# US 11,896,499 B2 · Expandable fusion device with integrated deployable retention spikes

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- Number: US 11,896,499 B2
- Document ID: US11896499B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/540,413
- Filed: 2021-12-02
- Published: 2023-06-08
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2021-12-02
- Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc.
- Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Catherine Krawiec; Damien Kahmer; George Yacoub
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896499B2

## CPC

- A61B 34/32: operating autonomously
- A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section}
- A61B 34/20: Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
- A61B 34/30: Surgical robots
- A61F 2/30771: {applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves}
- A61F 2/4425: {made of articulated components}
- 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 2/4657: {Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints (for surgical instruments A61B90/06)}
- A61B 2034/2051: {Electromagnetic tracking systems}
- A61B 2560/0219: of externally powered implanted units
- A61F 2002/30331: {made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit}
- A61F 2002/30383: {made by laterally inserting a protrusion, e.g. a rib into a complementarily-shaped groove}
- A61F 2002/30387: {Dovetail connection}
- A61F 2002/30398: {Sliding}
- A61F 2002/30405: {made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves}
- A61F 2002/30433: {using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws}
- A61F 2002/30476: {locked by an additional locking mechanism}
- A61F 2002/30477: {using sharp protrusions, e.g. spikes, for anchoring into connecting 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 2002/30537: {adjustable}
- 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 2002/30649: {Ball-and-socket joints}
- A61F 2002/30841: {Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes}
- A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed}
- A61F 2002/443: {having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component}
- A61F 2002/4632: {using computer-controlled surgery, e.g. robotic surgery}
- A61F 2002/4666: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension}
- 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
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- 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

Expandable fusion devices, systems, and methods. The expandable fusion device includes one or more integrated deployable retention spikes configured to resist expulsion of the device when installed in the intervertebral disc space. The implant may include upper and lower main endplates, an actuator assembly configured to cause an expansion in height of the upper and lower main endplates, and a sidecar assembly including a sidecar carrier, an upper carrier endplate pivotably coupled to an upper spike, and a lower carrier endplate pivotably coupled to a lower spike such that forward translation of the sidecar carrier pushes against the upper and lower carrier endplates, thereby deploying the upper and lower spikes.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An autonomous expandable implant comprising:
a front nose and a rear end, the rear end including a housing;
a computing unit including a processor with memory located within the housing;
upper and lower main endplates configured to engage adjacent vertebrae;
a plurality of force sensors housed in the upper and lower main endplates, wherein the force sensors are configured for load distribution measurement;
an actuator assembly including a rotatable actuator having a shaft and a rotatable nut;
a plurality of driving ramps includes a front ramp, a mid-ramp, and a rear ramp positioned along the shaft of the actuator and engaged with the upper and lower main endplates;
a pair of electrical motors configured to independently rotate the actuator and the nut to move the driving ramps and expand the upper and lower main endplates;
a sidecar assembly including a sidecar carrier, an upper carrier endplate pivotably coupled to an upper spike, and a lower carrier endplate pivotably coupled to a lower spike;
a linear motor configured to translate the sidecar carrier, to thereby deploy the upper and lower spikes; and
a power supply for providing power to the motors located within the implant.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The expandable implant of claim 1, wherein the linear motor is located behind the sidecar carrier in the housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The expandable implant of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hall effect sensors configured to provide real time positional information of the implant to a robotic navigation system.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The expandable implant of claim 3, wherein the hall effect sensors are located in the front and mid ramps.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The expandable implant of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication unit located within the housing, wherein the wireless communication unit is configured for sending and receiving information to a robotic navigation system.