Expandable spacer and method of use thereof
AssigneeGlobus Medical, Inc.
InventorChad Glerum
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An expandable implant is disclosed having an adjustable height for insertion between two adjacent bony structures or joint surfaces, for example between two adjacent spinal vertebrae. The implant includes at least one gear associated with at least one threaded shaft. Rotation of the gear engages the threaded shaft to expand the implant. The implant can be inserted in a collapsed configuration and expanded in situ. The invention also provides methods for using the implant to facilitate arthrodesis or fusion of adjacent joint surfaces or spinal vertebrae.
Claims15
A method for facilitating fusion of two adjacent joint surfaces in a patient comprising the steps of:
- accessing a site in the patient's body having two adjacent joint surfaces to be fused;
- providing an expandable implant having a first collapsed height;
- preparing a space between the two adjacent joint surfaces for insertion of the implant;
- inserting the implant into the prepared space;
- wherein the expandable implant comprises:
- first and second threaded shafts;
- a base plate coupled to the first and second threaded shafts;
- a first gear and a second gear operably coupled to the first and second threaded shafts via threads disposed on an interior surface of the first and second gears that are matably engaged with the first and second threaded shafts, whereby rotation of at least one of the first and second gear initiates displacement of at least one of the first and second threaded shafts within said base plate, whereby the first and second threaded shafts are extendable in a direction away from the base plate;
- wherein the first and second threaded shafts are positioned with longitudinal axes oblique to the base plate and to one another,
- expanding the expandable implant;
- and
- closing the site in the patient's body.
A method for facilitating fusion of two adjacent joint surfaces in a patient comprising the steps of:
- accessing a site in the patient's body having two adjacent joint surfaces to be fused;
- providing an expandable implant having a first collapsed height;
- preparing a space between the two adjacent joint surfaces for insertion of the implant;
- inserting the implant into the prepared space;
- wherein the expandable implant comprises:
- first and second threaded shafts;
- a base plate coupled to the first and second threaded shafts;
- a first gear and a second gear operably coupled to the first and second threaded shafts via threads disposed on an interior surface of the first and second gears that are matably engaged with the first and second threaded shafts, whereby rotation of at least one of the first and second gear initiates displacement of at least one of the first and second threaded shafts within said base plate, whereby the first and second threaded shafts are extendable in a direction away from the base plate;
- wherein the first and second threaded shafts are positioned with longitudinal axes oblique to one another;
- expanding the expandable implant;
- and
- closing the site in the patient's body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.