EXPANDABLE SPINAL INTERBODY FUSION DEVICE AND INSERTER

摘要

An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable interbody fusion device and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The interbody fusion device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other in the intradiscal space. The device includes an elevator captively supported between the inferior endplate and the superior endplate for movement independently toward and away from each of the inferior endplate and the superior endplate. The inserter includes a lifting platform that defines lifting surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cooperatively engage complementary lifting surfaces on the elevator and move the inferior endplate away from the superior endplate. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert into the expanded device between the superior and inferior endplates.

主权项

1. An apparatus for use in spinal interbody fusion, comprising:
an expandable spinal interbody fusion 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 captively retained between said inferior endplate and said superior endplate for movement independently toward and away from each of said inferior endplate and said superior endplate; and an elongate inserter having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end being releasably attached to said device, said inserter including an actuator at said proximal end, said inserter comprising a lifting platform movably coupled to said actuator to cooperatively engage said elevator for expanding said device upon operation of said actuator and a driver supported by said inserter and coupled to said actuator for translational movement along said inserter for inserting an insert into said device, wherein said movement of said lifting platform for expanding said device, and said movement of said driver for inserting said insert into said device are effected in a single operational stroke of said actuator, said lifting platform being operably coupled to said actuator for axial translational movement along said inserter in opposite projecting and retracting directions, said lifting platform in said projecting direction contacting said elevator to lift said elevator toward said superior endplate and move said superior endplate away from said inferior endplate to thereby expand said device, said lifting platform in said retracting direction allowing said elevator to move toward said inferior endplate and away from said superior endplate to create a space between said superior endplate and said elevator for insertion of said insert therein.