Patent ID: 8147550
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An intervertebral implant for a human spine, comprising: an upper body comprising an inferior surface and a superior surface, wherein the superior surface of the upper body is configured to engage a first vertebra of the human spine, and wherein the inferior surface of the upper body comprises a substantially planar surface comprising a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom; a lower body comprising a superior surface and an inferior surface, wherein the inferior surface of the lower body is configured to engage a second vertebra of the human spine; an insert configured to be positioned between the superior surface of the lower body and the inferior surface of the upper body, wherein the insert is configured to rotate about a rotational axis, wherein the rotational axis passes through at least a portion of the insert, wherein rotating the insert about the rotational axis causes at least a portion of the insert to engage one or more of the plurality of protrusions of the upper body to move the upper body away from the lower body in a direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis to increase a separation distance between the upper body and the lower body of the intervertebral implant to form a gap between the upper body and the lower body; and a spacer configured to be placed in the gap after insertion of the intervertebral implant between the first vertebra and the second vertebra, wherein the spacer is configured to maintain at least a portion of the increased separation distance between the upper body and the lower body of the intervertebral implant.