Granted Patent B2

US 12,697,228 · App. 18/190,170 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Inventors: Tyler Hessler (Phoenixville, PA); Chad Glerum (Pennsburg, PA); Adam Friedrich (Cinnaminson, NJ); Alex Burkhardt (Akron, PA); Jason Zappacosta (Philadelphia, PA); Kevin Gahman (Douglassville, PA); Matthew Hansell (Schwenksville, PA); Andrew Iott (Newtown Square, PA); Hilliary Kopp (Virginia Beach, VA); Jeff Nichols (Media, PA); Joel Cryder (Warrington, PA); Edward Karpowicz (Sewell, NJ); John Matthews (San Diego, CA)

Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.

A61F2/447A61F2/30771A61F2/4425A61F2002/30387A61F2002/30428A61F2002/30471A61F2002/30525A61F2002/30538A61F2002/30556A61F2002/30579A61F2002/30593A61F2002/30785A61F2002/30904A61F2002/443

Abstract

Claims (44)

1 . A lateral expandable fusion device comprising:

first and second endplates each having a longitudinal axis running between a front end and a rear end, and defining a posterior side and an anterior side;

a translator disposed between the first and second endplates, and including an anterior translation bar and a posterior translation bar slidably coupled to the anterior translation bar;

first and second joists respectively disposed on the anterior and posterior sides and pivotally coupled to the first endplate;

a first actuator in engagement with the anterior translation bar and configured to translate the first joist vertically relative to the anterior translation bar such that the anterior side of the first endplate moves away from the second endplate while pivoting relative to the first joist;

a second actuator in engagement with the posterior translation bar and configured to translate the second joist vertically relative to the posterior translation bar such that the posterior side of the first endplate moves away from the second endplate while pivoting relative to the second joist;

wherein:

the first and second actuators are disposed near the front side and the first and second translation bars are disposed near the back side; and

the front side is configured to lead the device into an intervertebral space, and the backside contains one or more openings into the first and second translation bars to receive a tool to engage the first and second actuators.

2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising anterior and posterior ramps respectively coupled to the anterior and posterior translation bars for independent longitudinal translation of the anterior and posterior translation bars.

3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein:

each of the anterior and posterior ramps includes a ramped surface; and

each of the first and second joists includes a ramped surface slidably coupled to a corresponding ramped surface of the anterior and posterior ramps, the ramped surfaces shaped to vertically translate the first and second joists from a longitudinal movement of the anterior and posterior ramps relative to the anterior and posterior translation bars.

4 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the first joist includes a first ramped surface coupled to a corresponding ramped surface of the anterior ramp and a second ramped surface coupled to a corresponding ramped surface of the anterior translation bar.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein:

each of the anterior and posterior translation bars includes a ramped surface; and

each of the first and second joists includes a ramped surface slidably coupled to a corresponding ramped surface of the anterior and posterior translation bars, the ramped surfaces shaped to vertically translate the first and second joists from a longitudinal movement of the anterior and posterior ramps relative to the anterior and posterior translation bars.

6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the anterior translation bar includes an anterior bore and the first actuator is disposed within the anterior bore.

7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the posterior translation bar includes a posterior bore and the second actuator is disposed within the posterior bore.

8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first joist includes a longitudinal slot for receiving a corresponding projection on an underside of the first endplate for pivotal coupling.

9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first joist includes a cylindrical bore for receiving a corresponding projection on an underside of the first endplate for pivotal coupling.

10 . A lateral expandable fusion device comprising:

first and second endplates each having a longitudinal axis running between a front end and a rear end, and defining a posterior side and an anterior side;

a translator disposed between the first and second endplates, and including an anterior translation bar and a posterior translation bar slidably coupled to the anterior translation bar;

a first actuator in engagement with the anterior translation bar and configured to longitudinally translate relative to the anterior translation bar;

a second actuator in engagement with the posterior translation bar and configured to longitudinally translate relative to the posterior translation bar independently of the first actuator;

first and second joists respectively slidably coupled to the anterior and posterior translation bars such that:

actuation of the first actuator translates the first joist vertically relative to the anterior translation bar such that the anterior side of the first endplate moves away from the second endplate while pivoting relative to the first joist;

actuation of the second actuator translates the second joist vertically relative to the posterior translation bar such that the posterior side of the first endplate moves away from the second endplate while pivoting relative to the second joist; and

anterior and posterior ramps respectively coupled to the anterior and posterior translation bars for independent longitudinal translation of the anterior and posterior translation bars;

wherein the first joist includes a first ramped surface coupled to a corresponding ramped surface of the anterior ramp and a second ramped surface coupled to a corresponding ramped surface of the anterior translation bar.

11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein:

each of the anterior and posterior ramps includes a ramped surface; and

each of the first and second joists includes a ramped surface slidably coupled to a corresponding ramped surface of the anterior and posterior ramps, the ramped surfaces shaped to vertically translate the first and second joists from a longitudinal movement of the anterior and posterior ramps relative to the anterior and posterior translation bars.

12 . The device of claim 10 , wherein:

each of the anterior and posterior translation bars includes a ramped surface; and

each of the first and second joists includes a ramped surface slidably coupled to a corresponding ramped surface of the anterior and posterior translation bars, the ramped surfaces shaped to vertically translate the first and second joists from a longitudinal movement of the anterior and posterior ramps relative to the anterior and posterior translation bars.

13 . The device of claim 10 , wherein:

the first and second actuators are disposed near the front side and the first and second translation bars are disposed near the back side; and

the front side is configured to lead the device into an intervertebral space, and the backside contains one or more openings into the first and second translation bars to receive a tool to engage the first and second actuators.

14 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the anterior translation bar includes an anterior bore and the first actuator is disposed within the anterior bore.

15 . The device of claim 14 , wherein the posterior translation bar includes a posterior bore and the second actuator is disposed within the posterior bore.

16 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the first joist includes a longitudinal slot for receiving a corresponding projection on an underside of the first endplate for pivotal coupling.

17 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the first joist includes a cylindrical bore for receiving a corresponding projection on an underside of the first endplate for pivotal coupling.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (5)

References Cited (239)