Patent ID: 7771473

Claim:
An expandable fusion device for use in fusing a vertebral segment, comprising: a first part; a second part slidably connected to the first part; the first part comprising a first vertebral body interface surface and a second surface opposite the first vertebral body interface surface; the second part comprising a third vertebral body interface surface and a fourth surface opposite the third vertebral body interface surface; at least one dual wall coupled to the second surface and extending from the second surface towards the fourth surface, the at least one dual wall forming at least one channel; at least one single wall coupled to the fourth surface and extending from the fourth surface towards the second surface, the at least one single wall aligned with the at least one channel and the at least one single wall and the at least one channel forming a traveling guide with the at least one single wall and the at least one dual wall slidably engaged with one another when the first vertebral body interface surface and the third vertebral body interface surface travel away from one another; a removable, expandable member extending from the second surface to the fourth surface, the removable, expandable member having a collapsed state and at least one expanded state; an operating arm having a proximate end coupled to the removable, expandable member and a distal end coupled to a rotating operator, and at least one spacer to form a friction fit with the at least one single wall, wherein rotating the rotating operator causes the operating arm to move the removable, expandable member from the collapsed state to the at least one expanded state and the at least one spacer locks the first part and the second part in the at least one expanded state.