Patent ID: 8491657

Claim:
An expanding device ( 1 ) to be implanted between vertebral bodies of two adjacent vertebrae, the expanding device including: a cage surrounding a central cavity and defining a peripheral part therearound the cage having: a leading edge ( 3 ), a handling edge ( 2 ) thicker than the leading edge, and, two elongated side edges ( 4 ), each provided with a respective side holes ( 5 ) and extending laterally between said handling edge and leading edge ; and a retracting means ( 7 ) received in the side holes ( 5 ), said retracting means ( 7 ) being movable between an insertion position, wherein the retracting means is close to the handling edge and a locking position wherein the retracting means engages the leading edge, causing an expansion of said leading edge, wherein: the retracting means ( 7 ) is provided with stopping means adapted for maintaining the retracting means ( 7 ) in the locking position and for preventing the retracting means from being expulsed from the cage, the leading edge includes two lateral slots ( 9 ) receiving the retracting means ( 7 ) in the locking position, so as to cause said expansion of the leading edge ( 3 ); and the retracting means includes two parts each having a T-shaped section, each T-shaped section having a central foot and a bar, the central foots engaging walls of the respective lateral slots ( 9 ) and the T bars abutting against the leading edge ( 3 ).