Patent ID: 8568481

Claim:
A method of implanting an expandable intervertebral implant comprising: positioning the implant between two vertebral bodies via a transforaminal approach, wherein the implant comprises: upper and lower body portions each having proximal and distal surfaces at proximal and distal ends thereof, the proximal and distal surfaces of the upper and lower body portions generally facing each other; an actuator shaft received between the upper and lower body portions, the actuator shaft comprising an inner member and an outer sleeve member moveable relative to the inner member, the inner member having distal and proximal ends and at least one retention structure disposed therebetween, the outer sleeve member having a proximal end and at least one complementary retention structure to engage the retention structure of the inner member to facilitate selective relative movement of the proximal end of the outer sleeve member toward the distal end of the inner member; a proximal wedge member disposed at the proximal end of the outer sleeve member; and a distal wedge member disposed at the distal end of the inner member; and moving the inner member of the actuator shaft in an proximal direction relative to the outer sleeve member to force the proximal wedge member against the proximal surfaces of the upper and lower body portions, and to force the distal wedge member against the distal surfaces of the upper and lower body portions, expanding implant the implant.