Adjustable height fusion device
First Claim
1. A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:
- a first side opposite a second side;
a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use;
a plurality of slots in each engaging plate, wherein each slot has at least one slanted section;
a first pin and a second pin, wherein a portion of the first pin and a portion of the second pin are adapted to be positioned between the engaging plates on the slanted sections of the plurality of slot, the pins being substantially elongated and positioned to extend in a direction from the first side to the second side during use; and
a connector for engaging the pins, wherein rotation of the connector causes movement of the first pin and the second pin along slanted sections of the slots to alter a separation distance between the engaging plates during use.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for promoting a spinal fusion between neighboring vertebrae. The apparatus may be located in an intervertebral disc space and the apparatus preferably includes a pair of engaging plates for contacting the vertebrae. An alignment device of the apparatus may be used to alter the vertical distance between the engaging plates to customize the apparatus to fit a given patient. In an embodiment, the alignment device includes a rotatable connector and cam pins for adjusting the distance between the engaging plates. The alignment device is preferably adapted to vary the distance between the engaging plates such that the height of the apparatus proximate the anterior end is greater than the height of the apparatus proximate the posterior end whereby the natural lordosis of the spine is maintained after the apparatus is installed. The apparatus may further include a load-sharing member to allow stress to be imparted to bone in the vicinity of the apparatus to promote bone growth in accordance with Wolff'"'"'s law.
930 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:
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a first side opposite a second side; a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use; a plurality of slots in each engaging plate, wherein each slot has at least one slanted section; a first pin and a second pin, wherein a portion of the first pin and a portion of the second pin are adapted to be positioned between the engaging plates on the slanted sections of the plurality of slot, the pins being substantially elongated and positioned to extend in a direction from the first side to the second side during use; and a connector for engaging the pins, wherein rotation of the connector causes movement of the first pin and the second pin along slanted sections of the slots to alter a separation distance between the engaging plates during use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising:
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a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disk space between the vertebrae during use; a plurality of ribs connected to each engaging plate, wherein the ribs provide a space and a separation distance between faces of the engaging plates; a plurality of slots in the ribs, each slot having at least one slanted section, a first pin positionable on slanted sections of the plurality of slots, the first pin configured to couple the pair of engaging plates together; a second pin positionable on slanted sections of the plurality of slots, the second pin configured to couple the pair of engaging plates together; and a connector coupled to the first pin and the second pin; wherein rotation of the connector causes movement of the pins along the slanted sections of the slots to alter the separation distance between the engaging plates during use. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification