# US 10,945,858 B2 · Expandable interspinous process fixation device

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- Number: US 10,945,858 B2
- Document ID: US10945858B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/920,708
- Filed: 2018-03-14
- Published: 2018-09-20
- Granted: 2021-03-16
- Earliest claimed: 2010-09-03
- Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc.
- Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Matthew Bechtel; Hilliary Kopp
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945858B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section}
- A61B 17/7068: {Devices comprising separate rigid parts, assembled in situ, to bear on each side of spinous processes; Tools therefor}
- 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 2002/30405: {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 2002/30517: {using a locking plate}
- 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)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An expandable interspinous process fixation system capable of restoring spinal stability and facilitating fusion. In one embodiment, the expandable interspinous process fixation system 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. Each endplate supporting fixed and/or adjustable spinous process engaging plates.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
a first endplate comprising a first plate portion having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, wherein the first endplate further comprises first front ramped portions extending away from the first lower surface and first rear ramped portions extending away from the first lower surface, the first endplate having a first lateral adjustment arm extending from a first edge thereof;
a second endplate comprising a second plate portion having a second upper surface and a second lower surface, wherein the second endplate further comprises second front ramped portions extending away from the second lower surface and second rear ramped portions extending away from the second lower surface, the second endplate having a second lateral adjustment arm extending from a first edge thereof;
a first fixed plate extending along a second edge of the first endplate opposite the first edge thereof, the first fixed plate extending substantially perpendicular and non-adjustably fixed to the first endplate and having an inner surface defining a first spinous process engaging surface;
a second fixed plate extending along a second edge of the second endplate opposite the first edge thereof, the second fixed plate extending substantially perpendicular and non-adjustably fixed to the second endplate and having an inner surface defining a second spinous process engaging surface;
a first sliding plate adjustably mounted on the first lateral adjustment arm such that the first sliding plate extends substantially perpendicular to the first endplate and has an inner surface defining a third spinous process engaging surface;
a second sliding plate adjustably mounted on the second lateral adjustment arm such that the second sliding plate extends substantially perpendicular to the second endplate and has an inner surface defining a fourth spinous process engaging surface;
a central ramp positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate, wherein a body of the central ramp comprises rear endplate engaging ramps; and
a driving ramp positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate, wherein the driving ramp comprises front endplate engaging ramps;
wherein the apparatus is configured such that movement of the central ramp and the driving ramp toward one another causes the first and second endplates to move apart wherein the first lateral adjustment arm and the second lateral adjustment arm includes a first retaining element and a second retaining element,
wherein the first retaining element and the second retaining elements engage with the first and second sliding plates, respectively
wherein each sliding plate has a receiving bore configured to slidably receive the respective lateral adjustment arm,
wherein each sliding plate includes a through bore in communication with the receiving bore such that a set screw threadably adjustable in the through bore is configured to engage the lateral adjustment arm received in the receiving bore.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each spinous process engaging surface has a plurality of spikes extending therefrom.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each receiving bore and corresponding lateral adjustment arm have complementary shapes such that the respective sliding plate is laterally adjustable but rotationally fixed.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature is a leaf spring.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the first retaining feature includes a leaf spring having a ramp element located at a deflecting end of the leaf spring; and
the first sliding plate has a corresponding opening that mates with the ramp element to allow sliding of the first sliding plate along the first lateral adjustment arm in the direction of the first fixed plate, and to prevent the first sliding plate from disengaging from the first lateral adjustment arm.

### Claim 6

An apparatus comprising:
a first endplate having a first lateral adjustment arm extending from a first edge thereof;
a second endplate having a second lateral adjustment arm extending from a first edge thereof;
a first fixed plate extending along a second edge of the first endplate opposite the first edge thereof, the first fixed plate extending substantially perpendicular and non-adjustably fixed to the first endplate and having an inner surface defining a first spinous process engaging surface;
a second fixed plate extending along a second edge of the second endplate opposite the first edge thereof, the second fixed plate extending substantially perpendicular and non-adjustably fixed to the second endplate and having an inner surface defining a second spinous process engaging surface;
a first sliding plate adjustably mounted on the first lateral adjustment arm such that the first sliding plate extends substantially perpendicular to the first endplate and has an inner surface defining a third spinous process engaging surface;
a second sliding plate adjustably mounted on the second lateral adjustment arm such that the second sliding plate extends substantially perpendicular to the second endplate and has an inner surface defining a fourth spinous process engaging surface;
an expansion assembly positioned between the first and second endplates; the expansion assembly configured to selectively cause the first and second endplates to move apart,
wherein the first lateral adjustment arm and the second lateral adjustment arm includes a first retaining element and a second retaining element,
wherein the first retaining element and the second retaining elements engage with the first and second sliding plates, respectively
wherein each sliding plate has a receiving bore configured to slidably receive the respective lateral adjustment arm,
wherein each sliding plate includes a through bore in communication with the receiving bore such that a set screw threadably adjustable in the through bore is configured to engage the lateral adjustment arm received in the receiving bore.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each receiving bore and corresponding lateral adjustment arm have complementary shapes such that the respective sliding plate is laterally adjustable but rotationally fixed.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature is a leaf spring.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the expansion assembly includes a central ramp and a driving ramp interconnected to one another via a drive screw, the central ramp and the driving ramp each including ramped surfaces configured to engage ramped surfaces on the first and second endplates.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein forward advancement of the drive screw causes the central ramp and the driving ramp to move toward one another, thereby engaging the ramped surfaces and causing the first and second endplates to move away from one another.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:
the first retaining feature includes a leaf spring having a ramp element located at a deflecting end of the leaf spring; and
the first sliding plate has a corresponding opening that mates with the ramp element to allow sliding of the first sliding plate along the first lateral adjustment arm in the direction of the first fixed plate, and to prevent the first sliding plate from disengaging from the first lateral adjustment arm.