# US 10,869,768 B2 · Expandable fusion device and method of installation thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,869,768 B2 - Document ID: US10869768B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/805,215 - Filed: 2017-11-07 - Published: 2018-06-28 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-09-03 - Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Mark Weiman; Hilliary Kopp; Joel Cryder; James Himmelberger; George Howard; David Leff; Colm McLaughlin; Mark Miccio; Patrick Murray; Jeff Nichols; Jason Zappacosta - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869768B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section} - A61F 2/44: for the spine, e.g. vertebrae or spinal discs - A61F 2/442: {Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient (non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455)} - 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 2002/30266: {wedge-shaped parallelepipeds} - A61F 2002/30387: {Dovetail connection} - A61F 2002/30398: {Sliding} - A61F 2002/30405: {made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves} - 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 2002/30471: {connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type} - A61F 2002/30482: {using a locking cam} - A61F 2002/30484: {Mechanically expandable devices located on the first prosthetic part for locking into or onto the second prosthetic part} - A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw} - A61F 2002/30515: {using a locking wedge or block} - A61F 2002/30517: {using a locking plate} - A61F 2002/3052: {unrestrained in only one direction, e.g. moving unidirectionally} - A61F 2002/30522: {releasable, e.g. using a releasable ratchet} - A61F 2002/30523: {by means of meshing gear teeth} - A61F 2002/30538: {for adjusting angular orientation} - A61F 2002/30556: {for adjusting thickness} - A61F 2002/30558: {Force-limiting means} - A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices} - A61F 2002/30593: {hollow} - A61F 2002/30601: {telescopic} - A61F 2002/30622: {Implant for fusing a joint or bone material} - A61F 2002/30841: {Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes} - A61F 2002/30843: {Pyramidally-shaped} - A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed} - A61F 2220/0016: with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes - A61F 2310/00011: Metals or alloys - A61F 2310/00017: Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel - A61F 2310/00023: Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys - A61F 2310/00179: Ceramics or ceramic-like structures - 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 The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed down an endoscopic tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A locking mechanism for use in an expandable implant comprising: a screw comprising a head that includes at least one recess configured and dimensioned on an outer diameter; a housing comprising an opening for receiving the screw, wherein the housing includes an elongated groove; a screw lock ring comprising a first protuberance that is selectively engageable with the at least one recess on the outer diameter of the head, wherein the screw lock ring further includes a spring tail disposed on an end opposing the first protuberance; and a housing lock ring operatively connected to a part of the opening in the housing and to the screw lock ring to selectively prevent rotation of the screw lock ring and the screw, wherein the spring tail is configured to allow the screw lock ring to translate inside the groove of the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the head further comprises an opening and the screw lock ring comprises an opening, wherein a center of the opening in the screw lock ring is offset from a center of the opening in the head. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the screw lock ring is engaged with the housing lock ring when the center of the opening of the screw lock ring is offset from the center of the opening in the head. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the screw lock ring is disengaged from the housing lock ring when the center of the opening of the screw lock ring is aligned with the center of the opening in the head. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the housing lock ring comprises a first side that faces away from the head and a plurality of protrusions separated by plurality of slots on a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the screw lock ring further comprises a second protuberance selectively engageable with one of the plurality of slots of the housing lock ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The locking mechanism of claim 5, wherein the second protuberance is engaged with the one of the plurality of slots of the housing lock ring when the screw lock ring is in a first position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The locking mechanism of claim 6, wherein the second protuberance is disengaged from the one of the plurality of slots of the housing lock ring when the screw lock ring is in a second position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the housing lock ring includes one or more protuberances extending from an outer diameter of the housing lock ring and configured to selectively engage corresponding recesses in the housing to prevent rotation of the housing lock ring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the screw lock ring further comprises a body and the spring tail extends from the body, wherein the spring tail is configured to allow the body to flex when an external force is applied to the body. ### Claim 10 A locking mechanism for use in an expandable implant comprising: a screw comprising a head that includes at least one recess configured and dimensioned on an outer diameter; a housing comprising an opening for receiving the screw and one or more recesses extending radially outwardly from the opening, wherein the housing includes an elongated groove; a screw lock ring comprising a first protuberance and a second protuberance, wherein the first protuberance is selectively engageable with the at least one recess on the outer diameter of the head, wherein the screw lock ring further includes a spring tail disposed on an end opposing the first protuberance; and a housing lock ring operatively connected to a part of the opening in the housing and to the screw lock ring to selectively prevent rotation of the screw lock ring and the screw, wherein the housing lock ring comprises a first side that faces away from the head and a plurality of protrusions separated by plurality of slots on a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second protuberance is selectively engageable with one of the plurality of slots of the housing lock ring, wherein the housing lock ring includes one or more protuberances extending from an outer diameter of the housing lock ring and configured to selectively engage corresponding ones of the one or more recessed of the housing, and wherein the spring tail is configured to allow the screw lock ring to translate inside the groove of the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The locking mechanism of claim 10, wherein the head further comprises an opening and the screw lock ring comprises an opening, wherein a center of the opening in the screw lock ring is offset from a center of the opening in the head. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The locking mechanism of claim 11, wherein the second protuberance is engaged with the one of the plurality of slots of the housing lock ring when the center of the opening of the screw lock ring is offset from the center of the opening in the head. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The locking mechanism of claim 11, wherein the second protuberance is disengaged from the one of the plurality of slots of the housing lock ring when the center of the opening of the screw lock ring is aligned with the center of the opening in the head.