Device for distracting body tissue
US8337562B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2250/0063
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer id dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.