# US 9,867,715 B2 · Expandable intervertebral implant

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- Number: US 9,867,715 B2
- Document ID: US9867715B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/276,946
- Filed: 2016-09-27
- Published: 2017-01-19
- Granted: 2018-01-16
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15
- Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc.
- Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Colm McLaughlin; Daniel Davenport; Robert W. Trout, III; Robert Rhoads; George Howard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9867715B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/4425: {made of articulated components}
- A61F 2/442: {Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient (non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455)}
- 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 2/4601: {for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity}
- A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses}
- A61F 2/4684: {Trial or dummy prostheses}
- A61F 2002/30062: {(bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive}
- A61F 2002/3008: {radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers}
- A61F 2002/30161: {arrow-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30176: {V-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30181: {Y-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30187: {D-shaped or half-disc-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30266: {wedge-shaped parallelepipeds}
- A61F 2002/30281: {wedge-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30387: {Dovetail connection}
- A61F 2002/30398: {Sliding}
- A61F 2002/30405: {made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves}
- A61F 2002/30448: {using adhesives}
- A61F 2002/30476: {locked by an additional locking mechanism}
- A61F 2002/30556: {for adjusting thickness}
- A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices}
- A61F 2002/30593: {hollow}
- A61F 2002/30607: {Kits of prosthetic parts to be assembled in various combinations for forming different prostheses}
- A61F 2002/30616: {Sets comprising a plurality of prosthetic parts of different sizes or orientations}
- A61F 2002/30677: {Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body}
- A61F 2002/30787: {inclined obliquely with respect to each other}
- A61F 2230/0082: parallelepipedal
- A61F 2230/0086: Pyramidal, tetrahedral, or wedge-shaped
- A61F 2250/0009: for adjusting thickness
- A61F 2250/0067: Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
- A61F 2310/00059: Chromium or Cr-based alloys
- A61F 2310/00101: Molybdenum or Mo-based alloys
- 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 implant for therapeutically separating bones of a joint has two endplates each having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side. A frame is slideably connected to the endplates to enable the endplates to move relative to each other at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the implant, in sliding connection with the frame. An actuator screw is rotatably connected to the frame. A carriage forms an open area aligned with the openings in the endplates. The openings in the endplates pass through the carriage to form an unimpeded passage from bone to bone of the joint. The carriage has ramps which mate with the ramped surfaces of the endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates move closer or farther apart.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An intervertebral implant comprising:
an upper endplate;
a lower endplate;
a frame;
a moveable actuator received in the frame and positioned between the upper endplate and the lower endplate;
an actuator screw that extends through the moveable actuator, wherein rotation of the actuator screw causes the moveable actuator to translate, thereby causing the implant to change from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration;
a first tool opening configured to receive a first inserter tip of an insertion tool, wherein when the first inserter tip expands, the first tool opening securely attaches to the first inserter tip.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to receive first and second stabilizing pins therethrough.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the moveable actuator comprises a first ramp that engages the upper endplate and a second ramp that engages the lower endplate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the upper endplate comprises a partial upper first opening and the lower endplate plate comprises a partial lower first opening, wherein the partial upper first opening the partial lower first opening are aligned to form a first opening when the implant is in an unexpanded configuration.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The intervertebral implant of claim 4, wherein in the expanded configuration, the partial upper first opening is separated away from the partial lower first opening.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the moveable actuator comprises a first tool opening and a second tool opening formed therein.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral implant of claim 1, further comprising one or more sockets, each socket configured to receive a bone screw.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral implant of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more sockets; and
a bone screw configured to be received in each of the one or more sockets.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The intervertebral implant of claim 8, wherein at least two sockets are configured to secure the implant to a superior vertebra, and one socket is configured to secure the implant to an inferior vertebra.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The intervertebral implant of claim 8, wherein one socket is configured to secure the implant to a superior vertebra, and at least two sockets are configured to secure the implant to an inferior vertebra.

### Claim 11

An intervertebral implant comprising:
an upper endplate;
a lower endplate;
a moveable actuator positioned between the upper endplate and the lower endplate;
an actuator screw that extends through the moveable actuator, wherein rotation of the actuator screw causes the moveable actuator to translate, thereby causing the implant to change from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration; and
first tool opening configured to receive an insertion tool, the first tool opening further configured to securely attach to a first inserter tip of the insertion tool when the first inserter tip is in an expanded configuration.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The intervertebral implant of claim 11, wherein the implant comprises a first graft opening and a second graft opening.

### Claim 13

The intervertebral implant of 11, wherein the moveable actuator comprises a first ramp and a second ramp.

### Claim 14

The intervertebral implant of 11, wherein the first inserter tip includes a slit configured to splay open upon receiving a first engagement pin into the first inserter tip.

### Claim 15

The intervertebral implant of 11, wherein the upper endplate comprises a first socket for receiving an upwardly angled bone screw.

### Claim 16

The intervertebral implant of 15, wherein the lower endplate comprises a second socket for receiving a downwardly angled bone screw.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The intervertebral implant of claim 16, further comprising one or more blocking elements configured to prevent the upwardly angled bone screw and the downwardly angled bone screw from backing out.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The intervertebral implant of claim 11, wherein the upper endplate and the lower endplate contain protrusions configured to aid in securing the implant to adjacent vertebrae.

### Claim 19

The intervertebral implant of 11, wherein the implant comprises a first lateral notch and a second lateral notch for receiving a tool.

### Claim 20

The intervertebral implant of 11, wherein the moveable actuator includes a first tool opening for receiving the first inserter tip therein.