Expandable intervertebral spacers
First Claim
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1. A vertebral spacer device configured for introduction into an intradiscal space between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
- a spacer having a height defined by opposite vertebral bearing surfaces adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebrae, said spacer including a first arm movably coupled to a second arm to permit relative lateral movement therebetween; and
wherein said first and second arms are initially positioned in an insertion configuration defining a first lateral width sized for introduction through a portal in a disc annulus and into the intradiscal space; and
wherein said first and second arms are repositionable relative to one another to provide a laterally expanded configuration defining a second lateral width greater than said first lateral width, said first and second arms together defining a plurality of interdigitating elements that restrain lateral contraction of said first arm relative to said second arm to maintain said first and second arms in said laterally expanded configuration; and
wherein said first and second arms are pivotally connected to one another by a flexibly deformable hinge portion formed integral with said first and second arms to define a unitary, single-piece spacer body, and wherein said a flexibly deformable hinge portion is flexibly deformed to reposition said first and second arms relative to one another to said laterally expanded configuration.
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Abstract
Laterally expanding vertebral spacer devices are provided for repairing damaged vertebral discs. The vertebral spacer devices maintain the height of a distracted vertebral disc space while providing stability to the spine. In one form of the invention, a vertebral spacer device is provided with a first arm movably coupled to a second arm. The first and second arms are laterally expandable from a first width for insertion into the disc space to a second width after insertion into the disc space. The first and second arms also define a cavity therebetween for placement of bone growth material.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A vertebral spacer device configured for introduction into an intradiscal space between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
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a spacer having a height defined by opposite vertebral bearing surfaces adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebrae, said spacer including a first arm movably coupled to a second arm to permit relative lateral movement therebetween; and wherein said first and second arms are initially positioned in an insertion configuration defining a first lateral width sized for introduction through a portal in a disc annulus and into the intradiscal space; and wherein said first and second arms are repositionable relative to one another to provide a laterally expanded configuration defining a second lateral width greater than said first lateral width, said first and second arms together defining a plurality of interdigitating elements that restrain lateral contraction of said first arm relative to said second arm to maintain said first and second arms in said laterally expanded configuration; and wherein said first and second arms are pivotally connected to one another by a flexibly deformable hinge portion formed integral with said first and second arms to define a unitary, single-piece spacer body, and wherein said a flexibly deformable hinge portion is flexibly deformed to reposition said first and second arms relative to one another to said laterally expanded configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A vertebral spacer device configured for introduction into an intradiscal space between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
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a spacer having a height defined by opposite vertebral bearing surfaces adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebrae, said spacer including a first arm movably coupled to a second arm to permit relative lateral movement therebetween; and wherein said first and second arms are initially positioned in an insertion configuration defining a first lateral width sized for introduction through a portal in a disc annulus and into the intradiscal space; and wherein said first and second arms arc repositionable relative to one another to provide a laterally expanded configuration defining a second lateral width greater than said first lateral width, said first and second arms together defining a plurality of interdigitating elements that restrain lateral contraction of said first arm relative to said second arm to maintain said first and second arms in said laterally expanded configuration, and wherein said interdigitating elements comprise a plurality of interdigiting ratchets defined by said first and second arms; and
wherein said first and second arms are pivotally connected to one another by a flexibly deformable hinge portion formed integral with said first and second arms to define a unitary, single-piece spacer body.
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20. A vertebral spacer device configured for introduction into an intradiscal space between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
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a spacer having a height defined by opposite vertebral bearing surfaces adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebrae, said spacer including a first arm movably coupled to a second arm to permit relative lateral movement therebetween; and wherein said first and second arms are initially positioned in an insertion configuration defining a first lateral width sized for introduction through a portal in a disc annulus and into the intradiscal space; wherein said first and second arms are repositionable relative to one another to provide a laterally expanded configuration defining a second lateral width greater than said first lateral width, said first and second arms together defining a plurality of interdigitating elements that restrain lateral contraction of said first arm relative to said second arm to maintain said first and second arms in said laterally expanded configuration; and wherein said first and second arms define a first pair of end portions positioned proximately adjacent one another and together defining at least a portion of said interdigitating elements, wherein said first and second arms define a second pair of end portions that are pivotally connected to one another by a flexibly deformable hinge portion formed integral with said first and second arms to define a unitary, single-piece spacer body.
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21. A vertebral spacer device configured for introduction into an intradiscal space between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
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a spacer having a height defined by opposite vertebral bearing surfaces adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebrae, said spacer including a first arm movably coupled to a second arm to permit relative lateral movement therebetween; and wherein said first and second arms are initially positioned in an insertion configuration defining a first lateral width sized for introduction through a portal in a disc annulus and into the intradiscal space; wherein said first and second arms are repositionable relative to one another to provide a laterally expanded configuration defining a second lateral width greater than said first lateral width, said first and second arms together defining a plurality of interdigitating elements that restrain lateral contraction of said first arm relative to said second arm to maintain said first and second arms in said laterally expanded configuration; wherein said first arm includes a first laterally extending portion, said second arm including a second laterally extending portion positioned proximately adjacent said first laterally extending portion of said first arm, said first and second laterally extending portions together defining at least a portion of said interdigitating element; and wherein said first and second arms are pivotally connected to one another by a flexibly deformable hinge portion at an end of said spacer opposite said first and second laterally extending portions, and wherein said flexibly deformable hinge portion is formed integral with said first and second arms to define a unitary, single-piece spacer body. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification