US 12,232,975 B2
Lockable spinal implant
John E. Ashley, Danville, CA (US); Philip J. Simpson, Escondido, CA (US); Walter Dean Gillespie, San Diego, CA (US); David G. Matsuura, Del Mar, CA (US); and George A. Mansfield, III, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to Howmedica Osteonics Corp., Mahwah, NJ (US)
Filed by Howmedica Osteonics Corp., Mahwah, NJ (US)
Filed on Nov. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/535,148.
Application 17/535,148 is a continuation of application No. 16/504,495, filed on Jul. 8, 2019, granted, now 11,191,647.
Application 16/504,495 is a continuation of application No. 15/377,377, filed on Dec. 13, 2016, granted, now 10,342,673, issued on Jul. 9, 2019.
Application 15/377,377 is a continuation of application No. 14/644,969, filed on Mar. 11, 2015, granted, now 9,545,316, issued on Jan. 17, 2017.
Application 14/644,969 is a continuation of application No. 13/843,390, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, granted, now 8,992,620, issued on Mar. 31, 2015.
Application 13/843,390 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/787,281, filed on May 25, 2010, granted, now 8,696,751, issued on Apr. 15, 2014.
Application 12/787,281 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2009/067446, filed on Dec. 10, 2009.
Application PCT/US2009/067446 is a continuation of application No. 12/548,260, filed on Aug. 26, 2009, granted, now 8,435,296, issued on May 7, 2013.
Application 12/548,260 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/380,840, filed on Mar. 4, 2009, abandoned.
Application 12/548,260 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/072,044, filed on Feb. 22, 2008, granted, now 8,932,355, issued on Jan. 13, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/201,518, filed on Dec. 10, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2022/0226127 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. A61F 2/44 (2006.01); A61F 2/30 (2006.01); A61F 2/46 (2006.01); A61F 2/48 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/4465 (2013.01) [A61F 2/441 (2013.01); A61F 2/442 (2013.01); A61F 2/4455 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30079 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3008 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30133 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30365 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30405 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30476 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30484 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30495 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30505 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30514 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30522 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30525 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3055 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30556 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30565 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30581 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30589 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30601 (2013.01); A61F 2/30742 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30841 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); A61F 2/48 (2021.08); A61F 2/482 (2021.08); A61F 2/484 (2021.08); A61F 2310/00017 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00023 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for stabilizing a spine of a patient's body, comprising:
an expandable fusion implant adapted to be implanted into an intervertebral space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of the spine, the implant including a first vertebral engagement surface adapted to engage the first vertebra and an opposing second vertebral engagement surface adapted to engage the second vertebra, the implant being expandable by moving the first vertebral engagement surface away from the second vertebral engagement surface in a superior/inferior dimension such that the height of the implant is increased;
wherein, during expansion of the implant, a member of the implant advances in a first direction along a ratcheting surface that is elongated along a lateral dimension of the implant, the lateral dimension being oriented orthogonally to the superior/inferior dimension, the ratcheting surface permitting movement of the member along the lateral dimension in the first direction while resisting movement of the member along the lateral dimension in a second direction opposite to the first direction.