Patent ID: 7758648
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An expandable medical implant with a length along its expandable dimension, the medical implant for supporting skeletal structures comprising: a first tubular member with a connection end including a first set of protrusions and an opposite skeletal interface end; and a second tubular member with a connection end including a second set of protrusions configured to engage with the connection end of the first tubular member, the second tubular member including an opposite end opposite from the connection end; wherein the first set of protrusions includes a flank with a negative flank angle, the flank being positively loaded when the implant is compressively loaded along its length, wherein at least one of the first and second set of protrusions includes a relief cut configured to allow a coarse expansion adjustment by translating the first tubular member relative to the second tubular member to thereby increase the length of the expandable medical implant and define a fine adjustment mechanism that operates by rotating the first tubular member relative to the second tubular member to thereby increase the length of expandable medical implant, wherein the first tubular member includes the relief cut to facilitate portions of the first tubular member flexing away from the second tubular member to permit translation between the first and second tubular members.