Patent attributes
A method for growing a channeled spinal implant in situ, using a surgical additive-manufacturing system having a dispensing component, and implants formed thereby. The method can include positioning the dispensing component at least partially within an interbody space, between a first patient vertebra and a second patient vertebra, and maneuvering, in an applying step, the dispensing component within the interbody space and depositing, by the dispensing component, printing material on or adjacent the first vertebra. The applying step includes maneuvering the dispensing component and applying the printing material selectively to form an outer surface of the implant having a channel opening and to form an interior of the implant having at least one elongate channel extending to the opening.
