# US 12,178,713 B2 · Expandable interbody fusions devices

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- Number: US 12,178,713 B2
- Document ID: US12178713B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/747,168
- Filed: 2022-05-18
- Published: 2022-09-01
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2020-07-08
- Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc.
- Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Mark Weiman; Myles Sullivan; Tyler Hessler; Chad Glerum
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178713B2

## CPC

- 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 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section}
- 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 2002/30383: {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 2002/30411: {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 2002/30482: {using a locking cam}
- A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw}
- A61F 2002/30537: {adjustable}
- A61F 2002/30545: {for adjusting a diameter}
- A61F 2002/3055: {for adjusting length}
- A61F 2002/30556: {for adjusting thickness}
- A61F 2002/443: {having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component}
- A61F 2002/4635: {using minimally invasive surgery}
- 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, instruments, and methods thereof. The expandable fusion implant may include an upper endplate assembly and a lower endplate assembly. The upper and lower endplate assemblies may be configured to expand in width. A rotatable actuator may move one or more driving ramps, which mate with an upper ramp and a lower ramp, respectively. The actuator may cause independent movement of one or more of the driving ramps, thereby causing an expansion in height of the upper and lower endplate assemblies.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An implantable system comprising:
an expandable implant, the implant comprises an upper endplate assembly including a first upper outer endplate, a second upper outer endplate, and a third upper central endplate positionable between the first and second upper outer endplates;
a lower endplate assembly including a first lower outer endplate, a second lower outer endplate, and a third lower central endplate positionable between the first and second lower outer endplates;
an actuator assembly including a rotatable actuator having a shaft and a rotatable nut;
a plurality of driving ramps including a front ramp, a mid-ramp, and a rear ramp positioned along the shaft of the actuator;
an upper ramp connected to the upper endplate assembly and engaged with the plurality of driving ramps; and
a lower ramp connected to the lower endplate assembly and engaged with the plurality of driving ramps,
wherein the upper and lower endplate assemblies are configured to expand in width when the central endplates slide between the outer endplates, and
wherein rotation of the actuator and/or the nut causes movement of one or more of the driving ramps, thereby causing an expansion in height of the upper and lower endplate assemblies, and
an inserter instrument having a cannula configured for deploying the implant into a disc space, wherein the cannula includes a pair of opposed tabs configured to engage the implant to keep the implant from advancing too far into the disc space, and
wherein the shaft of the actuator includes a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion, wherein the front ramp is positioned on the non-threaded portion of the actuator, and the rear ramp is positioned on the threaded portion of the actuator.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the pair of opposed tabs include t-shaped tabs configured to mate with corresponding slots in sides of the implant.

### Claim 3

An expandable implant comprising:
a plurality of upper endplates including a first plurality of links configured to articulate into a generally polygonal shape;
a plurality of lower endplates including a second plurality of links configured to articulate into the generally polygonal shape;
an actuator assembly including a rotatable actuator having a shaft;
a plurality of driving ramps including a front ramp and a rear ramp positioned along the shaft of the actuator;
an upper ramp connected to the plurality of upper endplates and engaged with the plurality of driving ramps; and
a lower ramp connected to the plurality of lower endplates and engaged with the plurality of driving ramps,
wherein the plurality of upper and lower endplates are configured to expand in width, and
wherein rotation of the actuator causes movement of one or more of the driving ramps, thereby causing an expansion in height of the upper and lower endplates, and
wherein the plurality of upper and lower endplates are configured to passively pivot about a longitudinal axis of the implant.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The expandable implant of claim 3, wherein the first and second plurality of links each include a front link and a rear link configured to mate with the upper and lower ramps, respectively.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The expandable implant of claim 4, wherein the first and second plurality of links expand in width when the rear links move towards the front links.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The expandable implant of claim 3, wherein the shaft of the actuator includes a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion, wherein the front driving ramp is positioned on the non-threaded portion of the actuator, and the rear ramp is positioned on the threaded portion of the actuator.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The expandable implant of claim 6, wherein rotation of the actuator causes the rear ramp to move away from the front ramp, which presses the upper and lower ramps away from one another, thereby expanding the upper and lower endplates in height.