Patent ID: 8303658

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 formed together adjacent said second end portion so as to define a single-piece unitary implant body, said body including a plurality of transverse projections defined by a first of said branch portions each comprising an arcuate surface extending between a pair of planar side surfaces, said body further including a plurality of transverse recesses defined by a second of said branch portions each comprising an arcuate surface extending between a pair of planar side surfaces, said planar side surfaces of said transverse recesses engaging said planar side surfaces of a respective transverse projection and said arcuate surface of said transverse recesses engaging an arcuate surface of a respective transverse projection to provide structural support to the implant subsequent to expansion; and a retention element extending transversely between and engaged with said at least two branch portions subsequent to expansion of the implant to maintain said body in an expanded configuration.