Patent ID: 9492287
Filing Date: 2016-11-15
CPC Classification: A61F

Claim Text:
1. A surgical method comprising: removing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc from an intervertebral space; introducing an expandable device into the intervertebral space in an unexpanded position, wherein the device includes a first endplate, a second endplate, and a translation member and a translation member having at least two upper angled surfaces for engaging the first endplate and at least two lower angled surfaces for engaging the second endplate; and rotating the actuation member such that the actuation member engages and moves the translation member such the at least two upper angled surfaces of the translation member push against a surface of the first endplate and the at least two lower angled surfaces push against a surface of the second endplate, thereby causing the expandable device to expand into an expanded position wherein the translation member includes a first end and a second end, wherein the at least two upper angled surfaces of the translation member are spaced apart a distance in a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, wherein the actuation member comprises a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion, wherein the non-threaded portion of the actuation member extends through an opening in the first end of the translation member and is configured to only extend from the first end of the translation member to a first of the at least two upper angled surfaces of the translation member, wherein a pin member is positioned in the actuation member to prevent the actuation member from disengaging from the translation member, and wherein the threaded portion of the actuation member is configured to contact and push against a first end surface of the translation member when the actuation member is rotated, causing the expandable device to expand into an expanded position.