# US 2013/0158664 A1 · Expandable interbody implant and methods of use

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- Number: US 2013/0158664 A1
- Document ID: US20130158664A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/329,845
- Filed: 2011-12-19
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19
- Assignees: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
- Inventors: Stanley T. Palmatier; Keith E. Miller; Anthony J. Melkent; William D. Armstrong
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130158664A1

## CPC

- A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section}
- A61F 2/4425: {made of articulated components}
- A61F 2/30965: {Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping}
- A61F 2002/2817: {Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]}
- A61F 2002/2835: {Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material}
- A61F 2002/30062: {(bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive}
- A61F 2002/3008: {radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers}
- A61F 2002/30092: {using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol}
- A61F 2002/30166: {H-shaped or I-shaped}
- 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 2002/30357: {Stepped cylinders, i.e. having discrete diameter changes}
- A61F 2002/30365: {with additional means for limiting said rotation}
- A61F 2002/30369: {Limited lateral translation of the protrusion within a larger recess}
- A61F 2002/3037: {Translation along the common longitudinal axis, e.g. piston}
- A61F 2002/304: {with additional means for limiting said sliding}
- A61F 2002/30401: {with additional means for preventing or locking said 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 2002/30433: {using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws}
- A61F 2002/30448: {using adhesives}
- A61F 2002/30469: {using band clamps}
- A61F 2002/30471: {connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type}
- A61F 2002/30492: {using a locking pin}
- A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw}
- A61F 2002/30515: {using a locking wedge or block}
- A61F 2002/30538: {for adjusting angular orientation}
- A61F 2002/30556: {for adjusting thickness}
- A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices}
- A61F 2002/30593: {hollow}
- A61F 2002/30601: {telescopic}
- A61F 2002/30622: {Implant for fusing a joint or bone material}
- A61F 2002/30624: {Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement}
- A61F 2002/30677: {Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body}
- A61F 2002/30774: {internally-threaded}
- A61F 2002/30777: {Oblong apertures}
- A61F 2002/30785: {parallel}
- A61F 2002/30845: {with cutting edges}
- A61F 2002/30878: {with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts}
- A61F 2002/30892: {parallel}
- A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed}
- A61F 2002/3092: {having an open-celled or open-pored structure}
- A61F 2002/3093: {for promoting ingrowth of bone tissue}
- A61F 2002/443: {having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component}
- A61F 2210/0004: bioabsorbable
- A61F 2220/0016: with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
- A61F 2310/00017: Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
- A61F 2310/00023: Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
- A61F 2310/00029: Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
- A61F 2310/00179: Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
- A61F 2310/00221: containing calcia or calcium oxide
- A61F 2310/00293: containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
- A61F 2310/00341: Coral, e.g. aragonite, porite
- A61F 2310/00359: Bone or bony tissue
- A61F 2310/00976: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF
- 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

An intervertebral implant is provided. The intervertebral implant comprises a first component comprising an outer tissue engaging surface and an inner surface. A second component is connected to the first component, and is relatively moveable thereform. The second component comprises an outer tissue engaging surface and an inner surface. The second component includes an actuator. A third component is disposed for engagement and is movable relative to the first and second components. The third component comprises at least a first ramp and a second ramp axially spaced apart from the first ramp. The actuator is engageable with the third component to effect axial translation of the wedge such that the ramps engage the inner surface of at least one of the first component and the second component to move the components between a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration. Methods of use are disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An intervertebral implant comprising:
a first component extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising an outer tissue engaging surface and an inner surface;
a second component connected to the first component such that the first component is pivotable relative to the second component about a pin extending transverse to the longitudinal axis through openings in the first and second components, the second component comprising an outer tissue engaging surface and an inner surface, the second component including an actuator; and
a third component disposed for engagement and being movable relative to the first and second components, the third component comprising at least a first ramp and a second ramp axially spaced apart from the first ramp,
wherein the actuator is engageable with the third component to effect axial translation of the third component such that the ramps engage the inner surface of one of the first component and the second component to move the components between a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the first ramp has a first height and the second ramp has a second height, the first height being greater than the second height.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the first ramp has a first angle of inclination and the second ramp has a second angle of inclination, the first angle of inclination being greater than the second angle of inclination.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 further comprising a bone graft cavity, wherein at least one of the first, second and third components define the bone graft cavity, the bone graft cavity being configured to maintain a bone graft volume between the first, collapsed configuration and the second, expanded configuration.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the second component includes a wall disposed adjacent a posterior end thereof, the third component including rail portions extending parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the first component that move about the wall during axial translation.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the third component includes a bone graft receptacle.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the third component includes a bone graft receptacle and at least one of the first and second components include a bone graft receptacle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the second component includes a wall disposed adjacent a posterior end thereof, the third component including rail portions that move within the wall during axial translation.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the first, second and third components define a bone graft cavity defining an axial length, the axial length decreasing as the first, second and third components move from the first to the second configuration.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a threaded cavity formed in the second component and a turnbuckle configured for engagement with the third component.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the first ramp comprises an anterior wedge and the second ramp comprises a posterior wedge such that the anterior wedge is disposed adjacent an anterior end of the first component and the posterior wedge is disposed adjacent a posterior end of the first component.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 11 wherein the second expanded configuration includes an initial expansion such that anterior end and the posterior end expand equally and a secondary expansion that the anterior end expands greater than the posterior end.

### Claim 13

(canceled)

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 further comprising a movable linkage attached to a second end of the first component and the third component, wherein during movement of the components from the second configuration to the first configuration, the linkage draws the components to a collapsed orientation.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 14 wherein the linkage comprises a slot of the first component and a pin defined with the third component.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the first ramp is connected with the second ramp via a linear member.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the third component comprises a first rail including the first ramp and the second ramp, and a second rail including a third ramp and a fourth ramp, the third ramp being axially spaced apart from the third ramp.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 1 wherein the first ramp includes a first surface having a first angle of inclination and a second surface having a second angle of inclination.

### Claim 19

An intervertebral implant comprising:
a piston component comprising an endplate surface and an inner surface disposed in an opposing orientation relative to the endplate surface, the piston component extending along a longitudinal axis between an anterior end and a posterior end;
a base component comprising an endplate surface and an inner surface disposed in an opposing orientation relative to the endplate surface of the base component, the base component extending between an anterior end and a posterior end, the base component pivotably connected to the piston component adjacent the respective posterior ends by a hinge such that the piston component is rotatable relative to the base component about an axis of rotation transverse to the longitudinal axis through at least one plane, the posterior end of the base component including a threaded cavity;
a threaded screw configured for disposal within the threaded cavity;
a wedge disposed for engagement and being movable relative to the piston and base components, the wedge comprising a first ramp having a first height and a first angle of inclination and a second ramp having a second height and a second angle of inclination, the first ramp being axially spaced apart from the second ramp,
wherein the threaded screw is engageable with the wedge to effect axial translation of the wedge such that the ramps engage the inner surface of the first component to pivot the piston component relative to the base component such that the components expand between a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration.

### Claim 20

A method for treating a spine, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an intervertebral implant comprising:
a first component having an anterior end and a posterior end, the first component comprising an outer tissue engaging surface and an inner surface; a second component having an anterior end and a posterior end, the second component being pivotably connected to the first component adjacent the respective posterior ends, the second component comprising an outer tissue engaging surface and an inner surface, the second component including an actuator; and a third component disposed for engagement and being movable relative to the first and second components, the third component comprising at least a first ramp and a second ramp axially spaced apart from the first ramp;
introducing the intervertebral implant in a collapsed configuration along a substantially posterior approach of a body within an intervertebral space; and
engaging the actuator with the third component to effect axial translation of the third component relative to the first and second components such that the ramps engage the inner surface of one of the first component and the second component to expand the intervertebral implant to a second, expanded configuration.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

An intervertebral implant as recited in claim 19 wherein pivoting the piston component relative to the base component about the axis of rotation in a first direction causes a distance between the anterior ends to increase and pivoting the piston component relative to the base component about the axis of rotation in an opposite second direction causes a distance between the anterior ends to decrease.