3D printed cervical standalone implant

A method of forming an implant, the method comprising the steps of:

• depositing and melting successive layers of a first powder material to form a body of the implant, the body including a fastener hole;
• and
• depositing and melting successive layers of a second powder material to form a fastener blocker, the fastener blocker being capable of overlying at least a portion of the fastener hole;
• wherein portions of the body and the fastener blocker are formed at the same time and the fastener blocker is captured within the body such that an outer wall of the body covers at least part of a head of the fastener blocker.

A method of forming an intervertebral implant using additive layer manufacturing comprising:

• alternately depositing and heating successive layers of a first source material to form a first portion of a body of the intervertebral implant;
• alternately depositing and heating successive layers of a second source material subsequent to the formation of the first portion to form a fastener blocker;
• and
• alternately depositing and heating successive layers of the first source material subsequent to the formation of the first portion to form a second portion of the body,
• wherein subsequent to the formation of the first and second portions, the body includes a leading surface, a trailing surface opposite the leading surface, a superior surface extending between the leading surface and the trailing surface, an inferior surface opposite the superior surface, a first side surface extending between the superior surface and the inferior surface, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, and
• wherein the depositing and heating steps result in the fastener blocker being captured between the first and second portions, the fastener blocker being disposed within the body such that an entirety of the fastener blocker is within a volume defined by the leading surface, the trailing surface, the superior surface, the inferior surface, and the first and second side surfaces, the fastener blocker being spaced apart from the trailing surface.