Patent ID: 8308802

Claim:
An expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae, comprising: an inner member having a hollow interior portion and a threaded external portion and including a first end portion configured to engage a first vertebral body; an outer member having a hollow interior portion configured to coaxially receive the inner member therein and including a second end portion configured to engage a second vertebral body, wherein the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis; a gear member positioned coaxial to the inner member and outer member and axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member, wherein the gear member threadedly engages the threaded portion of the inner member, wherein the implant is configured to engage the vertebrae such that first and second end portions are oriented in a predetermined alignment with respect to the first and second vertebral bodies, wherein the gear member includes a beveled top portion and a beveled perimeter from which gear teeth extend around the perimeter of the gear member, the gear teeth exposed to the exterior of the outer surface of the outer member and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter wherein the outer member includes a plurality of apertures arranged along the circumference of the outer member, wherein the tool member is capable of engaging any of the plurality of apertures, wherein the first and second end portions are configured with chamfered edges to facilitate insertion of the implant.