Intervertebral implants

Abstract

A multipart intervertebral implant is provided which includes an implant portion and an implant extender portion. The implant portion and the implant extender portion can be fastened together using any known fastening means including pins, interlocking structure (e.g., dovetail, tongue and groove, etc.), adhesives, etc. The size of the implant extender portion can be selected during a surgical procedure to provide an implant suitable for a particular intervertebral receiving bed. An intervertebral implant is also provided which may be formed from a multiplicity of implant sections which are fastened together to provide an implant having a desired length. Implants having surface configurations which more closely correspond to the configuration of vertebral endplates are also provided.

1 . An intervertebral implant comprising: 
 a first implant portion having a first end and a second end, the second end having engaging structure formed therein;    a second implant portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second implant portion including engaging structure formed thereon, the engaging structure formed on the first end of the second implant portion being configured to mate with the engaging structure formed on the second end of the first implant portion to fasten the second implant portion to the first implant portion.    
     
     
         2 . An intervertebral implant according to    claim 1   , wherein one of the first and second engaging structures includes a dovetail connector.  
     
     
         3 . An intervertebral implant according to    claim 1   , wherein the first and second implant portions are cylindrical.  
     
     
         4 . An intervertebral implant according to    claim 1   , wherein the first and second implant portions are wedge-shaped.  
     
     
         5 . An intervertebral implant according to    claim 1   , further including at least one pin extending between the first and second implant portions.  
     
     
         6 . An intervertebral implant according to    claim 2   , wherein the other of the first and second engaging structures includes a slot configured to receive the dovetail connector.  
     
     
         7 . An intervertebral implant according to    claim 1    farther including a third implant portion having first and second ends and third engaging structure.