Expandable intervertebral fusion implant and applicator
OwnerLoubert Suddabyinventor
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Abstract
An expandable intervertebral implant includes two separate components having corrugated mating surfaces which resist compression and shifting when the parts are distracted by a special installation tool.
Claims11
An expandable intervertebral fusion implant comprising a pair of shells which when joined form substantially a hollow tube, each of said shells having a pair of corrugated skirts forming interengaging toothed structures for permitting unidirectional expansion of the tube from a retracted initial height to an expanded installed height.
A method of inserting an implant between vertebral elements to maintain spacing between the elements while promoting osseous union between them, said method comprising steps of
- assembling a pair of semicylindrical shells having ratcheting means thereon to form an implant having unidirectional adjustable height,
- placing the implant on an expansible portion of an installation tool,
- inserting the implant between said vertebral elements,
- expanding the expansible portion of the installation tool, to expand the implant to a desired final height, and
- removing the installation tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.