Adjustable distraction cage with linked locking mechanisms
First Claim
1. A method for stabilizing a spine in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
- implanting an expandable fusion implant into an intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body of the spine;
expanding the implant to an expanded configuration by;
moving a first portion of the implant in a lateral dimension such that the width of the implant is increased, and,independently of the step of moving the first portion of the implant in the lateral dimension, actuating at least one extendable support element of the implant to drive a first vertebral engagement surface away from an opposing second vertebral engagement surface in a superior/inferior dimension such that the height of the implant is increased, wherein the at least one expandable support element is a permanently integral component of the implant that remains implanted in the intervertebral space with the implant; and
locking the implant in the expanded configuration so as to fix the positions and orientations of the first and second vertebral engagement surfaces relative to one another.
4 Assignments
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Accused Products
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. 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 having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for stabilizing a spine in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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implanting an expandable fusion implant into an intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body of the spine; expanding the implant to an expanded configuration by; moving a first portion of the implant in a lateral dimension such that the width of the implant is increased, and, independently of the step of moving the first portion of the implant in the lateral dimension, actuating at least one extendable support element of the implant to drive a first vertebral engagement surface away from an opposing second vertebral engagement surface in a superior/inferior dimension such that the height of the implant is increased, wherein the at least one expandable support element is a permanently integral component of the implant that remains implanted in the intervertebral space with the implant; and locking the implant in the expanded configuration so as to fix the positions and orientations of the first and second vertebral engagement surfaces relative to one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device for stabilizing a spine of a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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an expandable fusion implant adapted to be implanted into an intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body of the spine, the implant including a first vertebral engagement surface adapted to engage the first vertebral body and an opposing second vertebral engagement surface adapted to engage the second vertebral body, and the implant being expandable to an expanded configuration by increasing the width of the implant and increasing the height of the implant; wherein a first portion of the implant is movable in a lateral dimension such that the width of the implant is increased; wherein the implant includes at least one extendable support element actuatable to drive the first vertebral engagement surface away from the second vertebral engagement surface in a superior/inferior dimension such that the height of the implant is increased, the at least one extendable support element being actuatable to drive the first vertebral engagement surface away from the second vertebral engagement surface independently of movement of the first portion in the lateral dimension, and the at least one extendable support element being a permanently integral component of the implant that remains implanted in the intervertebral space with the implant; and wherein the implant is lockable in the expanded configuration so as to fix the positions and orientations of the first and second vertebral engagement surfaces relative to one another. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification