Lateral expandable interbody fusion cage
First Claim
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1. A laterally expandable interbody fusion cage comprising:
- a. an outer cage having a first inner space defined by the walls of the outer cage;
b. at least one inner cage, said at least one inner cage initially being substantially completely inside the first inner space of said outer cage and adapted and constructed to be expanded laterally outwardly from said first inner space in said outer cage;
c. each of said at least one inner cage having a second inner space defined by walls of each inner cage said inner space being configured to receive graft material;
d. wherein said at least one inner cage and said outer cage have substantially the same configuration; and
e. wherein the second inner space in said at least one inner cage is filled with bone graft material prior to expansion, and the first inner space in said outer cage is filled with bone graft material following expansion.
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Abstract
A lateral expandable interbody fusion cage expands laterally between two vertebrae to promote fusion between the two vertebrae. The cage includes an outer cage and at least one inner cage, with optional flanges and spikes.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A laterally expandable interbody fusion cage comprising:
- a. an outer cage having a first inner space defined by the walls of the outer cage;
b. at least one inner cage, said at least one inner cage initially being substantially completely inside the first inner space of said outer cage and adapted and constructed to be expanded laterally outwardly from said first inner space in said outer cage;
c. each of said at least one inner cage having a second inner space defined by walls of each inner cage said inner space being configured to receive graft material;
d. wherein said at least one inner cage and said outer cage have substantially the same configuration; and
e. wherein the second inner space in said at least one inner cage is filled with bone graft material prior to expansion, and the first inner space in said outer cage is filled with bone graft material following expansion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- a. an outer cage having a first inner space defined by the walls of the outer cage;
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9. A laterally expandable interbody fusion cage comprising:
- a. an outer cage having a first inner space defined by walls of the outer cage and two inner cages which are initially substantially inside the first inner space of the outer cage;
b. said inner cages are each adapted and constructed to be expanded laterally outward from the first inner space of said outer cage and each of said inner cages having a second inner space defined by walls of each inner cage;
c. said inner cage and said outer cage having substantially the same configuration;
d. and two interior flanges provided with screw holes to allow screw insertion into vertebral bodies above and below the cage; and
d. wherein the second inner space in each inner cage is filled with bone graft material prior to expansion, and the first inner space in said outer cage is filled with bone graft material following expansion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
- a. an outer cage having a first inner space defined by walls of the outer cage and two inner cages which are initially substantially inside the first inner space of the outer cage;
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12. A method for effecting fusion of two adjacent vertebrae comprising:
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a. exposing an intervertebral disc between the two vertebrae and creating a window in an interior of the disc; b. removing nucleus pulposus from the disc; c. filling a second inner space in an inner cage defined by walls of the inner cage with fusion material; d. inserting a laterally expandable outer cage having a first inner space defined by the walls of the outer cage into the intervertebral space; e. moving the inner cage toward the midline of the first inner space of the laterally expandable outer cage; and f. inserting graft material into the first inner space of the outer cage; g. wherein said inner cage and said outer cage have substantially the same configuration. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A laterally expandable interbody fusion cage consisting of:
- a. an outer cage having a first inner space defined by walls of said outer cage;
b. a first inner cage;
c. a second inner cage;
d. a third inner cage;
e. wherein said first and second inner cages are initially nested substantially completely inside the first inner space of the outer cage and are each adapted and constructed to be expanded laterally from said outer cage;
f. wherein each of said first, second and third inner cages each have a second inner space defined by walls of each respective inner cage;
g. said third inner cage is adapted and constructed to expand laterally from the first inner space of said first inner cage; and
h. wherein the second inner space in at least one of said first, second, and third inner cages is filled with bone graft material prior to expansion, and the first inner space in said outer cage is filled with bone graft material following expansion. - View Dependent Claims (17)
- a. an outer cage having a first inner space defined by walls of said outer cage;
Specification