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Methods and apparatus for vertebral body distraction and fusion employing flexure members

  • US 8,906,100 B2
  • Filed: 05/10/2013
  • Issued: 12/09/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A distractible intervertebral body fusion device for implantation into an intervertebral disc space in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

  • a first end plate having an outer bearing surface configured to interface with an end plate of a first vertebra of the intervertebral disc space and an inner surface opposite the outer bearing surface;

    a second end plate having an outer bearing surface configured to interface with an end plate of a second vertebra of the intervertebral disc space and an inner surface opposite the outer surface;

    at least two struts extending between the inner surfaces of the first and second end plates, each strut comprising first and second structural members and a block, where each structural member is connected at one end to one of the end plates with a flexure member and at an opposed end to the respective block with a flexure member;

    wherein each end plate provides at least a pair of backstops, the pair of backstops being continuous and symmetrical with each other, each backstop providing a rolling contact for a different flexure connecting one of the structural members to the respective backstop that guides a curvature of the flexure to conform to a shape of the backstop as the first end plate and the second end plate are moved from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration relative to each other.

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