Patent ID: 9492289
Filing Date: 2016-11-15
CPC Classification: A61F

Claim Text:
1. An implant for placement between bones, the implant defining a longitudinal axis extending between distal and proximal ends, the implant comprising: a first endplate configured to engage a first bone, and having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side; a second endplate configured to engage a second bone, and having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side; a frame at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the first endplate; a carriage having an open area at least partially aligned with the openings in the first and second endplates; an actuator screw engaging the carriage; and a blocking mechanism configured to prevent backing out of a fastener passed through at least one of the first and second endplates and into one of the first or second bones, the blocking mechanism including a blocking member moveably retained within a channel between an unblocking position and a blocking position in which a portion of the blocking member overlaps a portion of the fastener, whereby rotation of the actuator screw moves the carriage with respect to the frame and the first and second endplates; and wherein the carriage comprises a plurality of ramps each engageable with at least one of the at least one ramped surfaces of the first and second endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, at least one of the at least one ramped surface of the first endplate and at least one of the at least one ramped surface of the second endplate each move along at least one of the plurality of ramps of the carriage to cause the endplates to move relative to each other in connection with the frame, wherein the implant has a length extending from the distal end to the proximal end of the implant and a width extending perpendicular to the length, the width of the implant is greater than the length of the implant.