Expandable Vertebral Implant

摘要

A joint spacer therapeutically maintains separation of bones of a joint. A carriage is slideably retained within the frame and has at least one ramped surface. An actuator screw is threadably engaged with the frame, and rotatably connected to the carriage, to cause the carriage to slideably move within the frame when the actuator screw is rotated. First and second endplates engage the bones of the joint, and each has at least one ramped surface that is mateable with the ramped surface of the carriage, whereby when the carriage is slideably moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates ramped surface slides against the carriage ramped surface to cause the endplates to move along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame, to increase the height of the spacer. Piercing elements are connected to the carriage to pierce bone of the joint when the carriage is moved.

主权项

1. A spacer for maintaining a separation of bones of a joint, comprising:
a frame having distal and proximal ends defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a carriage slideably coupled to the frame and having at least one ramped surface, said carriage further including a threaded portion; an actuator screw threadably engaged with said frame, said actuator screw configured to bear against said carriage to cause said carriage to slideably move within said frame when said actuator screw is rotated; a first endplate configured to engage a first bone of the joint, and having at least one surface mateable with said at least one carriage ramped surface, whereby when said carriage is slideably moveable by rotation of said actuator screw, said at least one endplate ramped surface slides against said at least one carriage ramped surface to cause said first endplate to move along an axis transverse to said longitudinal axis to increase a height of the spacer; and a second endplate configured to engage a second bone of the joint.