Patent ID: 6193756
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A tubular support body for bridging two adjacent vertebrae comprising first and second tubular cages placed one within the other and movable relative to each other, a first end of each cage extending beyond the other cage including a support flange and the cages including cut-outs for providing access into an interior of the cages, at least three protrusions on the first cage projecting radially toward the second cage, the second cage including at least two sets of at least three positioning surfaces each for engaging the protrusions on the first cage, the positioning surfaces of each set having like spacings from the first end of the second cage which differ from the spacing between the positioning surfaces of the other sets and the first end of the second cage, and at least three lead-in channels in the side of the second cage facing the first cage, extending in a generally axial direction from a second end of the second cage to the positioning surfaces and shaped to permit movement of the at least three protrusions into simultaneous engagement with the positioning surfaces of any one of the sets to thereby establish an axial spacing between the support flanges of the cages, whereby the axial spacing between the support flanges can be changed by engaging the protrusions with the positioning surfaces of a different set.