# US 10,869,769 B2 · Intervertebral cages with integrated expansion and angular adjustment mechanism

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- Number: US 10,869,769 B2
- Document ID: US10869769B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/293,483
- Filed: 2019-03-05
- Published: 2019-09-12
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-06
- Assignees: EIT Emerging Implant Technologies GmbH
- Applicants: EIT Emerging Implant Technologies GmbH
- Inventors: Guntmar Eisen; Detlev Ganter; Stephan Geiger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869769B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section}
- 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}
- A61B 17/8858: {laterally or radially expansible (inflatable A61B17/8855)}
- A61F 2002/30136: {undulated or wavy, e.g. serpentine-shaped or zigzag-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30143: {hexagonal}
- A61F 2002/30261: {parallelepipedal}
- A61F 2002/30266: {wedge-shaped parallelepipeds}
- A61F 2002/30329: {Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements}
- A61F 2002/30331: {made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit}
- 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 2002/30505: {spring biased}
- 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 2002/30522: {releasable, e.g. using a releasable ratchet}
- A61F 2002/30537: {adjustable}
- 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 2002/30571: {Leaf springs}
- A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices}
- A61F 2002/30622: {Implant for fusing a joint or bone material}
- A61F 2002/30784: {Plurality of holes}
- A61F 2002/30787: {inclined obliquely with respect to each other}
- A61F 2002/30909: {Nets}
- A61F 2002/30911: {having a honeycomb structure}
- A61F 2002/3092: {having an open-celled or open-pored structure}
- A61F 2002/3093: {for promoting ingrowth of bone tissue}
- A61F 2002/443: {having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component}
- A61F 2002/4627: {with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument}
- 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)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

The embodiments provide various interbody fusion spacers, or cages, for insertion between adjacent vertebrae. The cages may have integrated expansion and angular adjustment mechanisms that allow the cage to change its height and angle as needed, with little effort. The cages may have a first, insertion configuration characterized by a reduced size to facilitate insertion through a narrow access passage and into the intervertebral space. The cages may be inserted in a first, reduced size and then expanded to a second, larger size once implanted. In their second configuration, the cages are able to maintain the proper disc height and stabilize the spine by restoring sagittal balance and alignment. Additionally, the intervertebral cages are configured to be able to adjust the angle of lordosis, and can accommodate larger lordotic angles in their second, expanded configuration. Further, these cages may promote fusion to further enhance spine stability by immobilizing the adjacent vertebral bodies.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An expandable intervertebral cage, comprising:
a first housing portion having a first plate that defines a first bearing surface configured for placement against a first endplate of a first vertebral body;
a second housing portion having a second plate that defines a second bearing surface configured for placement against a second endplate of a second vertebral body, wherein the first and second housing portions are configured to translate in relation to each other vertically and rotate in relation to each other; and
an expansion and angular adjustment mechanism disposed between the upper and lower plates, the expansion and angular adjustment mechanism including first and second wedges that are movable with respect to each other so as to cause at least a portion of the first plate to move away from the second plate, thereby expanding and angulating the cage,
wherein one of the first and second wedges is movable relative to the other of the first and second wedges while the other of the first and second wedges remains stationary, and
wherein movement of the wedges causes the first housing portion to move away from the second housing portion while the second housing portion remains stationary.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 1, wherein the first and second wedges are independently movable with respect to each other.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 2, wherein the wedges define ramped surfaces that urge the first housing portion to move away from the second housing when the wedges move toward each other.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 3, wherein the ramped surfaces are defined by slots that receive projections of the first housing portion, such that the wedges urge the first housing portion to move toward the second housing when the wedges move away from each other.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 3, wherein the wedges define respective channels that receive a guide rail of the second housing portion as they travel toward and away from each other, the guide rail comprises teeth, and each of the wedges comprises a click finger that is configured to interlock with the teeth to prevent the wedges from moving away from each other.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 5, wherein the first housing portion is an upper housing portion such that the first bearing surface is configured for placement against an endplate of a superior vertebral body, and the second housing portion is a lower housing portion such that the second bearing surface is configured for placement against an endplate of an inferior vertebral body.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 6, wherein the first and second bearing surfaces are porous.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 1, wherein the first housing portion is configured to angulate about the second housing portion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 8, wherein a protrusion of the first housing portion is received in the second housing portion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 9, wherein the first housing portion has first sidewalls that extend out from the first plate, the second housing portion has second sidewalls that extend out from the second plate, the protrusion comprises protrusions that extend from the first sidewalls, and the second sidewalls defines respective slots that receive the protrusions.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 10, wherein the protrusions ride along the slots as the first housing portion moves selectively toward and away from the second housing portion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 11, wherein the first housing portion is an upper housing portion such that the first bearing surface is configured for placement against an endplate of a superior vertebral body, and the second housing portion is a lower housing portion such that the second bearing surface is configured for placement against an endplate of an inferior vertebral body.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second housing portions includes a slot, the other of the first and second housing portions includes a projection that is received in the slot, the other of the first and second housing portions is configured to angulate about the projection, and the projection is configured to ride in the slot as the other of the first and second housing portions moves selectively toward and away from the one of the housing portions.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 1, further comprising a spring that is coupled to one of the first and second housing portions, and is configured to seat against the other of the first and second housing portions.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 14, wherein the spring is spaced from the other of the first and second housing portions, and is configured to seat against the other of the first and second housing portions when the cage is angulated.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 1, wherein the first housing portion has first sidewalls that extend out from the first plate, the second housing portion has second sidewalls that extend out from the second plate, and the first and second sidewalls are configured to slide along each other.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 16, wherein the first housing portion is an upper housing portion such that the first bearing surface is configured for placement against an endplate of a superior vertebral body, and the second housing portion is a lower housing portion such that the second bearing surface is configured for placement against an endplate of an inferior vertebral body.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 1, wherein the first and second bearing surfaces are porous.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 1, wherein the first housing portion comprises a protrusion that rides in a slot of the second housing portion as the first housing portion moves away from the second housing portion, and wherein the first housing portion angulates relative to the second housing portion about the protrusion.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The expandable intervertebral cage of claim 1, wherein the first and second wedges are movable along a common guide rail toward and away from each other, selectively.