The invention concerns a spinal intervertebral implant (200) comprising at least an upper element (203), a lower element (205), and an intermediate member (201) adapted to co-operate with the upper and lower elements by helical linking means (207, 254) including means (216) forming hard pass points when the helical linkage is carried out.

A vertebral replacement implant for interposition in a space left by one or more at least partially removed vertebrae between adjacent intact vertebrae. The implant has a connecting body with opposite ends sized to span at least a portion of the space between the intact vertebrae and two end pieces that are provided for attachment to the opposite ends of the connecting body. For anchoring the implant into the adjacent intact vertebrae, a cutting screw blade is provided on the end pieces so that these end pieces can be screwed into the intact vertebrae. In this way, a rigid fixation of the two adjacent intact vertebrae can be obtained thus enabling fusion thereof by bone growth without the use of an additional lateral support assembly.

The invention relates to a device for replacing vertebral bones. The device includes an interior hollow body and an exterior hollow body. These hollow bodies can slide into each other coaxially along a central axis and can be moved in relation to one another in the direction of the central axis. The interior hollow body is provided with a catch mechanism on its outer surface. The exterior hollow body includes a hole or bore extending along the central axis. The exterior hollow body also includes at least one elastic element that projects into the bore at its top end. This reduces the diameter of the bore so that the elastic element latches onto the catch mechanism of the interior hollow body, thereby fixing the length of the device in such a way that it is resistant to compression.

Disclosed is an expandable fusion cage which facilitates the fusion of adjacent bony surfaces, preferably those in the spine. In a preferred embodiment, the fusion cage. The surfaces of the cage which are intended to contact the vertebral endplates have multiple portions cut out of the metal to form sharp barbs. As the cage is expanded to come into apposition with endplates above and below, the sharp barbs protrude into the subcortical bone of the vertebral body thus securing the cage in place. Multiple holes or fenestrations are present on the superior and inferior surfaces of the cage to permit contact of morselized autologous bone and/or an artificial bone matrix material with the prepared endplate surface.

The invention relates to a height-adjustable vertebral implant comprising a first essentially U-shaped cage which has recesses or holes and vertebral support surfaces which are formed at the cage. The first cage is encompassed and guided telescopically by a second, outer U-shaped cage, with the legs of the inner and outer cages being formed in such a manner that a continuous lateral opening is obtained. One end face each of the cages has upper and lower angular, tongue-like vertebral support surfaces as well as tooth-like locking projections which extend in the longitudinal direction. The inner and outer cages can be fixed in a pregiven end position relative to one another.