US 12,403,015 B2
Expandable implant with worm gear
Michael Barrus, Redondo Beach, CA (US); Clint Boyd, Leesburg, VA (US); Liam Patrick Barnes, Leesburg, VA (US); Jason Noel Gantick, Purcellville, VA (US); Todd M. Wallenstein, Ashburn, VA (US); and Megan E. Carnes, Leesburg, VA (US)
Assigned to K2M, Inc., Leesburg, VA (US)
Appl. No. 17/917,755
Filed by K2M, Inc., Leesburg, VA (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 7, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/026189
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 7, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/207364, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 14, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/006,278, filed on Apr. 7, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0165687 A1, Jun. 1, 2023
Int. Cl. A61F 2/44 (2006.01); A61F 2/30 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/4455 (2013.01) [A61F 2002/30367 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3052 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30525 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30784 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An expandable device comprising:
a body defining a bore;
a shaft received in the bore of the body;
an end plate coupled to the body, wherein rotation of the shaft translates the end plate with respect to the body; and
a locking mechanism engaged with the shaft so as to permit the shaft to rotate in a first direction and apply a resistance force to resist the shaft when attempting to rotate in a second direction,
wherein the shaft includes a cap at an end of a body of the shaft, the cap configured to engage the locking mechanism, and wherein the cap has a first set of ratchet teeth and the locking mechanism has a second set of ratchet teeth configured to engage the first set of ratchet teeth, the second set of ratchet teeth applying the resistance force to the first set of ratchet teeth.