# US 11,439,515 B2 · Variable lordotic angular expanding implant with centralized graft deployment channel

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- Number: US 11,439,515 B2
- Document ID: US11439515B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/984,005
- Filed: 2020-08-03
- Published: 2021-02-04
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2019-08-01
- Assignees: Spineology Inc.
- Applicants: Spineology Inc.
- Inventors: Joseph Gleason
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439515B2

## CPC

- 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 2/4425: {made of articulated components}
- A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section}
- A61F 2/4601: {for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity}
- A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses}
- A61F 2002/30266: {wedge-shaped parallelepipeds}
- 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 2002/30428: {made by inserting a protrusion into a slot}
- A61F 2002/30433: {using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws}
- 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 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw}
- A61F 2002/30515: {using a locking wedge or block}
- A61F 2002/30523: {by means of meshing gear teeth}
- A61F 2002/30538: {for adjusting angular orientation}
- A61F 2002/30556: {for adjusting thickness}
- A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices}
- A61F 2002/30581: {having a pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid}
- A61F 2002/30583: {filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ}
- A61F 2002/30593: {hollow}
- 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 2002/4629: {connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection}
- A61F 2002/4631: {the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented}
- 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

Provided is a variable lordotic expanding implant with a centralized graft deployment delivery channel (tube) with (or without) an expanding footprint mesh component which is deployed by graft material injection.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical implant, comprising:
a lower platform that is longitudinally elongated;
an upper platform that is longitudinally elongated and is pivotally connected to the lower platform at a first end thereof;
a wedge block disposed between the upper platform and the lower platform at a second opposing end thereof;
a longitudinally elongated graft tube disposed between the upper platform and the lower platform, comprising a hollow center cavity, a head longitudinal end, an opposing tail longitudinal end, and a pair of opposing axle engagement hubs adjacent the tail longitudinal end;
a jack screw disposed through the wedge block with a head of the jack screw facing inward of the upper platform and the lower platform; and
a pair of connecting screws,
wherein the head longitudinal end of the graft tube comprises threads to engage the jack screw and an aperture is defined through the tail longitudinal end to allow for a tool to be inserted to engage the head of the jack screw,
wherein the lower platform defines a pair of axle hub engagement slots corresponding to the pair of axle engagement hubs which are sized and shaped to receive the pair of axle engagement hubs therein,
wherein the upper platform defines a pair of axle hub engagement slots corresponding to the pair of axle engagement hubs which are sized and shaped to receive the pair of axle engagement hubs therein, and
wherein each connecting screw is disposed through a respective one of the axle engagement hubs, axle engagement slots for the upper platform and the engagement slots for the lower platform, and
wherein the upper and lower platforms are constrained to pivot about the pair of connecting screws.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The surgical implant of claim 1, further comprising flexible mesh material provided to the surgical implant such that the flexible mesh material extends laterally outward from the upper platform and the lower platform to define a container.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The surgical implant of claim 1, wherein the graft tube comprises a pair of opposing discharge portals defined through a sidewall of the graft tube and facing laterally outward from the surgical implant.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The surgical implant of claim 1, wherein the pair of opposing axle engagement hubs are offset from a longitudinal midline of the graft tube.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The surgical implant of claim 1, wherein the lower platform defines a tool attachment pocket in a longitudinal end thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The surgical implant of claim 1, wherein the upper platform and the lower platform together define a dovetail longitudinal end that is engaged by the wedge block and a pivoting longitudinal end opposite the dovetail longitudinal end.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The surgical implant of claim 1, wherein an outer longitudinal surface of at least one of the upper platform and the lower platform are textured.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The surgical implant of claim 1, wherein an outer longitudinal surface of at least one of the upper platform and the lower platform are saw tooth textured.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The surgical implant of claim 1, wherein each of the upper platform, the lower platform, the wedge block, the graft tube and the jack screw comprise PEEK.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The surgical implant of claim 1, wherein the upper platform and the lower platform are each dovetailed together with the wedge block on a non-pivoting end of the implant via interfaced male/female slots.

### Claim 11

A method of performing spinal fusion surgical procedure, comprising:
introducing a spinal implant to a vertebral cavity in a collapsed state, the vertebral cavity disposed between opposing vertebral endplates;
turning in situ a jack screw that is disposed in a graft tube of the implant and a wedge block that engages a longitudinal end of the spinal implant to draw the wedge block inward of the spinal implant to pivot an upper platform of the spinal implant outwardly relative to a lower platform of the spinal implant, wherein the pivot point is adjacent a longitudinal end of the spinal implant opposite the longitudinal end that engages the wedge block; and
introducing fill material in situ into the spinal implant, passing the fill material through the graft tube and outward into a flexible container defined by flexible mesh material provided to lateral sides of the spinal implant.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the spinal implant is introduced to the vertebral cavity in the collapsed state via a percutaneous surgical path.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the spinal implant is introduced to the vertebral cavity in the collapsed state via a minimally invasive surgical path.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising restraining the implant together on a non-pivoting end via dovetailing the upper platform and the lower platform together with the wedge block in interfaced male/female slots.