초록 ▼

An interbody device for use between a pair of adjacent vertebrae includes a body and at least one expansion member. The body has upper and lower walls that are joined by a rear wall that functions as a spring hinge. The walls have anterior or distal ends that are supported in a non-expanded configur

An interbody device for use between a pair of adjacent vertebrae includes a body and at least one expansion member. The body has upper and lower walls that are joined by a rear wall that functions as a spring hinge. The walls have anterior or distal ends that are supported in a non-expanded configuration by spaced feet that project out from the walls. The expansion member is elongate and has a threaded portion that is threadably received in the rear wall. Each expansion member also includes a head having an anterior wedge portion that engages the anterior ends of the walls and forces the walls apart as the expansion member is screwed into the body. A surface engages the expansion member after expansion and supports the walls during usage. Preferably, the expansion member is only one of a plurality of expansion members found in a kit which vary with respect to the diameter of the head thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A posterior interbody device that is anteriorly variably expandable; said device comprising:a) a U-shaped body having an upper wall and a bottom wall hingeably joined by rear wall; said rear wall having a threaded bore, said upper and lower walls having a non-expanded configuration; b) said upper

1. A posterior interbody device that is anteriorly variably expandable; said device comprising:a) a U-shaped body having an upper wall and a bottom wall hingeably joined by rear wall; said rear wall having a threaded bore, said upper and lower walls having a non-expanded configuration; b) said upper and lower walls each having an anterior mating region that face each other; c) an elongate expansion member; said expansion member being threaded and being operably threadedly received in said rear wall bore; d) said expansion member having a wedge that is sized, shaped and positioned to engage said upper and lower anterior mating regions as said expansion member is threadedly advanced into said bore such that anterior ends of upper and lower walls are urged into an expanded configuration wherein said upper and lower walls become spaced greater than said non-expanded configuration.