Patent ID: 8105382

Claim:
An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant comprising: 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, the proximal surfaces of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions each defining a proximal slot therein, and distal surfaces of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions each defining a distal slot therein; a proximal wedge member disposed at the proximal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions, the proximal wedge member comprising upper and lower guide members extending at least partially into the respective ones of the proximal slots of the upper and lower body portions with at least a portion of the proximal wedge member contacting the proximal surfaces of the upper and lower body portions; a distal wedge member disposed at the distal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions, the distal wedge member comprising upper and lower guide members extending at least partially into the respective ones of the distal slots of the upper and lower body portions with at least a portion of the distal wedge member contacting the distal surfaces of the upper and lower body portions; and an actuator shaft received between the upper and lower body portions, the actuator shaft extending intermediate the distal and proximal wedge members, wherein rotation of the actuator shaft causes the distal and proximal wedge members to be drawn together such that longitudinal movement of the distal wedge member against the distal surfaces and the longitudinal movement of the proximal wedge member against the proximal surfaces causes separation of the upper and lower body portions; wherein the upper body portion further comprises a pair of downwardly extending side portions with at least one groove, and the lower body portion further comprises a pair of upwardly extending side portions with at least one rib extending outwardly from a surface of the upwardly extending side portions, the at least one groove of the downwardly extending side portions engaging the at least one rib of the upwardly extending side portions to facilitate linear translational movement of the upper body portion relative to the lower body portion.