Patent ID: 8585738
Filing Date: 2013-11-19
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An expandable spinal jack adapted for insertion between succeeding spinal vertebrae, comprising: a one piece construction comprising a clamshell shaped upper half and a clamshell shaped lower half interconnected to said upper half by a flexible hinge, wherein said flexible hinge establishes a common edge, and wherein each of said halves exhibits a concave exterior configured for seating against an opposing location of an articular process associated with first and second successive vertebrae, and wherein said halves further exhibit inner surfaces that are opposed and spaced apart from each other, said inner surfaces extending from an outermost open edge to said common edge, said outermost open edge defining a window-shaped key aperture; and a rigid insert supported between said halves and exhibiting a planar end face and upper and lower concave outer surfaces that each taper to a narrow inserting end, said narrow inserting end for mating with said key aperture of said one piece construction, wherein said upper and lower outer surfaces mate and co-act with said inner surfaces of said upper and lower halves, and wherein, upon said insert being engaged by a an inserting tool bit, said insert is displaced from a first location between said inner surfaces proximate said outermost open edge to a second location proximate said common edge in order to outwardly pivot said upper and lower halves relative to each other and against the articular processes; wherein said inner surface of said lower half of said one piece construction comprises an inward facing step proximate said outermost open edge for providing an end-stop abutment to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the insert.