Method and apparatus for stabilizing adjacent bones

An apparatus for implantation into an adjacent pair of vertebral bodies having first and second surfaces, respectively, 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 from said platform and extending around said longitudinal axis, each of said at least two helical spikes having a helical central axis that forms a helix around said longitudinal axis;
• each of said at least two helical spikes further having a circular cross-sectional configuration as viewed in a plane extending perpendicular to said helical central axis of each of said helical spikes;
• each of said at least two helical spikes including a tip portion that is oriented generally transverse to said longitudinal axis for penetrating the first and second surfaces and for screwing into the adjacent pair of vertebral bodies as said platform is rotated about said longitudinal axis;
• said at least two helical spikes at least partially defining an internal cavity for receiving material that promotes fusion of the vertebral bodies.