# US 9,517,143 B2 · Adaptable interbody implant and methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,143 B2 - Document ID: US9517143B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/750,595 - Filed: 2015-06-25 - Published: 2015-10-15 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14 - Assignees: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Applicants: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Inventors: Julien J. Prevost; Thomas A. Carls; Russell P. Nockels - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517143B2 ## 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 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section} - A61F 2002/30563: {having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers} - A61F 2002/30593: {hollow} - A61F 2002/30777: {Oblong apertures} - A61F 2002/30779: {arcuate} - A61F 2002/30785: {parallel} - A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed} - A61F 2310/00017: Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel - A61F 2310/00023: Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys - A61F 2310/00029: Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium - A61F 2310/00179: Ceramics or ceramic-like structures - 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 intervertebral fusion implant comprises a body defining a longitudinal axis and extending between a first end and a second end. The body defines a first wall configured for engaging a first vertebral surface and a second wall configured for engaging a second vertebral surface. The first wall is connected to the second wall. The first wall is movable relative to the second wall such that the body is deformable from a first, initial implanted configuration such that the body is disposed between the first vertebral surface and the second vertebral surface for fixation thereof and a second configuration such that the body is deformed relative to the first configuration to adapt to an orientation of the first vertebral surface and the second vertebral surface. Methods of use are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An intervertebral fixation implant comprising: a body defining a longitudinal axis and extending between a first end that includes a first end surface and a second end that includes a second end surface that is opposite the first end surface, a portion of each of the first and second walls extending continuously from the first end surface to the second end surface, the body defining a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall, the first wall including a first and second lateral arms and the second wall including a third and fourth lateral arms, the first and second lateral arms defining a first portion of a cavity therebetween and the third and fourth lateral arms defining a second portion of the cavity therebetween, the first and third arms defining a first opening therebetween that extends through the first end surface and the second and fourth arms defining a second opening therebetween that extends through the second end surface, the arms being configured to collapse in the openings, wherein the first wall is movable relative to the second wall such that the body is selectively deformable from a first, initial implanted configuration in which the walls are spaced apart a first distance and a second configuration in which the body is selectively deformed such that the walls are spaced apart a reduced distance relative to the first distance. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the first wall is configured for engaging a first vertebral surface and the second wall is configured for engaging a second vertebral surface that faces the first vertebral surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the body is configured to be disposed between a first vertebral surface and a second vertebral surface when the body is in the first, initial implanted configuration and the body is configured to adapt to an orientation of the first vertebral surface and the second vertebral surface when the body is in the second configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the openings are in communication with the cavity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the arms each extend between the first end and the second end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are connected to a fifth arm that extends inwardly from the first end and the third and fourth arms are connected to a sixth arm that extends inwardly from the first end, the fifth and sixth arms defining a second cavity therebetween. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 6, wherein the fifth and sixth arms are configured to collapse into the second cavity as the body moves from the first, initial implanted configuration to the second configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 1, further comprising a bone graft disposed in at least one of the openings or the cavity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the walls are in flush engagement when the body is in the second configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 1, wherein inner surfaces of the first and third arms that define the first opening engage one another when the body is in the second configuration and inner surfaces of the second and fourth arms that define the second opening engage one another when the body is in the second configuration. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the first end surface faces away from the second end surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 1, wherein: a first portion of the first wall is connected to a first portion of the second wall by a third wall and a second portion of the first wall is connected to a second portion of the second wall by a fourth wall, and a first aperture extends through the third wall and a second aperture extends through the fourth wall, the apertures being in communication with the cavity. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 1, wherein: the body includes a first side surface and an opposite second side surface, a distance between the side surfaces defining a maximum width of the body, and the arms each extend continuously from the first side surface to the second side surface. ### Claim 14 An intervertebral fixation implant comprising: a body defining a longitudinal axis and extending between a first end that includes a first end surface and a second end that includes a second end surface that is opposite the first end surface, the body defining a first wall configured for engaging a first vertebral surface and a second wall configured for engaging a second vertebral surface that faces the first vertebral surface, the first wall including a first and second lateral arms and the second wall including a third and fourth lateral arms, the first and second lateral arms defining a first portion of a cavity therebetween and the third and fourth lateral arms defining a second portion of the cavity therebetween, the arms each extending between the first end and the second end, the first and third arms defining a first opening therebetween that extends through the first end surface and the second and fourth arms defining a second opening therebetween that extends through the second end surface, the openings being in communication with the cavity, the arms being configured to collapse in the openings, wherein the first and second arms are connected to a fifth arm that extends inwardly from the first end and the third and fourth arms are connected to a sixth arm that extends inwardly from the first end, the fifth and sixth arms defining a second cavity therebetween, wherein the first wall is movable relative to the second wall such that the body is selectively deformable from a first, initial implanted configuration in which the walls are spaced apart a first distance and a second configuration in which the body is selectively deformed such that the walls are spaced apart a reduced distance relative to the first distance. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An intervertebral fixation implant as recited in claim 14, wherein the openings are in communication with the cavity. ### Claim 16 An intervertebral fixation implant comprising: a body defining a longitudinal axis and extending between a first end and a second end, the body defining a first wall configured for engaging a first vertebral surface and a second wall configured for engaging a second vertebral surface that faces the first vertebral surface, the first wall including a first and second lateral arms and the second wall including a third and fourth lateral arms, the first and second lateral arms defining a first portion of a cavity therebetween and the third and fourth lateral arms defining a second portion of the cavity therebetween, the first and third arms defining a first opening therebetween and the second and fourth arms defining a second opening therebetween, the arms being configured to collapse in the openings, the first and second arms being connected to a fifth arm that extends inwardly from the first end and the third and fourth arms being connected to a sixth arm that extends inwardly from the first end, the fifth and sixth arms defining a second cavity therebetween; and a bone graft disposed in at least one of the openings and the cavity, wherein the first wall is movable relative to the second wall such that the body is selectively deformable from a first, initial implanted configuration in which the body is configured to be disposed between a first vertebral surface and a second vertebral surface and walls are spaced apart a first distance and a second configuration in which the body is selectively deformed such that the walls are spaced apart a reduced distance and the body is configured to adapt to an orientation of the first vertebral surface and the second vertebral surface, and wherein the fifth and sixth arms are configured to collapse into the second cavity as the body moves from the first, initial implanted configuration to the second configuration.