Radiolucent spinal fusion cage

a fusion cage and radiolucent technology, applied in the field of bone graft improvement, can solve the problems of potential graft necrosis, poor radiolucency characteristics of traditional titanium-based implant devices, and difficulty in post-operative monitoring and evaluation of the fusion process, and achieve enhanced bone ingrowth and fusion, high porosity, and high strength loading
US20050049706A1Inactive Publication Date: 2005-03-03AMEDICA A DELAWARE
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
AMEDICA A DELAWARE
Publication Date
2005-03-03
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

An improved bone graft is provided for human implantation, particularly such as a spinal fusion cage for implantation into the inter-vertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. The improved spinal fusion cage includes a substrate block of high strength biocompatible material having a selected size and shape to fit the anatomical space, and a controlled porosity analogous to natural bone. The substrate block may be coated with a bio-active surface coating material such as hydroxyapatite or a calcium phosphate to promote bone in growth and enhanced bone fusion. Upon implantation, the fusion cage provides a spacer element having a desired combination of mechanical strength together with osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity to promote bone ingrowth and fusion, as well as radiolucency for facilitated post-operative monitoring. The fusion cage may additionally carry one or more natural or synthetic therapeutic agents for further promoting bone ingrowth and fusion.
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Description

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 137,108, filed Apr. 30, 2002, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 287,824, filed May 1, 2001.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to improvements in bone grafts such as spinal fusion cages of the type designed for human implantation between adjacent spinal vertebrae, to maintain the vertebrae in substantially fixed spaced relation while promoting interbody bone ingrowth and fusion therebetween. More particularly, this invention relates to an implantable bone graft such as a spinal fusion cage having an improved combination of enhanced mechanical strength together with osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties, in a device that additionally and beneficially provides visualization of bone growth for facilitated post-operative monitoring.

[0003] Implantable interbody bone grafts such as spinal fusion devices are known in the art and are routinely used by spin...

Claims

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