Patent ID: 8137401

Claim:
An intervertebral implant device having an expandable endplate, the endplate comprising: a) a first base portion having an outer surface adapted for bearing against a natural endplate, an inner surface, first and second side surfaces extending between the outer and inner surfaces, a first cutout opening onto the outer surface and the first side surface and forming a first recessed surface, a second cutout opening onto the outer surface and the second side surface and forming a second recessed surface, and b) a first plank slidingly receivable within the first cutout and adapted to translate across the first recessed surface, c) a second plank slidingly receivable within the second cutout and adapted to translate across the second recessed surface, wherein the first and second cutouts are joined by a third recessed surface in the inner surface of the first base portion, wherein the first plank has a substantially T shape having a first shaft portion having a first outer end portion, a first inner end portion and a first pair of arms extending from the outer end portion, and wherein the first pair of arms are flexible.