Parallel jaw inserter

A system, comprising:

• an expandable implant movable between a contracted position and an expanded position, the expandable implant comprising:
• an expandable body extending from a proximal end to a distal end in a proximal-to-distal direction and extending from a first lateral side to a second lateral side in a widthwise direction, the expandable body being defined by a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are hingedly connected;
• the superior endplate comprising a first core having a screw slot and a distal engagement surface, the superior endplate being formed as a unitary single piece;
• the inferior endplate comprising a second core having a proximal engagement surface, the inferior endplate being formed as a unitary single piece;
• and
• a locking screw movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
• wherein, in the locked position, the locking screw urges the distal engagement surface of the first core against the proximal engagement surface of the second core;
• and
• a surgical tool configured to move the implant from the contracted position to the expanded position and to move the locking screw between the locked position and the unlocked position, the surgical tool being capable of moving the locking screw into the locked position while supporting the implant in the expanded position,
• wherein the surgical tool further comprises:
• a body portion having an aperture extending therethrough;
• an outer shaft extending through the body portion and having a drive feature at a distal end thereof for rotating the locking screw from the unlocked position to the locked position;
• and
• an inner shaft extending through the outer shaft and having a first thread pattern at an end thereof for drawing the implant towards the surgical tool.

A system including an expandable implant movable between a contracted position and an expanded position and an inserter, comprising:

• an expandable implant comprising:
• an expandable body extending from a proximal end to a distal end in a proximal-to-distal direction and extending from a first lateral side to a second lateral side in a widthwise direction, the expandable body being defined by a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are hingedly connected;
• the superior endplate comprises a channel located adjacent the distal end and extending in the widthwise direction from a first lateral side to a second lateral side of the superior endplate, and a first core having a screw slot and a distal engagement surface;
• the inferior endplate comprises a rail located adjacent the distal end and extending in the widthwise direction from a first lateral side to a second lateral side of the inferior endplate, the rail having a size and shape generally corresponding to a size and shape of the channel and being located within the channel, and a second core having a proximal engagement surface;
• and
• a locking screw extending in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end, being extendable through the first core and the second core, and being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
• wherein, in the locked position, the locking screw urges the distal engagement surface of the first core against the proximal engagement surface of the second core;
• and
• wherein the superior endplate and inferior endplate are each formed by a single unitary piece, respectively;
• an inserter configured for inserting the expandable implant into a disc space of a patient and expanding the expandable implant in situ within the disc space, the inserter extending lengthwise in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end, widthwise in a horizontal direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and heightwise in a vertical direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and the horizontal direction, the inserter comprising:
• a first jaw and a second jaw disposed at a distal end of the inserter and configured to couple to and uncouple from a first gripping protrusion and a second gripping protrusion of the expandable implant, respectively;
• a first rotatable grip configured to expand the expandable implant;
• and
• a second rotatable grip configured to spread the first jaw and the second jaw apart in the horizontal direction for coupling to the first gripping protrusion and second gripping protrusion;
• wherein the first jaw comprises a first gripping indent having a size and shape corresponding to the first gripping protrusion and the second jaw comprises a second gripping indent having a size and shape corresponding to the second gripping protrusion.