Patent ID: 7993403

Claim:
A vertebral spacer device configured for introduction into an intradiscal space between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a spacer having a height defined by opposite vertebral bearing surfaces adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebrae, said spacer including a first arm movably coupled to a second arm to permit relative lateral movement therebetween; and wherein said first and second arms are initially positioned in an insertion configuration defining a first lateral width sized for introduction through a portal in a disc annulus and into the intradiscal space; and wherein said first and second arms are repositionable relative to one another to provide a laterally expanded configuration defining a second lateral width greater than said first lateral width, said first and second arms together defining a plurality of interdigitating elements that restrain lateral contraction of said first arm relative to said second arm to maintain said first and second arms in said laterally expanded configuration; and wherein said first and second arms are pivotally connected to one another by a flexibly deformable hinge portion formed integral with said first and second arms to define a unitary, single-piece spacer body, and wherein said a flexibly deformable hinge portion is flexibly deformed to reposition said first and second arms relative to one another to said laterally expanded configuration.