Patent ID: 8936641
Filing Date: 2015-01-20
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An expandable intervertebral implant insertable into an intervertebral disc space and expandable from an initial position to an expanded position, the expandable intervertebral implant comprising: a linkage defining an insertion end and an opposed proximal end spaced from the insertion end along a longitudinal direction, the linkage including a plurality of links connected together along the longitudinal direction, each link comprising: an outer sleeve defining a first bone contacting surface and a second bone contacting surface spaced from the first bone contacting surface along a transverse direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the outer sleeve including a first outer sleeve portion and a second outer sleeve portion that is movable along the transverse direction with respect to the first outer sleeve portion, wherein the second outer sleeve portion defines a first engagement surface spaced from either of the first and second bone contacting surfaces, the first engagement surface is sloped with respect to the longitudinal direction; an inner core disposed between the first and second outer sleeve portions, the inner core defining a second engagement surface that is sloped with respect to the longitudinal direction and abuts the first engagement surface, the inner core configured to translate along the longitudinal direction relative to the first and second outer sleeve portions; wherein relative movement between translation of the inner core along the longitudinal direction relative to at least the second outer sleeve portion along the longitudinal direction causes the first engagement surface to ride along the second engagement surface, thereby causing the second outer sleeve portion to deflect away from the first outer sleeve portion along the transverse direction.