Patent ID: 8715351
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An expandable interbody fusion device for implantation into an intradiscal space between two opposing vertebral bodies of a spine, comprising: a first elongate endplate having an outer surface configured to contact one of said vertebral bodies and a hub having a mating surface opposite to said outer surface of said first endplate, said first endplate having side surfaces extending downwardly from said outer surface, said side surfaces extending along opposite sides of said hub, said hub having spaced-apart first and second end surfaces extending between said side surfaces, said mating surface including a mating feature thereon, said first endplate having at least one opening extending through said outer surface and said mating surface, said first endplate defining a flange having a portion projecting outwardly from said hub at one of the first end surface and the second end surface in the elongate direction; a second elongate endplate having an outer surface configured to contact the other vertebral body, said second endplate having opposing spaced apart side walls, opposite spaced end walls and a support surface between said opposite side walls and said opposite end walls and opposite to said outer surface of said second end plate, said opposite side walls, said opposite end walls and said support surface defining a cavity, said hub of said first endplate being received within said cavity and facing said support surface, said side surfaces of said hub being received within said side walls of said second endplate, said second endplate having at least one opening extending through said outer surface and said support surface and communicating with said cavity, said opposite side walls of said second endplate each terminating in an upper surface extending generally parallel to each other along the elongate direction, said opposite end walls of said second endplate each terminating in an upper surface with a recess extending into at least one of said upper surfaces of said end walls between said side walls, the outer surface of said first endplate being substantially flush with the upper surfaces of said side walls and said flange of said first endplate residing in said recess when the device is unexpanded; and an elongate expansion member sized to be received into said cavity and supported on said support surface, and upon receipt therein to move said first endplate and said second endplate relatively apart, said elongate expansion member having opposing upper and lower surfaces, said elongate expansion member having a hole extending through said upper and lower surfaces and a complementary mating interface for interlocking engagement with said mating feature on said mating surface, said complementary mating interface, projecting from at least one of said upper surface and said lower surface, including at least two locking elements, said hole being located between two of said locking elements, said hole being located such that upon receipt of said elongate expansion member into said cavity said hole communicates with said openings through said first endplate and said second endplate.