Patent ID: 8920507
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An orthopedic stabilizing device for placement in an interosseous space defined by adjacent bony surfaces, comprising a plastically deformable monolithic body having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, and a.) expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger expanded height by plastic deformation of the monolithic body, said monolithic body having an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure, said monolithic body being operative to contact said adjacent bony surfaces when expanded, said body having a first locator arm, a second locator arm spaced from said first locator arm along the longitudinal axis, and an engagement surface, each locator arm being joined to the respective upper bone contact structure and the lower bone contact structure by a plastically deformable joint; and b.) having a formable load-bearing column that is not formed at the first height and is operative at the second height to form a supporting load-bearing column along the height axis that spans the distance between said upper bone contact structure and said lower bone contact structure, said formable column comprising a column portion supported by and projecting inwardly of said body and another column portion supported by and projecting inwardly of said body generally toward said column portion, said engagement surface being on said another column portion and including a latching structure, said latching structure of said engagement surface of said body not being in engagement with said column portion at said first height, said column portion being operative to directly engage and latch said latching structure of engagement surface at said second height to form said load-bearing column.