CPC A61F 2/4425 (2013.01) [A61F 2/442 (2013.01); A61F 2/447 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); A61F 2002/2835 (2013.01); A61F 2002/305 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3052 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3055 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30405 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30462 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30471 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30495 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30537 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30538 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30601 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30616 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30841 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30884 (2013.01); A61F 2002/443 (2013.01); A61F 2002/448 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4415 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4485 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4627 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4628 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0025 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0075 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0091 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0006 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00023 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. An expandable intervertebral implant insertable into an intervertebral disc space disposed between a lower vertebra and an upper vertebra, the expandable intervertebral implant comprising:
an upper portion that defines an upper vertebral engagement surface configured to abut the upper vertebra when the implant is disposed in the intervertebral disc space, the upper portion further defining first and second engagement surfaces opposite the upper vertebral engagement surface, wherein the first and second engagement surfaces are spaced from each other along a longitudinal direction;
a lower portion that defines a lower vertebral engagement surface configured to abut the lower vertebra when the implant is disposed in the intervertebral disc space; and
an inner core movable along the longitudinal direction with respect to each of the upper and lower portions at a location between the upper and lower portions, the inner core defining third and fourth engagement surfaces, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth engagement surfaces are all sloped along a transverse direction as they extend along the longitudinal direction, wherein the transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
wherein the first and second engagement surfaces are positioned to engage the third and fourth engagement surfaces, respectively, as the inner core moves along the longitudinal direction with respect to each of the upper and lower portions, thereby causing the upper portion to deflect away from the lower portion along the transverse direction, and
wherein the lower portion includes a first set of teeth that extend toward the inner core, and the inner core includes a second set of teeth that extend toward the lower portion, and the teeth of the first set of teeth are sized and shaped to interlock with the teeth of the second set of teeth.
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