Intervertebral implant

Abstract

The intervertebral implant is in the form of a three-dimensional structure (10) comprising (a) a top side (1) and an underside (2) which are designed to rest against the end plates of two adjacent vertebras, (b) a left side face (3) and a right side face (4), (c) a front face (5) and a rear face (6), (d) a horizontal center plane situated between the top side (1) and the underside (2), (e) a vertical center plane (8) situated between the left side face (3) and the right side face (8) and (0 a plurality of boreholes (9) passing through the implant structure (10) that are designed to receive longitudinal affixation elements (20), the axes (19) of said elements intersecting the horizontal center plane (7). At least one of the boreholes (9) is designed in a manner that the affixation element (10) received in it can be rigidly connected to the intervertebral implant. Said connection is implemented using a thread or by matching conical surfaces.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An intervertebral implant comprising:
 an implant structure that defines a front face and a rear face; and   a plate configured to be mounted to the front face, the plate defining a front plate surface, a rear plate surface, an upper plate surface and a lower plate surface, the plate further defining a first hole that is configured to receive a portion of a first affixation element such that the first affixation element is configured to be inserted into a first vertebral body, the plate further defining a second hole that is configured to receive a second affixation element such that the second affixation element is configured to be inserted into a second vertebral body,   wherein the front plate surface defines uppermost and lowermost ends that are configured to be disposed in an intervertebral space defined between the first and second vertebral bodies when the plate is mounted to the front face, and the first and second affixation elements are inserted into the first and second vertebral bodies, respectively.