Expandable interbody implant with lateral articulation
First Claim
1. A spinal implant for placement in an intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body of a spine, the spinal implant comprising:
- a body having a first surface for contacting the first vertebral body;
a first extendable support element connected to the body at a first location, the first extendable support element being configured to expand so as to apply a first expansion force directed away from the first surface;
a second extendable support element connected to the body at a second location, the second extendable support element being configured to expand so as to apply a second expansion force directed away from the first surface; and
an input for expanding the first and second extendable support elements,wherein the spinal implant is configured such that application of a single input force to the spinal implant via the input induces the first extendable support element to expand and apply the first expansion force and induces the second extendable support element to expand and apply the second expansion force, wherein the first and second extendable support elements apply the first and second expansion forces simultaneously, the first expansion force being greater than the second expansion force.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intervertebral implant may include an input for expanding at least two extendable support elements connected to a body at respective locations, such that the extendable support elements each apply a respective expansion force directed away from a surface of the body. Application of a single input force to the input may induce the extendable support elements to apply different amounts of expansion force. Alternatively or additionally, an intervertebral implant may include at least two portions connected together by a hinge for articulation about the hinge. In one aspect, the hinge may include at least two rigid links each pivotably connected to the two portions. In another aspect, a rigid link of the hinge may include a passageway for communicating a hydraulic fluid between the two portions. A locking system may be positionable into successive locked configurations by operation of a cam to prevent contraction of an extendable support element.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A spinal implant for placement in an intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body of a spine, the spinal implant comprising:
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a body having a first surface for contacting the first vertebral body; a first extendable support element connected to the body at a first location, the first extendable support element being configured to expand so as to apply a first expansion force directed away from the first surface; a second extendable support element connected to the body at a second location, the second extendable support element being configured to expand so as to apply a second expansion force directed away from the first surface; and an input for expanding the first and second extendable support elements, wherein the spinal implant is configured such that application of a single input force to the spinal implant via the input induces the first extendable support element to expand and apply the first expansion force and induces the second extendable support element to expand and apply the second expansion force, wherein the first and second extendable support elements apply the first and second expansion forces simultaneously, the first expansion force being greater than the second expansion force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A spinal implant for placement in an intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body of a spine, the spinal implant having a first surface for contacting the first vertebral body and a second surface for contacting the second vertebral body, the spinal implant comprising:
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a first portion; a second portion; and a first hinge connecting together the first portion and the second portion such that the first and second portions are articulatable about the first hinge, wherein the first hinge includes a first rigid link pivotably connected to the first and second portions of the spinal implant, the first rigid link having a passageway therein for communicating a hydraulic fluid between the first and second portions of the spinal implant. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A spinal implant for placement in an intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body of a spine, the spinal implant comprising:
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a body having a first surface for contacting the first vertebral body; at least one extendable support element connected to the body and configured to expand from a contracted configuration to at least one extended configuration to translate a second surface away from the first surface, the second surface being arranged to contact the second vertebral body; and a locking system advanceable among a plurality of successive locked configurations each corresponding to a successive level of expansion of the extendable support element, the locking system preventing movement of the extendable support element towards the contracted configuration when the locking system is positioned in one of the locked configurations, wherein the locking system includes a cam and a follower, the cam having a profile defined on an exterior surface of the at least one extendable support element, wherein the follower is in contact with the at least one extendable support element, the follower being in contact with the cam defined on the exterior surface, and wherein the locking system is positionable into each of the successive locked configurations by movement of the follower along the profile of the cam. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification