Methods and apparatus for vertebral body distraction and fusion employing flexure members

摘要

Improved methods and apparatuses for vertebral body distraction and fusion in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention employ flexure members. Flexure members connect a plurality of structural members to end plates on one end and blocks on another end. Upon insertion into the disc space, a drive screw or similar mechanism can be actuated to drive expansion blocks closer together, which causes flexure members to deflect, resulting in expansion of the structural members and distraction of the end plates. The distracted device can then remain in the body and be used for vertebral body fusion.

主权项

1. A distractible intervertebral body fusion device for implantation into an intervertebral disc space in a patient's body, comprising:
a first end plate having an outer bearing surface configured to interface with an end plate of a first vertebra of the intervertebral disc space and an inner surface opposite the outer bearing surface; a second end plate having an outer bearing surface configured to interface with an end plate of a second vertebra of the intervertebral disc space and an inner surface opposite the outer surface; at least two struts extending between the inner surfaces of the first and second end plates, each strut comprising first and second structural members and a block, where each structural member is connected at one end to one of the end plates with a flexure member and at an opposed end to the respective block with a flexure member; wherein each end plate provides at least a pair of backstops, the pair of backstops being continuous and symmetrical with each other, each backstop providing a rolling contact for a different flexure connecting one of the structural members to the respective backstop that guides a curvature of the flexure to conform to a shape of the backstop as the first end plate and the second end plate are moved from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration relative to each other.