Minimally invasive expandable interbody fusion cage

摘要

An interbody fusion cage comprised of two support elements that separate after insertion into the interbody space to form a pocket into which graft material may be inserted. The expansion of the support elements deploys a band between the two support elements to further insulate the pocket into which the graft material is inserted, thereby holding it securely in place. The band may be formed of a flexible material so that it can fold to fit into a space between the support elements prior to separation of same.

主权项

1. An interbody fusion cage for insertion between adjacent vertebra, comprising:
a body portion comprising a pair of support elements each having a body and a cap fixedly affixed to an end of said body and combining therewith to form a contiguous upper surface and a contiguous lower surface joined by a contiguous inner surface and a contiguous outer surface, said inner surfaces each having two spaced protrusions from said body, said pair of support elements movable from a first position in which the two protrusions from the inner surface of the first support element are engaged to the two protrusions from the inner surface of the second support element so as to define a pocket between said first support element and said second support element wherein said inner surface of said first support element does not contact said inner surface of said second support element, and a second position in which said protrusions are disengaged; a band engaged at a first end to said first support element and engaged at a second end to said second support element, the portion of said band between said first end and said second end being folded within said pocket and sandwiched between said pair of support elements when said pair of support elements is in said first position; wherein said band is unfolded from said pocket and extends between said support elements upon movement of said support elements to said second position to define an area bordered by said support elements and said band in which to contain graft material.