Expandable intervertebral interbody implants
Inventors
Gupta, Munish • McLaughlin, Colm • Andraka, Matthew
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12465498-B2
Publication Date
2025-11-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
Expandable fusion devices, systems, instruments, and methods thereof. The expandable fusion implant may include an upper endplate and a lower endplate configured to engage adjacent vertebrae, an actuation gear configured to adjust a height of the upper endplate, an interface collar configured to attach to an inserter instrument at multiple orientations for a desired surgical approach, and an expansion and orientation lock configured to lock the orientation of the interface collar and lock the height of the upper endplate. The expandable fusion device is attachable to the inserter instrument to secure the interface collar and disengage the lock from the actuation gear to permit expansion of the upper endplate.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an expandable implant for engaging adjacent vertebrae, including an upper endplate and a lower endplate. The upper endplate height is adjusted by an actuation gear that is coupled to the lower endplate and engaged with the upper endplate. The implant further includes an interface collar configured to attach to an inserter instrument at multiple orientations for a desired surgical approach, and the interface collar includes a plurality of angled protrusions.
An expansion and orientation lock is configured to lock the orientation of the multiple orientations of the interface collar and to lock the height of the upper endplate. The lock is retained in the lower endplate and includes a tapered outer surface with a plurality of cuts defined therein. The tapered outer surface and the plurality of cuts are configured to interface with the plurality of angled protrusions in the interface collar, so that collar orientation and upper endplate height are controlled by the lock.
The invention also provides an implantable system in which an inserter instrument includes an attachment assembly and an expansion assembly. The attachment assembly is configured to engage the interface collar and the expansion assembly is configured to expand the implant. The inserter instrument is attachable to the interface collar in an open position, a half position, and a full position to control a location of the interface collar and expansion of the implant.
Claims Coverage
The partial content contains two independent claims: one directed to an expandable implant structure and one directed to an implantable system including an inserter instrument with open/half/full positional control. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features are the combination of upper and lower endplates with a height-adjusting actuation gear, an interface collar configured for multiple orientations, and a retained expansion and orientation lock with a tapered cut surface that interfaces with angled protrusions, plus an inserter instrument arrangement that controls collar location and whether expansion is prevented or enabled.
Expandable implant with coupled height-adjusting actuation gear and endplates
An expandable implant comprising an upper endplate and a lower endplate configured to engage adjacent vertebrae, and an actuation gear configured to adjust a height of the upper endplate, the actuation gear coupled to the lower endplate and engaged with the upper endplate.
Interface collar with angled protrusions for multiple orientations and surgical approach attachment
An interface collar configured to attach to an inserter instrument at multiple orientations for a desired surgical approach, the interface collar includes a plurality of angled protrusions.
Expansion and orientation lock retained in the lower endplate with tapered cut surface interfacing angled protrusions
An expansion and orientation lock configured to lock an orientation of the multiple orientations of the interface collar and lock the height of the upper endplate, the lock retained in the lower endplate, the lock includes a tapered outer surface with a plurality of cuts defined therein configured to interface with the plurality of angled protrusions in the interface collar.
Implantable system with inserter instrument open/half/full positions controlling collar location and expansion
An implantable system comprising an expandable implant with an upper endplate, actuation gear, interface collar, expansion and orientation lock, and a lower endplate, and an inserter instrument having an attachment assembly configured to engage the interface collar and an expansion assembly configured to expand the implant, wherein the inserter instrument is attachable to the interface collar in an open position, a half position, and a full position to control a location of the interface collar and expansion of the implant.
Open position attachment allowing full rotation of interface collar while lock prevents expansion
In the open position, the inserter instrument is attached to the implant such that the attachment fork is not engaged with the interface collar, thereby allowing full rotation of the interface collar and the lock prevents expansion of the upper endplate.
Overall, the claim coverage focuses on controlling both upper endplate height and interface-collar orientation through a retained expansion and orientation lock with a tapered cut outer surface that interfaces with angled protrusions, in combination with an actuation gear and a height-adjustable endplate. The implantable system claim further ties these elements to an inserter instrument attachable in open/half/full positions, where attachment engagement changes the ability to expand the implant while also controlling the interface collar location and orientation.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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