Expandable inter-body fusion devices and methods
AssigneeSpectrum Spine IP Holdings, LLC
InventorsJames C Robinson, John E Pendleton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An expandable curved inter-body fusion device is presented. The expandable curved inter-body fusion device can have a first plate, a second plate, and an insert positioned substantially therebetween the first plate and the second plate. The first plate, the second plate, and the insert define an interior cavity. Moving the insert longitudinally with respect to the first and second plates increases or decreases the distance of the first plate with respect to the second plate, effectively expanding the inter-body fusion device and increasing the volume of the interior cavity.
Claims12
A curved expandable inter-body fusion device, comprising:
- a first plate having an upper bone contact surface, an opposed first plate inner surface, a leading end, and a trailing end, wherein the first plate is curved from the leading end to the trailing end;
- a second plate having a lower bone contact surface, an opposed second plate inner surface, a leading end, and a trailing end, wherein the second plate is curved to substantially match the curve of the first plate;
- an insert positioned between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the insert is curved complimentary to the curve of the first and second plates;
- and
- a flexible insertion tool comprising a wire or cable and having a distal end configured for engagement with a portion of the insert and configured to directly pull the insert;
- wherein, the first plate, the second plate, and the insert define an interior cavity, and wherein pulling the flexible insertion tool moves the insert longitudinally with respect to the first and second plates and increases the distance of the first plate with respect to the second plate, effectively expanding the inter-body fusion device and increasing the volume of the interior cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.