Expandable intervertebral fusion implant

• US 10,314,718 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2016
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Loubert S. Suddaby
• Original Assignee: Loubert S. Suddaby
• Inventors: Suddaby, Loubert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Eric S
• Application Number:
  US15/273,032
• Publication Number:
  US 20180078384A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1711- 1716
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/484 Fluid means, i.e. hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30537 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30555 along two perpendicular axes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30693 Air venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/444 for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4692 fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4693 hydraulic

Abstract

An expandable intervertebral fusion implant including an inferior component, a superior component arranged to telescopingly engage the inferior component, and a port arranged in the inferior or superior component. When a first material is introduced through the port, the inferior and superior components are displaced vertically. Each of the inferior and/or superior components can include telescoping components which allow the inferior and/or superior components to be expanded along the length and/or width of the implant before the inferior and superior components are displaced vertically. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant can be expanded with, and locked in place, hydraulic and/or hardenable material. Alternatively, the expandable intervertebral fusion implant can be expanded using a mechanical implement and then hardenable material can be introduced into the implant to maintain the implant in the expanded position.

Claims

1. An expandable intervertebral fusion implant, comprising:

an inferior component;

a superior component telescopingly engageable with the inferior component; and

,

an input port arranged in the inferior or the superior component;

wherein;

the inferior component or the superior component includes a vent; and

,

when a first material is introduced through the input port and into the inferior or the superior component, the superior component is displaced in a first direction relative to the inferior component.

2. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant of claim 1, wherein the inferior component comprises a first upwardly extending hollow channel and the superior component comprises a first downwardly extending strut arranged to telescopingly engage the first upwardly extending hollow channel.

3. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant of claim 1, wherein the superior component comprises a first downwardly extending hollow channel and the inferior component comprises a first upwardly extending strut arranged to telescopingly engage the first upwardly extending hollow channel.

4. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant of claim 1, wherein the inferior and superior components are expandable in a second direction, different than the first direction.

5. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant of claim 4, wherein the inferior and superior components are expandable in a third direction, different than the first and second directions.

6. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant of claim 1, further comprising:

a first hollow channel;

a second hollow channel connected to the first hollow channel by a further hollow channel;

a first strut arranged to telescopingly engage the first hollow channel; and

,

a second strut arranged to telescopingly engage the second hollow channel;

wherein the first, second, and further hollow channels are arranged to receive the first material.

7. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant of claim 1, further comprising a cavity formed between the inferior and superior components to receive bone fusing material.

8. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant recited in claim 1, wherein said inferior component comprises a body, and said body comprises at least one aperture therein.

9. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant recited in claim 1, wherein said superior component comprises a body, and said body comprises at least one aperture therein.

10. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant recited in claim 1, wherein said inferior component comprises a body, and said body is arcuate in shape.

11. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant recited in claim 1, wherein said superior component comprises a body, and said body is arcuate in shape.

12. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a hollow channel including a shoulder, the hollow channel connected to the input port; and

,

a strut arranged to telescopingly engage the hollow channel, the strut including a flange arranged to slide within the hollow channel, and abut the shoulder when the superior component is in a maximally extended position relative to the inferior component.

13. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant recited in claim 1, wherein the superior and inferior components are hingedly connected.

14. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant recited in claim 1, further comprising a first intermediate telescoping member arranged to telescopingly engage the inferior and superior components.

15. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant recited in claim 14, further comprising a second intermediate telescoping member arranged to telescopingly engage the first intermediate telescoping member.

16. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant of claim 1, wherein the vent comprises a valve.

17. An expandable intervertebral fusion implant having a proximal end and a distal end, the expandable intervertebral fusion implant comprising:

an inferior component;

a superior component arranged to telescopingly engage the inferior component; and

,

an input port and a vent arranged within the inferior component or the superior component;

wherein when the superior component is expanded to a first position relative to the inferior component, a first material is introduced into and through the inferior component and/or the superior component to maintain the position of the superior and inferior components.

18. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant of claim 17, further comprising a hollow channel extending between the input port and the vent, the hollow channel within the inferior component.

19. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant of claim 17, further comprising a hollow channel extending between the input port and the vent, the hollow channel within the superior component.

20. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant of claim 17, wherein the vent comprises a valve.