Expandable spacer and method of use thereof
First Claim
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1. An expandable implant for insertion into a space between adjacent bony structures, comprising:
- a first threaded shaft and a second threaded shaft;
a base plate coupled to the first and second threaded shafts;
a first and second gear operably coupled to the first and the second threaded shafts via threads disposed on an interior surface of the first gear and the second gear that are matably engaged with the first and second threaded shafts, respectively whereby rotation of at least one of the first and second gears initiates displacement of at least one of the first and second threaded shafts within said base plate, whereby at least one of the first and second threaded shafts is extendable in a direction away from the base plate;
wherein the first and second threaded shafts are positioned with axes extending oblique to the base plate and to each other.
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Abstract
An expandable implant is disclosed having an adjustable height for insertion between two adjacent bony structures or joint surfaces, for example between two adjacent spinal vertebrae. The implant includes at least one gear associated with at least one threaded shaft. Rotation of the gear engages the threaded shaft to expand the implant. The implant can be inserted in a collapsed configuration and expanded in situ. The invention also provides methods for using the implant to facilitate arthrodesis or fusion of adjacent joint surfaces or spinal vertebrae.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An expandable implant for insertion into a space between adjacent bony structures, comprising:
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a first threaded shaft and a second threaded shaft; a base plate coupled to the first and second threaded shafts; a first and second gear operably coupled to the first and the second threaded shafts via threads disposed on an interior surface of the first gear and the second gear that are matably engaged with the first and second threaded shafts, respectively whereby rotation of at least one of the first and second gears initiates displacement of at least one of the first and second threaded shafts within said base plate, whereby at least one of the first and second threaded shafts is extendable in a direction away from the base plate; wherein the first and second threaded shafts are positioned with axes extending oblique to the base plate and to each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification