US 12,458,505 B2
Composite vertebral spacers and instrument
John C. Voellmicke, Franklin, MA (US)
Assigned to Medos International Sarl, Le Locle (CH)
Filed by Medos International Sarl, Le Locle (CH)
Filed on May 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/307,000.
Application 14/698,179 is a division of application No. 11/615,077, filed on Dec. 22, 2006, granted, now 9,039,768, issued on May 26, 2015.
Application 17/307,000 is a continuation of application No. 16/242,043, filed on Jan. 8, 2019, granted, now 11,020,237.
Application 16/242,043 is a continuation of application No. 15/001,339, filed on Jan. 20, 2016, granted, now 10,206,787, issued on Feb. 19, 2019.
Application 15/001,339 is a continuation of application No. 14/698,179, filed on Apr. 28, 2015, granted, now 9,265,621, issued on Feb. 23, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0251773 A1, Aug. 19, 2021
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 2/4455 (2013.01) [A61F 2/442 (2013.01); A61F 2/447 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); A61F 2/28 (2013.01); A61F 2002/2817 (2013.01); A61F 2002/2835 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30062 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30112 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30131 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30166 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30433 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30471 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30672 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30772 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3082 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30841 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30904 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4627 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4629 (2013.01); A61F 2210/0004 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0041 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0091 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0004 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0013 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0028 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0059 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00011 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00179 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00359 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An intervertebral fusion cage, comprising:
a) a leading portion having first and second end portions, a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface in a rearward direction,
b) first and second support members pivotally coupled to the first and second end portions, respectively, and extending from the first and second end portions, respectively, each support member having 1) an upper surface and a lower surface configured to bear against adjacent vertebral bodies,
wherein the first and second support members are configured to pivot outwards with respect to the first and second end portions, respectively, from a first position whereby they extend rearward from the leading portion and are spaced from each other a first distance to an expanded position whereby they extend rearward from the leading portion and are spaced from each other a second distance greater than the first distance, thereby increasing a footprint of the cage,
wherein in the expanded position, the first and second support members flare away from each other as they extend rearward from the leading portion, and
wherein the first and second distances are measured along a direction that is perpendicular to a direction that separates the upper and lower surfaces.