Conically shaped anterior fusion cage and method of implantation

Abstract

A fusion cage for promoting fusion with one or more bone structures including a conically-shaped cage body including a proximal end having a first diameter and a distal end having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter of the proximal end is greater than the second diameter of the distal end.

1 . A fusion cage for promoting fusion with one or more bone structures comprising: 
 a conically-shaped cage body including a proximal end having a first diameter and a distal end having a second diameter, wherein said first diameter of said proximal end is greater than said second diameter of said distal end.    
     
     
         2 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said distal end is rounded so as to facilitate insertion of said fusion cage relative to one or more bone structures.  
     
     
         3 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said conically-shaped cage body has a conically-shaped outer surface.  
     
     
         4 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said conically-shaped outer surface of said cage body has continuous threads.  
     
     
         5 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said conically-shaped outer surface has at least one flute formed therein.  
     
     
         6 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said flute extends from said distal end toward said proximal end of said cage body.  
     
     
         7 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said flute is formed in the rounded distal end of said cage body.  
     
     
         8 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cage body further comprises: 
 an internal cavity surrounded by said conically-shaped outer surface of said cage body; and    a plurality of apertures formed through said conically-shaped body for providing communication between said conically-shaped outer surface and said internal cavity.    
     
     
         9 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said apertures increase in size from said distal end to said proximal end of said cage body.  
     
     
         10 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a bone-growth inducing material disposed in said internal cavity of said cage body.  
     
     
         11 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said bone-growth inducing material includes bone.  
     
     
         12 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said proximal end includes an opening in communication with said internal cavity of said cage body so that said bone-growth inducing material may be disposed in said internal cavity of said cage body.  
     
     
         13 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising an end cap covering said opening for retaining said bone-growth inducing material in said internal cavity.  
     
     
         14 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said opening at the proximal end of said cage body includes internal threads and said end cap includes external threads adapted for meshing with the internal threads of said opening at said proximal end.  
     
     
         15 . A fusion cage for promoting fusion with one or more bone structures comprising: 
 a conically-shaped cage body including a proximal end having a first diameter and a distal end having a second diameter, wherein said first diameter of said proximal end is greater than said second diameter of said distal end;    said cage body defining a conically-shaped outer surface surrounding an internal cavity of said cage body; and    a bone-growth inducing material disposed in said internal cavity of said cage body.    
     
     
         16 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of apertures formed through said conically-shaped body for providing communication between said conically-shaped outer surface and said internal cavity.  
     
     
         17 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said apertures increase in size from said distal end to said proximal end of said cage body.  
     
     
         18 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said bone-growth inducing material includes bone.  
     
     
         19 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said proximal end of said cage body includes an opening in communication with said internal cavity of said cage body so that said bone-growth inducing material may be disposed in said internal cavity of said cage body.  
     
     
         20 . The fusion cage as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said opening at the proximal end of said cage body includes internal threads and said end cap includes external threads adapted for meshing with the internal threads of said proximal end opening.