Expandable intervertebral implant

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9034045-B2
Application number	US-201313836687-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 15, 2013
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	May 19, 2015
Grant date	May 19, 2015

Abstract

An implant for therapeutically separating bones of a joint has two endplates each having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side. A frame is slideably connected to the endplates to enable the endplates to move relative to each other at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the implant, in sliding connection with the frame. An actuator screw is rotatably connected to the frame. A carriage forms an open area aligned with the openings in the endplates. The openings in the endplates pass through the carriage to form an unimpeded passage from bone to bone of the joint. The carriage has ramps which mate with the ramped surfaces of the endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates move closer or farther apart.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An implant for therapeutically separating bones of a joint, the implant defining a longitudinal axis extending between distal and proximal ends, the implant comprising:
a first endplate configured to engage a first bone of the joint, and having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side;
a second endplate configured to engage a second bone of the joint, and having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side;
a frame slideably connected to the first and second endplates to enable the first and second endplates to move relative to each other at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, the frame at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the first endplate;
an actuator screw rotatably connected to the frame; and
a carriage having an open area aligned with the openings in the first and second endplates and defining thereby a proximal carriage side and a distal carriage side with respect to the longitudinal axis, and connected to the actuator screw,
whereby rotation of the actuator screw moves the carriage with respect to the frame and the first and second endplates, the actuator screw not crossing between the proximal carriage side and the distal carriage side; and
wherein the carriage comprises a plurality of ramps each mateable with at least one of the at least one ramped surfaces of the first and second endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, at least one of the at least one ramped surface of the first endplate and at least one of the at least one ramped surface of the second endplate each move along at least one of the plurality of ramps of the carriage to cause the endplates to move relative to each other in connection with the frame.

2. The implant of claim 1 , the first and second endplates confined by the frame to move relative to each other only along an axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis.

3. The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second endplates includes at least one aperture through which a fastener may pass to secure the implant to bone of the joint.

4. The implant of claim 1 , further including a blocking mechanism configured to prevent backing out of a fastener passed through at least one of the first and second endplates and into body tissue.

5. The implant of claim 4 , the blocking mechanism including a blocking member slideably retained within a channel between an unblocking position and a blocking position in which a portion of the blocking member overlaps a portion of the faster.

6. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the frame is metallic and includes at least one aperture through which a fastener may be passed to attach the implant to a bone of the joint.

7. The implant of claim 1 , further including a polymeric material configured to press against the actuator screw to reduce a potential for unintended rotation of the actuator screw.

8. The implant of claim 1 , wherein when the actuator screw is rotated in a first direction, a height of the implant transverse to the longitudinal axis is increased, and when the actuator screw is rotated in a second direction, a height of the implant transverse to the longitudinal axis is decreased.

9. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the actuator screw is threadably connected to the carriage along a proximal side of the carriage.

10. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the frame extends from the proximal end of the implant to the distal end of the implant, and the actuator screw is connected to the frame and threadably connected to the carriage along a distal side of the carriage.

11. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the frame is disposed within the proximal end of the implant.

12. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the frame extends from the proximal end of the implant towards the distal end of the implant.

13. The implant of claim 1 , further including at least one post extending through the frame and into the carriage, received in one of the frame or the carriage, thereby configured to maintain an alignment of the carriage along the longitudinal axis.

14. The implant of claim 1 , further including a first passage formed in a proximal end of at least one of the first and second endplates, and a second passage formed in a proximal side of the carriage, the first and second passages aligned to admit introduction of a therapeutic material into the open area of the carriage when the implant is implanted between bones of the joint.

15. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the frame connects to the first and second endplates with a dovetail connection.

16. The implant of claim 1 , wherein ends of the at least one of the plurality of ramps of the carriage slide within grooves in at least one of the first and second endplates.

17. The implant of claim 1 , wherein:
the frame includes an actuator screw bearing, a first tab extending away from the bearing in a first direction, and a second tab extending away from the bearing in a direction opposite to the upper tab, the first and second tabs forming edges; and
the first and second endplates including grooves sized and dimensioned to slidingly receive the edges of the first and second tabs, respectively.

18. An implant comprising:
a first endplate configured to engage a first bone of the joint, and having an opening through the endplate transverse to the longitudinal axis, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side;
a second endplate configured to engage a second bone of the joint, and having an opening through the endplate transverse to the longitudinal axis, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side;
a frame connected to the first and second endplates to enable the first and second endplates to move relative to each other at an angle substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, the frame at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the first endplate;
an actuator screw rotatably connected to the frame; and
a carriage having an open area aligned with the openings in the first and second endplates and defining thereby a proximal carriage side and a distal carriage side with respect to the longitudinal axis, and threadably connected to the actuator screw,
whereby rotation of the actuator screw moves the carriage with respect to the frame and the first and second endplates, the actuator screw not crossing between the proximal carriage side and the distal carriage side;
wherein the carriage comprises a plurality of ramps each mateable with at least one of the at least one ramped surfaces of the first and second endplates,
wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, at least one of the at least one ramped surface of the first endplate and at least one of the at least one ramped surface of the second endplate each translate along at least one of the plurality of ramps of the carriage to cause the endplates to move relative to each other in connection with the frame; and
at least one passage formed in a proximal side of the carriage in communication with at least one proximal passage in at least one of the first or second endplates, the communicating passages configured to admit introduction of a therapeutic material into the open area of the carriage when the implant is implanted between bones of the joint.

19. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the frame is comprised of titanium and the first and second endplate

Assignees

• Globus Medical Inc
• Globus Medical Inc

Inventors

• Davenport Daniel
• Sibson Duncan
• Iott Andrew
• Glerum Chad
• Gray Jason
• Silber Ben

Classifications

• A61F2002/30593

  hollow · CPC title

• A61F2310/00029

  Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium · CPC title

• A61F2002/30556

  for adjusting thickness · CPC title

• A61F2250/0009

  for adjusting thickness · CPC title

• A61F2002/30448

  using adhesives · CPC title