Expandable implant device

Abstract

Expandable implant devices including first and second endplates, wherein a first side of the first endplate is moveably attached to a first side of the second endplate; and an expansion mechanism is disposed between the first and second endplates adjacent the second side of the endplates opposite the first side, wherein actuating the expansion mechanism changes an angle between the first endplate and the second endplate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expandable implant device comprising:
 a first endplate moveably coupled to a second endplate at a first side of the expandable implant device; and   an expansion mechanism disposed on the first endplate at a second side of the expandable implant device;   wherein actuation of the expansion mechanism, a dimension of the expandable implant device is changed.   
     
     
         2 . The expandable implant device of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion mechanism is configured to vary a distance between the first endplate and the second endplate. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable implant device of  claim 1 , wherein the first endplate comprises a leading end, a trailing end, a first side, and a second side; and the second endplate comprises a leading end, a trailing end, a first side and a second side, and
 wherein the first side of the first endplate is movably coupled to the first side of the second endplate.   
     
     
         4 . The expandable implant device of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion mechanism includes a drive screw rotatably coupled to the second endplate; and at least one threaded nut configured to receive at least a portion of the drive screw. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable implant device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one threaded nut is configured to translate along a length of the drive screw upon a rotation of the drive screw. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable implant device of  claim 4 , wherein each threaded nut of the at least one threaded nut is coupled to at least one linkage, and wherein the linkage has a first end pivotably coupled to the threaded nut and a second end in contact with an interior surface of the first endplate. 
     
     
         7 . The expandable implant device of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one threaded nut is configured to, upon a rotation of the drive screw:
 pivot the at least one linkage, and   cause an angle of the linkage relative to the drive screw to change, thereby changing a distance between the first endplate and the second endplate.   
     
     
         8 . The expandable implant device of  claim 4 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to inhibit undesired or unintentional rotation of the drive screw while the expandable implant device is in use. 
     
     
         9 . The expandable implant device of  claim 4 , wherein the drive screw comprises:
 a first threaded shank portion configured to receive a spline at an end thereof;   a second threaded shank portion configured to receive a spline at an end thereof; and   a spline configured to couple the first threaded shank portion to the second threaded shank portion.   
     
     
         10 . The expandable implant device of  claim 9 , wherein a thread pattern of the first threaded shank is opposite a thread pattern of the second threaded shank. 
     
     
         11 . The expandable implant device of  claim 9 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one leaf spring with a spring end, wherein the spring end of the leaf spring is configured to engage the spline. 
     
     
         12 . The expandable implant device of  claim 11 , wherein the engaging of the spring end of the leaf spring with the spline inhibits undesired or unintentional rotation of the drive screw while the expandable implant device is in use, and prevents collapse of the expandable implant device in an expanded position. 
     
     
         13 . The expandable implant device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first endplate or the second endplate further comprises a planar extension extending generally perpendicularly relative to a bone contact surface of the respective endplate. 
     
     
         14 . The expandable implant device of  claim 13 , wherein the planar extension is configured to enclose an inner volume of the expandable implant device, and wherein the inner volume is configured to contain a bone graft or a bone graft substitute material within the expandable implant device. 
     
     
         15 . The expandable implant device of  claim 14 , further comprising a fusion aperture extending through the first endplate or the second endplate, from the bone contact surface of the respective endplate to the inner volume. 
     
     
         16 . The expandable implant device of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a first fusion aperture extending through the first endplate, from the bone contact surface of the first endplate to the inner volume; and   a second fusion aperture extending through the second endplate, from the bone contact surface of the second endplate to the inner volume.   
     
     
         17 . The expandable implant device of  claim 16 , wherein the fusion aperture is disposed such that the expansion mechanism does not interfere with or invade the inner volume between the first fusion aperture and the second fusion aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The expandable implant device of  claim 1 , wherein the first endplate or the second endplate includes an aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a bone fixation device therethrough. 
     
     
         19 . The expandable implant device of  claim 1 , further comprising a threaded aperture on a side of the expandable implant device, the threaded aperture being configured to receive a combiner to secure a plate to the expandable implant device. 
     
     
         20 . The expandable implant device of  claim 19 , wherein the plate includes a fixation plate, and the fixation plate is configured to receive at least a portion of a bone fixation device therethrough.