Patent ID: 6773460
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An anterior interbody device that is anteriorly variably expandable; said device comprising:a) a U-shaped body having an upper wall and a lower wall hingeably joined by a rear wall; said body having a threaded bore, said upper and lower walls having a non-spaced configuration wherein anterior ends of said upper and lower walls are in close proximity to each other; b) said upper and lower walls each having an anterior end and an anterior wedge mating receiver that face each other; c) an elongate expansion member; said expansion member being threaded and being threadedly received in said body bore; d) said expansion member having an anterior wedge surface that is sized, shaped and positioned to engage said upper and lower anterior wedge mating receivers as said expansion member is threadedly advanced into said body bore, such that anterior ends of upper and lower walls are placed in a spaced configuration wherein said upper and lower walls become spaced greater than said non-spaced configuration; said upper and lower anterior wedge mating receivers engaging and being supported by said expansion member at the anterior ends of said walls in close proximity to a front of said device after said anterior ends of said walls are placed in said spaced configuration; said body bore is located in said rear wall and threadedly engages said expansion member.