained from a major long bone of a human having a medullary canal, said implant including at least a portion of the medullary canal passing through said upper and lower portions to form at least a portion of a passage adapted to hold bone growth promoting material for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said passage.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 298 words

An interbody spinal implant made of cortical bone for insertion at least in part into an implantation space formed across the height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect and a depth therebetween, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end; opposed upper and lower portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed at least in part within and across the height of the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper and lower portions being non-arcuate along at least a portion of the length of said implant; and opposite sides between said upper portion and said lower portion, and between said leading and trailing ends, said opposite sides defining a width of said implant, at least one of said opposite sides being at least in part straight along at least a portion of the length of said implant, said leading end configured in the shape of approximately one half of a circle from one of said opposite sides to another of said opposite sides, the circle having a diameter generally equal to the width of said implant; said implant being manufactured from a bone ring obtained from a major long bone of a human having a medullary canal, said implant including at least a portion of the medullary canal passing through said upper and lower portions to form at least a portion of a passage adapted to hold bone growth promoting material for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said passage.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 39 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant has a maximum width between said opposite sides that is greater than one-half of the width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 39 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant has a maximum width between said opposite sides that is less than one-half of the width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

The implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant is adapted to be inserted side by side a second of said implant into the disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said leading end has a reduced height to facilitate insertion of said implant between the two adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 51 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said trailing end is adapted to conform from side to side to at least a portion of the peripheral contour of at least one of the anterior and posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies adjacent a disc space into which said implant is inserted.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said passage is between said opposite sides of said implant.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said passage intersects at least one of said opposite sides.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 19 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said passage is between said leading and trailing ends of said implant.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 38 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant has a mid-longitudinal axis along the length, at least one of said opposite sides being at least in part oriented generally parallel to the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said opposite sides are at least in part generally parallel one another.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 43 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said upper and lower surfaces are in an angular relationship to each other from trailing end to leading end for allowing angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to each other.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant has a maximum length less than and approximating the posterior to anterior depth of the vertebral bodies.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 51 words

The implant of claim 1 , further comprising a bone engaging surface formed on the exterior of at least said upper and lower portions for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies, said bone engaging surface including at least one of a protrusion, a ratchet, a spike, a spline, surface roughenings, and knurling.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 65 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant includes at least two members, each member having a leading portion, a trailing portion, a top, a bottom, and at least one side, each member being adapted to be placed side by side with another of said members, said leading portion of said members forming said leading end of said implant when placed side by side.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 23 words

The implant of claim 15 , wherein said implant includes two of said members, each member being a mirror image of the other.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 15 , wherein each member includes at least a portion of said passage.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant comprises at least in part of a bone growth promoting material.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 40 words

The implant of claim 18 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from one of bone, bone derived products, demineralized bone matrix, mineralizing proteins, ossifying proteins, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 14 words

The implant of claim 1 , in combination with a bone growth promoting material.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 40 words

The implant of claim 20 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from one of bone, bone derived products, demineralized bone matrix, mineralizing proteins, ossifying proteins, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant is treated with a bone growth promoting substance.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 15 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant is at least in part resorbable.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 1 , in combination with a chemical substance adapted to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 12 words

The implant of claim 1 , in combination with an antimicrobial material.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 28 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said implant is treated to promote bone ingrowth between said implant and said adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 16 words

The implant of claim 1 , further in combination with at least one spinal fixation implant.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 32 words

The implant of claim 1 , wherein said trailing end is adapted to receive at least one bone screw adapted to engage at least one vertebral body when inserted through said implant.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 28 , further comprising a lock for locking at least one bone screw to said implant.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 29 , wherein said lock is made of one of cortical bone and a bioresorbable material.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 28 , wherein said screw is made of one of cortical bone and a bioresorbable material.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 267 words

An interbody spinal implant made of cortical bone for insertion at least in part into an implantation space formed across the height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect and a depth therebetween, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end; opposed upper and lower portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed at least in part within and across the height of the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies; said implant having a maximum width that is greater than one-half of the width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted, said leading end configured in the shape of approximately one half of a first circle along the width of said implant, said trailing end having a radius of curvature of a second circle along the width of said implant, the second circle having a radius greater than the radius of the first circle; and said implant being manufactured from a bone ring obtained from a major long bone of a human having a medullary canal, maid implant including at least a portion of the medullary canal passing through said upper and lower portions to form a passage adapted to hold bone growth promoting material for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said passage.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 267 words

An interbody spinal implant made of cortical bone for insertion at least in part into an implantation space formed across the height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect and a depth therebetween, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end; opposed upper and lower portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed at least in part within and across the height of the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies; said implant having a maximum width that is greater than one-half of the width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted, said leading end configured in the shape of approximately one half of a first circle along the width of said implant, said trailing end having a radius of curvature of a second circle along the width of said implant, the second circle having a radius greater than the radius of the first circle; and said implant being manufactured from a bone ring obtained from a major long bone of a human having a medullary canal, maid implant including at least a portion of the medullary canal passing through said upper and lower portions to form a passage adapted to hold bone growth promoting material for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said passage.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 25 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said leading end and said trailing end of said implant intersect at diametrically opposite points of the implant.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 22 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said width of said implant is approximately equal to the diameter of the first circle.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 34 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said implant has a height from said upper portion to said lower portion, the height of said implant being less than the maximum width of said implant.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 31 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein at least a portion of said leading end has a reduced height to facilitate insertion of said implant between the two adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 51 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said trailing end is adapted to conform from side to side to at least a portion of the peripheral contour of at least one of the anterior and posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies adjacent a disc space into which said implant is inserted.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 21 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said implant has a perimeter, said passage being within said perimeter of said implant.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 22 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said implant has a perimeter, said passage intersecting at least a portion of said perimeter.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 19 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said passage is between said leading and trailing ends of said implant.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 18 words

The implant of claim 32 , further comprising opposite sides between said leading end and said trailing end.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 31 words

The implant of claim 41 , wherein at least one of said opposite sides is at least in part straight along at least a portion of the length of said implant.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 38 words

The implant of claim 41 , wherein said implant has a mid-longitudinal axis along the length, at least one of said opposite sides being at least in part oriented generally parallel to the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 19 words

The implant of claim 41 , wherein said opposite sides are at least in part generally parallel one another.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 43 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein at least a portion of said upper and lower surfaces are in an angular relationship to each other from trailing end to leading end for allowing angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to each other.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 26 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said implant has a maximum length less than and approximating the posterior to anterior depth of the vertebral bodies.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 51 words

The implant of claim 32 , further comprising a bone engaging surface formed on the exterior of at least said upper and lower portions for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies, said bone engaging surface including at least one of a protrusion, a ratchet, a spike, a spline, surface roughenings, and knurling.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 65 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said implant includes at least two members, each member having a leading portion, a trailing portion, a top, a bottom, and at least one side, each member being adapted to be placed side by side with another of said members, said leading portion of said members forming said leading end of said implant when placed side by side.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 23 words

The implant of claim 48 , wherein said implant includes two of said members, each member being a mirror image of the other.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 48 , wherein each member includes at least a portion of said passage.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said implant comprises at least in part of a bone growth promoting material.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 40 words

The implant of claim 51 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from one of bone, bone derived products, demineralized bone matrix, mineralizing proteins, ossifying proteins, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 14 words

The implant of claim 32 , in combination with a bone growth promoting material.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 40 words

The implant of claim 53 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from one of bone, bone derived products, demineralized bone matrix, mineralizing proteins, ossifying proteins, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said implant is treated with a bone growth promoting substance.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 15 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said implant is at least in part resorbable.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 32 , in combination with a chemical substance adapted to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 12 words

The implant of claim 32 , in combination with an antimicrobial material.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 28 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein at least a portion of said implant is treated to promote bone ingrowth between said implant and said adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 16 words

The implant of claim 32 , further in combination with at least one spinal fixation implant.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 36 words

The implant of claim 41 , further comprising a curved transition between at least one of said opposite sides and said trailing end, said curved transition forming at least part of an arc of a circle.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 32 words

The implant of claim 32 , wherein said trailing end is adapted to receive at least one bone screw adapted to engage at least one vertebral body when inserted through said implant.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 62 , further comprising a lock for locking at least one bone screw to said implant.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 63 , wherein said lock is made of one of cortical bone and a bioresorbable material.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 62 , wherein said screw is made of one of cortical bone and a bioresorbable material.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 287 words

An interbody spinal implant made of a bone composite material for insertion at least in part into an implantation space formed across the height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect and a depth therebetween, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end; opposed upper and lower portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed at least in part within and across the height of the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper and lower portions being non-arcuate along at least a portion of the length of said implant; opposite sides between said upper portion and said lower portion, and between said leading and trailing ends, said opposite sides defining a width of said implant, at least one of said opposite sides being at least in part straight along at least a portion of the length of said implant, said leading end configured in the shape of approximately one half a circle from one of said opposite sides to another of said opposite sides, the circle having a diameter generally equal to the width of said implant; and said implant being manufactured from a bone composite material, said upper and lower portions of said implant including at least one opening in communication with one another to form at least a portion of a passage adapted to hold bone growth promoting malarial for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said passage.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 287 words

An interbody spinal implant made of a bone composite material for insertion at least in part into an implantation space formed across the height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect and a depth therebetween, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end; opposed upper and lower portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed at least in part within and across the height of the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper and lower portions being non-arcuate along at least a portion of the length of said implant; opposite sides between said upper portion and said lower portion, and between said leading and trailing ends, said opposite sides defining a width of said implant, at least one of said opposite sides being at least in part straight along at least a portion of the length of said implant, said leading end configured in the shape of approximately one half a circle from one of said opposite sides to another of said opposite sides, the circle having a diameter generally equal to the width of said implant; and said implant being manufactured from a bone composite material, said upper and lower portions of said implant including at least one opening in communication with one another to form at least a portion of a passage adapted to hold bone growth promoting malarial for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said passage.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 26 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said bone composite material includes at least one of cortical bone fibers, bone filaments, bone particles and bone dust.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 11 words

The implant of claim 66 , further comprising a binding material.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 18 words

The implant of claim 59 , wherein said binding material is at least one of bioactive and bioresorbable.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 39 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said implant has a maximum width between said opposite sides that is greater than one-half of the width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 39 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said implant has a maximum width between said opposite sides that is less than one-half of the width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 31 words

The implant of claim 71 , wherein said implant is adapted to be inserted side by side a second of said implant into the disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 32 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein at least a portion of said leading end is has a reduced height to facilitate insertion of said implant between the two adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 51 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said trailing end is adapted to conform from side to side to at least a portion of the peripheral contour of at least one of the anterior and posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies adjacent a disc space into which said implant is inserted.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said passage is between said opposite sides of said implant.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said passage intersects at least one of said opposite sides of said implant.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 19 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said passage is between said leading and trailing ends of said implant.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 35 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said implant has a mid-longitudinal axis, at least one of said opposite sides being at least in part oriented generally parallel to the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 19 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said opposite sides are at least in part generally parallel one another.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 43 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein at least a portion of said upper and lower surfaces are in an angular relationship to each other from trailing end to leading end for allowing angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to each other.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 26 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said implant has a maximum length less than and approximating the posterior to anterior depth of the vertebral bodies.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 51 words

The implant of claim 66 , further comprising a bone engaging surface formed on the exterior of at least said upper and lower portions for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies, said bone engaging surface including at least one of a protrusion, a ratchet, a spike, a spline, surface roughenings, and knurling.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 65 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said implant includes at least two members, each member having a leading portion, a trailing portion, a top, a bottom, and at least one side, each member being adapted to be placed side by side with another of said members, said leading portion of said members forming said leading end of said implant when placed side by side.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 23 words

The implant of claim 83 , wherein said implant includes two of said members, each member being a mirror image of the other.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 83 , wherein each member includes at least a portion of said passage.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said implant comprises at least in part of a bone growth promoting material.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 40 words

The implant of claim 86 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from one of bone, bone derived products, demineralized bone matrix, mineralizing proteins, ossifying proteins, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 14 words

The implant of claim 66 , in combination with a bone growth promoting material.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 40 words

The implant of claim 88 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from one of bone, bone derived products, demineralized bone matrix, mineralizing proteins, ossifying proteins, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said implant is treated with a bone growth promoting substance.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 15 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said implant is at least in part resorbable.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 66 , in combination with a chemical substance adapted to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 12 words

The implant of claim 66 , in combination with an antimicrobial material.

Claim 97

Dependent Claim 28 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein at least a portion of said implant is treated to promote bone ingrowth between said implant and said adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 98

Dependent Claim 15 words

The implant of claim 66 , further in combination with at least one spinal fixationimplant.

Claim 99

Dependent Claim 32 words

The implant of claim 66 , wherein said trailing end is adapted to receive at least one bone screw adapted to engage at least one vertebral body when inserted through said implant.

Claim 100

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 96 , further comprising a lock for locking at least one bone screw to said implant.

Claim 101

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 97 , wherein said lock is made of one of cortical bone and a bioresorbable material.

Claim 102

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 96 , wherein said screw is made of one of cortical bone and a bioresorbable material.

Claim 103

Dependent Claim 257 words

An interbody spinal implant made of a bone composite material for insertion at least in part into an implantation space formed across the height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect and a depth therebetween, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end; opposed upper and lower portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed at least in part within and across the height of the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies; said implant having a maximum width that is greater than one-half of the width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted, said leading end configured in the shape of approximately one half of a first circle along the width of said implant, said trailing end having a radius of curvature of a second circle along the width of said implant, the second circle having a radius greater than the radius of the first circle; and said implant being manufactured from a bone composite material, said upper and lower portions of said implant including at least one opening in communication with one another to form a passage adapted to hold bone growth promoting material for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said passage.

Claim 104

Dependent Claim 257 words

An interbody spinal implant made of a bone composite material for insertion at least in part into an implantation space formed across the height of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect and a depth therebetween, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end; opposed upper and lower portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed at least in part within and across the height of the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies; said implant having a maximum width that is greater than one-half of the width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted, said leading end configured in the shape of approximately one half of a first circle along the width of said implant, said trailing end having a radius of curvature of a second circle along the width of said implant, the second circle having a radius greater than the radius of the first circle; and said implant being manufactured from a bone composite material, said upper and lower portions of said implant including at least one opening in communication with one another to form a passage adapted to hold bone growth promoting material for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said passage.

Claim 105

Dependent Claim 26 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said bone composite material includes at least one of cortical bone fibers, bone filaments, bone particles and bone dust.

Claim 106

Dependent Claim 11 words

The implant of claim 100 , further comprising a binding material.

Claim 107

Dependent Claim 18 words

The implant of claim 102 , wherein said binding material is at least one of bioactive and bioresorbable.

Claim 108

Dependent Claim 25 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said leading end and said trailing end of said implant intersect at diametrically opposite points of the implant.

Claim 109

Dependent Claim 22 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said width of said implant is approximately equal to the diameter of the first circle.

Claim 110

Dependent Claim 34 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said implant has a height from said upper portion to said lower portion the height of said implant is less than the maximum width of said implant.

Claim 111

Dependent Claim 31 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein at least a portion of said leading end has a reduced height to facilitate insertion of said implant between the two adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 112

Dependent Claim 51 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said trailing end is adapted to conform from side to side to at least a portion of the peripheral contour of at least one of the anterior and posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies adjacent a disc space into which said implant is inserted.

Claim 113

Dependent Claim 25 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein implant has a perimeter and said passage is at least in part within said perimeter of said implant.

Claim 114

Dependent Claim 25 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said implant has a perimeter, said passage intersecting at least a portion of said perimeter of said implant.

Claim 115

Dependent Claim 19 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said passage is between said leading and trailing ends of said implant.

Claim 116

Dependent Claim 18 words

The implant of claim 100 , further comprising opposite sides between said leading end and said trailing end.

Claim 117

Dependent Claim 31 words

The implant of claim 112 , wherein at least one of said opposite sides is at least in part straight along at least a portion of the length of said implant.

Claim 118

Dependent Claim 38 words

The implant of claim 112 , wherein said implant has a mid-longitudinal axis along the length, at least one of said opposite sides being at least in part oriented generally parallel to the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 119

Dependent Claim 19 words

The implant of claim 112 , wherein said opposite sides are at least in part generally parallel one another.

Claim 120

Dependent Claim 43 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein at least a portion of said upper and lower surfaces are in an angular relationship to each other from trailing end to leading end for allowing angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to each other.

Claim 121

Dependent Claim 26 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said implant has a maximum length less than and approximating the posterior to anterior depth of the vertebral bodies.

Claim 122

Dependent Claim 51 words

The implant of claim 100 , further comprising a bone engaging surface formed on the exterior of at least said upper and lower portions for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies, said bone engaging surface including at least one of a protrusion, a ratchet, a spike, a spline, surface roughenings, and knurling.

Claim 123

Dependent Claim 65 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said implant includes at least two members, each member having a leading portion, a trailing portion, a top, a bottom, and at least one side, each member being adapted to be placed side by side with another of said members, said leading portion of said members forming said leading end of said implant when placed side by side.

Claim 124

Dependent Claim 23 words

The implant of claim 119 , wherein said implant includes two of said members, each member being a mirror image of the other.

Claim 125

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 119 , wherein each member includes at least a portion of said passage.

Claim 126

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said implant comprises at least in part of a bone growth promoting material.

Claim 127

Dependent Claim 40 words

The implant of claim 122 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from one of bone, bone derived products, demineralized bone matrix, mineralizing proteins, ossifying proteins, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 128

Dependent Claim 14 words

The implant of claim 100 , in combination with a bone growth promoting material.

Claim 129

Dependent Claim 40 words

The implant of claim 124 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from one of bone, bone derived products, demineralized bone matrix, mineralizing proteins, ossifying proteins, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 130

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said implant is treated with a bone growth promoting substance.

Claim 131

Dependent Claim 15 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said implant is at least in part resorbable.

Claim 132

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 100 , in combination with a chemical substance adapted to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 133

Dependent Claim 12 words

The implant of claim 100 , in combination with an antimicrobial material.

Claim 134

Dependent Claim 28 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein at least a portion of said implant is treated to promote bone ingrowth between said implant and said adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 135

Dependent Claim 16 words

The implant of claim 100 , further in combination with at least one spinal fixation implant.

Claim 136

Dependent Claim 36 words

The implant of claim 112 , further comprising a curved transition between at least one of said opposite sides and said trailing end, said curved transition forming at least part of an arc of a circle.

Claim 137

Dependent Claim 32 words

The implant of claim 100 , wherein said trailing end is adapted to receive at least one bone screw adapted to engage at least one vertebral body when inserted through said implant.

Claim 138

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 133 , further comprising a lock for locking at least one bone screw to said implant.

Claim 139

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 134 , wherein said lock is made of one of cortical bone and a bioresorbable material.

Claim 140

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 133 , wherein said screw is made of one of cortical bone and a bioresorbable material.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-06-15	2007-12-15	2008-06-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-06-15	2011-12-15	2012-06-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-06-15	2015-12-15	2016-06-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Contoured spinal fusion implants made of bone or a bone composite material

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