| 摘要 |
This invention provides a vertebral spacer (1, 80) for impaction in a disc space to restore and/or maintain desired disc space height and spinal orientation. The spacer has an elongated basis body (2, 82) having a generally lens-shape provided by convex upper and lower surfaces (24, 26, 86, and 87). Bearing surfaces (8, 8',9, 9', 98 and 100) are provided on the cross-edge surfaces of the endwalls (6, 7, 94 and 96). Grooves (16, 16' and 104) are provided in the upper and lower surfaces positioned between the bearing surfaces. The spacer (1, 80) can be prepared from a wide variety of materials including metallic materials, synthetic materials, polymeric materials, ceramic materials, and composite materials including reinforced materials i.e. glass, fiber, and/or carbon fiber reinforced materials (CFRP). These preferred materials for fabricating spacers in the present invention reduce costs, increase service life and provide excellent physiological compatibility. The non-metallic material can be selected to be either a substantially permanent material, a biodegradable material or a bioerodable material. Further, the spacer material can be provided to be radio opaque to facilitate monitoring of bone in growth both into the spacer and between the opposing endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.
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