4 results about "Expandable cage" patented technology

An expansion member for distributing graft material through a cage and into an intervertebral space is provided. The expansion member has a central beam with an entry port in fluid communication with an exit port for distribution of the graft material. The central beam is inserted into a cage having a reversible collapse from an expanded state into a collapsed state, the expanded state forming a graft distribution window. The expanded state, for example, can be configured to open the graft distribution window which at least substantially closes upon the reversible collapse.

The present invention includes a novel procedure and corresponding medical devices for a Purcutaneous Spinal Interbody Fusion (PSIF). In PSIF, the surgeon performs the entire operation percutaneously without the use of a microscope, endoscope, or magnifying loupes. An adjustable retractor system is disclosed that enables the surgeon to percutaneously perform the surgery through accessing the facet joint (and later disc space) that was created by said retractor system. This retractor system provides the surgeon a safe area to work and operate without fear of damaging nerves, blood vessels, or other tissue. An expanding trial may be inserted into and removed from the disc space through the interior of the retractor system to determine the proper size for the expandable cage. The retractor system also enables the expandable cage to be inserted into the disc space.

The present disclosure describes an intervertebral implant having a laterovertically-expanding shell operable for a reversible expansion from a collapsed state into an expanded state, the laterovertically-expanding shell having one or more connectors, and a pair of lateral extension elements that function to laterally expand the footprint of the implant within an intervertebal disc space.

A variety of expandable cage improvements are provided. The cages can have a width expansion assembly that operates independently of a height expansion assembly and the wedges and ramps do not need to make contact with each other. Wedges, or movable spacers with pivotal link connections, can be used, and any portion of the cage can be expanded in width or in height in an amount that differs from other portions of the cage to provide any of a multitude of desired cage shapes. Interdigitating fingers, slidable and / or pivoting, are provided to distribute stresses over a vertebral endplate as desired.