US 12,295,864 B2
Expandable fusion implant and related methods
Christopher Stein, Fallbrook, CA (US)
Assigned to NuVasive, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by NuVasive, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 12, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/602,251.
Application 18/602,251 is a continuation of application No. 18/312,153, filed on May 4, 2023, granted, now 11,957,602.
Application 18/312,153 is a continuation of application No. 17/221,546, filed on Apr. 2, 2021, granted, now 11,679,000, issued on Jun. 20, 2023.
Application 17/221,546 is a continuation of application No. 16/265,050, filed on Feb. 1, 2019, abandoned.
Application 16/265,050 is a continuation of application No. 15/783,977, filed on Oct. 13, 2017, granted, now 10,219,915, issued on Mar. 5, 2019.
Application 15/783,977 is a continuation of application No. 14/285,590, filed on May 22, 2014, granted, now 9,788,971, issued on Oct. 17, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/826,299, filed on May 22, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2024/0207066 A1, Jun. 27, 2024
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 2002/30265 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30556 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30593 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30622 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30828 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4627 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An expandable implant comprising:
a housing having a central longitudinal axis,
first and second endplates,
an expansion mechanism positioned within the housing, and
a drive mechanism;
wherein the drive mechanism is inserted through a drive mechanism aperture in a proximal wall of the housing;
wherein the drive mechanism is rotated and translated along a longitudinal axis that is offset from the central longitudinal axis of the housing;
wherein a distal end of the drive mechanism or a portion thereof is configured to be received within a recess in the expansion mechanism; and
wherein the expansion mechanism is translated relative to the housing, thereby changing a distance between the first and second endplates.