Patent ID: 7875078

Claim:
An apparatus for use in restoring the anatomical height of a damaged or diseased disc space between two opposing vertebral bodies in a spine, comprising: a) an expandable interbody fusion device comprising: a superior elongate endplate member having an upper surface for engaging a superior vertebral body in a spine, an opposite lower surface and opposing side surfaces; an inferior elongate endplate member having a lower surface for engaging an inferior vertebral body in said spine and spaced opposing side surfaces, said superior endplate member and said inferior endplate member being releasably coupled to each other along said side surfaces of each said member; and at least one expansion member configured to be introduced between said superior endplate member and said inferior endplate member to move said members relatively apart upon introduction and to thereby decouple the side surfaces of said superior endplate member and said inferior endplate member, said at least one expansion member having an upper surface and together with said lower surface of said superior endplate member further defining a cooperative engagement interlocking said expansion member and said superior endplate member upon said introduction of said expansion member; and b) an inserter releasably connected to said fusion device, said inserter including a track defining a channel through which said expansion element is conveyed for introduction into said fusion device, there being a separable interface between said track and said fusion device, said interface comprising a connector plate supported by said inferior endplate member, said connector late including a support surface on one side for supporting said expansion member and at least one severable member on an opposite side for temporarily holding said track to said fusion device.