Expandable inter-vertebral cage and method of installing same

Date

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Publisher

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Abstract

Description

An intervertebral cage includes a plurality of segments that are connected together by one or more members formed from a shape memory alloy material such that the segments are automatically moved from an initial orientation before implantation/insertion in an intervertebral space to an expanded orientation after implantation/insertion in the intervertebral space. Each of the plurality of segments may have a plurality of passageways or recesses formed therethrough, and wherein a wire formed from a shape memory alloy material extends through each of the plurality of passageways or recesses. The member may be formed from a shape memory alloy material that demonstrates shape memory effects and superelasticity properties, such as nitinol.

Keywords

A61F2/30, A61F2/44

Citation

DOI