Cage plate for spinal fusion and method of operation

A cage plate for fusing selected vertebral bodies of a patient's spinal column in which an opening has been formed;

• comprising:
• a cage made of one or more biologically inert materials selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloys, PEEK (polyaryl, ether, ether ketone) polymer, cobalt-chromium alloys, tantalum, tantalum alloys, niobium, niobium alloys, and stainless steel, the cage having voids that form a porosity within the range of about 25 to 55 percent of the volume of the cage and being able to facilitate bony ingrowth and spinal fusion, the cage adapted to be inserted into the opening in the spinal column;
• and
• a plate to which the cage is attached, the plate being made of a biologically inert material selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloys, PEEK (polyaryl, ether, ether ketone) polymer, cobalt-chromium alloys, tantalum, tantalum alloys, niobium, niobium alloys, and stainless steel, the plate adapted to be connected to the spinal column, the plate being generally rectangular and having a longitudinal axis that in use is disposed parallel with the longitudinal axis of the spinal column, the plate being curved when viewed from the top, the curvature approximating that of the vertebral bodies to be fused, and the plate being curved when viewed from the side, the curvature approximating that of the vertebral bodies to be fused, the plate having a plurality of openings adjacent the corners thereof through which bone screws can be inserted and screwed into the vertebral bodies.

A method for fusing vertebral bodies of a patient's spinal column, comprising the steps of:

• providing a cage made of a biologically inert material, the cage having voids that constitute approximately 25 to 55 percent of the volume of the cage and being sufficiently porous to facilitate bony ingrowth and spinal fusion;
• providing a plate, the plate being made of a biologically inert material;
• attaching the cage to the plate;
• forming an opening in the spinal column;
• inserting the cage in the opening;
• and
• connecting the plate to the vertebral bodies to be fused.