US 12,232,976 B2
Expandable fusion device and method of installation thereof
Mark Weiman, Downingtown, PA (US)
Assigned to Globus Medical, Inc., Audubon, PA (US)
Filed by GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC., Audubon, PA (US)
Filed on Jan. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/157,099.
Application 14/109,429 is a division of application No. 12/875,818, filed on Sep. 3, 2010, granted, now 8,632,595, issued on Jan. 21, 2014.
Application 17/157,099 is a continuation of application No. 16/127,395, filed on Sep. 11, 2018, granted, now 10,925,752.
Application 16/127,395 is a continuation of application No. 15/158,829, filed on May 19, 2016, granted, now 10,098,759, issued on Oct. 16, 2018.
Application 15/158,829 is a continuation of application No. 14/109,429, filed on Dec. 17, 2013, granted, now 9,370,434, issued on Jun. 21, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0137697 A1, May 13, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 2/44 (2006.01); A61F 2/30 (2006.01); A61F 2/46 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/447 (2013.01) [A61F 2/44 (2013.01); A61F 2/442 (2013.01); A61F 2/4455 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30266 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30387 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30405 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30411 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30471 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30482 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30484 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30517 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30522 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30523 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30538 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30556 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30558 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30593 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30601 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30622 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30841 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30843 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30904 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0016 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00011 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00017 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00023 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00179 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
8. An expandable intervertebral implant, the expandable implant capable of moving from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the implant comprising:
a first endplate extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the first endplate has a first surface, a second surface, a first side surface and a second side surface;
a second endplate extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the second endplate has a first surface, a second surface, a first side surface and a second side surface;
a central ramp, the central ramp positioned proximate the distal end of the first endplate and the distal end of the second endplate, the central ramp including a threaded opening having an open proximal end and a closed distal end;
a driving ramp positioned proximate the proximal end of the first endplate and the proximal end of the second endplate, wherein the driving ramp including an opening;
an actuator configured to move at least one of the central ramp and the driving ramp, wherein the actuator extends through the opening in the driving ramp and extends into the threaded opening of the central ramp through the open proximal end;
wherein the first side surface of the first endplate includes a ramped portion that engages the central ramp, the ramped portion having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface,
wherein the first side surface of the second endplate includes an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface,
wherein in the collapsed position, the inwardly facing surface of the ramped portion of the first endplate overlaps the outwardly facing surface of the first side surface of the second endplate,
wherein in the expanded position, the inwardly facing surface of the ramped portion of the first endplate is spaced from and does not overlap the outwardly facing surface of the first side surface of the second endplate,
wherein the first endplate defines a central vertical plane that bisects the first endplate, and
wherein the ramped portion of the first endplate does not extend through the central vertical plane.