Patent ID: 6821298
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for positionally stabilizing adjacent vertebrae of a spine by promotion of bone fusion between the adjacent vertebrae, said apparatus comprising:a) an anteriorly expandable implant adapted to promote bone growth between the adjacent vertebrae; said implant having upper and lower walls extending between anterior and posterior ends of the implant and a posterior wall connecting the upper and lower walls; b) a post mounted in said posterior wall and extending to near the anterior end of said implant; c) an expansion member operably coupled with said post and engaging said upper and lower walls for operably expanding a spacing between said anterior ends of said upper and lower walls, so as to operably urge said implant upper and lower walls into a predetermined non parallel angle relative to one another and so as produce a desired alignment of the adjacent vertebrae; d) a cover assembly having upper and lower elongate support surfaces sized and shaped to contact and support an anterior region of the adjacent vertebrae; and e) a fastener mechanism operably securing said cover assembly and said expansion member to said implant during use.