CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of McShane, III et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0110626, published on Apr. 26, 2018, and entitled “Implant with Protected Fusion Zones,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments are generally directed to implants for supporting bone growth in a patient.

A variety of different implants are used in the body. Implants used in the body to stabilize an area and promote bone ingrowth provide both stability (i.e. minimal deformation under pressure over time) and space for bone ingrowth.

Spinal fusion, also known as spondylodesis or spondylosyndesis, is a surgical treatment method used for the treatment of various morbidities such as degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis (slippage of a vertebra), spinal stenosis, scoliosis, fracture, infection or tumor. The aim of the spinal fusion procedure is to reduce instability and thus pain.

In preparation for the spinal fusion, most of the intervertebral disc is removed. An implant, the spinal fusion cage, may be placed between the vertebra to maintain spine alignment and disc height. The fusion, i.e. bone bridge, occurs between the endplates of the vertebrae.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an implant includes a body with a first portion and a second portion, and a structural member with a first end and a second end, where the first end of the structural member is attached to the first portion of the body and the second end of the structural member is attached to the second portion of the body. The structural member has a central member curve. The structural member is exposed on an outer surface of the implant. The central member curve includes a winding segment, and the winding segment of the central member curve winds around a fixed path.

In another aspect, an implant includes a body with a base portion and a keel portion. The keel portion extends in a perpendicular manner from the base portion. The implant also includes an outer member with an elongate geometry, where the outer member includes a first outer member end and a second outer member end. The implant also includes a support member with an elongate geometry, where the support member includes a first support member end and a second support member end. The first outer member end is attached to the base portion and the second outer member end is attached to the keel portion. The first support member end is attached to the base portion and the second support member end is attached to the base portion. The support member is attached to the outer member.

In another aspect, an implant includes a body, where the body includes a transverse plane dividing the implant into a superior half and an inferior half. The implant also includes a first outer member attached to the body, where the first outer member has an elongate geometry. The implant also includes a second outer member attached to the body, where the second outer member has an elongate geometry. The implant also includes a support member attached to the body, where the support member has an elongate geometry. The support member is attached to the first outer member at a first attachment region and the support member is attached to the second outer member at a second attachment region. At the first attachment region the support member is disposed closer to the transverse plane than the first outer member is to the transverse plane; and at the second attachment region the support member is disposed closer to the transverse plane than the second outer member is to the transverse plane.

In another aspect, an implant includes a body and an outer member attached to the body, the outer member having an elongate geometry. The implant also includes a support member with an elongate geometry, where the support member is attached to the body. The outer member having an outwardly facing surface portion, where the outwardly facing surface portion is a curved surface portion including a first distal surface region, a proximal surface region and a second distal surface region. The first distal surface region is configured as a vertebral contacting surface and the second distal surface region is configured as a vertebral contacting surface. The support member is attached to the structural member at a location proximate the proximal surface region.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims.

