Intervertebral Spacers

Abstract

Medical devices suitable for implantation in spaces between bones are described. An example medical device suitable for use as an intervertebral spacer includes a main body having an exterior proximal wall, an exterior distal wall, a first exterior lateral wall, a second exterior lateral wall, an upper surface, a lower surface, an interior proximal wall, an interior distal wall, a first interior lateral wall, a second interior lateral wall, and a longitudinal axis. The interior proximal wall, the interior distal wall, the first interior lateral wall, and the second interior lateral wall cooperatively define an interior cavity. The first and second exterior lateral walls are outwardly directed at an angle from the lower surface to the upper surface relative to the longitudinal axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intervertebral spacer, comprising:
 a main body comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, an interior lateral wall, an exterior lateral wall, and a longitudinal axis;   the interior lateral wall disposed on a first plane that is outwardly directed at a first angle to the longitudinal axis;   the exterior lateral wall defining an upper exterior lateral wall portion and a lower exterior lateral wall portion, the upper exterior lateral wall portion extending from the upper surface toward the lower surface and the lower exterior lateral wall portion disposed on a second plane that is outwardly directed at a second angle to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface defines a first protruding ridge. 
     
     
         3 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the lower surface defines a first protruding ridge. 
     
     
         4 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface defines a first protruding ridge and the lower surface defines a second protruding ridge. 
     
     
         5 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the first angle is an angle between about 98° and about 117°. 
     
     
         6 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the first angle is an angle between about 104° and about 111°. 
     
     
         7 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the first angle and the second angle are different angles. 
     
     
         8 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface is rounded trapezoidal in shape. 
     
     
         9 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 8 , wherein the main body defines an interior cavity; and
 wherein the upper surface defines a first rounded trapezoidal opening to the interior cavity.   
     
     
         10 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 9 , wherein the lower surface is rounded trapezoidal in shape. 
     
     
         11 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 10 , wherein the lower surface defines a second rounded trapezoidal opening to the interior cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         13 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 12 , wherein the main body comprises polyether ether ketone (PEEK). 
     
     
         14 . An intervertebral spacer, comprising:
 a main body comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, an interior lateral wall, an exterior lateral wall, and a longitudinal axis, the main body defining an interior cavity;   the interior lateral wall partially defining the interior cavity and disposed on a first plane that is outwardly directed at a first angle to the longitudinal axis;   the exterior lateral wall defining an upper exterior lateral wall portion and a lower exterior lateral wall portion, the upper exterior lateral wall portion extending from the upper surface toward the lower surface and the lower exterior lateral wall portion disposed on a second plane that is outwardly directed at a second angle to the longitudinal axis;   wherein the first angle and the second angle are different angles.   
     
     
         15 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 14 , wherein the upper surface defines a first protruding ridge. 
     
     
         16 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 14 , wherein the lower surface defines a first protruding ridge. 
     
     
         17 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 14 , wherein the upper surface defines a first protruding ridge and the lower surface defines a second protruding ridge. 
     
     
         18 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 14 , wherein the first angle is an angle between about 98° and about 117°. 
     
     
         19 . The intervertebral spacer of  claim 14 , wherein the first angle is an angle between about 104° and about 111°. 
     
     
         20 . An intervertebral spacer, comprising:
 a main body comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, an interior lateral wall, an exterior lateral wall, and a longitudinal axis, the main body defining an interior cavity;   the interior lateral wall partially defining the interior cavity and disposed on a first plane that is outwardly directed at a first angle to the longitudinal axis;   the exterior lateral wall defining an upper exterior lateral wall portion and a lower exterior lateral wall portion, the upper exterior lateral wall portion extending from the upper surface toward the lower surface and the lower exterior lateral wall portion disposed on a second plane that is outwardly directed at a second angle to the longitudinal axis;   wherein the first angle and the second angle are different angles;   wherein the upper surface is rounded trapezoidal in shape and defines a first rounded trapezoidal opening to the interior cavity; and   wherein the lower surface is rounded trapezoidal in shape and defines a second rounded trapezoidal opening to the interior cavity.