Method of expanding a spinal interbody fusion device

摘要

A method of expanding an expandable spinal interbody fusion device, in situ, includes the steps of providing an expandable spinal interbody fusion device having an elevator disposed between relatively movable inferior and superior endplates, the elevator being captively supported for movement along a direction of expansion independently of movement of the inferior and superior endplates, releasably attaching a distal end of an inserter to the device, the inserter including an actuator at a proximal end thereof, and operating the actuator to cause the elevator to move toward the superior endplate and move the superior endplate away from said inferior endplate to expand said device.

主权项

1. A method of providing interbody fusion between two opposing vertebral bodies of the spine, comprising the steps of:
positioning an expandable spinal interbody fusion device by an inserter into a patient adjacent the spine during surgery, said inserter having a distal end releasably attached to said device and a proximal end including an actuator, said device including an inferior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact a vertebral body of the spine, a superior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact an opposing vertebral body of said spine, said inferior endplate and said superior endplate being movable relative to each other in a direction of expansion, and an elevator disposed between said inferior endplate and said superior endplate, said elevator being separate from said inserter and captively retained in said device prior to expansion for movement only along the direction of expansion independently of said movement of said inferior endplate and said superior endplate; moving said inserter to introduce said device in an unexpanded condition into an intradiscal space between said vertebral body and said opposing vertebral body; and operating said actuator to cause said elevator to move toward said superior endplate and move said superior endplate away from said inferior endplate to expand said device.