Adjustable height fusion device

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a first side opposite a second side;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• and
• an alignment device positionable between the engaging plates, the alignment device being adapted to separate the engaging plates during use such that a height exists therebetween, such that the height proximate the anterior end differs from the height proximate the posterior end;
• and wherein the alignment device comprises a first strut and a second strut, the first strut extending during use between the engaging plates along a location proximate the first side, the second strut extending during use between the engaging plates along a location proximate the second side, and wherein the first strut and the second strut have different heights such that the height proximate the first side is different than the height proximate the second side.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a first side opposite a second side;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• and
• an alignment device positionable between the engaging plates, the alignment device being adapted to separate the engaging plates during use such that a height exists therebetween, such that the height proximate the anterior end differs from the height proximate the posterior end;
• and wherein the alignment device comprises a first strut and a second strut, the first strut comprising a hinge and extending between the engaging plates along a location proximate the first side, the second strut comprising a hinge and extending between the engaging plates along a location proximate the second side, and wherein the first strut and the second strut have different heights such that the height proximate the first side is different than the height proximate the second side.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a first side opposite a second side;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• and
• an alignment device positionable between the engaging plates, the alignment device being adapted to separate the engaging plates during use such that a height exists therebetween, such that the height proximate the anterior end differs from the height proximate the posterior end;
• wherein the alignment device comprises a strut extending between the engaging plates during use, and wherein each of the engaging plates comprises a slot for receiving an end of the strut, the slot having a width that narrows in a direction from the anterior end to the posterior end, the width of the slot proximate the posterior end being less than a width of the end of the strut such that a locking taper engagement is formable between the slot and the end of the strut.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• a first side opposite a second side;
• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a first strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the first side during use;
• a second strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the second side during use;
• wherein the first strut and the second strut each comprise a height, the height of the first strut being different than the height of the second strut, and wherein the struts are positionable between the engaging plates during use such that a height between the engaging plates differs between the anterior end and the posterior end.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• a first side opposite a second side;
• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a first strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the first side during use;
• a second strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the second side during use;
• wherein the first strut and the second strut each comprise a hinge to allow an upper member of each strut to pivot with respect to a lower member of each strut, and wherein the struts are positionable between the engaging plates during use such that a height between the engaging plates differs between the anterior end and the posterior end.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• a first side opposite a second side;
• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a first strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the first side during use;
• a second strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the second side during use;
• wherein the first strut and the second strut have a height, the height of the first strut being different than the height of the second strut, and wherein the first strut and the second strut each comprise a hinge allowing the struts to pivot during use, and wherein the struts are positionable between the engaging plates such that a height between the engaging plates differs between the anterior end and the posterior end.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• a first side opposite a second side;
• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a retaining plate proximate the posterior end for maintaining bone graft between the engaging plates;
• a first strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the first side during use;
• a second strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the second side during use;
• and wherein the struts are positionable between the engaging plates during use such that a height between the engaging plates differs between the anterior end and the posterior end.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• a first side opposite a second side;
• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a removable end cap proximate the anterior end for maintaining bone graft between the engaging plates;
• a first strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the first side during use;
• a second strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the second side during use;
• and wherein the struts are positionable between the engaging plates during use such that a height between the engaging plates differs between the anterior end and the posterior end.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• a first side opposite a second side;
• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a first strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the first side during use;
• a second strut adapted to extend between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates at a location proximate the second side during use;
• wherein each of the engaging plates comprises a pair of slots for receiving ends of the first and second struts, the slots each having a width that narrows in a direction from the anterior end to the posterior end, the width of each of the slots proximate the posterior end being less than a width of the ends of the struts such that a locking taper engagement is formable between the slots and the ends of the struts, and wherein the struts are positionable between the engaging plates during use such that a height between the engaging plates differs between the anterior end and the posterior end.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a strut adapted to be inserted between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates, the strut extending in a direction from the anterior end to the posterior end during use;
• a load-sharing member longitudinally positionable within the strut, the load-sharing member being substantially deflectable to allow movement of one of the engaging plates during use;
• and
• a bore extending through the strut, the load-sharing member being disposed within the bore during use, the bore having a greater width than the load-sharing member to provide space for deflection of the load-sharing member.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a strut adapted to be inserted between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates, the strut extending in a direction from the anterior end to the posterior end during use;
• a load-sharing member positionable within the strut, the load-sharing member being substantially deflectable to allow movement of one of the engaging plates during use;
• and
• a connector for engaging the load-sharing member, the connector being adapted to impart force to the load-sharing member to deflect the load-sharing member.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a strut adapted to be inserted between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates, the strut extending in a direction from the anterior end to the posterior end during use;
• a load-sharing member positionable within the strut, the load-sharing member being substantially deflectable to allow movement of one of the engaging plates during use;
• and
• a screw engaging the load-sharing member, the screw being adapted to impart force to the load-sharing member to deflect the load-sharing member.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a strut adapted to be inserted between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates, the strut extending in a direction from the anterior end to the posterior end during use;
• a load-sharing member positionable within the strut, the load-sharing member being substantially deflectable to allow movement of one of the engaging plates during use;
• and
• a screw for engaging the load-sharing member;
• and wherein the strut further comprises a threaded opening, the screw being disposed within the threaded opening.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a strut adapted to be inserted between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates, the strut extending in a direction from the anterior end to the posterior end during use;
• and
• a load-sharing member positionable within the strut, the load-sharing member being substantially deflectable to allow movement of one of the engaging plates during use;
• and wherein the strut further comprises an upper member and a lower member, the upper member being pivotable with respect to the lower member about the load-sharing member.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a strut adapted to be inserted between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates, the strut extending in a direction from the anterior end to the posterior end during use;
• and
• a load-sharing member positionable within the strut, the load-sharing member being substantially deflectable to allow movement of one of the engaging plates during use, wherein the load-sharing member is a substantially cylindrical pin, and wherein the load-sharing member further comprises an indention having a substantially planar surface.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a strut adapted to be inserted between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates, the strut extending in a direction from the anterior end to the posterior end during use, wherein the strut comprises an upper member and a lower member;
• a predetermined spacing between the upper and lower members;
• and
• a load-sharing member positionable within the strut, the load-sharing member being substantially deflectable to allow movement of one of the engaging plates during use;
• and wherein application of a compressive force onto the engaging plates decreases the predetermined spacing.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a strut adapted to be inserted between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates, the strut extending in a direction from the anterior end to the posterior end during use, wherein the strut comprises an upper member and a lower member;
• a predetermined spacing between the upper and lower members;
• a load-sharing member positionable within the strut, the load-sharing member being substantially deflectable to allow movement of one of the engaging plates during use;
• and
• a connector engaging the load-sharing member;
• and wherein the predetermined spacing is adjustable by altering the position of the connector.

A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:

• an anterior end opposite a posterior end;
• a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
• a strut adapted to be inserted between the engaging plates to separate the engaging plates, the strut extending in a direction from the anterior end to the posterior end during use;
• and
• a load-sharing member longitudinally positionable within the strut, the load-sharing member being substantially deflectable to allow movement of one of the engaging plates during use;
• a connector engaging the load-sharing member at a fulcrum point;
• and
• a support location where the strut contacts the load-sharing member, the support location and the fulcrum point being separated by a predetermined distance such that an effective modulus of elasticity of the implant is substantially equal to a modulus of elasticity of bone.