Height-adjustable intervertebrae implant

Abstract

An intervertebral implant for insertion between two vertebrae is disclosed. A first part has a first contact surface extending between its two ends a first guide surface extending out from the first contact surface. A second part has a second contact surface extending between its ends, and a second guide surface recessed into the second contact surface. The first guide surface and the second guide surface cooperate so that the first contact surface of the first part can slide relative to the second contact surface of the second part with a translation motion guided by the cooperating structures of the first and second guide surfaces. The height of the intervertebral implant can be altered by shifting the first part and the second part relative to each other by moving the contact surfaces relative to each other by using the cooperating guide surfaces.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 528,412 filed Dec. 9, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]The present invention relates to intervertebral implants, particularly, to height-adjustable intervertebral implants.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]Intervertebral implants are employed generally after the removal of an intervertebral disc in order to stabilize the space between the vertebrae.[0004]An intervertebral implant is described in EP 0 977 529 B1. The implant is shaped essentially like a rectangular parallelepiped and comprises two side walls, one front wall, and one back wall. The bottom surface and the top surface are open. The hollow space of the intervertebral implant enclosed by the four walls contains at least one movable element with a surface facing towards the top surface or bottom surface, and one adjustment element that is supported in the front wall and back wall, allowing the movab...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]Use of an intervertebral implant in accordance with the present invention can enable one to alter the height (or thickness) of the implant in its assembled state by shifting the first part and the second part relative to each other by means of the contact surfaces moving relative to each other. The motion of the first part and the second part relative to each other, preferably proceeding in an arcuate path such as a screw or helical motion, is particularly well-suited for the use of the intervertebral implant in minimally-invasive applications.

[0024]In other preferred embodiments, a self-locking mechanism such as, for example, roughened or stepped contact surfaces, are provided, which prevents the inadvertent shifting of the first part and the second part relative to each other.

Problems solved by technology

However, this known intervertebral implant is not height-adjustable.

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