Spinal fusion implant

1. An implant, comprising:

a housing having a peripheral frame including an inner edge defining a central opening in a central portion of the implant;

a blade located within the central opening and having a retracted position in the housing and an extended position where the blade extends outwardly from the housing;

the blade being configured to be moved in a substantially vertical direction between the retracted position and the extended position;

wherein the blade has at least one flange, including a first flange extending in a posterior direction; and

wherein the inner edge of the peripheral frame includes a posterior edge configured to support two portions of the blade in two respective locations, including a first location in which the posterior edge of the peripheral frame supports a first portion of the blade and a second location in which the posterior edge supports a second portion of the blade including an edge of the first flange;

wherein the second location of the peripheral frame includes a posterior portion of a groove oriented in the substantially vertical direction.

2. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the blade includes a posterior facing surface extending in a lateral direction and the first flange extends perpendicular to the first portion of the blade, the first flange of the blade extending in a posterior direction to a posterior terminal end.

3. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the posterior edge is configured to support the blade against expulsion forces.

4. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed at least in part from polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

5. The implant of claim 4 , further including at least one radiopaque marker embedded in a portion of the housing that is formed of PEEK.

6. The implant of claim 5 , wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is disposed proximate a peripheral edge of the implant.

7. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed with a lordotic angle configured for implantation between vertebrae.

8. The implant of claim 7 , wherein the lordotic angle is in the range of 5-25 degrees.

9. An implant, comprising:

a housing having a peripheral frame including an inner surface defining a central opening in a central portion of the implant;

a blade located within the central opening and having a retracted position in the housing and an extended position where the blade extends outwardly from the housing;

the blade being configured to be moved between the retracted position and the extended position;

wherein the housing is formed at least in part from polyether ether ketone (PEEK); and

two or more radiopaque markers embedded in a portion of the housing that is formed of PEEK;

the two or more radiopaque markers including:

a first radiopaque marker disposed proximate a superior surface of the implant; and

a second radiopaque marker disposed proximate an inferior surface of the implant and substantially aligned vertically with the first radiopaque marker;

wherein the peripheral frame includes a superior surface, an inferior surface, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and extending from the superior surface to the inferior surface; and

wherein a distance between the outer surface and the inner surface of the peripheral frame defines a thickness of the peripheral frame; and

wherein the thickness of the peripheral frame proximate the first radiopaque marker and the second radiopaque marker is substantially constant from the superior surface to the inferior surface.

10. The implant of claim 9 , wherein a portion of the outer surface of the peripheral frame proximate the first radiopaque marker and the second radiopaque marker is continuous between the superior surface and the inferior surface.

11. The implant of claim 10 , wherein a portion of the inner surface of the peripheral frame proximate the first radiopaque marker and the second radiopaque marker is continuous between the superior surface and the inferior surface, such that the thickness of the peripheral frame proximate the first radiopaque marker and the second radiopaque marker is substantially consistent from the superior surface to the inferior surface of the implant.

12. The implant of claim 9 , wherein the peripheral frame has a enlarged thickness proximate the at least one radiopaque marker.

13. The implant of claim 12 , wherein the enlarged thickness of the peripheral frame forms a rib disposed on a surface of the peripheral frame that faces radially inward toward a center of the implant.

14. The implant of claim 13 , wherein the rib extends in a substantially vertical direction and wherein the at least one radiopaque marker includes:

the first radiopaque marker; and

the second radiopaque marker;

wherein the first radiopaque marker and the second radiopaque marker are aligned with the rib.

15. An implant, comprising:

a housing having a peripheral frame having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the inner surface including an inner edge defining a central opening in a central portion of the implant;

a blade located within the central opening and having a retracted position in the housing and an extended position where the blade extends outwardly from the housing;

the blade being configured to be moved in a first direction between the retracted position and the extended position;

wherein the housing is formed at least in part from polyether ether ketone (PEEK); and

at least one engagement portion extending from the outer surface of the peripheral frame in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction in which the blade is configured to be moved, the engagement portion including a recess configured to receive a gripping element of an insertion tool configured to hold the implant during an implantation procedure.

16. The implant of claim 15 , wherein the engagement portion includes a protruding lip having a thickness, and a recess having a depth, and wherein the thickness of the protruding lip and the depth of the recess of the engagement portion are substantially the same.

17. The implant of claim 15 , further including two engagement portions extending from the outer surface of the peripheral frame.

18. The implant of claim 15 , wherein the housing is formed with a lordotic angle configured for implantation between vertebrae.

19. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the lordotic angle is in the range of 5-25 degrees.