Version with markings to show changes made

Abstract

Enhanced surface area spinal fusion devices have upper and lower sections which are implanted directly within the bodies of the vertebrae being fused, thereby surrounding the implanted sections with cancellous bone which is more conducive to ingrowth and permanent fusion. A preferred device comprises a frame-like structure composed of biocompatible material such as carbon fiber, the structure having a substantially hollow interior and open side walls or apertures to receive bone-graft material. The device is preferably used in conjunction with adjoining intervertebral cages, which may be rigidly joined to one another and/or to the inventive device. One or more physical features are also preferably provided to engage with surrounding bone or minimize back-out, such features including teeth, ridges, grooves, or outriggers. One or more shape-memory elements may also be used, each of which is preferably compressed for insertion then expanded when the device is in place. The inventive fixation device need not be employed between adjacent vertebra, but may be used between vertebra separated by one or more intermediate vertebra, in which case the device extends through the intermediate vertebra, preferably in intimate contact therewith. Multiple devices may also be implanted side by side between the same set of adjacent vertebra. In addition to these various alternative embodiments of the invention, a preferred method if installation is also disclosed.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An enhanced surface area spinal fusion device adapted for use between an upper vertebral body having an inferior vertebral endplate and a lower vertebral body having a superior endplate, the distance between the endplates defining at least one intervertebral spacing, the device comprising: 
 a biocompatible structure having an outer surface with a height; and    wherein the height of the structure is greater than the intervertebral spacing, such that when the device is implanted, at least a portion of the device extends substantially beyond the superior endplate, the inferior endplate, or both, thereby penetrating into one or both of the upper and lower vertebral bodies.    
     
     
         2 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is frame-like, including a substantially hollow interior to receive bone-graft material.  
     
     
         3 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is composed of a carbon-fiber material.  
     
     
         4 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outer surface is conducive to bone ingrowth.  
     
     
         5 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is composed of one or more pieces of natural bone.  
     
     
         6 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 5 , wherein the bone is taken from the upper and lower bodies having been modified to receive the structure.  
     
     
         7 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 1 , further including one or more distraction devices positioned between the vertebral endplates.  
     
     
         8 . The spinal fusion of  claim 7 , wherein the distraction devices are plugs attachable to one or more sides of the structure.  
     
     
         9 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 7 , wherein the distraction devices include at least one intervertebral cage.  
     
     
         10 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 9 , further including a member for rigid attachment of each cage to the structure.  
     
     
         11 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 1 , further including one or more intervertebral cages integrally formed with the device.  
     
     
         12 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 1 , furthering including one or more physical features to engage with surrounding bone or minimize back-out.  
     
     
         13 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 12 , wherein the physical features includes one or more teeth, ridges, grooves, or outriggers extending from the outer surface.  
     
     
         14 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 12 , wherein the physical features includes at least one shape-memory element which is compressed for insertion of the device and expanded when the device is in place.  
     
     
         15 . The spinal fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the upper and lower vertebra are not adjacent to one another, but instead are separated from one another by one or more intermediate vertebra; and    the device extends through the intermediate vertebra.    
     
     
         16 . A system for promoting fusion between an upper vertebra having an inferior vertebral endplate and a lower vertebra having a superior endplate, the distance between the endplates defining at least one intervertebral spacing, the system comprising: 
 a biocompatible strut having an outer surface and a height which is at least slightly greater than the intervertebral spacing, such that when the device is installed between the upper and lower vertebra, at least a portion of the device extends beyond the superior endplate, the inferior endplate, or both, thereby penetrating into cancellous bone; and    one or more distraction devices positioned adjacent the strut without penetrating the vertebral endplates.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the distraction devices are plugs attachable to one or more sides of the strut.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the distraction devices are substantially hollow intervertebral cages.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , further including a rigid member for rigidly attaching each distraction device to the strut.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein each distraction device is integrally formed with the strut.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the upper and lower vertebra are not adjacent to one another, but instead are separated from one another by one or more intermediate vertebra; and    the strut extends through the intermediate vertebra.    
     
     
         22 . A method of promoting the fusion between upper and lower vertebra, each vertebra having a body between superior and inferior endplates, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing the structure of  claim 1;     removing a section of the upper vertebra, including a portion of its inferior endplate;    removing a section of the lower vertebra, including a portion of its superior endplate; and    installing the structure between the vertebra so as to substantially consume the removed sections.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the sections are removed using an anterior approach.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein: 
 the upper and lower vertebra are not adjacent to one another, but instead are separated from one another by one or more intermediate vertebra, the method further including the step of:    removing a section of each intermediate vertebra, including a portion of each endplate to receive the device therethrough.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further including the step of installing a plurality of structures placed side-to-side.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , further including the step of installing a distraction device on either side of the device.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further including the step of rigidly attaching each distraction device to the structure.