Expandable medical implant

摘要

An implant with an adjustable height for spacing apart skeletal structures. The implant includes a base with a hollow interior. Collars include threaded inner surfaces and are positioned within the hollow interior of the base and are rotatable relative to the base. Threaded posts extend outward from the base and are threaded into the collars. Rotation of the collars adjusts an amount that the threaded posts extend outward from the base. An overall height of the implant can be adjusted to accommodate the size of the space and for the posts to contact against and space apart the skeletal structures.

主权项

1. A method of spacing apart skeletal structures comprising:
positioning an implant while at a first reduced height within a space between skeletal structures, the implant including first and second elongated posts that are positioned in an overlapping arrangement within a base; simultaneously rotating first and second collars that are contained within the base with the first collar rotating in a first direction and the second collar rotating in a second direction; and simultaneously moving the first post that is threaded to the first collar outward away from the base and moving the second post that is threaded to the second collar outward away from the base thereby increasing a height of the implant to a second expanded height, wherein the base includes opposing first and second open ends the first collar being positioned inward from the first end and the second collar being positioned inward from the second end; wherein the base includes an opening that extends through a sidewall of the base; and the only access into an interior space of the base is through one of first and second ends and the opening.