Intervertebral spacers with side wall accessible interior cavity

Patent Number: 7534265, issued on 2009/05/19    
Applied on 2000/04/11
Inventor(s): Lawrence M Boyd, J Kenneth Burkus, John D Dorchak, Bradley T Estes, Eddie F Ray III
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.

Abstract: Intervertebral spacers, tools for implanting intervertebral spacers and methods of promoting fusion bone growth in the space between adjacent vertebrae are provided. The spacers include an elongated body having a first end, a second end and an outer surface. Side walls connect the first and second ends. The elongated body also defines an interior cavity. The side wall defines an opening to the interior cavity in a side of the elongated body. At least one of the first and second ends has a discontinuity, such as a concave surface, for nesting with an adjacent spacer. The tools include spacer engaging means for engaging a spacer and occlusion means for blocking an opening defined in the spacer. In some embodiments, the occlusion means includes a plate extendible from the housing. In one specific embodiment the plate defines a groove which is disposed around a fastener attached to the housing so that the plate is slideable relative to the housing. The methods of promoting fusion bone growth include utilizing the inventive spacers described herein.