Patent ID: 8663330

Claim:
An apparatus for spinal surgery, comprising: a first supporting member including a first end plate defining a first surface configured to engage a first vertebral body and an elongated body extending from the first end plate opposite the first surface, the elongated body defining a longitudinal opening; a second supporting member including a second end plate defining a second surface configured to engage a second vertebral body and a column extending from the second end plate opposite the second surface, the column received within the longitudinal opening of the elongated body of the first supporting member and slidable relative to the elongated body of the first supporting member to move the first and second supporting members relative to each other from a collapsed position, wherein the first and second end plates define a first distance therebetween, to an expanded position, wherein the first and second end plates define a second distance therebetween, the first distance less than the second distance; and a lock mechanism including at least one lock ring plate disposed about the column of the second supporting member and positioned within the elongated body of the first supporting member, the lock mechanism configured to orient the at least one lock ring plate in perpendicular orientation relative to the column in response to urging of the first and second supporting members towards the expanded position to permit movement of the first and second supporting members towards the expanded position, the lock mechanism configured to orient the at least one lock ring plate at an oblique angle relative to the column in response to urging of the first and second supporting members towards the collapsed position to inhibit movement of the first and second supporting members towards the collapsed position.