Expandable Interbody Implant Locking for Multi-Approach Placement

The fusion device incorporates an expandable cage structure that can dynamically change its configuration from a compressed insertion state to an expanded functional state. The cage includes expandable walls that can be actuated to adjust the anteroposterior dimension, allowing the same device to adapt to different surgical approaches (anterior, lateral, posterior) and patient anatomies without requiring multiple specialized implants.

The fusion device is divided into modular components including an expandable cage, endplates, and interlocking mechanisms. The cage is segmented into expandable walls that can be independently actuated, and the device includes separate insertion tools and locking mechanisms that can be applied to different approaches. This modular segmentation enables the device to be customized for various surgical pathways while maintaining a single unified implant design.

The fusion device is designed to be inserted in a pre-compressed or collapsed state, reducing the profile size for easier navigation through the disc space and minimizing resistance during insertion. The expandable cage is compressed to a compact configuration that can be readily placed, and then expanded in situ to the desired height to restore disc spacing. This preliminary compression action enables ease of insertion while preserving the ability to achieve full height restoration after placement.

The device transitions dynamically from a compressed insertion configuration to an expanded functional configuration. The expandable cage includes walls that can be actuated to increase the anteroposterior dimension, allowing the device to restore disc height after insertion. This dynamic expansion capability enables the device to achieve both easy insertion (in compressed state) and adequate height restoration (in expanded state).

The expandable cage allows the device to be inserted through a smaller access window in a compressed state and then expanded to the full functional size within the disc space. This dynamic expansion capability eliminates the need for large surgical corridors, reducing soft tissue disruption and the risk of iatrogenic injuries to surrounding structures. The cage expands from a compact insertion profile to a full-size functional profile, enabling placement through minimally invasive approaches.

The device is segmented into an expandable cage with multiple actuable walls, allowing progressive expansion within the disc space. This segmentation enables the device to be introduced through a small opening and then expanded incrementally to the required size, minimizing the surgical access window while maintaining ease of placement. The modular expandable structure allows the device to grow from a compact insertion configuration to a full functional configuration without requiring a large initial surgical corridor.

The fusion device is designed as a universal implant that can be applied to multiple surgical approaches (anterior, lateral, posterior) through a single standardized expandable cage design. The endplates and cage structure are configured to accommodate different insertion pathways while maintaining precise placement capabilities. The expandable mechanism provides a common platform that can be adapted to various approaches without requiring multiple approach-specific implant designs, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized production processes.

The expandable cage structure provides a dynamic platform that can be inserted in a compressed state and then expanded to the full functional size, allowing the same device to be used for different surgical approaches. The expandable walls and interlocking mechanisms are designed to accommodate various insertion pathways while maintaining placement precision. This dynamic design enables a single universal implant to serve multiple surgical approaches, eliminating the need for approach-specific customized implants.