Patent ID: 9545313
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: A61F

Claim:
1. An apparatus for expanding opposing tissue surfaces of a body, comprising: an expandable device including an inferior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact one body tissue surface, a superior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact an opposing body issue surface, said inferior endplate and said superior endplate being movable relative to each other in a direction of expansion, said device including at least one insert insertable into said device between said inferior endplate and said superior endplate upon expansion of said device, said at least one insert comprising a substantially U-shaped configuration including a pair of spaced opposing arms defining an opening therebetween, a base of said opening between said opposing arms defining a pushing surface; and an elongate inserter having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end being releasably attached to said device, said inserter including an actuator at said proximal end and an expansion component at said distal end operably coupled to said actuator to cooperate with said device to expand said device, said inserter including a driver supported by said inserter and coupled to said actuator for axial proximal and distal translational movement along said inserter, a proximal end of said driver being coupled to said actuator to effect axial translational movement of the driver, a distal end of said driver comprising a driver pushing surface residing in the opening of said at least one insert and engaging said pushing surface of said at least one insert in a manner to push said at least one insert into said device after expansion of said device upon axial distal translational movement of said driver.