×

Expandable orthopedic device

  • US 9,414,933 B2
  • Filed: 04/07/2011
  • Issued: 08/16/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A vertebral expandable implant, comprising:

  • at least one bearing surface which expands away from a central longitudinal axis of the implant;

    a first implant end and an opposed second implant end, wherein at least one of the first implant end and the opposed second implant end includes an opening or retaining recess, and wherein the first implant end and the opposed second implant end are intended to move toward one another during expansion of the implant;

    a retaining member comprising an elongate structure having a first retaining member end and a second retaining member end, wherein at least one of the first retaining member end and the second retaining member end is configured to engage with a respective opening or retaining recess of the first implant end and the opposed second implant end, and wherein at least one retaining member end comprises a plurality of ridges of varying widths and corresponding plurality of grooves therebetween; and

    at least one retaining member engagement element provided within the opening or retaining recess of the at least one of the first implant end and the opposed second implant end, wherein the at least one retaining member engagement element is configured to engage a single groove of the plurality of grooves at a time;

    whereinthe opening or retaining recess of the at least one of the first implant end and the opposed second implant end comprises;

    a first opening or retaining recess end having sufficient depth to allow passage of the engagement element when the engagement element is positioned on a ridge of the plurality of ridges, anda second opening or retaining recess end lacking sufficient depth to allow passage of the engagement element when the engagement element is positioned on a ridge of the plurality of ridges; and

    the retaining member is configured for retaining the expandable implant in an expanded configuration by substantially preventing contraction of the expandable implant when expanded.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×