Implant with curved bone contacting elements

An implant, comprising:

• a body having a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion;
• wherein the leading edge portion includes a substantially smooth surface forming a substantial majority of a leading edge surface of the leading edge portion;
• the leading edge portion having an elongate configuration extending from a first end to a second end;
• wherein the trailing edge portion includes a monolithic structure including at least one receptacle configured to receive an insertion tool;
• the trailing edge portion having an elongate configuration extending from a first end to a second end;
• and
• further including at least one elongate substantially spiral member extending from the first end of the leading edge portion to the first end of the trailing edge portion, thereby forming a perimeter portion of the implant extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion;
• wherein the at least one elongate substantially spiral member is configured such that the intermediate portion remains substantially rigid under compressive forces during insertion of the leading edge portion between bone surfaces of a patient, so as to maintain spacing and orientation of leading edge portion and trailing edge portion with respect to one another during insertion.

An implant, comprising:

• a body having a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion;
• wherein the leading edge portion includes a substantially smooth surface forming a substantial majority of a leading edge surface of the leading edge portion;
• the leading edge portion having an elongate configuration extending from a first end to a second end;
• wherein the trailing edge portion includes a monolithic structure including at least one receptacle configured to receive an insertion tool;
• and
• the trailing edge portion having an elongate configuration extending from a first end to a second end;
• at least one support beam extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion;
• and
• at least one elongate substantially helical member extending from the first end of the leading edge portion to the first end of the trailing edge portion, thereby forming a perimeter portion extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion;
• wherein the at least one elongate substantially helical member is configured such that the intermediate portion remains substantially rigid under compressive forces during insertion of the leading edge portion between bone surfaces of a patient.