Composite implant

A composite interbody vertebral implant for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae, the composite interbody vertebral implant comprising:

• a first body of a porous tantalum metal defining a plurality of pores formed by a metallic scaffold configured to allow bone in-growth from a first vertebra;
• a second body of a porous tantalum metal defining a plurality of pores formed by a metallic scaffold configured to allow bone in-growth from a second vertebra;
• a polymeric body of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) positioned between the first body of porous tantalum metal and the second body of porous tantalum metal;
• wherein a first interface layer between the first body of porous tantalum metal and the polymeric body includes polyether ether ketone (PEEK) of the polymeric body impregnated into the pores of the first body of porous tantalum metal;
• and
• wherein a second interface layer between the second body of porous tantalum metal and the polymeric body includes polyether ether ketone (PEEK) of the polymeric body impregnated into the pores of the second body of porous tantalum metal.

A method of forming a composite interbody vertebral implant, the method comprising:

• positioning a first surface of a polymeric body of a polymeric material adjacent a surface of a first body of a porous metal material;
• heating the first body of porous metal material to a first elevated temperature;
• applying a compressive force between the polymeric body of polymeric material and the first body of porous metal material, causing a portion of the polymeric material to penetrate into pores of the first body of porous metal material;
• positioning a second surface of the polymeric body of polymeric material adjacent a surface of a second body of a porous metal material;
• heating the second body of porous metal material to a second elevated temperature;
• and
• applying a compressive force between the polymeric body of polymeric material and the second body of porous metal material, causing a portion of the polymeric material to penetrate into pores of the second body of porous metal material.