INSERTER FOR EXPANDING BODY TISSUE

摘要

An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable device for expanding body tissue and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The expandable device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other between opposing tissue surfaces of a body. The inserter includes a lifting platform comprising ramp surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cooperatively engage complementary surfaces of expansion structure within the device to cause the superior and inferior endplates to move relatively away from each other. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert between the superior and inferior endplates after expansion of the device.

主权项

1. An inserter for expanding an expandable device in body tissue, said device being of the type comprising expansion structure for expanding said device and having a graft chamber extending therethrough for the receipt of bone fusion material, said inserter being elongate and comprising:
a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end being releasably attachable to said device, said inserter including an actuator at said proximal end and an expansion component at said distal end operably coupled to said actuator to cooperatively engage expansion structure in said device for expanding said device, said inserter including a graft shield projecting from the distal end of said inserter and being of size and configuration to extend into said device, said graft shield being flexible and movable during expansion of said device to provide a barrier to block communication between at least a portion of said graft chamber and said expansion structure during expansion of said device.