# US 2014/0194992 A1 · Expandable interbody (lateral, posterior, anterior) multi-access cage for spinal surgery > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194992 A1 - Document ID: US20140194992A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/734,583 - Filed: 2013-01-04 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04 - Assignees: MEDevice IP Holdings, LLC. - Inventors: Mark Patrick Medina - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194992A1 ## CPC - A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)} - A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses} - A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section} - A61F 2002/30471: {connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type} - A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw} - A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices} - A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed} - A61F 2002/4627: {with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument} - 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 interbody cage can be utilized in a multi-access approach. Such a device can be inserted in an MIS exposure and then can be expanded insitu. Such a multi access device can expand in width to cover a larger area for fusion to occur. Such device includes a unique feature that allows for the graft material to stay in place upon deployment. Such a cage device can be configured with four graft boxes that can be filled with allograft or autograft material to allow for fusion to occur. Along with the graft boxes, such a cage can also be configured with a unique feature in the posterior piece of the device that has small cut outs or ports to allow for moldable allograft material to be injected through the inserter device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An implant apparatus for spinal fusion, said apparatus comprising: an expandable implant cage positioned between endplates of upper and lower vertebra comprising a male and female screw arrangement and a cage expansion mechanism, wherein said cage expansion mechanism expands said cage size on tightening said male and female screw arrangement; and an inserter for inserting said cage in a spinal disc space that maintains a handle, a shaft, and a coupling arrangement, wherein said inserter is operated to engage said coupling arrangement with said male and female screw arrangement and to tighten said male and female screw arrangement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cage is insertable in a MIS exposure and is capable of being expanded in-situ. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cage is expandable in width to cover a larger area for fusion to occur. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a component that allows graft material to remain in place upon deployment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cage is configured with a plurality of graft boxes that are capable of being filled with allograft or autograft material to allow for said fusion to occur. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein cage is configured with a feature in a posterior location including a plurality of ports that allow for a moldable allograft material to be injected through said inserter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said plurality of ports allows said cage to be completely filled in vacant spaces for material to be placed for an even larger area for said fusion to occur. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cage comprises a component that allows said cage apparatus to be deployed in a controlled matter allowing a surgeon to open and close said cage apparatus for a specific placement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cage further comprises a central post system made up of a female post and a male post that is threaded and a barrel t-post that allows for deployment thereof in a controlled matter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cage allows a surgeon to implant said apparatus through a small exposure to obtain a largest footprint for stability and structural support. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an implant inserter comprising an inserter instrument that attaches to said cage. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a driver that is cannulated to allow for a separate driver that slides down a cannulation and inserts a screw on said apparatus that can then be rotated to allow said cage to deploy. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein once deployed said driver is capable of being removed to allow a surgeon to insert a luer tip syringe filled with a material that is injectable down said inserter through said cannulation and fill voids within said cage. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said material comprises bmp. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said material comprises an allograft material.