Structurally supporting insert for spinal fusion cage

摘要

An expandable implant 10 includes a structural insert 30 to provide a robust connection between an insertion instrument and the expandable implant 10. The structural insert 30 can be made from a different material than the remainder of the implant to withstand compressive, tensile, shear, and torsional loads which may be present while inserting the implant 10 into a patient. The structural insert 30 may be formed as part of a bottom member 114 of the implant 10 or may be a separate element inserted into the implant body. The structural insert 30 may provide a threaded connection to an insertion instrument. The expandable implant 10 may include a bone graft port 26 in fluid communication with a bone graft opening 28 extending through the implant body.