Patent ID: 9017413
Filing Date: 2015-04-28
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An expanding implant for insertion between two regions of tissue, the implant comprising: a base having a contact surface for contacting a first region of tissue, said base comprising a proximal portion in sliding engagement with a distal portion, said base assuming an initial length and being shortened towards a second length when said proximal portion slides towards said distal portion; a first rigid linking segment hingedly connected to a distal region of said distal portion of said base for relative rotation about a single pivot axis relative to said distal portion of the base; a second rigid linking segment hingedly connected to a proximal region of said proximal portion of said base; and an intermediate portion having a contact surface for contacting a second region of tissue, said contact surface of said intermediate portion spanning a majority of said second length, said intermediate portion being hingedly connected to said first linking segment and to said second linking segment such that shortening of said base from said initial length towards said second length causes an increase in a distance between said contact surfaces of said base and said intermediate portion, and wherein said intermediate portion and said base are each formed with openings through said respective contact surfaces such that each of said contact surfaces is open along a majority of its length, said openings providing at least one unobstructed path between the first and second regions of tissue.