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.

1 . A bone implant system comprising: 
 a bone support member for intervertebral implantation, the bone support member having a partial ring shape that defines a central cavity including a closed end and an open end; and    an elongate insertion tool for inserting the bone support member between adjacent vertebrae, the insertion tool including an insertion head sized to fit securely within the central cavity of the bone support member such that the bone support member is retained on the insertion tool during the insertion process; and    an insert block for insertion in the bone support member after implantation of the bone support member and removal of the insertion tool from the inner cavity, the insert block including a bone growth promoting material, the insert block having a pre-manufactured size and shape adapted to substantially fill the inner cavity.    
   
   
       2 . The bone implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion head is sized and shaped to complement the shape of the central cavity.  
   
   
       3 . The bone implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion head is sized and shaped to occupy a majority of the central cavity.  
   
   
       4 . The bone implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the bone support member and the insertion head include a rail and slot arrangement for securing the bone support member to the insert head.  
   
   
       5 . The implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the bone support member includes cortical bone and the insert block includes cancellous bone.  
   
   
       6 . The implant system of  claim 5 , wherein the insert block is a natural material.  
   
   
       7 . The bone implant system of  claim 4 , wherein the rail and slot arrangement includes: 
 opposing slots defined within the central cavity by the bone support member;    oppositely positioned rails provided on the insert head;    the rails being configured to slide within the slots when the insert head is inserted into the central cavity.    
   
   
       8 . The bone implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion head includes a curved distal nose and generally parallel sidewalls that extend proximally from the distal nose.  
   
   
       9 . The bone implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner cavity and the insert block have complementary shapes.  
   
   
       10 . The bone implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner cavity is coextensive with a center of the bone support member.  
   
   
       11 . The bone implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the bone support member is non-threaded.  
   
   
       12 . A method for implanting a spinal implant between adjacent vertebrae, the spinal implant including a bone support member and an insert block, the bone support member defining an inner cavity having an open end and a closed end, the method comprising: 
 inserting the bone support member between the adjacent vertebrae with an insertion tool having an end portion retained within the inner cavity;    removing the end portion of the insertion tool from the inner cavity of the bone support member after implantation of the bone support member; and    inserting the insert block into the inner cavity after the end portion of the insertion tool has been removed from the inner cavity.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising selecting an insert block with a shape that complements the shape of the inner cavity.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising selecting an insert block with a shape that fills a majority of the inner cavity.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein inserting the insert block further comprising inserting an insert block that includes cancellous bone.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising preparing the adjacent vertebrae by rasping one or more of an endplate of the adjacent vertebrae.  
   
   
       17 . A bone implant system comprising: 
 a bone support member for intervertebral implantation, the bone support member having a partial ring shape that defines a central cavity including a closed end and an open end; and    an elongate insertion tool for inserting the bone support member between adjacent vertebrae, the insertion tool including an insertion head sized to fit securely within the central cavity of the bone support member such that the bone support member is retained on the insertion tool during the insertion process; and    an insert block for insertion in the bone support member after implantation of the bone support member and removal of the insertion tool from the inner cavity, the insert block including a bone growth promoting material, the insert block having a pre-manufactured size and shape adapted to substantially fill the inner cavity, wherein the bone support member and the insertion head include a rail and slot arrangement for securing the bone support member to the insert head.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the insertion head is sized and shaped to complement the shape of the central cavity.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the bone support member and the insertion head include a rail and slot arrangement for securing the bone support member to the insert head.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the bone support member includes cortical bone and the insert block includes cancellous bone.