# US 10,500,064 B2 · Expandable, adjustable inter-body fusion devices and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,500,064 B2 - Document ID: US10500064B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/210,240 - Filed: 2018-12-05 - Published: 2019-06-27 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-28 - Assignees: Spectrum Spine IP Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Spectrum Spine IP Holdings, LLC - Inventors: James C Robinson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500064B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section} - A61F 2/4425: {made of articulated components} - A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)} - A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses} - A61F 2002/30261: {parallelepipedal} - A61F 2002/304: {with additional means for limiting said sliding} - A61F 2002/30405: {made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves} - A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw} - A61F 2002/30538: {for adjusting angular orientation} - A61F 2002/3054: {about a connection axis or implantation axis for selecting any one of a plurality of radial orientations between two modular parts, e.g. Morse taper connections, at discrete positions, angular positions or continuous positions} - A61F 2002/30556: {for adjusting thickness} - A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices} - A61F 2002/30593: {hollow} - A61F 2002/30622: {Implant for fusing a joint or bone material} - A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed} - A61F 2002/4628: {with linear motion along or rotating motion about an axis transverse to the instrument axis or to the implantation direction, e.g. clamping} - 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 An expandable, adjustable inter-body fusion device is presented. The inter-body fusion device can have a first plate, a second plate, and an insert positioned substantially there between 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. The angle between the first plate and the second plate is selectively adjustable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An expandable inter-body fusion device comprising: a first plate having a first end and a second end along a first longitudinal axis; a second plate having a first end and a second end along a second longitudinal axis; the first end of the first plate disposed over and spaced a first distance from the first end of the second plate and the second end of the first plate disposed over and spaced a second distance from the second end of the second plate; and a first member and a second member disposed between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the second member is spaced from the first member, wherein the second member is configured to allow access to an actuation device that is configured to move a portion of the first member; wherein the first member is movable to increase or decrease the first distance and the second member is movable to increase or decrease the second distance; wherein movement of the first member is independent of movement of the second member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first plate includes at least one ramp having an inclined surface at an angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the first member is configured to interact with the at least one ramp of the first plate to increase or decrease the first distance. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the first plate includes two sidewalls and a void is defined between the two sidewalls, and wherein the void is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the second member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the second plate includes at least one ramp having an inclined surface at an angle relative to the second longitudinal axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the first member is configured to interact with the at least one ramp of the first plate to increase or decrease the first distance. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the first plate includes two sidewalls and a void is defined between the two sidewalls, and wherein the void is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the second member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein, in an unexpanded position, the first longitudinal axis of the first plate is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis of the second plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein a device angle between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis can be selectively adjusted by moving either the first member or the second member longitudinally. ### Claim 10 An expandable inter-body fusion device comprising: a first plate having a first end and a second end along a first longitudinal axis; a second plate having a first end and a second end along a second longitudinal axis; the first end of the first plate disposed over and spaced a first distance from the first end of the second plate and the second end of the first plate disposed over and spaced a second distance from the second end of the second plate; and an insert disposed between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the insert comprises a first member and a second member spaced from the first member, wherein the second member is configured to allow access to an actuation device that is configured to move a portion of the first member; wherein the first member is movable to increase or decrease the first distance and the second member is movable to increase or decrease the second distance; wherein movement of the first member is independent of movement of the second member; wherein at least a portion of the first plate is positionable in an interior of the second plate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the first plate includes at least one ramp having an inclined surface at an angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the first member is configured to interact with the at least one ramp of the first plate to increase or decrease the first distance. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the first plate includes two sidewalls and a void is defined between the two sidewalls, and wherein the void is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the second member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the second plate includes at least one ramp having an inclined surface at an angle relative to the axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the first member interacts with the at least one ramp of the first plate to increase or decrease the first distance. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the first plate includes two sidewalls and a void is defined between the two sidewalls, and wherein the void is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the second member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein, in an unexpanded position, the first longitudinal axis of the first plate is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis of the second plate. ### Claim 18 An expandable inter-body fusion device comprising: a first plate having a first end and a second end along a first longitudinal axis; a second plate having a first end and a second end along a second longitudinal axis; the first end of the first plate disposed over and spaced a first distance from the first end of the second plate and the second end of the first plate disposed over and spaced a second distance from the second end of the second plate; and an insert disposed between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the insert comprises a first member connected to a second member, with the second member being spaced from the first member, wherein the second member includes a bore that includes an apparatus within the bore that is configured to selectively move a portion of the first member; wherein the first member is movable to increase or decrease the first distance and the second member is movable to increase or decrease the second distance; wherein movement of the first member is independent of movement of the second member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein the first plate includes at least one ramp having an inclined surface at an angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The device of claim 19, wherein the first member is configured to interact with the at least one ramp of the first plate to increase or decrease the first distance. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The device of claim 19, wherein the first plate includes two sidewalls and a void is defined between the two sidewalls, and wherein the void is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the second member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein the second plate includes at least one ramp having an inclined surface at an angle relative to the second longitudinal axis. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The device of claim 22, wherein the first member is configured to interact with the at least one ramp of the first plate to increase or decrease the first distance. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The device of claim 22, wherein the first plate includes two sidewalls and a void is defined between the two sidewalls, and wherein the void is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the second member. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein, in an unexpanded position, the first longitudinal axis of the first plate is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis of the second plate. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein a device angle between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis can be selectively adjusted by moving either the first member or the second member longitudinally.