Expandable intervertebral implant

摘要

An implant for therapeutically separating bones of a joint has two endplates each having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side. A frame is slideably connected to the endplates to enable the endplates to move relative to each other at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the implant, in sliding connection with the frame. An actuator screw is rotatably connected to the frame. A carriage forms an open area aligned with the openings in the endplates. The openings in the endplates pass through the carriage to form an unimpeded passage from bone to bone of the joint. The carriage has ramps which mate with the ramped surfaces of the endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates move closer or farther apart.

主权项

1. An implant comprising:
a frame; an actuator; an upper endplate positioned above the frame, wherein the upper endplate includes at least one upper socket for receiving a bone screw therethrough; and a lower endplate positioned below the frame, wherein the lower endplate includes at least one lower socket for receiving a bone screw therethrough, wherein a blocking element is associated with each socket for preventing the respective bone screws from backing out, wherein rotation of the actuator causes the implant to move from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, wherein in the unexpanded configuration the upper endplate including the at least one upper socket is positioned a first distance away from the lower endplate including the at least one lower socket, wherein in the expanded configuration the upper endplate including the at least one upper socket is positioned a second distance away from the lower endplate including the at least one lower socket, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.