Intervertebral implant with reduced contact area and method

Abstract

The disclosure provides fusion implants, instruments and methods for insertion of the implants between opposing vertebral bodies to facilitate stabilization or arthrodesis of an intervertebral joint. A cross section through the longitudinal dimension of the implant is substantially configured in an “I” shape. In addition to other features, the implants of the invention provide a reduced contact surface area with the interior surface of a bore formed for receiving the implant.

1 - 35 . (canceled)  
   
   
       36 . An implant for intervertebral fusion between opposing vertebrae, said implant comprising: 
 an implant body having a first end and a second end, said body having first and second load bearing surfaces extending along a longitudinal axis of the body from the first end to the second end, the first and second load bearing surfaces having a width extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said first and second load bearing surfaces having a midline aligned with the longitudinal axis, said first and second load bearing surfaces having opposing inner surfaces; and    said implant body comprising a central support member connecting the first and second load bearing surfaces at their midlines, the central support member having a width narrower than the width of the first and second load bearing surfaces; wherein the opposing inner surfaces of the first and second load bearing surfaces form channels on either side of the central support member;    wherein the central support member is configured to provide rigid support of the first and second load bearing surfaces.    
   
   
       37 . The implant of  claim 36 , said channels extending along either side of the central support member from the first end of the body to the second end of the body.  
   
   
       38 . An implant for intervertebral fusion between opposing vertebrae, the implant comprising: 
 an implant body having a first end and a second end spaced along a longitudinal axis, the body including: 
 a central support member positioned in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the implant body, the central support member having a first support end and a second support end, the central support member having a longitudinal dimension extending from the first support end to the second support end; and  
 a first traverse member positioned at the first support end of the central support member, the first traverse member being oriented in a direction traverse to the longitudinal dimension of the central support member;  
 a second traverse member positioned at the second support end of the central support member, the second traverse member being oriented in a direction traverse to the longitudinal dimension of the central support member;  
 wherein each of the first and second traverse member extends from the first end of the implant body to the second end of the implant body; and  
 wherein the central support member in configured to maintain a spatial relation between the first and second traverse members.  
   
   
   
       39 . The implant of  claim 38 , wherein each of the first and second traverse members has free ends, the central support member being positioned between the free ends of the first and second traverse members.  
   
   
       40 . The implant of  claim 39 , wherein the central support member has a first side and a second side, the first side and the corresponding free ends of each of the first and second traverse members defining a first channel, the second side and the corresponding free ends of each of the first and second traverse members defining a second channel.  
   
   
       41 . The implant of  claim 40 , wherein the first and second channels extend from the first end of the implant body to the second end.  
   
   
       42 . The implant of  claim 38 , wherein the central support member extends from the first end of the implant body to the second end.  
   
   
       43 . An implant for intervertebral fusion between opposing vertebrae, the implant comprising: 
 an implant body having a first end and a second end, the implant body including: 
 a first traverse member having opposite first free ends;  
 a second traverse member having opposite second free ends;  
 a central support member that bisects each of the first and second traverse members;  
 wherein the first and second traverse members extend from the first end to the second end of the implant.  
   
   
   
       44 . The implant of  claim 43 , wherein the central support member maintains a spatial relation between the first and second traverse members.  
   
   
       45 . The implant of  claim 43 , wherein the central support member has a first side and a second side, the first side and the corresponding free ends of each of the first and second traverse members defining a first channel, the second side and the corresponding free ends of each of the first and second traverse members defining a second channel.  
   
   
       46 . The implant of  claim 45 , wherein the first and second channels extend from the first end of the implant body to the second end.  
   
   
       47 . An implant for intervertebral fusion between opposing vertebrae, the implant comprising: 
 an implant body having length, the length extending from a first end to a second end, the implant body including first and second traverse members and a support member that bisect each of the first and second traverse members;    a first channel centrally located between the first and second traverse members, the first channel extending along the length of the implant body;    a second channel centrally located between the first and second traverse member, the second channel extending along the length of the implant body;    wherein the first and second channels are defined by continuous surfaces of each of the first and second traverse members, the continuous surfaces of the first and second traverse members extending along the length of the implant body; and    wherein the support member is configured to provide rigid support of the first and second traverse member.    
   
   
       48 . The implant of  claim 36 , wherein the first and second load bearing surfaces contact the opposing vertebrae when the implant is positioned between the opposing vertebrae.  
   
   
       49 . The implant of  claim 38 , wherein the first and second traverse members contact the opposing vertebrae when the implant is positioned between the opposing vertebrae.  
   
   
       50 . The implant of  claim 43 , wherein the first and second traverse members contact the opposing vertebrae when the implant is positioned between the opposing vertebrae.  
   
   
       51 . The implant of  claim 47 , wherein the first and second traverse members contact the opposing vertebrae when the implant is positioned between the opposing vertebrae.