# US 12,758,392 B2 · Expandable intervertebral spine implant and methods of using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,758,392 B2 - Document ID: US12758392B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/934,238 - Filed: 2024-11-01 - Published: 2025-05-22 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2023-11-16 - Assignees: Diagon Medical Inc. - Applicants: Diagon Medical Inc. - Inventors: Joseph Rolf; Brion Daffinson; Austin Howell; Austin Clemens - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12758392B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/44: for the spine, e.g. vertebrae or spinal discs - A61B 17/80: Cortical plates {, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates} - A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices} - 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) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An expandable intervertebral spine implants having expandable and angulating side plates controlled by rotating center rod and methods of using the same. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An expandable intervertebral spine implant having an anterior side, a posterior side, a distal end and a proximal end, the implant comprising: (a) a center rod having a center rod length comprising a proximal threaded portion having a proximal threading direction and a distal threaded portion having a distal threading direction opposite the proximal threading direction; (b) a proximal sled coupled to the proximal threaded portion and a distal sled coupled to the distal threaded portion; (c) at least one pair of anterior side plates comprising an anterior side top plate and an anterior side bottom plate, wherein said anterior side top plate is reversibly connected to said anterior side bottom plate and wherein each anterior side plate is discrete from, and oppose, each other; and (d) at least one pair of posterior side plates comprising a posterior side top plate and a posterior side bottom plate, wherein said posterior side top plate is reversibly connected to said posterior side bottom plate and wherein each posterior side plate is discrete from, and oppose, each other; wherein when the center rod is rotated in a first rotation direction, the distal sled and the proximal sled move further apart relative to one another along the length of the center rod and wherein when the center rod is rotated in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction the distal sled and the proximal sled move closer along the length of center rod; and wherein the expandable intervertebral spine implant is configured so that: (i) when the distal sled and the proximal sled are positioned closest to each other within a central portion of the center rod, the implant is in a compact position; (ii) when the distal sled and the proximal sled move farther apart along a first length in each direction from the center portion of the center rod, the anterior side plates and the posterior side plates move farther apart from one another and from the center rod thereby expanding the implant in a first expansion direction; and (iii) when the distal sled and the proximal sled move farther apart from the center portion along a second length of the center rod, the anterior side top plate and the anterior side bottom plate move apart from one another thereby expanding the implant on the anterior side in a second expansion direction; and wherein: (I) the anterior side top plate is configured to reversibly slide into or onto the anterior side bottom plate; (II) wherein the anterior side top plate and the anterior side bottom plate each comprise a side comprising a flat horizontal central portion, a stepped-up portion on each side of the flat horizontal central portion and a ramping portion on each end of the stepped-up portion opposite the flat horizontal central portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the second expansion direction results in an expansion in width and angulation to restore lordosis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the distal sled is connected to an anterior side distal articulating arm and a posterior side distal articulating arm and wherein the anterior side distal articulating arm and the posterior side distal articulating arm are configured to articulate relative to the distal sled. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the proximal sled is connected to an anterior side proximal articulating arm and a posterior side proximal articulating arm and wherein the anterior side proximal articulating arm and the posterior side proximal articulating arm are configured to articulate relative to the proximal sled. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The implant of claim 4, wherein the anterior side distal articulating arm and the anterior side proximal articulating arm are configured to move the anterior side plates. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The implant of claim 4, wherein the posterior side distal articulating arm and the posterior side proximal articulating arm are configured to move the posterior side plates. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the anterior side top plate has an anterior side top plate length in a direction from the distal end to the proximal end and the anterior side bottom plate has an anterior side bottom plate length in the direction from the distal end to the proximal end and wherein the anterior side top plate length is different than the anterior side bottom plate length. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the anterior side top plate is configured to reversibly slide into or over the anterior side bottom plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the anterior side top plate and the anterior side bottom plate each have a U-shaped side profile and the U-shape of the anterior side top plate is configured to reversibly slide into or over the U-shape of the anterior side bottom plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The implant of claim 9, wherein the U-shape of the anterior side top plate and the U-shape of the anterior side bottom plate are configured so that (a) when the pairs of opposing articulating arms are positioned within the flat horizontal bottom of each anterior side plate and the anterior side plates and posterior side plates are positioned closest to one another resulting in a compact implant for insertion; (b) when the pair of opposing articulating arms are positioned within the step-up portion the anterior side plates and the anterior side plates and the posterior side plates are positioned further apart from one another thus expanding the implant in a first direction; and (c) when the pair of opposing articulating arms are positioned within the angled ramping portion of each anterior side plate, the anterior side top plate and the anterior side bottom plate are positioned still further apart from one another and thus expanding the implant in a second direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The implant of claim 10, wherein the U-shape of the anterior side top plate and the U-shape of the anterior side bottom plate are configured so that when the pair of opposing articulating arms are positioned within the angled ramping portion of each anterior side plate, the posterior side plates are positioned closer to the center rod. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The implant of claim 10, wherein the U-shape of the anterior side top plate and the U-shape of the anterior side bottom plate are configured so that when the pair of opposing articulating arms are positioned within the angled ramping portion of each anterior side plate, posterior side plate and posterior side plate are rotated relative to each other. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant has dimensions and configuration adapted to allow the implant to be inserted into an intervertebral disc space via Kambin's Triangle via an oblique lateral approach approximately 45 degrees off midline. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, further comprising a frame that is configured to couple to the center rod, the distal sled and the proximal sled. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The implant of claim 14, wherein the frame comprises a frame distal end having an insertion component configured to facilitate insertion of the implant into an intervertebral disc space and a frame proximal end including a socket or opening configured for receipt of an insert tool to rotate the center rod. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The implant of claim 15, wherein the frame proximal end comprises an opening configured to (a) allow an insert tool to secure and pivot the implant within the intervertebral disc space and (b) to contact and rotate the proximal end of the center rod. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the proximal threaded portion of center rod comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end comprises a recess configured for receipt of an insert tool to rotate the center rod and the distal end comprises a prong configuration to connect to the distal threaded portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method for stabilizing a spinal unit of a spinal column of a subject, the spinal unit comprising a superior vertebral bone, an inferior vertebral bone, an intervertebral disc space disposed there between, the method comprising: (a) forming a skin incision in the subject; (b) extending a tissue corridor from the skin incision to the intervertebral disc space through a Kambin's triangle opening formed by a superior endplate of an inferior vertebral bone, superior articular process of an inferior vertebral bone and a path of a spinal nerve and a first vertical axis that extends, in a cephalad to caudad direction, along a vertical plane of a spinal column; (c) approaching the intervertebral disc space with the implant of claim 1 using an insert tool, wherein the central rod is rotated and positioned so that the distal sled and the proximal sled are close to the central portion of the center rod thus reducing the dimensions of the implant for insertion; (d) seating the implant within the intervertebral disc space using the insert tool; (e) rotating the center rod using the insert tool to move the distal sled and the proximal sled farther apart along a first length from a center portion of the center rod and thus moving the anterior side plates and the posterior side plates farther apart from one another and from the center rod thereby expanding the implant in a first expansion direction; (f) further rotating the center rod using the insert tool to move the distal sled and the proximal sled farther apart from a center portion along a second length of the center rod and thus move the anterior side top plate and the anterior side bottom plate apart from one another thereby expanding the implant on the anterior side in a second expansion direction; and (g) removing the insert tool. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising, after the step of seating the implant in the intervertebral disc space, pivoting the implant within the intervertebral disc space. ### Claim 20 An expandable intervertebral spine implant having an anterior side, a posterior side, a distal end and a proximal end, the implant comprising: (a) a center rod having a center rod length comprising a proximal threaded portion having a proximal threading direction and a distal threaded portion having a distal threading direction opposite the proximal threading direction; (b) a proximal sled coupled to the proximal threaded portion and a distal sled coupled to the distal threaded portion; (c) at least one pair of anterior side plates comprising an anterior side top plate and an anterior side bottom plate, wherein said anterior side top plate is reversibly connected to said anterior side bottom plate and wherein each anterior side plate is discrete from, and oppose, each other; and (d) at least one pair of posterior side plates comprising a posterior side top plate and a posterior side bottom plate, wherein said posterior side top plate is reversibly connected to said posterior side bottom plate and wherein each posterior side plate is discrete from, and oppose, each other; wherein when the center rod is rotated in a first rotation direction, the distal sled and the proximal sled move further apart relative to one another along the length of the center rod and wherein when the center rod is rotated in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction the distal sled and the proximal sled move closer along the length of center rod; and wherein the expandable intervertebral spine implant is configured so that: (i) when the distal sled and the proximal sled are positioned closest to each other within a central portion of the center rod, the implant is in a compact position; (ii) when the distal sled and the proximal sled move farther apart along a first length in each direction from the center portion of the center rod, the anterior side plates and the posterior side plates move farther apart from one another and from the center rod thereby expanding the implant in a first expansion direction; and (iii) when the distal sled and the proximal sled move farther apart from the center portion along a second length of the center rod, the anterior side top plate and the anterior side bottom plate move apart from one another thereby expanding the implant on the anterior side in a second expansion direction and the posterior side top plate angulates relative to the posterior side bottom plate; and wherein (I) the distal sled is connected to an anterior side distal articulating arm and a posterior side distal articulating arm and wherein the anterior side distal articulating arm and the posterior side distal articulating arm are configured to articulate relative to the distal sled; and (II) the proximal sled is connected to an anterior side proximal articulating arm and a posterior side proximal articulating arm and wherein the anterior side proximal articulating arm and the posterior side proximal articulating arm are configured to articulate relative to the proximal sled. ### Claim 21 An expandable intervertebral spine implant having an anterior side, a posterior side, a distal end and a proximal end, the implant comprising: (a) a center rod having a center rod length comprising a proximal threaded portion having a proximal threading direction and a distal threaded portion having a distal threading direction opposite the proximal threading direction; (b) a proximal sled coupled to the proximal threaded portion and a distal sled coupled to the distal threaded portion; (c) at least one pair of anterior side plates comprising an anterior side top plate and an anterior side bottom plate, wherein said anterior side top plate is reversibly connected to said anterior side bottom plate and wherein each anterior side plate is discrete from, and oppose, each other; and (d) at least one pair of posterior side plates comprising a posterior side top plate and a posterior side bottom plate, wherein said posterior side top plate is reversibly connected to said posterior side bottom plate and wherein each posterior side plate is discrete from, and oppose, each other; wherein when the center rod is rotated in a first rotation direction, the distal sled and the proximal sled move further apart relative to one another along the length of the center rod and wherein when the center rod is rotated in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction the distal sled and the proximal sled move closer along the length of center rod; and wherein the expandable intervertebral spine implant is configured so that: (i) when the distal sled and the proximal sled are positioned closest to each other within a central portion of the center rod, the implant is in a compact position; (ii) when the distal sled and the proximal sled move farther apart along a first length in each direction from the center portion of the center rod, the anterior side plates and the posterior side plates move farther apart from one another and from the center rod thereby expanding the implant in a first expansion direction; and (iii) when the distal sled and the proximal sled move farther apart from the center portion along a second length of the center rod, the anterior side top plate and the anterior side bottom plate move apart from one another thereby expanding the implant on the anterior side in a second expansion direction; and wherein the anterior side top plate has an anterior side top plate length in a direction from the distal end to the proximal end and the anterior side bottom plate has an anterior side bottom plate length in the direction from the distal end to the proximal end and wherein the anterior side top plate length is different than the anterior side bottom plate length and wherein the anterior side bottom plate is configured to reversibly slidably fit within the anterior side top plate or the anterior side top plate is configured to reversibly slidably fit within the anterior side bottom plate.