CPC A61F 2/447 (2013.01) [A61F 2/4455 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3052 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3054 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3055 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30156 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30261 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30266 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30471 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30523 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30538 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30593 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30904 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4627 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
1. An expandable implant comprising:
a base having a rigid body extending from a first end portion to a second end portion;
a displaceable element having a rigid body extending from a first end portion to a second end portion, wherein said first end portions of said base and said displaceable element are hingedly interconnected by a hinged interconnection, and wherein said second end portions of said base and said displaceable element are formed with complementary jaws rigidly projecting therefrom, wherein said complementary jaws provide complementary facing arcuate surfaces, and wherein said complementary facing arcuate surfaces of said complementary jaws being configured to provide continuous overlap over a range of angular positions of said displaceable element relative to said base; and
wherein a first jaw of said complementary jaws comprises at least one projecting portion that is interposed between inward facing surfaces of a second of said complementary jaws, wherein said at least one projecting portion and said inward facing surfaces are substantially perpendicular to an axis of said hinged interconnection connecting said first end portions of said base and said displaceable element, and wherein said first end portion of said displaceable element is formed with a plurality of projecting teeth configured as a partial gear centered on said axis of said hinged interconnection with said base.
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