| CPC A61F 2/4455 (2013.01) [A61F 2/442 (2013.01); A61F 2/446 (2013.01); A61F 2/4465 (2013.01); A61F 2/447 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30515 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30556 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30593 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4627 (2013.01)] | 17 Claims |

|
1. An intervertebral scaffolding system, comprising:
an expandable frame dimensioned to be inserted into an intervertebral space of a mammalian spine and configured to expand in vivo between a collapsed state and an expanded state, the expandable frame comprising a first top beam, a first bottom beam, a second top beam, a second bottom beam; and a stabilizer configured for retaining the first top beam, the first bottom beam, the second top beam, or the second bottom beam from a lateral movement that exceeds the expanded state; and
an expansion member configured for in vivo introduction into the expandable frame to cause the expandable frame to transition from the collapsed state to the expanded state to thereby create an intervertebral scaffolding system within the intervertebral space, the expansion member configured for engaging with a locking element, the expansion member having a first portion and a second portion that are displaceable relative to one another for engaging with the locking element;
wherein the stabilizer is in an H configuration having a first vertical leg, a second vertical leg, a cross-member that connects the first vertical leg to the second vertical leg, the first vertical leg including a retaining surface for engaging with the first top beam and the first bottom beam, the second vertical leg including a retaining surface for engaging with the second top beam and the second bottom beam, and the cross-member providing a tensile force for resisting the first top beam, the first bottom beam, the second top beam, and the second bottom beam from the lateral movement that exceeds the expanded state.
|