Anterior hybrid implant

Abstract

An implant configured for placement through an anterior surgical approach made of at least two different materials. The implant may include materials with varying radiolucency and mechanical properties. Such a hybrid implant may offer controlled radiographic visibility and optimized structural properties for implant placement, including placement for use in spinal arthrodesis.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of implanting an intervertebral implant from an anterior surgical approach comprising:
 providing an implant comprising:
 a first rim around a periphery of the implant, the first rim having a detectable radiographic signature, and 
 a member coupled to the first rim, the member having less of a radiographic signature than the first rim, 
 wherein the member adds vertebral spacing height to the first rim; and 
   radiographically observing placement of the implant between superior and inferior vertebral bodies by way of one or more of an anterior to posterior radiographic view and a lateral radiographic view.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the act of radiographically observing placement of the implant includes observing relative alignment of two or more supports coupled to the first rim. 
     
     
         27 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the implant comprises a first support in a posterior half of the implant that blocks radiographic visualization of a second support in an anterior half of the implant when the placement of the implant is radiographically observed from a posterior side of the implant. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the implant comprises a first support in a posterior half of the implant that blocks radiographic visualization of a second support on a contralateral side of the implant when the placement of the implant is radiographically observed from a lateral side of the implant. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 34  wherein a lateral space between the first and second supports indicates a rotational position of the implant when the implant is viewed radiographically from a posterior side. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 34  wherein alignment of the first and second supports with ends of the first rim indicates a rotational position of the implant when viewed from a posterior side. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the implant comprises a first support in an anterior half of the implant that blocks radiographic visualization of a second support on a contralateral side of the implant when the placement of the implant is radiographically observed from a lateral side of the implant. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising preparing an implantation space between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies and implanting the implant into the implantation space from the anterior approach. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising implanting the implant between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies such that protrusions extending from an outer surface of the first rim engage one of the superior and inferior vertebral bodies. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the member comprises a first segment and a second segment that is spaced apart from the first segment. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the wherein the first and second segments each comprise an arcuate outer surface that is continuous with that of the first rim. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein:
 the first and second segments each comprise an arcuate outer surface that is continuous with that of the first rim; and 
 the first and second segments each comprise a planar surface opposite the arcuate outer surfaces of the first and second segments, the planar surfaces facing one another. 
 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the first and second segments each comprise a chord length that is less than two-thirds of an outer average diameter of the first rim. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the first and second segments each have a lower modulus of elasticity than the first rim. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising disposing bone growth promoting material between the first and second segments. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the member comprises a tubular member having an outer periphery that is continuous with that of the first rim. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the wherein the tubular member comprises a central opening that is continuous with a central opening of the first rim. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising disposing bone growth promoting material in at least one of the central openings. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the tubular member comprises a lower modulus of elasticity than the first rim. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising radiographically observing bone growth between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies by way of one or more of the anterior to posterior radiographic view and the lateral radiographic view.