Bone implants and methods

Abstract

The disclosure provides implants, instruments and methods for bone fusion procedures. In some embodiments, the implants are particularly advantageous for use between opposing vertebral bodies to facilitate stabilization or arthrodesis of an intervertebral joint. The implants include, at least, a support component that provides structural support during fusion. In a typical embodiment, the implants also include a growth component. A growth component provides an environment conducive to new bone growth between the bones being fused. Several unique configurations to enhance fusion, instruments for insertion and methods for insertion are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 080,375, filed Feb. 19, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 269,777, filed Feb. 16, 2001, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 896,926, filed Jun. 28, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,635,060, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 611,237, filed Jul. 6, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,582, which applications are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention pertains to bone implants, instruments and procedures. Specifically, the invention provides bone implants, instruments and methods to facilitate fusion of bone. The invention is particularly suited for stabilization or fusion of the intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebrae. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Chronic back problems cause pain and disability for a large segment of the population. Frequent...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Chronic back problems cause pain and disability for a large segment of the population.

When the disc material is diseased, the opposing vertebrae may be inadequately supported, resulting in persistent pain.

Images