Patent ID: 8128701

Claim:
An implant for use between a pair of spinal vertebrae, the implant comprising: first and second center parts formed as tubular sleeves and extending along an axis, the second center part having an external screwthread and the first center part having a radially open bore; a threaded ring with teeth on the first center part, threaded onto the second center part, and rotatable to change an overall axial length of the center parts, the first center part being formed with a bore for inserting a surgical instrument serving for rotating the threaded ring; respective first and second brackets each having an attachment plate fixable to a respective one of the vertebrae and a base plate connected to the respective center part, each attachment plate being of convex cross-section and being formed with at least one screw hole and with a respective window adjacent the respective base plate, the window and the bore on the side of the first center part being orientable to face radially in the same direction; an end plate on the first center part having a threaded bore and bearing axially on the base plate of the first bracket; a guide between the base plate of the first bracket and the first center part for radial shifting the first center part on the base plate of the first bracket; and a retaining screw engaged through the base plate of the first bracket and into the threaded bore of the end plate for fixing any of a plurality of radially offset positions of the base plate of the first bracket and the first center part.