Height-adjustable spinal fusion cage

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spinal fusion cage which is inserted between vertebral bodies in a state where the cage has the lowest height, and is height-adjustable in the inserted state, whereby cages having fixed heights within a predetermined range can be replaced by a single cage. Therefore, manufacturers can reduce product groups that need to be produced, and can also reduce product stock. Further, in contrast to the conventional cages having predetermined heights at regular intervals, the height of the inventive cage can be linearly adjusted according to the distance between the vertebral bodies of a patient, and thus a surgery can be performed using the cage adjusted to an optimum height according to the patient's condition.

Description

Technical field 5

[0001] The present invention relates to a height-adjustable spinal fusion cage, and more specifically, to a spinal fusion cage which is inserted between vertebral bodies with the lowest height and is height-adjustable in the inserted state. Background art 10

[0002] Vertebral bodies, including 32-35 vertebrae and intervertebral discs between vertebrae, form the central part of the body connecting the cranium from the top and the pelvis to the bottom. 15

[0003] Vertebrae consist of seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae, five lumbar vertebrae, five sacral vertebrae, and three to five coccygeal vertebrae, from the top, and for adults, five fused sacral vertebrae form the sacrum, and three to five fused coccygeal vertebrae form the coccyx. 20 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[0004] For a long time, one of the methods for treating severe spinal diseases has been spinal fusion. Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to join adjacent vertebral bodies by removing the intervertebral disc and inserting a cage as a substitute. 5

[0005] When such spinal fusion is performed on lumbar vertebrae, the surgical options include posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), transformational lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF), anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), etc., according to the direction in which a cage is inserted. 10

[0006] Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a surgical procedure of making an incision along the central line of the spine, opening the site to expose the whole vertebral body, removing part of the back of the vertebrae and removing the disc, and then inserting a PLIF cage. 15

[0007] Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), which has been performed for the longest time as a spinal fusion surgical procedure, is needed when performing interbody fusion for two or three joints. However, there is a high possibility that the nerve and ligament are prone to be adhered to the muscle during the procedure, the cutting site is large which 20           requires long recovery time, and some patients suffer from aftereffects following surgery. 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[0008] A PLIF cage includes a pair of small cages at both sides, and is the smallest implant among those used in spinal fusion surgical procedures. 5

[0009] Transformational lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a surgical procedure of making a small incision along both sides of the spinal muscle to minimally expose the vertebral body, and then inserting a TLIF cage into the disc while removing the facet joints in the direction of the neuropore. During this surgical procedure, there is less bleeding, and the operation time is shortened, which means that it is suitable for a surgery on a single joint. 10          However, for a surgery on various sites, a PLIF surgical procedure is to be performed. Most TLIF cages having a shape of a circular arc need to be inserted into the vertebral body and rotated such that the convex portion of the TLIF cage is oriented toward the abdomen. The TLIF cage is larger than the PLIF cage in size but has a smaller support area than the LLIF cage or ALIF cage that will be described below. 15

[00010] Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) has many advantages such as short recovery time and no concern about adhesion, etc., but has a disadvantage which requires highly advanced techniques because the procedure utilizes an anterior approach from the front (abdominal region) toward spinal bones. The ALIF cage has an advantage of having 20          the largest support area among all the spinal fusion cages. 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[00011] Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) was developed to overcome the disadvantages of ALIF, PLIF and TLIF. LLIF is operated by making an incision in the side of a patient, which more widely expands the distance between the stenosed vertebral 5          bodies, compared to other conventional surgical procedures which make an incision in the back, and also causes little damage on peripheral tissues. However, there is a problem that psoas muscle and peritoneum are on the way of accessing the site, and thus a mistake during the operation may lead to numbness in the thigh, etc. The LLIF cage is smaller than the ALIF cage in size, but smaller than the PLIF cage or TLIF cage. 10

[00012] Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) or anterior to psoas fusion (ATP) is a safer and more effective surgical procedure than the LLIF. The OLIF accesses the site from the side in an oblique direction, and has an advantage that the operation can be performed between the fourth lumbar vertebra L4 and the fifth lumbar vertebra L5 where DLIF can 15          hardly be performed because of psoas muscle and peritoneum. Also, the possibility that may damage nerves, which is the problem of LLIF, is significantly low.

[00013] Conventional spinal fusion cages are formed of one body with the same crosssectional area or height using a metal material such as titanium or a polymer material such 20          as PEEK. As such, there are a good number of product groups considering the physique, 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 height, race, gender, etc. of patients. In other words, manufacturers have a burden to manufacture at least tens of product groups to as many as hundreds of product groups by combining three variables, width, length and height. 5

[00014] Also, the distance between vertebral bodies of a patient does not grow at regular intervals. However, when cages are formed of one body, a cage with a proper height should be selected from the existing product groups for operation, which could not meet each patient’s condition perfectly. 10

[00015] Many efforts have been made to solve the problem, and a spinal fusion cage capable of adjusting a height has been developed.

[00016] US6176882 discloses a height-adjustable cage. The cage of US6176882 comprises walls in a shape of a square box having an open top and an open bottom, an 15          engagement member moving vertically inside the walls, a pair of wedge members pushing out the engagement member, and an adjusting element screw-coupled to the pair of wedge members and adjusting the distance between the pair of wedge members. According to US6176882, the engagement member and the wedge members are simply constrained by the walls of a box shape without being connected with each other, and 20         thus the engagement member shakes. 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[00017] US9034041, claim 1 of D4, discloses comprising a body assembly, an upper support member 718, and a lower support member 720, wherein the body assembly comprises a first portion 712 and a second portion 714, the first portion 712 and the second portion 714 being movable by a control member along a longitudinal axis. The 5         distance between the upper support member 718 and the lower support member 720 is controlled by a first upper pair of retaining members and a second upper pair of retaining members. As such, US9034041 does not comprise an element for directly guiding the movement of the upper support member 718 and the lower support member 720, and thus the body assembly and the upper support member 718 and the lower support member 10          720 shake with respect to each other. Patent art literature •  (Patent literature 1) US6176882 •  (Patent literature 2) US9034041 •  (Patent literature 3) US2017-02580605A 15

[00019] The preceding discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. 20 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[00020] It is an object of the present invention, which was devised to solve the above problem, to provide a spinal fusion cage which is inserted between vertebral bodies with the lowest height and is height-adjustable in the inserted state. 5

[00021] The present invention, which aims at achieving the above object, relates to a spinal fusion cage, comprising: a first end plate and a second end plate being in contact with adjacent vertebral bodies; a distal moving block fixed to be relatively movable to a plate slope formed at one end of the first end plate and the second end plate; a proximal moving block fixed to be relatively movable to a plate slope formed at the other end of the first end 10          plate and the second end plate; an adjusting member rotatably fixed to the proximal moving block and screw-coupled to the distal moving block, to adjust a distance between the distal moving block and the proximal moving block; a first guide part formed in the first end plate to face the second end plate; and a second guide part formed in the second end plate to face the first end plate, and constraining, by the sliding motion with the first guide 15          part, the motion direction in which the first end plate and the second end plate come close to each other or are separated from each other, wherein the first guide part and the second guide part support the load of the first end plate and the second end plate in the longitudinal direction or width direction, and wherein the first end plate and the second end plate each has a bridge at the end in the distal direction and two legs connected to 20           the bridge extending to the end in the proximal direction. 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[00022] A block slider is formed in the distal moving block and the proximal moving block, and a plate slider sliding relative to the block slider is formed in the plate slope.

[00023] In addition, an auxiliary block slider is arranged around the block slider, and an auxiliary plate slider corresponding to the auxiliary block slider is formed in the first end 5          plate and the second end plate.

[00024] In addition, the adjusting member has a screw part screw-coupled to the distal moving block at one end and has a pin space to be rotatably fixed relative to the proximal moving block at the other end, and an adjusting member fin is placed in the pin space through the proximal moving block. 10

[00025] In addition, the first guide part comprises a pillar protruding toward the second end plate, and the second guide part comprises an extension wall protruding toward the first end plate to be slidable relative to the pillar.

[00026] In addition, the first guide part has, around the pillar, a receiving part for receiving the extension wall when the first end plate and the second end plate come close to each 15            other.

[00027] In addition, the extension wall comprises a first wall and a second wall located in the front and back of the pillar, respectively, along the longitudinal direction of the second end plate, and a third wall connecting the first wall and the second wall to form a groove into which the pillar is inserted. 20

[00028] In addition, a guide groove for guiding insertion of the pillar is formed in the first 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 wall and the second wall.

[00029] In addition, an opening communicating with the window is formed between the legs, and part of the proximal moving block is exposed through the opening.

[00030] In addition, a recessed groove is formed in a portion exposed through the opening 5          of the proximal moving block.

[00031] According to a first broad aspect of the invention there is provided spinal fusion cage, comprising: a first end plate and a second end plate being in contact with adjacent vertebral bodies; 10                         a distal moving block fixed to be relatively movable to a plate slope formed at one end of the first end plate and the second end plate; a proximal moving block fixed to be relatively movable to a plate slope formed at the other end of the first end plate and the second end plate; an adjusting member rotatably fixed to the proximal moving block and 15                         screw-coupled to the distal moving block, to adjust a distance between the distal moving block and the proximal moving block; a first guide part formed in the first end plate to face the second end plate; and 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 a second guide part formed in the second end plate to face the first end plate, and constraining, by the sliding motion with the first guide part, the motion direction in which the first end plate and the second end plate come close to each other or are separated from each other, 5                         wherein the first guide part and the second guide part support the load of the first end plate and the second end plate in the longitudinal direction or width direction, and wherein the first end plate and the second end plate each has a bridge at the end in the distal direction and two legs connected to the bridge 10                          extending to the end in the proximal direction.

[00032] Optionally, a block slider is formed in the distal moving block and the proximal moving block, and a plate slider sliding relative to the block slider is formed in the plate slope.

[00033] Optionally, an auxiliary block slider is arranged around the block slider, and an 15            auxiliary plate slider corresponding to the auxiliary block slider is formed in the first end plate and the second end plate.

[00034] Optionally, the adjusting member has a screw part screw-coupled to the distal moving block at one end and has a pin space to be rotatably fixed relative to the proximal moving block at the other end, and an adjusting member fin is placed in the pin space 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 through the proximal moving block.

[00035] Optionally, the first guide part comprises a pillar protruding toward the second end plate, and the second guide part comprises an extension wall protruding toward the first end plate to be slidable relative to the pillar. 5

[00036] Optionally, the first guide part has, around the pillar, a receiving part for receiving the extension wall when the first end plate and the second end plate come close to each other.

[00037] Optionally, the extension wall comprises a first wall and a second wall located in the front and back of the pillar, respectively, along the longitudinal direction of the second 10           end plate, and a third wall connecting the first wall and the second wall to form a groove into which the pillar is inserted.

[00038] Optionally, a guide groove for guiding insertion of the pillar is formed in the first wall and the second wall.

[00039] Optionally, an opening communicating with the window is formed between the legs, 15          and part of the proximal moving block is exposed through the opening.

[00040] Optionally, a recessed groove is formed in a portion exposed through the opening of the proximal moving block. 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[00041] According to a first principal aspect of the invention there is provided a spinal fusion cage, comprising: a first end plate and a second end plate being in contact with adjacent vertebral bodies; 5                 first plate slopes located at one end of each of the first end plate and the second end plate; a distal moving block fixed to be relatively movable to the first plate slopes; second plate slopes formed at other end of each of the first end plate and 10                the second end plate; a proximal moving block fixed to be relatively movable to the second plate slopes; an adjusting member rotatably fixed to the proximal moving block and screw-coupled to the distal moving block, to adjust a distance between the 15                distal moving block and the proximal moving block; a first guide part formed in the first end plate to face the second end plate; and a second guide part formed in the second end plate to face the first end plate, and constraining, by the sliding motion with the first guide part, the 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 motion direction in which the first end plate and the second end plate come close to each other or are separated from each other, wherein the first guide part and the second guide part support the load of the first end plate and the second end plate in the longitudinal direction or 5                 width direction, and wherein the first end plate and the second end plate each has a bridge at the one end in the distal direction and two legs connected to the bridge extending to the other end in the proximal direction, wherein a first window is formed in the center of the first end plate, into 10                 which a bone graft material is inserted, wherein a second window is formed in the center of the second end plate, into which a bone graft material is inserted, wherein a first opening communicating with the first window is formed between the legs at the other end of the first end plate, 15               wherein a second opening communicating with the second window is formed between the legs at the other end of the second end plate, wherein each of the first opening and the second opening is disposed above and below the proximal moving block. 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[00042] Optionally, block sliders are formed in each of the distal moving block and the proximal moving block, and plate sliders sliding relative to the block sliders are formed in each of the first plate slopes and the second plate slopes.

[00043] Optionally, auxiliary block sliders are arranged around the block sliders, 5          and an auxiliary plate slider corresponding to the auxiliary block sliders is formed in each of the first end plate and the second end plate.

[00044] Optionally, the adjusting member has a screw part screw-coupled to the distal moving block at one end and has a pin space to be rotatably fixed relative to the proximal moving block at the other end, and an adjusting member pin is 10         placed in the pin space through the proximal moving block.

[00045] Optionally, the first guide part comprises a pillar protruding toward the second end plate, and the second guide part comprises an extension wall protruding toward the first end plate to be slidable relative to the pillar.

[00046] Optionally, the first guide part has, around the pillar, a receiving part for 15          receiving the extension wall when the first end plate and the second end plate come close to each other. 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[00047] Optionally, the extension wall comprises a first wall and a second wall located in the front and back of the pillar, respectively, along the longitudinal direction of the second end plate, and a third wall connecting the first wall and the second wall to form a groove into which the pillar is inserted. 5

[00048] Optionally, a guide groove for guiding insertion of the pillar is formed in the first wall and the second wall.

[00049] Optionally, part of the proximal moving block is exposed through the first and second openings.

[00050] Optionally, first and second block grooves are formed in the proximal 10          moving block, the first block groove is exposed to the outside through the first opening, and the second block groove is exposed to the outside through the second opening.

[00051] Through the present invention, cages having heights within a predetermined range may be replaced by a single cage. Therefore, manufacturers may reduce product groups 15          that need to be produced, and may also reduce product stock. Further, in contrast to the conventional cages having predetermined heights at regular intervals, the height of the inventive cage may be linearly adjusted according to the distance between the vertebral 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 bodies of a patient, and thus a surgery may be performed using the cage adjusted to an optimum height according to the patient’s condition.

[00052] Further, as the cage with the lowest height is inserted, the burden to separately 5          manufacture test implants suitable for the distance between the vertebral bodies may be reduced. Also, for doctors, efforts to secure insertion spaces while inserting a plurality of test implants sequentially may be lessened. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 10

[00053] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out 15          herein. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of embodiment 1 of the spinal fusion cage according to the present invention in the lowest height state; 20                          Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the spinal fusion cage of Fig. 1 in the highest 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 height state; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the spinal fusion cage of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the spinal fusion cage of Fig. 1 viewed from another direction, excluding an adjusting member; 5                           Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the first end plate of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the first end plate of Fig. 1 viewed from another direction; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the second end plate of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the second end plate of Fig. 1 viewed from 10                          another direction; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the distal moving block of Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the distal moving block of Fig. 1 viewed from another direction; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the proximal moving block of Fig. 1; 15                         Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the proximal moving block of Fig. 1 viewed from another direction; and Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the adjusting member of Fig. 1. 20

[00054] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained with 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 reference to the accompanying drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of the following drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings, and detailed description of known functions and configurations which are determined to 5          unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention are omitted.

[00055] Hereinafter, the proximal refers to a direction away from insertion, and the distal refers to a direction of insertion. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 10

[00056] The spinal fusion cage 100 according to embodiment 1 is described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 13. The spinal fusion cage 100 compirses a first end plate 102 and a second end plate 120 vertically arranged to face each other, a distal moving block 140 and a proximal moving block 170 disposed between the first end plate 102 and the second end plate 120 to move along the distance between the first end plate 102 and the second 15          end plate 120, and an adjusting member 180 passing through the proximal moving block 170 to be connected with the distal moving block 140.

[00057] The first end plate 102 and the second end plate 120 have a first plate part 104 and a second plate part 122 which are in contact with vertebral bodies. The first plate part 20          104 and the second plate part 122 may have tooth-shaped protrusions to prevent 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 separation from the vertebral bodies. In addition, a first window 118 and a second window 138 are formed in the center of the first plate part 104 and the second plate part 122 respectively, into which a bone graft material is inserted. 5

[00058] As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, in the first end plate 102, a first bridge 107 is formed at the end in the distal direction, and two legs 103, 105 connected to the first bridge 107 extend to the end in the proximal direction. The legs 103, 105 are spaced apart from each other to have an approximate U shape with the first bridge 107. Accordingly, a first opening 109 communicating with the first window 118 is formed between the legs 103, 10           105 in the proximal direction.

[00059] In a similar way, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, in the second end plate 120, a second bridge 127 is formed at the end in the distal direction, and two legs 123, 125 connected to the second bridge 127 extend to the end in the proximal direction. The legs 15          123, 125 are spaced apart from each other to have an approximate U shape with the second bridge 127. Accordingly, a second opening 129 communicating with the second window 138 is formed between the legs 123, 125 in the proximal direction.

[00060] The spinal fusion cage 100 has great limits in size and shape because it is inserted 20          into the human body. Also, the spinal fusion cage should have an angle to implement 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 flexibility the spine basically has (an angle in the longitudinal direction of the spine with respect to the transverse plane, i.e., in the sagittal plane direction). Despite the height limit, the adjusting member 180 should have an outer diameter enough to bear the load, and thus the portion of the first end plate 102 or the second end plate 120 on the proximal 5          moving block 170 is to be thinner, which becomes the vulnerable point when the load is applied. Particularly, the greater the angle is, the worse the situation gets. In order to solve the problem, the present invention is characterized by disposing the first opening 109 and the second opening 129 above and below the proximal moving block 170, thereby eliminating the thinner portions in advance. 10

[00061] As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, a block slider is formed in the distal moving block 140 and the proximal moving block 170, and a plate slider sliding relative to the block slider is formed in the plate slopes of the first and second end plates 102, 120. For the block slider and the plate slider, a rail may be used as described below, and other known 15         means may be used.

[00062] A first plate rail 111 and a second plate rail 112 are formed in the distal portion of the first plate part 104, and a third plate rail 113 and a fourth plate rail 114 are formed at the ends of the first and second legs 103, 105 in the proximal portion thereof. The first 20           plate rail 111 and the second plate rail 112 are arranged to face each other, and a first 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 plate groove 116 is formed therebetween. The first plate rail 111, the second plate rail 112, the third plate rail 113 and the fourth plate rail 114 are all inclined to be closer to the center of the first plate part 104 as going from the surface of the first plate part 104 to the thickness direction. 5

[00063] In a similar way, a fifth plate rail 131 and a sixth plate rail 132 are formed in the distal portion of the second plate part 122, and a seventh plate rail 133 and an eighth plate rail 134 are formed at the ends of the third and fourth legs 123, 125 in the proximal portion thereof. The fifth plate rail 131 and the sixth plate rail 132 are arranged to face each other, 10          and a second plate groove 130 is formed therebetween. The fifth plate rail 131, the sixth plate rail 132, the seventh plate rail 133 and the eighth plate rail 134 are all inclined to be closer to the center of the second plate part 122 as going from the surface of the second plate part 122 to the thickness direction. 15

[00064] A first auxiliary plate rail 115 and a second auxiliary plate rail 117 are formed around the third plate rail 113 and the fourth plate rail 114, respectively, at the ends of the first and second legs 103, 105. It is preferable to arrange the first auxiliary plate rail 115 and the second auxiliary plate rail 117 to improve coupling with the proximal moving block 170 because the first and second legs 103, 105 are spaced apart from each other. In 20           embodiment 1, the first auxiliary plate rail 115 and the second auxiliary plate rail 117 are 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 disposed outside the third plate rail 113 and the fourth plate rail 114, respectively, and are arranged to face each other.

[00065] A thrid auxiliary plate rail 135 and a fourth auxiliary plate rail 137 are formed around 5           the seventh plate rail 133 and the eighth plate rail 134, respectively, at the ends of the third and fourth legs 123, 125. It is preferable to arrange the third auxiliary plate rail 135 and the fourth auxiliary plate rail 137 to improve coupling with the proximal moving block 170 because the third and fourth legs 123, 125 are spaced apart from each other. In embodiment 1, the third auxiliary plate rail 135 and the fourth auxiliary plate rail 137 are 10           disposed outside the seventh plate rail 133 and the eighth plate rail 134, respectively, and are arranged to face each other.

[00066] The distal moving block 140 has a streamlined shape with an insertion part 142 protruding so as to be easily inserted between vertebral bodies in the proximal direction. 15           In addition, the distal moving block 140 has a connection part 144 extending in the distal direction and has a connection screw part 150 having a screw thread inside the connection part 144. In addition, the distal moving block 140 has a first block projection 146 corresponding to the first plate groove 116 of the first end plate 102 and a second block prjection 148 corresponding to the second plate groove 130 of the second end plate 120. 20           A first block rail 151 and a second block rail 152 corresponding to the first plate rail 111 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 and the second plate rail 112 are formed around the first block projection 146. A fifth block rail 161 and a sixth block rail 162 corresponding to the fifth plate rail 131 and the sixth plate rail 132 are formed around the second block projection 148. 5

[00067] As shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the proximal moving block 170 has a through hole 178 through which part of the adjusting member 180 passes. In the through hole 178, a support jaw 177 for supporting the adjusting member 180 not to be separated in the distal direction may be formed. In addition, in the proximal moving block 170, a first block groove 172 is formed to be exposed to the outside through the first opening 109 of the first end 10          plate 102, and a second block groove 173 is formed to be exposed to the outside through the second opening 129 of the second end plate 120. The first block groove 172 and the second block groove 173 may be used as an auxiliary means when a holder (not shown) holds the spinal fusion cage 100, or may be employed as a pathway for additionally filling a bone graft material after inserting and expanding the spinal fusion cage 100. 15

[00068] A third block rail 153 and a fourth block rail 154 corresponding to the third plate rail 113 and the fourth plate rail 114 are formed around the first block groove 172. A first auxiliary block rail 155 and a second auxiliary block rail 157 corresponding to the first auxiliary plate rail 115 and the second auxiliary plate rail 117 are formed outside the third 20            block rail 153 and the fourth block rail 154, respectively. 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[00069] Then, a seventh block rail 163 and an eighth block rail 164 corresponding to the seventh plate rail 133 and the eighth plate rail 134 are formed around the second block groove 173. A third auxiliary block rail 165 and a fourth auxiliary block rail 167 5            corresponding to the third auxiliary plate rail 135 and the fourth auxiliary plate rail 137 are formed outside the seventh block rail 163 and the eighth block rail 164, respectively.

[00070] Then, a fixing pinhole 176 for accommodating a first and a second fixing pin 192, 194 is formed at both sides of the proximal moving block 170. In addition, a fastening part 10          166 is formed at both sides of the proximal moving block 170 to hold the spinal fusion cage 100 by a device (not shown).

[00071] The distal moving block 140 and the proximal moving block 170 have an approximate wedge shape and lift or lower the first end plate 102 and the second end 15           plate 120.

[00072] The adjusting member 180 may have an approximate bolt shape. In other words, the adjusting member 180 has a head 182 and an adjusting screw part 188. The head 182 is located in the opening formed in the proximal direction of the through hole 178, and 20          the adjusting screw part 188 passes through the through hole 178 and is screw-coupled 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 to the connection screw part 150 of the connection part 144. A tool space 190 connectable to a tool that is not shown is formed in the head 182. A support part 186 is positioned between the head 182 and the through hole 178 to support rotation while being in contact with the inner wall of the through hole 178. In addition, a pin space 184 is formed around 5          the support part 186 to accommodate the ends of the fixing pins 192, 194 inserted through the pinholes 176 of the proximal moving block 170. As a result, the adjusting member 180 is rotatable in position.

[00073] A pair of pillars 108 is formed at both sides of the first plate part 104, the first plate 10           leg 103 and the second plate leg 105, in the thickness direction, i.e., in the direction toward the second end plate 120. A receiving part 106 for receiving an extension wall 124 that will be described below is formed around the pillar 108. An extension wall 124 is formed at both sides of the second end plate 120, the third plate leg 123 and the fourth plate leg 125, in the thickness direction, i.e., in the direction toward the first end plate 102, and a 15           groove 126 for receiving and guiding the pillar 108 is formed inside the extension wall 124. As a result, the motion of the first end plate 102 and the second end plate 120 to come close to each other or be separated from each other is constrained by which the pillar 108 moves vertically while being received in the groove 126. 20

[00074] In addition, the extension wall 124 comprises a first wall 1241 and a second wall 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 1242 located in the front and back of the pillar 108, respectively, along the longitudinal direction of the second end plate 120, and a third wall 1243 connecting the first wall 1241 and the second wall 1242 to form the groove 126 into which the pillar 108 is inserted. In other words, the extension wall 124 has an approximate U shape when viewed from the 5           top and encloses the pillar 108.

[00075] The first wall 1241 and the second wall 1242 have a thickness smaller than a value obtained by subtracting the length in the width direction of the second window 138 from the length in the width direction of the second plate part 122. This is because the first wall 10           1241 and the second wall 1242 are inserted into the receiving part 106 of the first end plate 102. Also, it is possible that the pillar 108 has a thickness in the width direction 1 / 4 greater than and 1 / 2 smaller than a value obtained by subtracting the length in the width direction of the first window 118 from the length in the width direction of the first plate part 104. This is because the thickness becomes greater as much as the depth of the groove 15            126 into which the pillar 108 is inserted.

[00076] In addition, a guide groove 128 for guiding insertion of the pillar 108 into the groove 126 may be formed in the first wall 1241 and the second wall 1242, because the thickness of the pillar 108 is greater than the thickness of the first wall 1241 and the second wall 20          1242. 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[00077] The spinal fusion cage 100 is constructed as described above, a tool such as screwdriver, etc., is inserted into the tool space 190 and rotated in one direction, and thereby the proximal moving block 170 and the distal moving block 140 come close to 5           each other. As a result, the motion is possible such that the first end plate 102 and the second end plate 120 are separated from each other. In a similar way, the tool is inserted and rotated in the other direction, and thereby the proximal moving block 170 and the distal moving block 140 are distanced apart from each other. As a result, the motion is possible such that the first end plate 102 and the second end plate 120 come close to 10          each other.

[00078] As described above, the present invention has been explained with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, but it may be understood that those skilled in the art can variously modify and change the present invention within the scope 15          without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in the claims below.

[00079] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of 20          exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 5

[00080] Reference to positional descriptions and spatially relative terms), such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee. 10

[00081] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another 15          region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[00082] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprise”, “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” 5           and “having,” or variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. 10

[00083] Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of possible implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of 15          possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.Additionally, where the terms “system”, “device”, and “apparatus" are used in the context of the invention, they are to be understood as including reference to any group of functionally related or interacting, interrelated, interdependent or associated components or elements that may be located in proximity to, separate from, integrated with, 20           or discrete from, each other. 2020424397   02 Jul 2026

[00084] The present invention can respond to heights in a predetermined range using a single cage, thereby lessening the burden of stock and production, and reducing repetitive 5          works during surgery which not only reduces doctor’s efforts, but also shortens operation time thereby decreasing bleeding volume and significantly shortening the patient’s recovery time. Therefore, it is expected to be widely used in the relevant field. Description reference numerals 10 100: spinal fusion cage 102: first end plate 103: first plate leg 104: first plate part 15       105: second plate leg 106: receiving part 107: first bridge 108: pillar 109: first opening 20         111: first plate rail 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 112: second plate rail 113: third plate rail 114: fourth plate rail 115: first auxiliary plate rail 5        116: first plate groove 117: second auxiliary plate rail 118: first window 120: second end plate 122: second plate part 10        123: third plate leg 124: extension wall 125: fourth plate leg 126: groove 127: second bridge 15       128: guide groove 129: second opening 130: second plate groove 131: fifth plate rail 132: sixth plate rail 20       133: seventh plate rail 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 134: eighth plate rail 135: third auxiliary plate rail 137: fourth auxiliary plate rail 138: second window 5 140: distal moving block

[00085] 142: insertion part

[00086] 144: connection part

[00087] 146 first block projection

[00088] 148: second block projection 10

[00089] 150: connection screw part

[00090] 151: first block rail

[00091] 152: second block rail

[00092] 153: third block rail

[00093] 154: fourth block rail 15

[00094] 155: first auxiliary block rail

[00095] 157: second auxiliary block rail

[00096] 161: fifth block rail

[00097] 162: sixth block rail

[00098] 163: seventh block rail 20

[00099] 164: eighth block rail 2020424397   02 Jul 2026 10 15 [000100]  165: third auxiliary block rail [000101]  166: fastening part [000102]  167: fourth auxiliary block rail [000103]  170: proximal moving block [000104]  172: first block groove [000105]  173: second block groove [000106]  176: pinhole [000107]  177: support jaw [000108]  178: through hole [000109]  180: adjusting member [000110]  182: head [000111]  184: pin space [000112]  186: support part [000113]  188: adjusting screw part [000114]  190: tool space [000115]  192, 194: fixing pin [000116]  1241: first wall [000117]  1242: second wall [000118]  1243: third wall 20

Claims

1. A spinal fusion cage, comprising:a first end plate and a second end plate being in contact with adjacent vertebral bodies;first plate slopes located at one end of each of the first end plate and the second end plate;a distal moving block fixed to be relatively movable to the first plate slopes;second plate slopes formed at other end of each of the first end plate and the second end plate;a proximal moving block fixed to be relatively movable to the second plate slopes;an adjusting member rotatably fixed to the proximal moving block and screw-coupled to the distal moving block, to adjust a distance between the distal moving block and the proximal moving block;a first guide part formed in the first end plate to face the second end plate; anda second guide part formed in the second end plate to face the first end plate, and constraining, by the sliding motion with the first guide part, the motion direction in which the first end plate and the second end plate come close to each other or are separated from each other,wherein the first guide part and the second guide part support the load of the first end plate and the second end plate in the longitudinal direction or width direction, andwherein the first end plate and the second end plate each has a bridge at the one end in the distal direction and two legs connected to the bridge extending to the other end in the proximal direction,wherein a first window is formed in the center of the first end plate, into which a bone graft material is inserted,wherein a second window is formed in the center of the second end plate, into which a bone graft material is inserted,2020424397   02 Jul 2026wherein a first opening communicating with the first window is formed between the legs at the other end of the first end plate,wherein a second opening communicating with the second window is formed between the legs at the other end of the second end plate,wherein each of the first opening and the second opening is disposed above and below the proximal moving block.

2. The spinal fusion cage of claim 1, wherein block sliders are formed in each of the distal moving block and the proximal moving block, and plate sliders sliding relative to the block sliders are formed in each of the first plate slopes and the second plate slopes.

3. The spinal fusion cage of claim 2, wherein auxiliary block sliders are arranged around the block sliders, and an auxiliary plate slider corresponding to the auxiliary block sliders is formed in each of the first end plate and the second end plate.

4. The spinal fusion cage of claim 1, wherein the adjusting member has a screw part screw-coupled to the distal moving block at one end and has a pin space to be rotatably fixed relative to the proximal moving block at the other end, and an adjusting member pin is placed in the pin space through the proximal moving block.

5. The spinal fusion cage of claim 1, wherein the first guide part comprises a pillar protruding toward the second end plate, and the second guide part comprises an extension wall protruding toward the first end plate to be slidable relative to the pillar.

6. The spinal fusion cage of claim 5, wherein the first guide part has, around the pillar, a receiving part for receiving the extension wall when the first end plate and the second end plate come close to each other.

7. The spinal fusion cage of claim 6, wherein the extension wall comprises a first wall and a second wall located in the front and back of the pillar, respectively, along the longitudinal direction of the second end plate, and a third wall connecting the first wall and the second wall to form a groove into which the pillar is inserted.

8. The spinal fusion cage of claim 7, wherein a guide groove for guiding insertion of the pillar is formed in the first wall and the second wall.2020424397   02 Jul 20269. The spinal fusion cage of claim 1, wherein part of the proximal moving block is exposed through the first and second openings.

10. The spinal fusion cage of claim 9, wherein first and second block grooves are formed in the proximal moving block, the first block groove is exposed to the outside through the first opening, and the second block groove is exposed to the outside through the second opening.

Images