Medical device employing a coaxial screw gear sleeve mechanism
AssigneeSpineX Tec, LLC
InventorsOmar F. Jimenez, Nicholas R. Powley, Andrew G. Fischer, Yefim I. Safris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Medical devices in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention employ one or more coaxial screw gear sleeve mechanisms. In various embodiments, coaxial screw gear sleeve mechanisms include a post with a threaded exterior surface and a corresponding sleeve configured to surround the post, the corresponding sleeve having a threaded interior surface configured to interface with the threaded exterior surface of the post and a geared exterior surface. A drive mechanism can be configured to interface with the geared exterior surface of the sleeve, causing the device to expand.
Claims20
A spinal implant, comprising:
- a first outer member;
- a second outer member;
- a sleeve disposed between the first outer member and the second outer member and having a helically geared exterior surface with a plurality of gear teeth thereon, the sleeve configured to be rotated to expand the first outer member relative to the second outer member;
- and
- a support element extending between an inner surface of the first outer member and an inner surface of the second outer member, wherein the support element maintains a relative rotational positioning of the first outer member with respect to the second outer member as the sleeve is rotated to expand the first outer member relative to the second outer member.
A distractible intervertebral body fusion device adapted for implantation into an intervertebral disc space of a patient, comprising:
- a first member having a first bearing surface configured to interface with an end plate of a superior vertebra of the intervertebral disc space;
- a second member having a second bearing surface configured to interface with an end plate of an inferior vertebra of the intervertebral disc space;
- a sleeve disposed between the first member and the second member and having a helically geared exterior surface with a plurality of gear teeth thereon, the sleeve configured to be rotated to expand the first outer member relative to the second outer member;
- and
- a support element extending between an inner surface of the first member and an inner surface of the second member, wherein the support element maintains a relative rotational positioning of the first member with respect to the second member as the sleeve is rotated to expand the first member relative to the second member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.