Tissue Distraction Device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for spinal fusion, comprising:
- an expandable implant for implantation into the intradiscal space between opposing vertebrae of a spine, said implant being configured for expansion in a first direction and comprising an upper element and a lower element movable relative to each other in said first direction;
an elongate inserter one end of which is releasably coupled to said expandable implant;
an intermediate element configured for insertion by said inserter between said upper element and said lower element; and
a constraint including cooperative engagement structure between said intermediate element and one of said upper element and said lower element to allow said upper element and said lower element to move apart in substantially only said first direction.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting two tissue surfaces. An expandable implant includes a plurality of elements are consecutively inserted between the two tissue surfaces to create a column of elements. The column of elements is oriented between the tissue surfaces so as to expand in the given direction as the elements are consecutively added to the column. The expandable implant includes a constraint including a cooperative engagement structure between adjacent elements.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for spinal fusion, comprising:
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an expandable implant for implantation into the intradiscal space between opposing vertebrae of a spine, said implant being configured for expansion in a first direction and comprising an upper element and a lower element movable relative to each other in said first direction;
an elongate inserter one end of which is releasably coupled to said expandable implant;
an intermediate element configured for insertion by said inserter between said upper element and said lower element; and
a constraint including cooperative engagement structure between said intermediate element and one of said upper element and said lower element to allow said upper element and said lower element to move apart in substantially only said first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for spinal fusion, comprising:
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an expandable implant for implantation into the intradiscal space between opposing vertebrae of a spine, said implant being configured for expansion in a first direction and comprising an upper element and a lower element movable relative to each other in said first direction;
an elongate inserter one end of which is releasably coupled to said expandable implant; and
an intermediate element supported by said inserter and configured for insertion by said inserter between said upper element and said lower element in a second direction generally transverse to said first direction, said intermediate element comprising a constraint cooperating with at least one of said upper element and said lower element to substantially prevent movement of said intermediate element relative thereto in said second direction after insertion of said intermediate element into said expandable implant. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for spinal fusion, comprising:
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an expandable implant for implantation into the intradiscal space between opposing vertebrae of a spine, said implant being configured for expansion in a first direction and comprising an upper element and a lower element movable relative to each other in said first direction;
an inserter having an elongate track one end of which is releasably coupled to said expandable implant; and
an intermediate element slidable on said track and configured for insertion by said inserter between said upper element and said lower element;
said upper element, said lower element, and said intermediate element each having at least one hole, all of such holes being in fluid communication. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification