Patent ID: 7799034

Claim:
An apparatus for spinal fusion, comprising: an expandable implant for implantation into the intradiscal space between opposing vertebrae of a spine, said implant being configured for expansion in a first direction and comprising an upper element and a lower element movable relative to each other in said first direction; an elongate inserter one end of which is releasably coupled to said expandable implant; and an elongate intermediate element defining a longitudinal axis supported by said inserter and configured for insertion by said inserter between said upper element and said lower element in a second direction generally along said longitudinal axis and transverse to said first direction, said intermediate element comprising a constraint cooperating with at least one of said upper element and said lower element to substantially prevent movement of said intermediate element relative thereto in said second direction after insertion of said intermediate element into said expandable implant, said constraint comprising one of a projection and a cooperating surface, one of said projection and said cooperating surface being disposed on said intermediate element and projecting in a direction generally transverse to said first direction and said second direction.