Patent ID: 8377132

Claim:
An intervertebral implant comprising: a first plate defining at least one hole for receiving a fastener that is configured to be fastened to a first vertebrae; a first fastener extending through the at least one hole of the first plate; a second plate assembled to the first plate, the second plate moveably engaged with the first plate along an axis of translation, said second plate defining at least one hole for receiving a fastener that is configured to be fastened to a second vertebrae adjacent to the first vertebrae, the first plate and the second plate configured to be positioned in a space defined between the first vertebrae and the second vertebrae; a second fastener extending through the at least one hole of the second plate; and a toothed surface defined on both the first plate and the second plate, wherein the second plate is moveable in translation relative to the first plate to move the second fastener relative to the first fastener, and wherein the toothed surface of the first plate engages the toothed surface of the second plate such that translation of the second plate with respect to the first plate is limited in a single direction along the axis of translation.