FOLDABLE ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANT

摘要

An orthopedic implant such as a spinal implant made from a elastic biocompatible material (e g polyetheretherketone or PEEK) to provide a hinge allowing portions of the orthopedic implant to fold into a closed position and to inherently deploy into an open position upon release of a folding bias. The implant can accommodate a minimally invasive surgical procedure since the implant can be introduced into the disc space in the closed position through a small-diameter insertion tube, then deploy to a particular height once the implant is released from the insertion tube (? e from release of the bias). The present implant is preferably, but not necessarily, made by injection molded PEEK. In this manner, the implant components are molded in the open position to cause the open position to be its innate position or form, allowing the implant to self-deploy (self-expand) when it is released from the bias.