Expandable intervertebral spacers and methods of use
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An intervertebral spacer comprising:
- a first member including a first contact surface to contact an adjacent vertebral body and including a first cylinder formed therein;
a second member including a second contact surface and including a second cylinder that is insertable into the first cylinder, said first and second cylinders defining an expansion chamber;
a valve for introducing fluid or compressed gas into said expansion chamber to expand said intervertebral spacer;
a slot formed in said first member intersecting the first cylinder, said slot defining first and second clamping portions on opposing sides of said slot;
a force generating member to apply a clamping force to said first and second clamping portions that is transmitted through the first and second clamping portions to the first cylinder to cause the first cylinder to contract around the second cylinder; and
a compressible seal in said slot to contain said fluid or compressed gas in said expansion chamber.
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Abstract
An intervertebral spacer is inserted between vertebral members in a compact configuration and expanded post-insertion to contact the adjacent vertebral members. The intervertebral spacer comprises a first member and a second member movable with respect to the first member between retracted and extended positions.
253 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An intervertebral spacer comprising:
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a first member including a first contact surface to contact an adjacent vertebral body and including a first cylinder formed therein; a second member including a second contact surface and including a second cylinder that is insertable into the first cylinder, said first and second cylinders defining an expansion chamber; a valve for introducing fluid or compressed gas into said expansion chamber to expand said intervertebral spacer; a slot formed in said first member intersecting the first cylinder, said slot defining first and second clamping portions on opposing sides of said slot; a force generating member to apply a clamping force to said first and second clamping portions that is transmitted through the first and second clamping portions to the first cylinder to cause the first cylinder to contract around the second cylinder; and a compressible seal in said slot to contain said fluid or compressed gas in said expansion chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An intervertebral spacer comprising:
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first and second members to contact adjacent vertebral bodies; a fluid cylinder connected to said first and second members, said fluid cylinder including a outer cylinder connected to said first member and an inner cylinder connected to said second member; and a clamping mechanism on said first member to lock said fluid cylinder in a fixed position, said clamp mechanism configured to cause the outer cylinder to contract and clamp against said inner cylinder; the clamping mechanism including a slot formed in said first member intersecting the outer cylinder, said slot defining first and second clamping portions in opposing sides of said slot, said slot extending into a surface of the first member that faces away from a bottom wall of the first member, and a force generating member to apply a clamping force to said first and second clamping portions that is transmitted through the first and second clamping portions to the outer cylinder to cause the outer cylinder to contract around the inner cylinder; and a compressible seal in said slot to contain fluid in said fluid cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An intervertebral spacer comprising:
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first and second members to contact adjacent vertebral bodies; a fluid cylinder connected to said first and second members, said fluid cylinder including a outer cylinder connected to said first member and an inner cylinder connected to said second member; a slot that extends through the first member and the outer cylinder; a seal positioned in the slot to prevent fluid from leaking from the fluid cylinder; and a retaining mechanism preventing separation of said first and second members. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification