The present invention discloses a spinal fusion implant that is at least
partially cylindrical, made of material appropriate for human implantation
and having preferably, but not necessarily, one closed end and one end
capable of being closed, such that an internal chamber can be filled and
hold any natural or artificial osteoconductive, osteoinductive,
osteogenic, or other fusion enhancing material. The partially cylindrical
implant directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion.
In the preferred embodiment, the implant of the present invention relies
on surface roughenings of the outer surface to enhance its stability and
resist dislodgement from within the disc space between two adjacent
vertebrae. The implant of the present invention incorporates at its rear
end, an engagement means to facilitate insertion or extraction of the
implant. The implant may be filled with, coated with, and/or composed of,
fusion promoting substances. Finally, the implant of the present invention
does not require rotation for its insertion and can be seated by linear
advancement.
