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US 2011/0257751 A1Published application
Self-contained expandable implant and method
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsMichael C. Sherman, Samuel M. Shaolian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include expandable, implantable devices and methods having internally contained expansion mechanisms. Devices expand linearly to provide secure fixation between or among anatomical structures. In some embodiments, an implant replaces one or more vertebral bodies of the spine.
Claims21
1-27. (canceled)
An expandable implant for supporting skeletal structures comprising:
- a body extending along a first longitudinal axis and defining an interior cavity;
- an expansion assembly disposed within the cavity and configured to receive a turning mechanism and convert rotational movement of the turning mechanism into linear expansion of the implant;
- a first end component coupled to the expansion assembly;
- and
- a second end component coupled to the expansion assembly,
- wherein the first and second end components translate without rotation in opposing directions along the first longitudinal axis when the expansion assembly converts rotational movement into linear expansion of the implant.
3 more elements
An expandable implant for supporting skeletal structures comprising:
- an implant body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a cavity;
- a sprocket assembly disposed within the implant body for converting rotational movement into linear expansion of the implant, the sprocket assembly having an upper end including a first attachment feature and an opposing lower end including a second attachment feature;
- a first end component coupled to the first attachment feature;
- and
- a second end component coupled to the second attachment feature;
- wherein the first and second end components translate without rotation in opposing directions along the longitudinal axis when the sprocket assembly converts rotational movement into linear expansion of the implant.
3 more elements
An expandable implant for supporting skeletal structures comprising:
- a body extending along a first longitudinal axis;
- a sprocket assembly disposed within the body, the sprocket assembly including a sprocket gear, the sprocket assembly being configured to convert rotational movement into linear expansion of the implant along the first longitudinal axis;
- a driving gear engaged with the sprocket gear in a manner to impart rotational movement to the sprocket assembly, the driving gear being disposed so as to be accessible from an exterior of the housing;
- a first end component coupled to the sprocket, the first end component having a bearing surface configured to interface with bone structure and bear loading applied by the bone structure;
- and
- a second end component coupled to the sprocket,
- wherein the first and second end components translate without rotation in opposing directions along the first longitudinal axis when the driving gear drives the sprocket assembly.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.