Expandable interbody device

An expandable interbody device comprising:

• a support structure having a top side and a bottom side;
• a top plate positioned on the top side of the support structure;
• a bottom plate positioned on the bottom side of the support structure;
• a gear rotatably connected to the support structure, wherein the gear is rotatable relative to the support structure;
• a first rack that is operationally coupled to the top plate, wherein the first rack is operationally connected to the gear such that rotating the gear in an opening direction moves the top plate away from the support structure by moving the first rack relative to the gear;
• a second rack that is operationally coupled to the bottom plate, wherein the second rack is operationally connected to the gear such that rotating the gear in an opening direction moves the bottom plate away from the support structure by moving the second rack relative to the gear;
• and
• a rod operationally coupled to the first and second racks and rotationally coupled to the support structure, wherein moving the gear in an opening direction adjusts a relative orientation of the rod so that the rod pushes the top plate and bottom plate away from each other.

An expandable interbody device comprising:

• a support structure having a top side and a bottom side and defining a first chamber that extends through the support structure;
• a top plate positioned on the top side of the support structure, wherein the top plate defines a second chamber that extends through the top plate;
• a bottom plate positioned on the bottom side of the support structure, wherein the bottom plate defines a third chamber that extends through the bottom plate, wherein the first, second and third chambers are substantially aligned along the expandable interbody device and wherein the first, second and third chambers collectively define a contiguous area configured to receive bone graft material to provide bony fusion between adjacent vertebra through the expandable interbody device;
• and
• a first gear rotatably connected to the support structure, wherein the first gear is rotatable relative to the support structure;
• wherein the top plate, the bottom plate and the first gear are operationally coupled together such that rotating the first gear in an opening direction increases a gap between the top plate and the bottom plate;
• a rod operationally coupled to the first gear, wherein moving the the opening gear in an opening direction adjusts a relative orientation of the rod so that the rod pushes the top plate and bottom plate away from each other;
• an abutment selectively movable by rotation of the first gear, wherein the abutment is adapted to adjust the relative orientation of the rod so that the rod pushes the top plate and bottom plate away from each other, wherein the abutment includes an angled surface that determines a maximum adjustment of the relative orientation of the rod and a maximum distance between the top plate and the bottom plate.

An expandable interbody device comprising:

• a support structure having a top side and a bottom side and defining a first chamber that extends through the support structure;
• a top plate positioned on the top side of the support structure, wherein the top plate defines a second chamber that extends through the top plate;
• a bottom plate positioned on the bottom side of the support structure, wherein the bottom plate defines a third chamber that extends through the bottom plate, wherein the first, second and third chambers are substantially aligned along the expandable interbody device and wherein the first, second and third chambers collectively define a contiguous area configured to receive bone graft material to provide bony fusion between adjacent vertebra through the expandable interbody device;
• and
• a first gear rotatably connected to the support structure, wherein the first gear is rotatable relative to the support structure;
• wherein the top plate, the bottom plate and the first gear are operationally coupled together such that rotating the first gear in an opening direction increases a gap between the top plate and the bottom plate;
• a second gear rotatably connected to the support structure, wherein the second gear is rotatable relative to the support structure;
• wherein the top plate, the bottom plate and the second gear are operationally coupled together such that rotating the second gear in an opening direction increases a gap between the top plate and the bottom plate, and wherein the first chamber is positioned between the first and second gears, wherein the first and second gears are configured to be separately rotated by a single tool that engages both the first and second gears by passing through the first gear and the first chamber.

An expandable interbody device comprising:

• a support structure having a top side and a bottom side and defining a first chamber that extends through the support structure;
• a top plate positioned on the top side of the support structure, wherein the top plate defines a second chamber that extends through the top plate;
• a bottom plate positioned on the bottom side of the support structure, wherein the bottom plate defines a third chamber that extends through the bottom plate, wherein the first, second and third chambers are substantially aligned along the expandable interbody device and wherein the first, second and third chambers collectively define a contiguous area configured to receive bone graft material to provide bony fusion between adjacent vertebra through the expandable interbody device;
• and
• a first gear rotatably connected to the support structure, wherein the first gear is rotatable relative to the support structure;
• wherein the top plate, the bottom plate and the first gear are operationally coupled together such that rotating the first gear in an opening direction increases a gap between the top plate and the bottom plate;
• a second gear rotatably connected to the support structure, wherein the second gear is rotatable relative to the support structure;
• wherein the top plate, the bottom plate and the second gear are operationally coupled together such that rotating the second gear in an opening direction increases a gap between the top plate and the bottom plate, wherein the first chamber is positioned between the first and second gears;
• a first plurality of interconnected gears rotatably connected to a first side of the support structure, wherein the first plurality of interconnected gears rotate with the first gear;
• a first plurality of racks coupled to the top plate, wherein the first plurality of racks are operationally connected to the first plurality of interconnected gears such that rotating the plurality of interconnected gears in the opening direction moves a first side of the top plate away from the support structure by moving the first plurality of racks relative to the first plurality of interconnected gears;
• a second plurality of interconnected gears rotatably connected to a second side of the support structure opposite the first side, wherein the second plurality of interconnected gears rotate with the second gear;
• and
• a second plurality of racks coupled to the top plate, wherein the second plurality of racks are operationally connected to the second plurality of interconnected gears such that rotating the second plurality of interconnected gears in the opening direction moves a second side of the top plate away from the support structure by moving the second plurality of racks relative to the second plurality of interconnected gears.