Intervertebral implant

Abstract

An intervertebral spacer and stabilization implant includes a plate having sockets configured for retaining a fastener passable through the socket and into an adjacent vertebral body. One or more connecting projections extend from a side of the plate, to mate with projections extending from a spacer body. A plurality of teeth project from at least one of the upper or lower surfaces of the spacer body, and a chamber is formed through the spacer body to enable bone fusion between the vertebrae. The combined plate and spacer may be inserted to lie completely within the intervertebral space, or a portion of the plate may overlie a vertebral body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spinal system comprising:
 a plate comprising a plurality of sockets, each configured for retaining a fastener passable through the socket and into a vertebral body;   a spacer body having an upper surface and a lower surface sized and configured to be placed within an intervertebral space, wherein the spacer body is biconvex such that the upper surface is convex and the lower surface is convex;   a plurality of teeth extending from at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the spacer body;   a chamber formed by an opening extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the spacer body;   an aperture formed through the spacer body; and   a fastener extending through one of the plurality of sockets.   
     
     
         2 . The spinal system of  claim 1 , further comprising a screw that extends through the plate and into the aperture formed through the spacer body. 
     
     
         3 . The spinal system of  claim 2 , wherein the screw comprises a blocking cam screw. 
     
     
         4 . The spinal system of  claim 3 , wherein the blocking cam screw comprises a narrowed portion configured to allow the fastener to pass through one socket of the plurality of sockets, and a widened portion configured to block the fastener once it has passed into the socket. 
     
     
         5 . The spinal system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the spacer body is defined by a plane, and a portion of the head of the fastener extends above the plane of the upper surface. 
     
     
         6 . The spinal system of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber includes a recess for receiving a nut therein. 
     
     
         7 . The spinal system of  claim 6 , wherein the nut is configured to receive a blocking cam screw, wherein the blocking cam screw extends through the plate and the spacer body. 
     
     
         8 . The spinal system of  claim 1 , wherein the plate includes at least one torsional stabilizer. 
     
     
         9 . The spinal system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one torsional stabilizer comprises an extension that extends upwardly from an upper surface of the plate. 
     
     
         10 . The spinal system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second fastener and a blocking cam screw, wherein the blocking cam screw serves to prevent backout of both the fastener and the second fastener. 
     
     
         11 . A spinal system comprising:
 a plate comprising a plurality of sockets, each configured for retaining a fastener passable through the socket and into a vertebral body;   a spacer body having an upper surface and a lower surface sized and configured to be placed within an intervertebral space;   a plurality of teeth extending from at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the spacer body;   a chamber formed by an opening extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the spacer body;   an aperture formed through the spacer body;   a nut received in the aperture; and   a fastener extending through one of the plurality of sockets.   
     
     
         12 . The spinal system of  claim 11 , wherein the plate comprises an extension extending upwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . The spinal system of  claim 12 , wherein the extension comprises a knife-like extension. 
     
     
         14 . The spinal system of  claim 11 , wherein the spacer body is formed of PEEK. 
     
     
         15 . The spinal system of  claim 14 , further comprising a screw that extends through the plate and the spacer body and into the nut. 
     
     
         16 . The spinal system of  claim 15 , wherein the screw comprises a blocking cam screw. 
     
     
         17 . The spinal system of  claim 11 , wherein the spacer body is biconvex. 
     
     
         18 . The spinal system of  claim 11 , wherein the upper surface of the spacer body is defined by a plane, and a portion of the head of the fastener extends above the plane of the upper surface. 
     
     
         19 . The spinal system of  claim 11 , further comprising a second fastener, wherein the fastener extends in an upward direction and the second fastener extends in a lower direction. 
     
     
         20 . The spinal system of  claim 11 , wherein the spacer body includes an upper chamfer and a lower chamfer.