Spinal implant with expandable fixation

摘要

A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one fixation element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to engage a surface of an adjacent vertebral body and secure the implant between two vertebral bodies. Preferably, the implant is expandable and has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it must pass to be deployed within the intervertebral space. Once within the space between vertebral bodies, the implant can be expanded so as to engage the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can be corrected, and natural curvatures restored and maintained.

主权项

1. A spinal implant for placement in a space between opposed vertebral bodies, the implant being a single body comprising:
a. a first surface for engaging a first vertebral body; b. a second surface for engaging a second vertebral body; and c. at least two extendable fixation elements, each having a distal tip, a contracted configuration within the implant to facilitate deployment of the implant between the first and second vertebral bodies and an extended configuration to extend the distal tip beyond the second surface to engage the second vertebral body and to fix the implant within the space between the first and second vertebral bodies, said at least two extendable fixation elements being independently extendable and laterally spaced apart to define a central cavity between the laterally spaced fixation elements and the opposed vertebral body engaging surfaces, said cavity configured to receive bone graft material for infusion from said cavity into said space between the vertebral bodies, wherein the second surface includes an opening for the at least two extendable fixation elements to extend therethrough at a plurality of angles relative to the second surface.