Hydraulically actuated expanding spine cage with extendable locking anchor

US8435296B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CoAlign Innovations, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Murali Kadaba · Foster City, US
• Philip J. Simpson · Encinitas, US
• John Ashley · Danville, US
• Walter Dean Gillespie · Carlsbad, US
• Thomas Grotz · Novato, US
• George A. Mansfield, III · San Diego, US
• David G. Matsuura · Encinitas, US
• Rudy Pretti · Auburn, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 26, 2009
• Grant date: May 7, 2013
• Expiry date: Apr 17, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2310/00023
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.