US 2013/0211526 A1 · EXPANDABLE IMPLANT

Abstract

An expandable implant (210, 410) includes top and bottom plates (220, 250, 420, 450) having angled inner surfaces (222, 252, 422, 452) that interact with expansion members (300, 302, 500, 502). The expansion members (300, 302, 500, 502) may be situated on an actuator (280, 480), and may include at least one vertical projection (312, 314, 512, 514) for interacting with a recess (230, 430) in the plates (220, 250, 420, 450). In some instances, rotation of the actuator (280, 480) in opposing directions about a longitudinal axis may cause the expansion members (300, 302, 500, 502) to move toward or away from one another, thereby resulting in separation or collapse of the top and bottom plates (220, 250, 420, 450). Pins (316, 516) may also be associated with the expansion members (300, 302, 500, 502) and received in respective slots (318, 518) in the plates (220, 250, 420, 450).

Claims20

Dependent claims

An expandable intervertebral implant comprising:

top and bottom plates having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surfaces facing each other and each having a ramp surface and a recess disposed adjacent the ramp surface;
an actuator situated between the inner surfaces of the top and bottom plates;
and
first and second expansion members coupled to the actuator and located between the inner surfaces of the top and bottom plates, the first and second expansion members each having at least one vertical projection extending outwardly therefrom,
wherein rotation of the actuator in opposing directions causes the first and second expansion members to move toward and away from one another along a longitudinal axis of the actuator, resulting in movement of the top and bottom plates toward and away from one another along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the at least one vertical projection of the first and second expansion members being received and guided at least partially within one of the recesses adjacent the ramp surfaces of the top or bottom plates while such plates move along the vertical axis.

2 more elements

An expandable intervertebral implant comprising:

top and bottom plates having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surfaces facing each other and each having a ramp surface;
an actuator situated between the inner surfaces of the top and bottom plates;
and
first and second expansion members coupled to the actuator and located between the inner surfaces of the top and bottom plates, the first and second expansion members each having a horizontal portion with at least one projection extending outward therefrom,
wherein rotation of the actuator in opposing directions causes the horizontal portion of the first and second expansion members to translate along the ramp surfaces toward and away from one another along a longitudinal axis of the actuator, resulting in movement of the top and bottom plates toward and away from one another along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the projections of the horizontal portions being received within at least one lateral slot situated adjacent each ramp surface as the top and bottom plates move along the vertical axis,
and wherein the lateral slots each include a terminal portion, and the first and second projections are adapted to interact with the terminal portion to prevent movement of the first and second expansion members away from one another.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Expandable implant

Life of this patent

Expandable implant

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20