EXPANDABLE INTERBODY IMPLANT

摘要

An intervertebral implant that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebrae and expanded in situ to occupy an optimal space between the vertebrae. The implant is inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae with its outer ends of the implant supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae. The implant has two body members with a space therebetween so the implant may be then distracted and a spacer of predetermined thickness that may be inserted within the space between the body members so as to maintain a desired amount of distraction. The upper and lower surfaces of the implant may have a desired lordotic angle. A method of using an implant is disclosed which permits endoscopic visualization of the disc space.

主权项

1. An expandable spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae bodies to be fused together by bone graft material placed in said disc space, said vertebrae bodies each having a cortical rim, said disc space being defined by an annulus attached to said adjacent vertebrae bodies, said implant comprising an elongate body having a height and a width such that said implant is capable of being inserted into the disc space through an incision in the annulus, and said implement having a length such that said implant is at least in part supported by at least two spaced locations on at least one of said cortical rims of said vertebrae bodies when the implant is installed in the disc space, said implant having a lower body member and an upper body member each of which is adapted to be cooperable with a distractor for distraction of said body members while said implant is within said disc space a desired amount such that the disc space is correspondingly distracted, said implant further comprising a spacer configured to be inserted into said disc space through said incision in said annulus and to be positioned between said upper and lower body members when the upper and lower body members are distracted within said disc space such that said implant with said spacer installed between said upper and lower body members maintains said adjacent vertebrae bodies in a distracted state.