IP Library Granted Patent US 12,629,263
Granted Patent B2
US 12,629,263 · App. 18/924,327 · Granted May 19, 2026

Expandable fusions devices, instruments, and methods thereof

Inventors: Mark Weiman (Downingtown, PA); Hilliary Kopp (Virginia Beach, VA); Joel Cryder (Warrington, PA); James Himmelberger (Souderton, PA); Jason Gray (East Greenville, PA); Jason Zappacosta (Philadelphia, PA); Mark Miccio (West Collingswood Heights, NJ); Shawn Cox (Reading, PA); David Feigenbaum (Philadelphia, PA); Damien Kahmer (Warrington, PA)
Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
A61F2/447A61F2/442
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,629,263
App. No.
18/924,327
Granted
May 19, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Expandable fusion devices, systems, instruments, and methods thereof. The expandable fusion device is capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. The fusion device may include a body, a first endplate, and a second endplate. A drive screw may be rotated to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. Instruments may be provided to ensure the implant is inserted safely and as intended.

Claims (30)

1 . An implantable system comprising:

an expandable device comprising a first endplate, a second endplate, a body positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate;

a drive screw and a lock positioned within the body, wherein rotation of the drive screw is configured to increase or decrease a distance between the first endplate and the second endplate, and the lock is configured to stop rotation to the drive screw,

the drive screw having a head portion and a shaft,

the lock having a first ring and a second ring connected to the first ring by a strut,

wherein in a locked position, the second ring of the lock rests in a circumferential groove of the head portion, the first ring of the lock rests on a top face of the head portion and the strut of the lock rests in a notch of the head portion,

wherein in an unlocked position, the second ring of the lock is translated out of the circumferential groove of the head portion and the strut of the lock is translated out of the notch of the head portion.

2 . The implantable system of claim 1 , wherein the first ring of the lock is a full ring and the strut of the lock has a radially outward projection received in a recess of the body, the recess of the body having a sufficient depth to retain the strut of the lock when the strut of the lock translates out of the notch of the head portion to place the lock in an unlocked position.

3 . The implantable system of claim 1 , wherein the first ring of the lock includes an off center through hole.

4 . The implantable system of claim 1 , wherein the second ring of the lock is a C-shaped spring ring.

5 . The implantable system of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of notches are located radially around a tip of the head portion, wherein in the locked position, the first ring of the lock rests in any one of the notches.

6 . The implantable system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of protrusions include quadrilateral projections.

7 . The implantable system of claim 1 , wherein the expandable device further includes a retaining ring configured to retain the lock and drive screw in the body of the expandable device.

8 . The implantable system of claim 7 , wherein the retaining ring has a generally C-shaped body.

9 . The implantable system of claim 8 , wherein the retaining ring includes a plurality of outer radial notches and a plurality of inner radial notches that allow the retaining ring to deflect without deforming.

10 . The implantable system of claim 1 , wherein the expandable device further includes a friction ring configured to reduce an expansion force and add friction to the drive screw.

11 . The implantable system of claim 10 , wherein the friction ring is an annular ring having an outer surface configured to contact the body and an inner surface configured to contact the shaft of the drive screw.

12 . An implantable system comprising:

an expandable device comprising a first endplate, a second endplate, a body positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate;

a drive screw and a lock positioned within the body, wherein rotation of the drive screw is configured to increase or decrease a distance between the first endplate and the second endplate, and the lock is configured to stop rotation to the drive screw,

the drive screw having a head portion and a shaft,

the lock having a ring,

wherein in a locked position, the ring rests in a circumferential groove of the head portion,

wherein in an unlocked position, the ring is translated out of the circumferential groove.

13 . The implantable system of claim 12 , wherein the ring of the lock is a C-shaped spring ring.

14 . The implantable system of claim 12 , wherein a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of notches are located radially around a tip of the head portion.

15 . The implantable system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of protrusions include quadrilateral projections.

16 . The implantable system of claim 12 , wherein the expandable device further includes a retaining ring configured to retain the lock and drive screw in the body of the expandable device.

17 . The implantable system of claim 16 , wherein the retaining ring has a generally C-shaped body.

18 . The implantable system of claim 17 , wherein the retaining ring includes a plurality of outer radial notches and a plurality of inner radial notches that allow the retaining ring to deflect without deforming.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2024
From: WEIMAN, MARK; KOPP, HILLIARY; CRYDER, JOEL; FEIGENBAUM, DAVID; HIMMELBERGER, JAMES; GRAY, JASON; ZAPPACOSTA, JASON; MICCIO, MARK; COX, SHAWN; KAHMER, DAMIEN
To: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 068990/0809 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 18325633 · May 30, 2023
Continuation 17506754 · Oct 21, 2021
Continuation 16779756 · Feb 3, 2020
Related Publication 20250041072A1 · Feb 6, 2025
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