US 12,440,346 B2
Expandable intervertebral implant
Christopher Marden John Cain, Denver, CO (US)
Assigned to DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Raynham, MA (US)
Filed by DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Raynham, MA (US)
Filed on Mar. 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/193,807.
Application 18/193,807 is a continuation of application No. 16/593,430, filed on Oct. 4, 2019, granted, now 11,617,655.
Application 16/593,430 is a continuation of application No. 15/926,247, filed on Mar. 20, 2018, granted, now 10,449,056, issued on Oct. 22, 2019.
Application 15/926,247 is a continuation of application No. 15/235,160, filed on Aug. 12, 2016, granted, now 9,931,223, issued on Apr. 3, 2018.
Application 15/235,160 is a continuation of application No. 14/565,611, filed on Dec. 10, 2014, granted, now 9,414,934, issued on Aug. 16, 2016.
Application 14/565,611 is a continuation of application No. 12/936,466, granted, now 8,936,641, issued on Jan. 20, 2015, previously published as PCT/US2009/039501, filed on Apr. 3, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/042,724, filed on Apr. 5, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2023/0233335 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 2/44 (2006.01); A61F 2/46 (2006.01); A61F 2/28 (2006.01); A61F 2/30 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/4425 (2013.01) [A61F 2/442 (2013.01); A61F 2/447 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); A61F 2002/2835 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30405 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30462 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30471 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30495 (2013.01); A61F 2002/305 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3052 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30537 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30538 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3055 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30601 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30616 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30841 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30884 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4415 (2013.01); A61F 2002/443 (2013.01); A61F 2002/448 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4485 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4627 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4628 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0025 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0075 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0091 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0006 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00023 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of implanting an expandable intervertebral implant, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting the implant into an intervertebral space, such that an upper portion of the implant faces a superior vertebral body, and a lower portion of the implant faces an inferior vertebral body endplates, and a core is disposed between the superior and inferior endplates;
after the inserting step, actuating an actuation member, thereby causing 1) first and second sloped engagement surfaces of the core that are sloped in the same direction and longitudinally offset from each other in their respective entireties engage respective engagement surfaces of the upper portion, thereby urging the upper portion away from the lower portion, and 2) third and fourth sloped engagement surfaces of the core that are sloped in the same direction and longitudinally offset from each other in their respective entireties engage respective engagement surfaces of the lower portion, thereby urging the lower portion away from the upper portion, wherein the actuating step expands the intervertebral implant from an initial position to an expanded position whereby a distance between the upper portion and the lower portion is increased; and
causing the implant to remain in the expanded position under compressive forces while 1) the first and second sloped engagement surfaces is engaged with the engagement surface of the upper portion, and 2) the third and fourth sloped engagement surfaces is engaged with the engagement surface of the lower portion.