Implants and Related Devices for Monitoring Bony Fusion

An expandable medical implant for supporting skeletal structures comprising:

• an expandable central portion having a first end section, an opposing second end section, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the central portion formed of a first material that at least partially inhibits the monitoring of bone in-growth using a medical diagnostic technique;
• a first end cap having a first mating surface for mating with the first end section of the central portion and having a first engagement surface for engagement with a first portion of the skeletal structure, the first end cap made of a second material different than the first material, the second material inhibiting the monitoring of bone in-growth using the medical diagnostic technique to a lesser degree than the first material;
• and
• a second end cap having a second mating surface for mating with the second end section of the central portion and having a second engagement surface for engagement with a second portion of the skeletal structure, the second end cap made of the second material.

An end member for use with a metallic implant for supporting a skeletal structure, the end member comprising:

• a body portion having a thickness;
• an implant engagement surface extending from the body portion for securely engaging the metallic implant;
• and
• a skeletal engagement surface extending from the body portion opposite the implant engagement surface, the skeletal engagement surface for securely engaging the skeletal structure and promoting bony in-growth between the skeletal structure and the end member;
• wherein the end member is formed of a polymer.