Length adjustable implant

A method of using an implant for application in spinal or trauma surgery including a first spacer member having a first end, an opposite second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, and a first surface engageable with a bone, a second spacer member connectable to the first spacer member and configured to be guided relative to the first spacer member along the longitudinal axis for adjusting a distance between a free end of the second spacer member and the first surface of the first spacer member, wherein when connected, the first spacer member has a length greater than a length of the second spacer member in at least one of a direction along the longitudinal axis or a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and an engagement member configured to engage an opening in the first spacer member, the engagement member having a first end, an opposite second end, an abutment between the first and second ends, and a first portion between the first end and the abutment for engaging the opening in the first spacer member, wherein the engagement member is a monolithic part, and wherein the abutment forms a collar having a width greater than a width of the opening in the first spacer member, the method comprising:

• engaging the first surface of the first space member with a bone;
• moving the second spacer member relative to the first spacer member along the longitudinal axis in a second configuration to adjust the distance between the free end of the second spacer member and the first surface of the first spacer member, wherein the first portion of the engagement member engages the opening in the first spacer member with the abutment contacting the first spacer member and being interposed in a compartment formed between a portion of the first spacer member and a portion of the second spacer member that overlap with one another while the second end of the engagement member is spaced apart from the second spacer member, and the engagement member is prevented from being removed from the opening in the first spacer member by the abutment;
• and
• engaging the second spacer member with the second end of the engagement member in a first configuration to axially lock the first spacer member and the second spacer member with respect to each other, wherein the first portion of the engagement member remains engaged with the opening in the first spacer member and the engagement member is positioned closer to the second spacer member in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis relative to the second configuration, such that the abutment is spaced apart from the first spacer member.

An implant for application in spinal or trauma surgery having a variable axial length, the implant comprising:

• a first spacer member having a first end, an opposite second end, and a first surface engageable with a bone;
• a second spacer member having a first end, an opposite second end, and a central axis extending through the first end and the second end and through a center of the second spacer member, wherein the second spacer member is connectable to the first spacer member and configured to be guided relative to the first spacer member along the central axis for adjusting a distance between the second end of the second spacer member and the first surface of the first spacer member, wherein when connected, the central axis extends through the first spacer member;
• and
• at least one engagement member having a first end, an opposite second end, and a first portion located closer to the first end than the second end for engaging the first spacer member, wherein the engagement member is positionable in an opening in the first spacer member, and wherein the engagement member is a monolithic part,
• wherein the implant is adjustable between a second configuration in which the the first portion of the engagement member engages the opening in the first spacer member while the second end of the engagement member is spaced apart from the second spacer member such that the second spacer member is movable with respect to the first spacer member along the central axis, and a first configuration in which the first portion of the engagement member remains engaged with the opening in the first spacer member and the engagement member is positioned closer to the second spacer member in a direction transverse to the central axis relative to the second configuration, such that the second end of the engagement member engages the second spacer member to axially lock the first spacer member and the second spacer member with respect to each other, and
• wherein a second portion of the engagement member having a width greater than the opening in the first spacer member is interposed in a compartment formed between portions of the first spacer member and the second spacer member that overlap with one another in both the first configuration and the second configuration to prevent the engagement member from being removed from the opening in the first spacer member, and wherein the second portion of the engagement member is between the first portion of the engagement member and the second end of the engagement member.