Artificial vertebral endplates and associated methods

A method comprising:

• providing a substrate;
• forming a patterned catalyst layer on the substrate, the patterned catalyst layer defining a template for carbon nanotube growth, the template defining a pattern for formation of:
• a plate configured for implantation in a body of a patient, the plate including a plurality of pores and being configured for placement between a cancellous bone of a spinal vertebra and a corresponding cartilaginous endplate as a replacement for a bony endplate of the spinal vertebra;
• and
• growing carbon nanotubes on the patterned catalyst layer to form the plate.

A surgical method comprising:

• forming an incision in a body of a patient, the incision providing access to an intervertebral structure of the patient;
• separating a cartilaginous endplate from a bony endplate of a vertebra of the intervertebral structure;
• removing the bony endplate to expose vascularity of a cancellous bone of the vertebra;
• placing a porous plate as a replacement for the removed bony endplate, such that a first surface of the porous plate is in contact with the exposed vascularity of the cancellous bone;
• and
• positioning the cartilaginous endplate in contact with a second surface of the porous plate, the second surface of the porous plate being opposite the first surface.