# US 10,117,755 B2 · Multiple spindle adjustable interbody fusion devices and methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,117,755 B2 - Document ID: US10117755B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/394,700 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2015-04-02 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-16 - Assignees: Biospine, LLC - Applicants: Biospine, LLC - Inventors: Brian G. Emerick; Ross R. Nichols; Daniel D. Refai; Heidi Stamets; Larry D. Sutton; Brent Walter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117755B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)} - A61F 2/442: {Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient (non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455)} - A61F 2/4465: {having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine} - A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section} - A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses} - A61F 2002/2835: {Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material} - A61F 2002/30331: {made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit} - A61F 2002/30365: {with additional means for limiting said rotation} - A61F 2002/30383: {made by laterally inserting a protrusion, e.g. a rib into a complementarily-shaped groove} - A61F 2002/30398: {Sliding} - A61F 2002/304: {with additional means for limiting said sliding} - A61F 2002/30401: {with additional means for preventing or locking said sliding} - A61F 2002/30405: {made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves} - A61F 2002/30433: {using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws} - A61F 2002/30471: {connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type} - A61F 2002/305: {Snap connection} - A61F 2002/3052: {unrestrained in only one direction, e.g. moving unidirectionally} - A61F 2002/30523: {by means of meshing gear teeth} - A61F 2002/30525: {Worm gears} - A61F 2002/30538: {for adjusting angular orientation} - A61F 2002/3055: {for adjusting length} - A61F 2002/30556: {for adjusting thickness} - A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices} - A61F 2002/30593: {hollow} - A61F 2002/30594: {slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots} - A61F 2002/30601: {telescopic} - A61F 2002/30604: {modular} - A61F 2002/30607: {Kits of prosthetic parts to be assembled in various combinations for forming different prostheses} - A61F 2002/30616: {Sets comprising a plurality of prosthetic parts of different sizes or orientations} - A61F 2002/30624: {Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement} - A61F 2002/30632: {with rotation-limiting stops, e.g. projections or recesses} - A61F 2002/30785: {parallel} - A61F 2002/3084: {Nanostructures} - A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed} - A61F 2002/3093: {for promoting ingrowth of bone tissue} - A61F 2310/00017: Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel - A61F 2310/00023: Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys - A61F 2310/00359: Bone or bony tissue - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract An interbody fusion device includes a base member, a top member, and an expansion mechanism for moving the top member relative to the base member. The expansion mechanism may include a connector drive rod assembly, a gear, a threaded rod, and a support means. The gear ring is coupled to the threaded rod and is rotatable. The expansion mechanism may also include at least one load head coupled to the threaded rod. An alternative interbody fusion device is also disclosed and includes a bottom member, a superior member, and an expansion mechanism for moving the superior member relative to the bottom member. The expansion mechanism includes a first expansion assembly for moving a first end of the superior member relative to the bottom member, a second expansion assembly for moving a second end of the superior member relative to the bottom member, and a connector drive rod assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An interbody fusion device, comprising: a base member including an outer bone contacting surface configured to interface with a bone; a top member detachably coupled to the base member and cooperatively forming a cavity with the base member, the top member including an outer bone contacting surface configured to interface with a bone; an expansion mechanism disposed in the cavity, wherein the expansion mechanism includes a first assembly having a first gear ring, a first threaded rod defining a longitudinal axis and threadably coupled to the first gear ring such that the first threaded rod is axially translated along the longitudinal axis when the first gear ring is rotatably driven, a first load head pivotally coupled to a top end of the first threaded rod and engaged with the top member, and a first support member that secures the first gear ring within a portion of the base member, wherein the first support member is a snap ring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The interbody fusion device of claim 1 wherein the first load head includes a channel formed therein and the first threaded rod having a cylindrically shaped pivot member formed on the top end and inserted in the channel of the first load head. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The interbody fusion device of claim 2 further comprising a recess formed in an inner surface of the top member and configured to mate with the first load head, where the inner surfaces opposes the bone contacting surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The interbody fusion device of claim 3 wherein the recess includes a rectangular shape with a longitudinal axis extending along a longitudinal axis of the top member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The interbody fusion device of claim 1 wherein the top member includes an opening in the bone contacting surface through which bone graft material can be inserted into the cavity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The interbody fusion device of claim 1 wherein the base member defines a hole in which the first gear ring is rotatably supported. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The interbody fusion device of claim 1 wherein the first ring gear ring includes a plurality of substantially vertical depression arranged circumferentially on an outer surface and configured to mate with teeth of a worm gear disposed on an end of an expansion tool. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The interbody fusion device of claim 1 wherein the expansion mechanism further includes a second assembly having a second gear ring, a second threaded rod defining a longitudinal axis and threadably coupled to the second gear ring such that the second threaded rod is axially translated along the longitudinal axis when the second gear ring is rotatably driven, a second load head pivotally coupled to a top end of the second threaded rod and engaged with the top member, and a second support member that secures the first assembly within the cavity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The interbody fusion device of claim 8 further comprising a connector driving rod configured at a proximal end to receive an expansion tool and drivably coupled at a distal end to the second gear ring of the second assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The interbody fusion device of claim 8 wherein the first load head and the second load head cooperatively operate to allow the top member to tilt in relation to base member when the first assembly and the second assembly are extended to different lengths. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The interbody fusion device of claim 1 wherein the top member defines a channel sized to receive the base member, one or more tabs protruding inwardly into the channel from an inner surface of the top member and one or more notches formed in the outer surface of the base member and sized to receive a corresponding tab. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The interbody fusion device of claim 1 wherein the outer bone contacting surface on the base member and the outer bone contacting surface on the top member each include a plurality of teeth-like protrusions formed thereon. ### Claim 13 An interbody fusion device, comprising: a base member including an outer bone contacting surface configured to interface with a bone; a top member detachably coupled to the base member and cooperatively forming a cavity with the base member, the top member defines a channel sized to receive the base member and including an outer bone contacting surface configured to interface with a bone; one or more tabs protruding inwardly into the channel from an inner surface of the top member; one or more notches formed in the outer bone contacting surface of the base member and sized to receive a corresponding tab; and an expansion mechanism disposed in the cavity, wherein the expansion mechanism includes a first assembly having a first gear ring, a first threaded rod defining a longitudinal axis and threadably coupled to the first gear ring such that the first threaded rod is axially translated along the longitudinal axis when the gear ring is rotatably driven, a first load head pivotally coupled to a top end of the first threaded rod and engaged with the top member, and a first support member that secures the first gear ring within a portion of the base member, wherein the first support member is further defined as a snap ring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The interbody fusion device of claim 13 wherein the first load head includes a channel formed therein and the first threaded rod having a cylindrically shaped pivot member formed on the top end and inserted in the channel of the first load head. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The interbody fusion device of claim 14 wherein the top member includes an opening in the bone contacting surface through which bone graft material can be inserted into the cavity. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The interbody fusion device of claim 15 wherein the base member defines a hole in which the first gear ring is rotatably supported. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The interbody fusion device of claim 16 wherein the first gear ring has a plurality of substantially vertical depressions arranged circumferentially on an outer surface and configured to mate with teeth of a worm gear disposed on an end of an expansion tool. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The interbody fusion device of claim 17 wherein the expansion mechanism further includes a second assembly including a second gear ring, a second threaded rod defining a longitudinal axis and threadably coupled to the second gear ring such that the second threaded rod is axially translated along the longitudinal axis when the second gear ring is rotatably driven, a second load head pivotally coupled to a top end of the second threaded rod and engaged with the top member, and a second support member that secures the first assembly within the cavity. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The interbody fusion device of claim 18 further comprising a connector driving rod configured at a proximal end to receive an expansion tool and drivably coupled at a distal end to the second gear ring of the second assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The interbody fusion device of claim 19 wherein the first load head and the second load head cooperatively operate to allow the top member to tilt in relation to base member when the first assembly and the second assembly are extended to different lengths. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The interbody fusion device of claim 13 wherein the outer bone contacting surface on the base member and the outer bone contacting surface on the top member each include a plurality of teeth-like protrusions formed thereon.