# US 2021/0330472 A1 · Spinal fusion device with staged expansion

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- Number: US 2021/0330472 A1
- Document ID: US20210330472A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/317,825
- Filed: 2021-05-11
- Published: 2021-10-28
- Earliest claimed: 2017-01-10
- Assignees: Integrity Implants Inc.
- Applicants: Integrity Implants Inc.
- Inventors: Eugene Shoshtaev
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210330472A1

## CPC

- A61F 2/4425: {made of articulated components}
- 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 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section}
- A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses}
- A61B 17/025: {Joint distractors}
- A61F 2002/30156: {triangular}
- A61F 2002/30176: {V-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 2002/30383: {made by laterally inserting a protrusion, e.g. a rib into a complementarily-shaped groove}
- A61F 2002/30398: {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 2002/30471: {connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type}
- A61F 2002/30476: {locked by an additional locking mechanism}
- A61F 2002/30482: {using a locking cam}
- 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 2002/30518: {with possibility of relative movement between the prosthetic parts}
- A61F 2002/30528: {Means for limiting said movement}
- A61F 2002/30537: {adjustable}
- A61F 2002/30545: {for adjusting a diameter}
- A61F 2002/3055: {for adjusting length}
- A61F 2002/30556: {for adjusting thickness}
- A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices}
- A61F 2002/30593: {hollow}
- A61F 2002/30624: {Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement}
- A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed}
- A61F 2002/443: {having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component}
- 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

The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. The fusion device described herein is capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space at a minimum to no distraction height and for a fusion device capable of maintaining a normal distance between adjacent vertebral bodies when implanted.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An expandable fusion device for implantation between two adjacent vertebrae, the device comprising:
a wedge assembly comprising a first wedge and a second wedge;
a ramp assembly slidably coupled with the wedge assembly;
an upper endplate assembly slidably coupled with the ramp assembly; and,
a lower endplate assembly slidably coupled with the ramp assembly;
wherein the device is configured such that
translating the first wedge a first distance towards or away from the second wedge increases the width without increasing the height; and,
translating the first wedge a second distance beyond the first distance towards or away from the second wedge increases the height.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device is further configured such that:
a third movement of the wedge assembly at the slidable coupling between the ramp assembly and the wedge assembly provides a further height expansion without a width expansion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the ramp assembly comprises a first distal ramp, a second distal ramp, a first proximal ramp, and a second proximal ramp.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the slidable coupling between at least one of the wedge assembly and the ramp assembly, the ramp assembly and the upper endplate, assembly, and the ramp assembly and the lower endplate assembly is at a transverse angle from the longitudinal axis of the device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, wherein the transverse angle is 0 degrees to 90 degrees.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the slideable coupling between at least one of the wedge assembly and the ramp assembly, the ramp assembly and the upper endplate, assembly, and the ramp assembly and the lower endplate assembly comprises a protrusion and a slot, wherein the protrusion extends from at least one of the wedge assembly, the ramp assembly, the upper endplate assembly, and the lower endplate assembly, and wherein the slot is disposed in at least one of the upper endplate assembly, and the lower endplate assembly.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the upper endplate assembly comprises a first endplate and a second endplate, and wherein the lower endplate assembly comprises a third endplate and a fourth endplate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The device of claim 7, wherein the ramp assembly comprises a first proximal ramp and a second proximal ramp, and a first distal ramp and a second distal ramp, and wherein at least one of the first endplate and the second endplate, the third endplate and the fourth endplate, the first proximal ramp and the second proximal ramp, and the first distal ramp and the second distal ramp have mirrored equivalence.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The device of claim 7, wherein at least one of the second endplate and the fourth endplate is larger than at least one of the first endplate and the third endplate.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the first movement is a sliding at the slidable coupling between the ramp assembly and the wedge assembly.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The device of claim 7, wherein the first movement is a sliding at the slidable coupling between the ramp assembly and the wedge assembly.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the first movement is a sliding at the slidable coupling between the ramp assembly and the wedge assembly.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

An expandable fusion system for implantation between two adjacent vertebrae, the system comprising an inserter and the expandable fusion device of claim 1.

### Claim 14 (depends on 7)

An expandable fusion system for implantation between two adjacent vertebrae, the system comprising an inserter and the expandable fusion device of claim 7.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

An expandable fusion system for implantation between two adjacent vertebrae, the system comprising an inserter and the expandable fusion device of claim 9.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13 further comprising a collapsing tool.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14 further comprising a collapsing tool.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15 further comprising a collapsing tool.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

A method of fusing an intervertebral space of a subject, comprising, inserting the device of claim 1 into an intervertebral space of the subject; and, performing cephalocaudal expansion and transverse expansion of the device.

### Claim 20 (depends on 9)

A method of fusing an intervertebral space of a subject, comprising, inserting the device of claim 9 into an intervertebral space of the subject; and, performing cephalocaudal expansion and transverse expansion of the device.