End member for a bone fusion implant

Abstract

An end member for use with a bone fusion implant is disclosed. The end member has a first portion, a second portion, and a shoulder connecting the two portions. The second portion is sized to fit within the interior of the bone fusion implant in such a fashion that the shoulder rests on the edge of the implant. The top surface of the first portion has at least one slot to receive a surgical instrument such as an inserter and/or distractor to facilitate implantation of the end member and bone fusion implant. The top surface may also have teeth to provide initial mechanical stability between the bone and end plate and promote bone fusion.

1 . An end member for use with an implant for fusing bone comprising: 
 a first portion having a first top surface having a plurality of teeth and a first channel;    wherein at least a portion of the plurality of teeth have a base located at the first top surface;    wherein the first channel is at least partially located at a depressed location relative to at least a portion of the first top surface;    a second portion configured and dimensioned to be inserted into a bore of the implant; and    a shoulder joining the first and second portions and sized to rest on an edge of the implant when the second portion is inserted in the bore of the implant.    
     
     
         2 . The end member of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion further comprises a second channel.  
     
     
         3 . The end member of  claim 2 , wherein the first channel and the second channel are substantially perpendicular to each other.  
     
     
         4 . The end member of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion has a substantially wedge-shaped profile.  
     
     
         5 . The end member of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion further comprises a second top surface, and wherein the first top surface and the second top surface are at least partially separated by the first channel.  
     
     
         6 . The end member of  claim 1  wherein the first portion is substantially circular.  
     
     
         7 . The end member of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is substantially oval-shaped.  
     
     
         8 . An end member for use with an implant for fusing bone comprising: 
 a first portion having a first top surface adapted and configured to engage a bone surface, an outer perimeter edge, an inner perimeter edge defining a central opening, and at least a first channel;    wherein the first channel extends from a first point on the outer perimeter edge to a second point on the outer perimeter edge such that the first channel divides the first portion into two substantially identical portions;    wherein the width of the first channel at the first point on the outer perimeter edge is substantially equal to the width at the second point on the outer perimeter edge;    a second portion configured and dimensioned to be inserted into a bore of the implant; and    a shoulder joining the first and second portions and sized to rest on an edge of the implant when the second portion is inserted in the bore of the implant.    
     
     
         9 . The end member of  claim 8 , wherein the first top surface comprises a plurality of teeth.  
     
     
         10 . The end member of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion further comprises a second channel.  
     
     
         11 . The end member of  claim 10 , wherein the first channel and the second channel are substantially perpendicular to each other.  
     
     
         12 . The end member of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion has a substantially wedge-shaped profile.  
     
     
         13 . The end member of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion further comprises a second top surface, and wherein the first top surface and the second top surface are at least partially separated by the first channel.  
     
     
         14 . The end member of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion is substantially circular.  
     
     
         15 . The end member of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion is substantially oval-shaped.  
     
     
         16 . An end member for use with an implant for fusing bone comprising: 
 a first portion having a first top surface adapted and configured to engage a bone surface, a continuous outer perimeter edge, a continuous inner perimeter edge defining a central opening, and a first channel extending from a first point on the outer perimeter edge to a second point on the outer perimeter edge;    a second portion configured and dimensioned to be inserted into a bore of the implant; and    a shoulder joining the first and second portions and sized to rest on an edge of the implant when the second portion is inserted in the bore of the implant.    
     
     
         17 . The end member of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion further comprises a second channel.  
     
     
         18 . The end member of  claim 17 , wherein the first channel and the second channel are substantially perpendicular to each other.  
     
     
         19 . The end member of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion has a substantially wedge-shaped profile.  
     
     
         20 . The end member of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion further comprises a second top surface, and wherein the first top surface and the second top surface are at least partially separated by the first channel.  
     
     
         21 . The end member of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion is substantially circular.  
     
     
         22 . The end member of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion is substantially oval-shaped.  
     
     
         23 . The end member of  claim 16 , wherein the first top surface comprises a plurality of teeth.