Patent ID: 7678148

Claim:
An expandable spinal implant, comprising: a body extending generally along a longitudinal axis between a first end portion and a second end portion, said body defining at least one slot extending generally along said longitudinal axis from said first end portion toward said second end portion to provide said body with at least two expandable branch portions coupled together adjacent said second end portion, said slot including a narrow portion defining close fitting interlocking features between said branch portions to provide structural support to the implant subsequent to expansion, wherein said narrow portion of said slot defines at least one transverse projection associated with a first of said branch portions and at least one transverse recess associated with a second of said branch portions and defining opposing axially-facing inner surfaces that oppose one another along said longitudinal axis, said transverse projection positioned within and displacable along said transverse recess and engaged with said opposing axially-facing inner surfaces subsequent to said expansion of the implant and separation of said at least two expandable branch portions away from one another to provide said structural support to the expanded implant by said close fitting interlocking features between said branch portions; and an interlocking retention element interlocked between said at least two branch portions adjacent said first end portion to prevent movement of said branch portions toward one another to maintain said body in a select expanded configuration.