US 12,433,765 B2
Expandable spinal implant system and method
Adriaan J. Kuyler, Memphis, TN (US); Anthony J. Melkent, Germantown, TN (US); and Keith E. Miller, Germantown, TN (US)
Assigned to WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC., Warsaw, IN (US)
Filed by Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US)
Filed on Jun. 10, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/738,882.
Application 18/738,882 is a continuation of application No. 17/705,701, filed on Mar. 28, 2022, granted, now 12,004,963.
Application 17/705,701 is a continuation of application No. 16/829,421, filed on Mar. 25, 2020, granted, now 11,285,019, issued on Mar. 29, 2022.
Application 16/829,421 is a continuation of application No. 14/885,472, filed on Oct. 16, 2015, granted, now 10,610,376, issued on Apr. 7, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0325167 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
Int. Cl. A61F 2/44 (2006.01); A61B 17/56 (2006.01); A61F 2/30 (2006.01); A61F 2/46 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/447 (2013.01) [A61F 2/4601 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); A61B 2017/564 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30266 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30331 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30405 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30411 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30471 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30482 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30507 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30515 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30523 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30538 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30556 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30593 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3093 (2013.01); A61F 2/442 (2013.01); A61F 2/4455 (2013.01); A61F 2/4603 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4627 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4629 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4631 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0091 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of using an expandable spinal implant, the method comprising:
providing the expandable spinal implant having a proximal end, an opposite distal end, a frame provided at and adjacent the proximal end, a plug received in an aperture formed in the frame, a first endplate pivotally attached to the frame, and a second endplate pivotally attached to the frame;
moving portions of the plug in the aperture provided in the frame to move a head portion of the plug from a first position to a second position toward the distal end;
pivoting portions of the first endplate away from the frame via interaction, during movement of the head portion from the first position to the second position, and corresponding slidable movement toward the distal end of a first post formed on the head portion of the plug in a first channel formed in the first endplate from a third position to a fourth position in the first channel, the third position being closer to the frame than the fourth position; and
pivoting portions of the second endplate away from the frame via interaction, during movement of the head portion from the first position to the second position, and corresponding slidable movement toward the distal end of a second post formed on the head portion of the plug in a second channel formed in the second endplate from a fifth position to a sixth position in the second channel, the fifth position being closer to the frame than the sixth position.