Interbody spacer for spinal fusion

Abstract

An interbody spacer for spinal fusion surgery includes a body configured for insertion within an interbody space between two adjacent vertebrae. The body defines at least one fastener-receiving opening for receiving a fastener for securing the body within the interbody space. A blocking member is disposable in the fastener-receiving opening for preventing the fastener from being withdrawn from the fastener-receiving opening once the fastener has been fully inserted into the fastener-receiving opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An interbody spacer for spinal fusion surgery, the interbody spacer comprising:
 a body configured for insertion within an interbody space between two adjacent vertebrae, the body defining at least one fastener-receiving opening for receiving a fastener for securing the body within the interbody space; and   a blocking member disposable in the fastener-receiving opening for preventing the fastener from being withdrawn from the fastener-receiving opening once the fastener has been fully inserted into the fastener-receiving opening.   
     
     
         2 . The interbody spacer set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking member comprise a tab extending into the fastener-receiving opening. 
     
     
         3 . The interbody spacer set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the tab is configured to deflect away from the fastener-receiving opening to allow the fastener to be inserted into the fastener-receiving opening and to flex back toward the fastener-receiving opening to block the fastener from being withdrawn from the fastener-receiving opening. 
     
     
         4 . The interbody spacer set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a second opening, the blocking member being received in the second opening and movable within the second opening to dispose at least a portion of the blocking member in the fastener-receiving opening. 
     
     
         5 . The interbody spacer set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the fastener-receiving opening comprises a first fastener-receiving opening, the body further defines a second fastener-receiving opening for receiving a fastener for securing the body within the interbody space, the blocking member being disposable in both the first and second fastener-receiving openings. 
     
     
         6 . The interbody spacer set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the body includes detents engagable with the blocking member to lock the blocking member in position whereby said at least a portion of the blocking member is disposed in the fastener-receiving opening. 
     
     
         7 . The interbody spacer set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the blocking member defines a tool-receiving receptacle for receiving a tool to move the blocking member in second opening. 
     
     
         8 . The interbody spacer set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the body includes first and second opposite side walls, and front and rear walls extending between and interconnecting the first and second side walls, interior surfaces of the front and rear walls and interior surfaces of the first and second side walls defining an interior cavity in the body, the at least one fastener-receiving opening being formed in the front wall and defining an opening axis, the opening axis extending at an angle to a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         9 . The interbody spacer set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one fastener-receiving opening comprises a first fastener-receiving opening defining a first opening axis, a second fastener-receiving opening being formed in the front wall and defining a second opening axis, the second opening axis extending at an angle to the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         10 . The interbody spacer set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the fastener-receiving opening defines a notch for receiving a rib on the fastener for preventing the fastener from rotating relative to the spacer. 
     
     
         11 . A method of making an interbody spacer for spinal fusion surgery, the method comprising 3D printing the interbody spacer, wherein the interbody spacer comprises a body and a blocking member movable relative to the body. 
     
     
         12 . The method set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the body and blocking member are integrally formed. 
     
     
         13 . The method set forth in  claim 11 , wherein 3D printing the interbody spacer comprises printing a gap between the spacer body and the blocking member to permit the blocking member to move relative to the spacer body, unmelted powder stock material being disposed in the gap between the spacer body and the blocking member. 
     
     
         14 . A fastener for use in an interbody spacer for spinal fusion surgery, the fastener comprising:
 a base defining a receptacle for receiving a driver for driving the fastener into a bony structure;   a shaft extending from the base along an arc; and   a tip portion extending from the shaft and including a pointed end for taping into the bony structure.   
     
     
         15 . The fastener set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the shaft comprises spirally extending teeth arranged in a helical pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the shaft defines a plurality of holes spaced along the shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The fastener set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising bone growth material disposed on the shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The fastener set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the receptacle is free of threads. 
     
     
         19 . The fastener set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the receptacle includes a rounded interior surface. 
     
     
         20 . The fastener set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising a rib formed on the base.