Expandable implant, instrument, and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An expandable medical implant for supporting skeletal structures comprising:
- a first tubular member with a connection end and an opposite skeletal interface end;
a second tubular member with a connection end configured to engage with the connection end of the first tubular member, the second tubular member having an opposite skeletal interface end; and
a key pin fixed to the first tubular member and positioned in a slot in the second tubular member so that the key pin guides translation between the first tubular member and the second tubular member.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include expandable, implantable devices and methods. Devices expand linearly to provide secure fixation between or among anatomical structures. In some embodiments, an implant replaces one or more vertebral bodies of the spine.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. An expandable medical implant for supporting skeletal structures comprising:
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a first tubular member with a connection end and an opposite skeletal interface end;
a second tubular member with a connection end configured to engage with the connection end of the first tubular member, the second tubular member having an opposite skeletal interface end; and
a key pin fixed to the first tubular member and positioned in a slot in the second tubular member so that the key pin guides translation between the first tubular member and the second tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An expandable medical implant for supporting skeletal structures comprising:
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a first tubular member with a connection end and an opposite skeletal interface end;
a second tubular member with a connection end configured to engage with the connection end of the first tubular member, the second tubular member having an opposite skeletal interface end;
wherein the second tubular member intermittently locks relative to the first tubular member as the implant is expanded; and
an insertion instrument for translating the first tubular member relative to the second tubular member comprising;
a first tip for attaching to the skeletal interface end of the first tubular member, a second tip for attaching to the skeletal interface end of the second tubular member, and a spreader mechanism for translating the first tip away from the second tip;
wherein moving the first tip toward the second tip results in the first tubular member being released relative to the second tubular member to permit the expandable medical implant to be reduced in length. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An end member for a medical implant having a length, the end member configured to interface with a skeletal structure at the end of its length, comprising:
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an end cap with a thickness that provides connection to the medical implant and connection to the skeletal structure; and
a shoe for attachment to the end cap, the shoe spanning at least a portion of an opening through the end cap, and providing at least in part an interface with the skeletal structure. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of placing a medical implant between skeletal structures with an insertion instrument comprising the acts of:
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accessing a surgical site;
expanding the medical implant to fit in a space between skeletal structures by moving at least a portion of the insertion instrument in a first direction, wherein the medical implant progressively locks as expanded; and
if the locked implant needs to be released from the locked position, releasing the locked implant by moving of the portion of the insertion instrument in a generally opposite direction. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. An expandable device for supporting skeletal structures comprising:
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an implant means for expanding into a space between skeletal structures in a progressively locked state;
an instrument means for expanding the implant into the space by movement of at least a portion of the instrument in a first direction, wherein movement of the at least a portion of the instrument in a generally opposite direction releases the locked state of the implant.
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Specification