Distributing graft material from an expandable cage
AssigneeIntegrity Implants Inc.
InventorsJohn To, John J. Flynn, Paul J. Birkmeyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An expansion member for distributing graft material through a cage and into an intervertebral space is provided. The expansion member has a central beam with an entry port in fluid communication with an exit port for distribution of the graft material. The central beam is inserted into a cage having a reversible collapse from an expanded state into a collapsed state, the expanded state forming a graft distribution window. The expanded state, for example, can be configured to open the graft distribution window which at least substantially closes upon the reversible collapse.
Claims20
An expansion member for distributing graft material through an expandable cage and into an intervertebral space between a top vertebral plate and a bottom vertebral plate, the expansion member comprising:
- a central beam with a central beam axis, the central beam having a graft distribution channel with an entry port in fluid communication with an exit port;
- wherein the central beam is configured for insertion into the expandable cage to form a graft distribution system within the intervertebral space;
- and
- wherein the central beam is configured to expand the expandable cage during insertion of the central beam into the expandable cage.
A method of distributing graft material through an expandable cage and into an intervertebral space between a top vertebral plate and a bottom vertebral plate, the expandable cage having a collapsed state and an expanded state, the method comprising:
- inserting the expandable cage into the intervertebral space in the collapsed state;
- inserting a central beam into the expandable cage, the central beam having a central beam axis and a graft distribution channel with an entry port in fluid communication with an exit port, wherein the central beam is configured for insertion into the expandable cage to form a graft distribution system within the intervertebral space, and wherein the central beam is configured to expand the expandable cage during insertion of the central beam into the expandable cage;
- and
- thereafter distributing the graft material into the intervertebral space through the central beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.