Patent ID: 8012213
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for supporting vertebral bodies, comprising: a first end member adapted to engage a lower endplate of a first vertebral body; a second end member adapted to engage an upper endplate of a second vertebral body; wherein each of said first and second end members has a perimetrical configuration extending about an open inner region and defining a lateral passage communicating with said open inner region; and at least one elongate support member coupled between said first and second end members to maintain an axial space between the first and second vertebral bodies, further comprising a plurality of said elongate support members coupled between said first and second end members; and wherein at least one of said first and second end members includes at least one socket sized to receive a corresponding end portion of said at least one elongate support member therein, said at least one socket and said corresponding end portion of said elongate support member configured to allow pivotal movement of said elongate support member relative to said at least one of said first and second end members about at least one axis to correspondingly arrange said first and second end members at variable angular orientations relative to one another.