Flanged interbody fusion device with locking plate
Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An integrated fixation plate and spacer having a retaining structure within the screw holes of the fixation plate to resist backout of screws attaching the fixation plate to the bone is provided. A movable joint may be provided between the fixation plate and spacer. In some embodiments, a screw hole insert is also provided to resist shear forces acting between the screw and fixation plate. In some embodiments, an integrated fixation plate and spacer system is provided, comprising two or more integrated fixation plate and spacer implants, wherein the fixation plates of each implant has a complementary configuration to allow attachment of the implants at adjacent intervertebral spaces. Alternative fixation systems are also contemplated.
1 . An implant for treating the spine, comprising:
a fixation plate comprising an access surface and a bone facing surface, an upper portion, a lower portion, and at least one attachment lumen between the access surface and the bone facing surface;
a spacer connected to the bone facing surface of the fixation plate; and
a locking plate configured to overlie the at least one attachment lumen and comprising an alignment structure to non-frictionally resist rotation of the locking plate when the locking plate is partially attached to the fixation plate by a fastener.
2 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the fixation plate further comprises two attachment lumens and the locking plate overlies at least one of the two attachment lumens.
3 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 2 , wherein the locking plate overlies both of the two attachment lumens.
4 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 2 , wherein the fixation plate further comprises a third attachment lumen.
5 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 4 , wherein the locking plate overlies the two attachment lumens and the third attachment lumen.
6 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 4 , wherein the fixation plate further comprises a fourth attachment lumen.
7 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 6 , wherein the locking plate overlies the two attachment lumens, the third attachment lumen and the fourth attachment lumen.
8 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the spacer comprises tissue engagement structures.
9 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 8 , wherein the tissue engagement structures comprise teeth.
10 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the spacer is integral with the bone facing surface of the fixation plate.
11 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the spacer is connected to the bone facing surface of the fixation plate by an articulation joint.
12 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 10 , wherein the articulation joint is separable.
13 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 10 , wherein the articulation joint is non-separable.
14 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the fixation plate has a configuration complementary to the configuration of the upper portion of the fixation plate.
15 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the alignment structure comprises an elongate member and wherein the fixation plate further comprises an alignment lumen configured to accept the elongate member.
16 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 15 , wherein the elongate member and the alignment lumen are configured to resist rotation of the elongate member when in the alignment lumen.
17 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the locking plate has an X-shaped configuration.
18 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the locking plate has an H-shaped configuration.
19 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 15 , wherein the locking plate further comprises a second alignment structure and wherein the fixation plate further comprises a second alignment lumen configured for accepting the second alignment structure.
20 . The implant for treating the spine as in claim 2 , wherein the locking plate overlies one of the two attachment lumens and the implant further comprises a second locking plate overlying the other of the two attachment lumens.
21 . An implant for treating the spine, comprising:
a flanged intervertebral spacer comprising a spacer body and a flange section, the flange section comprising an access surface and a bone facing surface, an upper portion, a lower portion, four attachment lumens between the access surface and the bone facing surface and two alignment lumens;
a locking plate comprising four attachment cover sections and two alignment pins, wherein the four attachment cover sections are configured to cover the four attachment lumens of the flange section and the two alignment pins are configured for insertion into the two alignment lumens of the flange section.