# US 10,369,011 B2 · Spinal fusion implant > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,011 B2 - Document ID: US10369011B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/891,612 - Filed: 2018-02-08 - Published: 2018-06-21 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-22 - Assignees: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC - Applicants: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC - Inventors: Steven Willis; Robert Cipoletti - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369011B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section} - A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)} - A61F 2002/30056: {differing in radiographic density} - A61F 2002/3008: {radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers} - A61F 2002/30082: {radioactive} - A61F 2002/30151: {rhomboidal or parallelogram-shaped} - A61F 2002/30156: {triangular} - A61F 2002/3071: {Identification means; Administration of patients} - A61F 2002/30777: {Oblong apertures} - A61F 2002/3082: {Grooves} - A61F 2002/30823: {having the shape of a reverse dovetail} - A61F 2002/30884: {Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity} - A61F 2002/30891: {Plurality of protrusions} - A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed} - A61F 2310/00011: Metals or alloys - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A spinal fusion implant including a body and a jacket is disclosed. The jacket includes at least two radiopaque markers extending therefrom for use in determining the position of the implant after placement between intervertebral bodies. Methods of implanting and evaluating positioning of the implant are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of determining the orientation of an implant placed between two vertebral bodies, comprising the steps of: viewing the implant from a first aspect; and determining the orientation of the implant based on the orientation of a first radiopaque marker located on a first side of the implant and a second radiopaque marker located on a second side of the implant, the second marker opposing the first marker, wherein in an aligned orientation, only one of the first and second markers is visible from the first aspect. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein in a misaligned orientation, portions of the first and second markers are visible from the first aspect. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the first aspect is from an anterior side of a patient. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining includes determining the orientation of the implant based on the orientation of a third radiopaque marker located on the first side of the implant and a fourth radiopaque marker located on the second side of the implant, the fourth marker opposing the third marker. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein in an aligned orientation, only one of the third and fourth markers is visible from the first aspect. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second markers are angled with respect to upper and lower surfaces of the implant. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining includes determining the orientation of the implant based on the orientation of the first marker extending between two rails on the first side of the implant and the second marker extending between two rails on the second side of the implant. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second markers are triangular. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second markers extend between upper and lower surfaces of the implant. ### Claim 10 A method of implanting an implant between two vertebral bodies, comprising the steps of: placing the implant between the vertebral bodies, the implant including a jacket surrounding a spacer; viewing the implant from a first aspect; and determining the orientation of the implant based on the orientation of a first marker located on a first side of the jacket and a second marker located on a second side of the jacket, the second marker opposing the first marker, wherein in an aligned orientation, only one of the first and second markers is visible from the first aspect. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein in a misaligned orientation, portions of the first and second markers are visible from the first aspect. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first aspect is from an anterior side of a patient. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of securing the implant to at least one of the two vertebral bodies using at least one anchor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of securing the implant to the vertebral bodies using teeth extending from bottom and top surfaces of the implant. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of placing the implant includes placing the implant laterally into a patient. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of determining includes determining the orientation of the implant based on the first marker and a third marker located on the first side of the jacket, and the second marker and a fourth marker located on the second side of the jacket, wherein the first and third markers oppose the second and fourth markers, respectively, wherein in an aligned orientation, only the first and third markers are visible. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of determining includes determining the orientation of the implant based on the first marker extending between two rails on the first side of the jacket and the second marker extending between two rails on the second side of the jacket. ### Claim 18 A spinal fusion method comprising the steps of: placing an implant between adjacent vertebral bodies, the implant having a jacket surrounding a body, the jacket including a pair of radiopaque markers and the body being substantially radiolucent; and viewing the implant from a first aspect such that the markers are in an aligned orientation, wherein the first aspect is anterior to the adjacent vertebral bodies.