Apparatus for implantation into bone related applications

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one anchor for implantation into a bone, said at least one anchor having a longitudinal axis, when implanted, being resistant to toggling in the bone and to being pulled from the bone;
• and
• a spinal fixation implant for extending between and connecting a plurality of bones;
• said at least one anchor including a platform having a first surface for facing the bone, said first surface being solid and extending generally transverse to said longitudinal axis, said platform further having structure for connection with said spinal fixation implant;
• said at least one anchor further including at least two helical spikes for embedding into the bone upon rotation of said platform, said at least two helical spikes projecting tangentially from said first surface on said platform and extending around said longitudinal axis, each of said at least two helical spikes having a proximal end and a distal end;
• each of said at least two helical spikes including a tip portion at said distal end which penetrates into the bone as said platform is rotated, a connecting portion at said proximal end connected to said first surface of said platform, and an intermediate portion extending between said connecting portion and said tip portion;
• at least one of said intermediate portion and said connecting portion of each of said at least two helical spikes having a tubular cross-section defined by an outer diameter and an inner diameter of said at least two helical spikes.

An apparatus for implantation into an adjacent pair of vertebral bodies having first and second surfaces that oppose each other, said apparatus, when implanted, being attached to each of the vertebral bodies and stabilizing the vertebral bodies while the vertebral bodies fuse together, said apparatus comprising:

• a platform having a third surface extending generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of said apparatus;
• and
• at least two helical spikes for embedding into each of the adjacent pair of vertebral bodies upon rotation of said platform to attach said at least two helical spikes to each of the vertebral bodies and thus fasten the vertebral bodies together, said at least two helical spikes projecting tangentially from said third surface of said platform and extending around said longitudinal axis;
• each of said at least two helical spikes having a tip portion at a distal end for penetrating the first and second surfaces and for screwing into the adjacent pair of vertebral bodies as said platform is rotated;
• at least a portion of each of said at least two helical spikes having a tubular cross-section defined by an outer diameter and an inner diameter;
• said at least two helical spikes at least partially defining an internal cavity for receiving material that promotes fusion of the vertebral bodies.