Lockable spinal implant

摘要

A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.

主权项

1. A method of treating a patient's vertebral structure, comprising:
a. providing a spinal implant having
i. a first member having a first pressure applying surface for engaging an end of a first adjacent vertebral body,ii. a second member having a second pressure applying surface for engaging an end of a second adjacent vertebral body,iii. at least one extendable support element having a contracted configuration within the implant to facilitate deployment of the implant between the first and second adjacent vertebral bodies and an extended configuration to extend the first member to engage the end the first adjacent vertebral body, wherein the at least one extendable support element comprises a piston within a cylinder; andiv. a locking system with a locking element for locking the implant in an extended configuration by engaging the extendable support element or the first member with the locking element; b. inserting the spinal implant into a space between two adjacent vertebral bodies in the contracted configuration; c. extending the first and second members by delivering a fluid under pressure to expand the piston outwardly within the cylinder so as to expand the implant until the first pressure applying surface engages an end of the first adjacent vertebral body and urges the vertebral body into a desired position; and d. locking the implant in the extended configuration by moving the locking element into engagement with the extendable support element or the first member so as to fix the implant between the first and second adjacent vertebral bodies in an expanded configuration.