System and method for spine fusion using an expandable cage
OwnerSeth K. Williamsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An expandable cage system for use in spinal surgery includes a top portion having an outwardly extending top arm, and a bottom portion having an outwardly extending bottom arm. The bottom arm is configured to engage with the top arm such that upon engagement, the top portion and the bottom portion are substantially restricted from movement relative to each other in an anterior-posterior direction, and in a medial-lateral direction. The expandable cage system further includes a removable shim configured to be positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion to hold the expandable cage in an expanded position within a spinal cavity.
Claims19
A method comprising:
- inserting an expandable cage within a spinal cavity;
- expanding the expandable cage to an expanded position within the spinal cavity, wherein the expanding comprises moving a top portion of the expandable cage away from a bottom portion of the expandable cage using an expansion device;
- inserting a first shim and a second shim within the expandable cage and between the top portion and the bottom portion for holding the expandable cage in the expanded position;
- removing the expansion device;
- and
- attaching the expansion device to the expandable cage before inserting the expandable cage within the spinal cavity by:
- engaging the expansion device with holes on a sidewall of the top portion of the expandable cage;
- and
- engaging the expansion device with corresponding holes on a sidewall of the bottom portion of the expandable cage.
A method, comprising:
- inserting an expandable cage in a contracted position within a spinal cavity, wherein the expandable cage includes a top portion engaged with a bottom portion;
- positioning the expandable cage between a first vertebra and a second vertebra;
- expanding the top portion relative to the bottom portion for obtaining an expanded position for facilitating fusion of the first vertebra and the second vertebra;
- inserting a shim between the top portion and the bottom portion for holding the expandable cage in the expanded position;
- and
- attaching an expansion device to the expandable cage before inserting the expandable cage within the spinal cavity by:
- engaging the expansion device with holes on a sidewall of the top portion of the expandable cage;
- and
- engaging the expansion device with corresponding holes on a sidewall of the bottom portion of the expandable cage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.