Support system for intervertebral fusion
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of support members;
a plurality of cross members, each cross member in the plurality of cross members connecting adjacent support members; and
a plurality of hinges, each hinge in the plurality of hinges coupling its respective support member to its respective cross member, wherein the plurality of support members are substantially parallel to an axis extending through adjacent vertebrae, thereby defining a second state of the apparatus.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A support system includes a plurality of support members and a plurality of cross members. The support system is adapted to fit within an access device for insertion into a space between adjacent vertebrae. A plurality of hinges connects each cross member to at least one support member. The support system is movable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the support system is substantially linear. In the second state, the support system is configurable into one of several geometric shapes. A number of strings may be attached to the support members for transitioning the support system from the first state to the second state.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of support members;
a plurality of cross members, each cross member in the plurality of cross members connecting adjacent support members; and
a plurality of hinges, each hinge in the plurality of hinges coupling its respective support member to its respective cross member, wherein the plurality of support members are substantially parallel to an axis extending through adjacent vertebrae, thereby defining a second state of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of maintaining an invertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of:
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providing a surgical apparatus having a plurality of support members with a plurality of hinges that couple the plurality of support members to a plurality of cross members, wherein the plurality of support members are substantially parallel to an axis extending through adjacent vertebrae, thereby defining a second state of the apparatus;
inserting an access device through an incision of a patient, wherein the access device includes the surgical apparatus such that the support members and the cross members are substantially coplanar and define a first state of the surgical apparatus;
positioning the access device within the invertebral space;
deploying the surgical apparatus; and
transitioning the surgical apparatus from the first state to the second state. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification