In-situ formed intervertebral fusion device and method
An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.
1. An expandable spinal fusion implant, comprising:
a) an upper endplate having an upper surface configured to engage bone and a lower surface;
b) a lower endplate having a lower surface configured to engage bone and an upper surface;
c) a core having a first mating surface that mates with the upper endplate via a slidable guide-track and a second mating surface that mates with the lower endplate via a slidable guide-track; and
d) an elongate metallic element extending longitudinally through the core;
wherein the core includes first and second opposed ramped surfaces;
wherein longitudinal translation of the ramped surfaces increases a height between the upper surface of the upper endplate and the lower surface of the lower endplate;
wherein the upper and lower endplates and the core are each arcuate in a plane parallel to their length.
2. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the core comprises upper and lower ramp components.
3. The implant of claim 1 , wherein a cross-section taken through the endplates and the core defines an I shape.
4. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the elongate metallic element does not contact either of the upper and lower endplates.
5. An expandable spinal fusion implant, comprising:
an upper endplate having an upper surface configured to engage bone;
a lower endplate having a lower surface configured to engage bone; and
a core positionable between the upper and lower endplates, the core including:
a first surface that includes a guide configured to slide within a track formed in the upper endplate;
a second surface that extends at an oblique angle with respect to the upper endplate;
a third surface that includes a guide configured to slide within a track formed in the lower endplate; and
a fourth surface that extends at an oblique angle with respect to the lower endplate;
wherein a height between the upper surface of the upper endplate and the lower surface of the lower endplate is expandable by ramping action of the second and fourth surfaces;
wherein the upper and lower endplates and the core are each arcuate in a plane parallel to their length.
6. The implant of claim 5 , wherein the core comprises upper and lower ramp components.
7. The implant of claim 5 , wherein the upper and lower endplates and the core are each arcuate along their length.
8. The implant of claim 5 , wherein a cross-section taken through the endplates and the core defines an I shape.
9. The implant of claim 5 , wherein the second and fourth surfaces bear against each other.
10. The implant of claim 5 , wherein the implant has a middle portion and opposed end portions, and wherein the middle portion has a greater height than the opposed end portions.
11. An expandable spinal fusion implant, comprising:
an upper endplate having an upper surface configured to engage bone;
a lower endplate having a lower surface configured to engage bone;
a first ramp surface extending at an angle relative to the upper surface of the upper endplate;
a second ramp surface extending at an angle relative to the lower surface of the lower endplate;
a first guide surface that mates with the upper endplate via a slidable guide track; and
a second guide surface that mates with the lower endplate via a slidable guide track;
wherein the first and second ramp surfaces are slidable with respect to one other to expand a height of the implant by longitudinal translating movement.
12. The implant of claim 11 , wherein the upper surface of the upper endplate and the lower surface of the lower endplate each include teeth extending therefrom for gripping bone.
13. The implant of claim 11 , wherein the upper surface of the upper endplate and the lower surface of the lower endplate each include openings to permit bony fusion therethrough.
14. The implant of claim 11 , wherein the implant has a middle portion and opposed end portions, and wherein the middle portion has a greater height than the opposed end portions.
15. An expandable spinal implant, comprising:
a top component having a track formed therein and an upper surface configured to engage a vertebral endplate;
a bottom component having a track formed therein and a lower surface configured to engage a vertebral endplate;
a first portion disposed between the top and bottom components, the first portion having a guide slidably-received within the track of the top component;
a second portion disposed between the top and bottom components, the second portion having a guide slidably-received within the track of the bottom component; and
first and second opposed ramping surfaces longitudinally slidable along one another to expand a height of the implant;
wherein the implant has a middle portion and opposed end portions, and wherein the middle portion has a greater height than the opposed end portions.
16. The implant of claim 15 , wherein the top and bottom components are arcuate along their respective lengths.
17. The implant of claim 15 , wherein a cross-section taken through the top component, the bottom component, and the first and second portions defines an I shape.
18. The implant of claim 15 , wherein the first ramping surface is formed on the first portion and the second ramping surface is formed on the second portion.
19. An expandable spinal implant, comprising:
a top component having a track formed therein and an upper surface configured to engage a vertebral endplate;
a bottom component having a track formed therein and a lower surface configured to engage a vertebral endplate;
a first portion disposed between the top and bottom components, the first portion having a guide slidably-received within the track of the top component;
a second portion disposed between the top and bottom components, the second portion having a guide slidably-received within the track of the bottom component; and
first and second opposed ramping surfaces longitudinally slidable along one another to expand a height of the implant;
wherein the top and bottom components are arcuate along their respective lengths.