Fusion mass constrainer

A bone fusion mass constrainer for insertion between a pair of adjacent vertebrae to promote fusion between the vertebrae comprising:

• a cage assembly defining a longitudinal inner cavity with an open end and further defining a plurality of openings allowing communication between the inner cavity and the vertebrae to be fused;
• a pair of opposed platforms extending from the cage assembly;
• and
• an end cap for closing the open end of the cage assembly, the end cap including a pair of blades for extending from the cage assembly into at least one of the vertebrae to be fused upon rotation of the end cap.

A bone fusion mass constrainer for insertion between a pair of adjacent vertebrae to promote fusion between the vertebrae comprising:

• a generally cylindrical cage assembly, the cage assembly comprising:
• a longitudinal inner cavity;
• first and second ends, the first end being closed and the second end having a proximal opening in communication with the inner cavity;
• and
• a pair of surface openings through an outer surface of the cage assembly and into the inner cavity;
• a pair of platforms extending longitudinally along the outer surface of the cage assembly and outwardly from the cage assembly;
• an end cap for closing the proximal opening of the cage assembly;
• and
• a pair of blades integral to the end cap for extending outwardly from the cage assembly upon rotation of the end cap.

A method for promoting fusion between a pair of adjacent vertebrae comprising the steps of:

• exposing a portion of the cancellous bone of each of the pair of vertebrae;
• inserting a bone fusion mass constrainer between the vertebrae, the bone fusion mass constrainer having an inner cavity, and a pair of surface openings in communication with the inner cavity, the bone fusion mass constrainer placed such that the surface openings communicate with the cancellous bone of the pair of vertebrae;
• inserting bone graft into the inner cavity;
• and
• extending a pair of blades from the bone fusion mass constrainer into the cancellous bone of the pair of vertebrae to anchor the bone fusion mass constrainer in place.

A bone fusion mass constrainer for insertion between a pair of adjacent vertebrae to promote fusion between the vertebrae comprising:

• a cage assembly defining a longitudinal inner cavity with an open end and further defining a plurality of openings allowing communication between the inner cavity and the vertebrae to be fused;
• a pair of opposed platforms extending from the cage assembly;
• at least one blade extendable from the cage assembly into at least one of the vertebrae to be fused;
• and
• an end cap for closing the open end of the cage assembly and including means for extending the at least one blade from the cage.

A bone fusion mass constrainer for insertion between a pair of adjacent vertebrae to promote fusion between the vertebrae comprising:

• a generally cylindrical cage assembly, the cage assembly comprising:
• a longitudinal inner cavity;
• first and second ends, the first end being closed and the second end having a proximal opening in communication with the inner cavity;
• a pair of surface openings through an outer surface of the cage assembly and into the inner cavity;
• and
• a pair of opposed slots;
• a pair of platforms extending longitudinally along the outer surface of the cage assembly and outwardly from the cage assembly;
• an end cap for closing the proximal opening of the cage assembly;
• and
• a pair of blades for extending outwardly from the slots of the cage assembly and into the vertebrae.