Variable depth implants

Abstract

The variable or adjustable depth medical implants in this application are capable of depth adjustment prior to implantation. The variable depth implants permit a single implant to provide multiple footprint configurations, allowing a surgeon footprint adjustability in the operating room. The implants can comprise a metallic lattice designed for specific physical properties, such as an elastic modulus. In some examples, the main body of the implant is taller than the adjustable portion of the implant (also referred to as the second implant body) so that the physical properties of the main body of the implant are controlling at the implant site. In some embodiments, the variable implant is constructed in an additive process as a single unit.

1 . A medical implant, comprising:
 a main implant body selectively attached to a second implant body;   wherein the main implant body comprises an attachment extension and the second implant body comprises an attachment receiver configured to selectively attach to the attachment extension; and   at least 2 footprint area configurations.   
     
     
         2 . The medical implant of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment extension comprises a predetermined width with a series of ridges comprising a predetermined height. 
     
     
         3 . The medical implant of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment receiver comprises a width that corresponds to the predetermined width of the attachment extension and a series of ridges that correspond to the height of the ridges on the attachment extension. 
     
     
         4 . The medical implant of  claim 3 , wherein the series of ridges on the attachment extension and attachment receiver comprise spacing in a predetermined increment, configured to allow adjustability at a predetermined distance per ridge. 
     
     
         5 . The medical implant of  claim 1 , wherein the main implant body and the second implant body are configured for relative movement in a single direction after implantation between two vertebral bodies. 
     
     
         6 . The medical implant of  claim 5 , wherein the single direction is the caudal-rostral direction. 
     
     
         7 . The medical implant of  claim 1 , wherein the main implant body comprises a height greater than a height of the second implant body. 
     
     
         8 . The medical implant of  claim 7 , wherein the main implant body comprises a metallic lattice structure. 
     
     
         9 . The medical implant of  claim 1 , wherein the footprint area configurations comprise a change in area of the medical implant when viewed from above. 
     
     
         10 . The medical implant of  claim 9 , wherein the implant has a same width in each of at least 2 footprint area configurations. 
     
     
         11 . The medical implant of  claim 1 , wherein the main implant body comprises a plurality of lumen. 
     
     
         12 . The medical implant of  claim 11 , wherein the second implant body comprises a plurality of lumen wall extenders fixed to a surface facing in the direction of the main implant body. 
     
     
         13 . The medical implant of  claim 12 , wherein the main implant body comprises slots in the lumen that correspond to the size and location of the lumen wall extenders fixed to the second implant body. 
     
     
         14 . The medical implant of  claim 8 , wherein the second implant body comprises a metallic lattice structure. 
     
     
         15 . The medical implant of  claim 8 , wherein the main implant body comprises a volumetric density less than a volumetric density of the second implant body. 
     
     
         16 . The medical implant of  claim 14 , wherein the main implant body comprises a volumetric density less than a volumetric density of the second implant body. 
     
     
         17 . The medical implant of  claim 1 , wherein the main implant body further comprises fluid injection ports.