# US 10,500,059 B2 · Methods of 3D printing universally expanding cages

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- Number: US 10,500,059 B2
- Document ID: US10500059B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/251,014
- Filed: 2019-01-17
- Published: 2019-05-23
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2014-11-12
- Assignees: Iorthopedics, Inc.
- Applicants: iOrthopedics, Inc.
- Inventors: Robert Thomas Grotz
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500059B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/4425: {made of articulated components}
- A61F 2/446: {having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones}
- A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section}
- A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses}
- A61F 2/4637: {for connecting or disconnecting two parts of a prosthesis}
- A61F 2002/30408: {Conical threadings}
- A61F 2002/30411: {having two threaded end parts connected by a threaded central part with opposite threads at its opposite ends, i.e. for adjusting the distance between both end parts by rotating the central part}
- A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw}
- A61F 2002/30537: {adjustable}
- A61F 2002/30538: {for adjusting angular orientation}
- A61F 2002/30545: {for adjusting a diameter}
- A61F 2002/30556: {for adjusting thickness}
- A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices}
- A61F 2002/30594: {slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots}
- A61F 2002/30841: {Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes}
- A61F 2002/448: {comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants}
- 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

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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is patient-specific.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein at least one endplate is 3D printed to fit a particular bone topography.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion relative to the first ramped surface is greater than the expansion relative to the second ramped surface.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion relative to the second ramped surface is greater than the expansion relative to the first ramped surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion relative to the first ramped surface is equal to the expansion relative to the second ramped surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises titanium.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is used in multiple horizontally affected intervertebral spaces.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is used in the treatment of lordosis, kyphosis and scoliosis.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the preoperative imaging comprises MRIs, 3D CT scans, or X-rays.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable implant further comprises a first actuator and a second actuator wherein when one of the first actuator or the second actuator is rotated in a first direction and causes an expansion of the distal end of the cage body and when rotated in a second direction causes a contraction of the distal end of the cage body.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable proximal end is independently expandable from the expandable distal end.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further providing instructions for expanding solely the proximal end, instructions for expanding solely the distal end and instructions for cooperatively expanding both the proximal end and distal end.

### Claim 14

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.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein expansion or contraction of the proximal end is independent from the expansion or contraction of a distal end.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the height and/or angle of the implant may be adjusted.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the turning of the first actuator independently effects expansion or contraction of the proximal end relative to a ramped surface.