Methods of 3D printing universally expanding cages
AssigneeIorthopedics, Inc.
InventorRobert Thomas Grotz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of additive manufacturing expandable medical implants is provided along with methods of patient imaging for 3D printing expandable spine cages and topographically matching patient specific implants. Methods for stabilizing and correcting the alignment of the spine are also provided. Spine pathologies such as lordosis, kyphosis and scoliosis can be corrected with properly expanding spine cages such as those described. Independent control and adjustment of the proximal and distal ends of spine cages allows for treating multiple horizontally affected intervertebral spaces.
Claims17
A method of 3D manufacturing an expandable implant comprising;
- preoperatively imaging at least one intervertebral disc space,
- manufacturing the implant, the implant comprising;
- a first endplate, a second endplate, an expandable proximal end, an expandable distal end, a first ramped surface and a second ramped surface, wherein expansion is capable of being independently effected relative to the first ramped surface, independently effected relative to the second ramped surface and independently effected relative to both the first ramped surface and the second ramped surface, and
- 3D printing the first endplate, 3D printing the second endplate or 3D printing both the first endplate and second endplate.
A method of 3D manufacturing an expandable implant comprising;
- pre-operatively imaging at least one intervertebral disc space,
- 3D printing an expandable implant wherein the outer surface is 3D printed for fitting into the at least one intervertebral disc space, and
- providing instructions comprising;
- a method of implanting an expandable implant, turning a first actuator to adjust the expansion or contraction of a proximal end of the expandable implant, turning a second actuator to adjust the expansion or contraction of a distal end of the expandable implant, and turning both the first actuator and the second actuator to adjust the cooperating expansion or contraction of both the proximal end and distal end of the expandable implant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.