Cervical fixation device

Claim 1

A cervical fixation device for insertion between a pair of adjacent cervical vertebrae, the cervical fixation device comprising: a frame comprised of a first material and having a generally rectangular proximal end and a generally rectangular distal end, a longitudinal axis of the frame extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the distal end connected to the proximal end by three upper arches and three lower arches extending generally parallel to each other, the upper and lower arches being permanently joined together by the proximal and distal ends, vertically spaced apart from each other and extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the frame having a generally hollow interior and having substantially open lateral sides and a substantially open proximal end, the three upper arches being laterally spaced apart and defining a gap between each adjacent pair of upper arches configured to promote bone growth within an intervertebral space, the three lower arches being laterally spaced-apart and defining a gap between each adjacent pair of lower arches configured to promote bone growth within the intervertebral space, the proximal end including at least one flange extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis above and below a remainder of the frame, the flange having at least one sharpened edge projecting toward the distal end, wherein the flange prevents the proximal end of the device from entering the intervertebral space beyond an anterior margin of the cervical vertebrae, and wherein the flange aids in fixation by engaging the vertebrae above and below the device to prevent distal migration of the device into a spinal canal, the distal end having at least one sharpened edge projecting toward the proximal end, each arch of at least one of the three upper arches and the three lower arches having at least one sharpened projection extending toward the proximal end, wherein the frame tapers from the proximal end toward the distal end between the upper and lower arches such that the vertical distance between the upper and lower arches decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end, and wherein at least one protective cover extends through a slot in the flange during insertion of the cervical fixation device, the cover having a smooth surface and being configured to curve outwardly to aid in distraction and covering the gaps between adjacent pair of arches of at least one of the three upper arches and the three lower arches, the cover having a sufficient thickness to match a height of the projections of the three arches of at least one of the three upper arches and the three lower arches such that no sharp point of the projections protrudes beyond the smooth surface of the cover to protect adjacent vertebral bone surfaces during insertion of the device.