Expandable intervertebral implant and associated surgical method
US8894712B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 2012 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/4627
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides an expandable intervertebral implant, including: a superior member configured to engage a superior intervertebral body; an inferior member configured to engage an inferior intervertebral body; and an expansion mechanism disposed between the superior member and the inferior member configured to selectively adjust a separation of the superior member from the inferior member; wherein the expansion mechanism includes a proximal wedge structure and a distal wedge structure that are relatively translated between the superior member and the inferior member, wherein the proximal wedge structure and the distal wedge structure are each coupled to the superior member and the inferior member by a plurality of aligned and/or staggered (i.e. nested) track structures and rail structures; and wherein a load-bearing portion of a bottom surface of the superior member is configured to mate vertically with a load-bearing portion of a top surface of the inferior member when the expansion mechanism is undeployed via conformal protruding and recessed features.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.