A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is
disclosed. The device is composed of 25 100% bioresorbable or resorbable
material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any
convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the
resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or
cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as
serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining
vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of
peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which
may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony
development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting
material. As the preferred material from which the resorbable interbody
fusion device is manufactured is most likely to be a polymer that can
produce acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation, the device
preferably further includes a neutralization compound, or buffer, in
sufficiently high concentration to decrease the rate of pH change as the
device degrades, in order to prevent sterile abscess formation caused by
the accumulation of unbuffered acidic products in the area of the
implant.