Patent ID: 9295565
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: A61F

Claim Text:
1. In a method of expanding an intradiscal space between opposing vertebral bodies of a spine by expanding an interbody fusion device between the endplates of the opposing vertebral bodies, the improvement comprising the step of: incrementally expanding said device by the sequential introduction of a plurality of elements, each of said elements comprising a body defined by an outer border surrounding a generally central region consisting essentially of porous biocompatible material having pores throughout for bony through growth, said outer border and said region forming said element prior to introduction into said device, said outer border being structurally stronger than said region and consisting essentially of a solid, relatively non-porous biocompatible material; and providing a stress loaded osteoconductive path through said interbody fusion device during expansion of said device by arranging said regions upon introduction to be in contact with each other between said endplates of said opposing vertebral bodies, the region of one element being in compressive contact with the endplate of one vertebral body and the region of another element being in compressive contact with the endplate of the opposing vertebral body.