Highly lordosed fusion cage

Abstract

A fusion cage has a first component that defines an outside surface that is configured to engage a vertebral endplate, and an interior surface. The fusion cage has a second component that defines first and second opposed surfaces. One of the first and second opposed surfaces can mate with the interior surface of the first component. The fusion cage can include vertical and lateral throughholes adapted to enhance fusion.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of operating an intervertebral fusion system to implant an intervertebral fusion cage, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) inserting a first component into an intervertebral space, the first component defining an outside surface and an interior surface that is opposite the outside surface along a first direction; and   b) translating an extension of a second component with respect to the first component in a recess of the interior surface of the first component along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, which causes the extension to slidably ride along a smooth ramped surface of the first component so as to selectively increase and decrease a distance between the outside surface of the first component and the second component along the first direction, wherein the second component a receiving hole that extends into an end of the second component along the second direction,   wherein the intervertebral fusion system further comprises 1) a third component that defines a receiving hole that is aligned with the receiving hole of the second component along the second direction, and 2) a rod that is oriented along the second direction and is received by both the receiving hole of the second component and the receiving hole of the third component.   
     
     
         2 . An intervertebral fusion system comprising:
 a) a first component having an outside surface and an interior surface opposite the outside surface along a first direction, wherein the interior surface defines a recess;   b) a second component having a pair of opposed surfaces that are opposite each other along the first direction, and a receiving hole that extends into an end of the second component end along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the second component is configured to slidably mate with the first component in the recess;   c) a third component that defines a receiving hole that is aligned with the receiving hole of the second component along the second direction; and   d) a rod that is oriented along the second direction and is received by both the receiving hole of the second component and the receiving hole of the third component.   
     
     
         3 . An intervertebral fusion system, comprising:
 a first component having an outside surface and an interior surface opposite the first outside surface along a first direction, wherein the first interior surface defines first and second surfaces that are angled with respect to each other;   a second component having opposed surfaces that are opposite each other along the first direction, wherein one of the opposed surfaces is configured to slidably mate with the first and second surfaces;   a third component separate from each of the first and second components; and   a rod that is received in both the second component and the third component.