US6709458B2 — Expandable push-in arcuate interbody spinal fusio…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 491 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one blocker adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said blocker being located at a predetermined location along the length of said implant and remaining at the predetermined location in transitioning said implant from said first position to said second position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 491 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one blocker adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said blocker being located at a predetermined location along the length of said implant and remaining at the predetermined location in transitioning said implant from said first position to said second position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 39 words

The push-in implant of claim 1 , further comprising a hollow defined between said upper and lower members in communication with said openings in each of said upper and lower members, said hollow being adapted to receive fusion-promoting substances.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

The push-in implant of claim 2 , wherein said hollow has a width that is unobstructed by any mechanism for moving said blocker.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

The push-in implant of claim 2 , further comprising a second hollow between said upper and lower members located between said blocker and said end of said implant proximate said blocker.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 23 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant has a constant width in both the collapsed height and the increased height.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said blocker is located at least in part between said upper and lower members.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said blocker is located proximate at least one of said ends of said upper and lower members.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 60 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said blocker is adapted to cooperatively engage a tool used to move said blocker from an initial position to a final position to increase the height of said implant, said tool not being a part of said implant and being removed from said implant after moving said blocker into the final position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 25 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 ,wherein said implant has a width and said blocker has a width less than the width of said implant.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein each of said upper and lower members are adapted to cooperate with and to fixedly locate said blocker.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 10 , wherein each of said upper and lower members have a track configured to permit said blocker to seat therein.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 35 words

The push-in implant of claim 11 , wherein at least one of said tracks and said blocker are adapted to cooperate with each other to center said blocker along a longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 34 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said blocker moves said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members from a first angled orientation to a second angled orientation relative to one another.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 38 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , further comprising a second blocker located between said upper and lower members for holding at least a portion of the upper and lower members apart where said second blocker is located.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 37 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said blocker is an expander adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 37 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein said implant has a longitudinal axis and said expander rotates in a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said implant to increase the height of said implant.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein said expander is located along the length of said implant.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein said expander is located proximate said proximal ends of said upper and lower members.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein said expander is located proximate said distal ends of said upper and lower member.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 45 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein said hollow is substantially unobstructed by said expander extending along a substantial portion of the length of said hollow so as to permit growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 60 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein said expander is adapted to cooperatively engage a tool used to move said expander from an initial position to a final position to increase the height of said implant, said tool not being a part of said implant and being removed from said implant after moving said expander into the final position.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 41 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein said expander is adapted to cooperatively engage a tool that rotates about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said implant to rotate said expander to increase the height of said implant.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 22 , wherein said expander rotates in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said implant to increase the height of said implant.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 24 words

The push-in implant of claim 23 , wherein said expander remains in the same location along the longitudinal axis of the implant when rotated.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 34 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein said expander moves said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members from a first angled orientation to a second angled orientation relative to one another.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 22 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein each of said upper and lower members are adapted to cooperate with said expander.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 26 , wherein each of said upper and lower members have a track configured to permit said expander to rotate therein.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 27 , wherein said track of said upper member and said track of said lower member are in the same plane.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 27 , wherein said track of said upper member and said track of said lower member are parallel to one another.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 33 words

The push-in implant of claim 27 , where said track of said upper member and said track of said lower member are in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 28 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein said upper and lower members structurally cooperate with said expander so as to keep said expander located within said implant.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 50 words

The push-in implant of claim 27 , wherein at least one of said tracks of said upper and lower members has a cooperating surface, said expander having a corresponding cooperating surface that contacts said cooperating surface of said at least one track to orient said expander in a predetermined location.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 35 words

The push-in implant of claim 32 , wherein said cooperating surfaces orient said expander within said implant such that the axis of rotation of said expander is parallel with the longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 34 words

The push-in implant of claim 33 , wherein said cooperating surfaces center said expander within said implant such that the axis of rotation of said expander coincides with the longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 41 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said upper and lower members are configured to cooperate with one another so as to stop said upper and lower members from being moved apart from one another more than a predetermined distance.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 36 words

The push-in implant of claim 26 , wherein said upper and lower members are adapted to cooperate with said expander so as to center said expander within a cross section of the upper and lower members.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 55 words

The push-in implant of claim 27 , wherein at least one of said tracks of said upper and lower members includes at least one side having a cooperating surface, said expander having a corresponding cooperating surface that contacts said cooperating surface of said at least one side to orient said expander in a predetermined location.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 31 words

The push-in implant of claim 37 , wherein said cooperating surface of said at least one side is a detent and said corresponding cooperating surface of said expander is a projection.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 36 words

The push-in implant of claim 38 , wherein said detent and said projection center said expander within said implant such that the axis of rotation of said expander coincides with the longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 69 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein said expander has a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is moved into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height being greater than said first height.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 45 words

The push-in implant of claim 40 , wherein the difference between said first height and said second height of said expander approximates the difference in height of said implant between said first position and said second position as measured proximate the location of said expander.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , wherein said expander has a depth dimension less than that of said first and second height of said expander.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 42 , wherein said expander has a fixed shape during movement from an initial insertion position to a final deployed position within said implant.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 15 , further comprising a second expander located between said upper and lower members for moving at least a portion of the upper and lower members away from one another to increase the maximum height of said implant where said second expander is located.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 19 words

The push-in implant of claim 44 , wherein said second expander rotates to increase the height of said implant.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 22 words

The push-in implant of claim 44 , wherein said second expander is located proximate an end of said implant opposite said expander.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 37 words

The push-in implant of claim 44 , wherein said implant has a longitudinal axis and said second expander rotates in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said implant to increase the height of said implant.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 46 words

The push-in implant of claim 44 , wherein said hollow is substantially unobstructed by said second expander extending along a substantial portion of the length of said hollow so as to permit growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 25 words

The push-in implant of claim 44 , wherein said second expander remains in the same location along the longitudinal axis of the implant when rotated.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 44 , wherein said second expander is located proximate one of the proximal end and the distal end of said upper and lower members.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 43 words

The push-in implant of claim 50 , wherein said hollow is unobstructed by said second expander extending along a substantial portion of the length of said hollow to permit growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 33 words

The push-in implant of claim 50 , further comprising a second hollow between said upper and lower member located between said second expander and said end of said implant proximate said second expander.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 24 words

The push-in implant of claim 44 , wherein each of said upper and lower members have a track within which said second expander rotates.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 31 words

The push-in implant of claim 53 , wherein said track is configured to permit said second expander to rotate therein and then to move from side to side within said track.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 74 words

The push-in implant of claim 44 , wherein said second expander has a first height corresponding to the height of said second expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said second expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said second expander when said second expander is moved into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height being greater than said first height.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 52 words

The push-in implant of claim 44 , wherein said second expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said second expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, and said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 47 words

The push-in implant of claim 56 , wherein the difference between said first height and said second height of said second expander approximates the difference in height of said implant between said first position and said second position as measured proximate the location of said second expander.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 18 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said upper and lower members have walls contacting one another.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 20 words

The push-in implant of claim 58 , wherein said walls are aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 58 , wherein said walls are at least in part overlapping.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 34 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said upper and lower members have a rotational articulation therebetween adjacent one of said proximal end and said distal end of said upper and lower members.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 31 words

The push-in implant of claim 61 , wherein said rotational articulation is at one of said proximal end and said distal end of said upper and lower members opposite said blocker.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 61 , wherein said rotational articulation allows for expansion.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 63 , wherein said rotational articulation allows for limited expansion.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 86 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein one of said upper and lower members has an interior wall, which is unexposed, extending therefrom toward the other of said upper and lower members when said implant is in an initial insertion position, and when said implant is in a final position said implant has a shape such that each of said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members are separated by at least a portion of said interior wall, which now has an exposed side.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 20 words

The push-in implant of claim 65 , wherein said upper and lower members have side walls for engaging each other.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 23 words

The push-in implant of claim 66 , wherein said side walls of said upper and lower members are at least partially overlapping walls.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 33 words

The push-in implant of claim 65 , wherein said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members form an angular orientation relative to one another when said implant is in the final position.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 59 words

The push-in implant of claim 65 , wherein said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members when said implant is in the final position form one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 47 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant has an interior, at least one of said upper and lower members has a screw hole passing therethrough adapted to receive a screw passing from said interior of said implant into one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 51 words

The push-in implant of claim 70 , wherein each of said upper and lower members has at least one screw hole passing therethrough adapted to receive a screw passing from said interior of said implant into the adjacent vertebral body in contact with each of said upper and lower members respectively.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 41 words

The push-in implant of claim 70 , further comprising at least one screw adapted to pass from said interior of said implant through said screw hole and into the adjacent vertebral body to anchor said implant to the adjacent vertebral body.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant has a side surface when in a final position that is contoured to cooperate with another implant.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 33 words

The push-in implant of claim 73 , wherein said implant and said cooperating other implant have a combined width therebetween less than the combined height of said implant and said cooperating other implant.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 38 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , further comprising a cap for closing one of said proximal end and said distal end of said upper and lower members, said cap having an exterior surface and an interior surface.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 31 words

The push-in implant of claim 73 , wherein said interior surface of said cap has spaced slots about its circumference to facilitate a snap fit of said cap into said implant.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant comprises an artificial material other than bone.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 21 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant is made of an artificial material that is stronger than bone.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 21 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant is made of an artificial material that is harder than bone.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 12 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant comprises bone.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 13 words

The push-in implant of claim 80 , wherein said bone includes cortical bone.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant comprises bone growth promoting material.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 32 words

The push-in implant of claim 82 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from the group consisting of bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 18 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant is treated with a bone growth promoting substance.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant is a source of osteogenesis.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 12 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant comprises metal.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 22 words

The push-in implant of claim 87 , wherein said metal is ASTM material suitable for use in said push-in spinal fusion implant.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 12 words

The push-in implant of claim 87 , wherein said metal includes titanium.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant comprises a plastic material.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant comprises a ceramic material.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant is formed of a porous material.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 34 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant is formed of a material that intrinsically participates in the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said implant has an interior surface and a hollow defined therein, said hollow being capable of containing bone growth promoting material.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 32 words

The push-in implant of claim 94 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from the group consisting of bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 97

Dependent Claim 19 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said at least one opening is adapted to retain fusion-promoting materials.

Claim 98

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of said implant is treated to promote bone ingrowth between said implant and said adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 99

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 100

Dependent Claim 65 words

The push-in implant of claim 3 , wherein said blocker is an expander having an external thread, each of said upper and lower members having a threaded converging portion adapted to cooperate with said external thread of said expander to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when said expander is rotated from a first to a second position.

Claim 101

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 82 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is hydroxyapatite.

Claim 102

Dependent Claim 21 words

The push-in implant of claim 82 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 103

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 94 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is hydroxyapatite.

Claim 104

Dependent Claim 21 words

The push-in implant of claim 94 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 105

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 1 , further in combination with a bone growth promoting material.

Claim 106

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 104 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is bone morphogenetic protein.

Claim 107

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 104 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is hydroxyapatite.

Claim 108

Dependent Claim 21 words

The push-in implant of claim 104 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 109

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 104 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is bone.

Claim 110

Dependent Claim 481 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other alone the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one blocker adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said implant having side walls and said blocker not contacting said side walls when said implant is in the final deployed position.

Claim 111

Dependent Claim 481 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other alone the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one blocker adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said implant having side walls and said blocker not contacting said side walls when said implant is in the final deployed position.

Claim 112

Dependent Claim 37 words

The push-in implant of claim 109 , wherein said blocker is an expander adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position.

Claim 113

Dependent Claim 69 words

The push-in implant of claim 110 , wherein said expander has a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is moved into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height being greater than said first height.

Claim 114

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 110 , wherein said expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 115

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 112 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 116

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 109 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 117

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 109 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 118

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 109 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 119

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 116 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 120

Dependent Claim 502 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander being adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position, said expander remaining in the same location along the longitudinal axis of the implant when rotated.

Claim 121

Dependent Claim 502 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander being adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position, said expander remaining in the same location along the longitudinal axis of the implant when rotated.

Claim 122

Dependent Claim 69 words

The push-in implant of claim 118 , wherein said expander has a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is moved into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height being greater than said first height.

Claim 123

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 118 , wherein said expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 124

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 120 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 125

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 118 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 126

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 118 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 127

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 118 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 128

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 124 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 129

Dependent Claim 516 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other alone the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander being adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position, said expander being located at a predetermined location along the length of said implant and remaining so located in transitioning said implant from the first position to the second position.

Claim 130

Dependent Claim 516 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other alone the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander being adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position, said expander being located at a predetermined location along the length of said implant and remaining so located in transitioning said implant from the first position to the second position.

Claim 131

Dependent Claim 69 words

The push-in implant of claim 126 , wherein said expander has a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is moved into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height being greater than said first height.

Claim 132

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 126 , wherein said expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 133

Dependent Claim 28 words

The push-in implant of claim 128 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically V opposed arcs.

Claim 134

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 126 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 135

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 126 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 136

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 126 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 137

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 132 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 138

Dependent Claim 532 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander being adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position, each of said upper and lower members being adapted to cooperate with said expander, each of said upper and lower members having a track configured to permit said expander to rotate therein, said tracks permitting said expander to move from side to side within said track.

Claim 139

Dependent Claim 532 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander being adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position, each of said upper and lower members being adapted to cooperate with said expander, each of said upper and lower members having a track configured to permit said expander to rotate therein, said tracks permitting said expander to move from side to side within said track.

Claim 140

Dependent Claim 37 words

The push-in implant of claim 134 , wherein said blocker is an expander adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position.

Claim 141

Dependent Claim 69 words

The push-in implant of claim 135 , wherein said expander has a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is moved into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height being greater than said first height.

Claim 142

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 135 , wherein said expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 143

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 137 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 144

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 134 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 145

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 134 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 146

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 134 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 147

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 141 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 148

Dependent Claim 527 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander being adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position, said expander having an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 149

Dependent Claim 527 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander being adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position, said expander having an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 150

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 143 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 151

Dependent Claim 20 words

The push-in implant of claim 143 , wherein each of said upper and lower surfaces lie generally in a plane.

Claim 152

Dependent Claim 19 words

The push-in implant of claim 143 , wherein said upper and lower surfaces are generally parallel to one another.

Claim 153

Dependent Claim 24 words

The push-in implant of claim 143 , wherein said side surfaces and said upper and lower surfaces are oriented to substantially form a parallelogram.

Claim 154

Dependent Claim 19 words

The push-in implant of claim 144 , wherein said two diametrically opposed arcs are each of the same radius.

Claim 155

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 148 , wherein the distance across said two diametrically opposed arcs generally approximates the distance between said upper and lower surfaces of said expander.

Claim 156

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 144 , wherein said two diametrically opposed corners form a 90-degree angle.

Claim 157

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 143 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 158

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 143 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 159

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 143 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 160

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 153 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 161

Dependent Claim 479 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said tower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members having a rotational articulation therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said rotational articulation being formed by said upper and lower members interdigitating so as to cooperatively engage, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one blocker adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position.

Claim 162

Dependent Claim 479 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said tower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members having a rotational articulation therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said rotational articulation being formed by said upper and lower members interdigitating so as to cooperatively engage, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection is adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one blocker adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position.

Claim 163

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 155 , wherein said rotational articulation is configured such that engagement occurs when said upper and lower members are substantially perpendicular to one another.

Claim 164

Dependent Claim 36 words

The push-in implant of claim 156 , wherein said rotational articulation is configured to remain engaged within a range of movement of said upper and lower members resulting from positioning said implant in the second position.

Claim 165

Dependent Claim 37 words

The push-in implant of claim 155 , wherein said blocker is an expander adapted to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position.

Claim 166

Dependent Claim 69 words

The push-in implant of claim 158 , wherein said expander has a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is moved into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height being greater than said first height.

Claim 167

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 158 , wherein said expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 168

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 160 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 169

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 155 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 170

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 155 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 171

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 155 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 172

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 164 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 173

Dependent Claim 569 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, said first height and said second height being in a plane.

Claim 174

Dependent Claim 569 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, said first height and said second height being in a plane.

Claim 175

Dependent Claim 55 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , further comprising a hollow defined between said upper and lower members in communication with said openings in each of said upper and lower members, said hollow being adapted to receive fusion-promoting substances, said hollow having a width that is substantially unobstructed by any mechanism for moving said expander.

Claim 176

Dependent Claim 23 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant has a constant width in both the collapsed height and the increased height.

Claim 177

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant has a width and said expander has a width less than the width of said implant.

Claim 178

Dependent Claim 28 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant has a width and said expander has a width less than one half the width of said implant.

Claim 179

Dependent Claim 37 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant has a longitudinal axis and said expander rotates in a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said implant to increase the height of said implant.

Claim 180

Dependent Claim 18 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said expander is located along the length of said implant.

Claim 181

Dependent Claim 22 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said expander is located proximate said proximal ends of said upper and lower members.

Claim 182

Dependent Claim 22 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said expander is located proximate said distal ends of said upper and lower members.

Claim 183

Dependent Claim 60 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said expander is adapted to cooperatively engage a tool used to move said expander from an initial position to a final position to increase the height of said implant, said tool not being a part of said implant and being removed from said implant after moving said expander into the final position.

Claim 184

Dependent Claim 41 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said expander is adapted to cooperatively engage a tool that rotates about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said implant to rotate said expander to increase the height of said implant.

Claim 185

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 176 , wherein said expander rotates in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said implant to increase the height of said implant.

Claim 186

Dependent Claim 24 words

The push-in implant of claim 176 , wherein said expander remains in the same location along the longitudinal axis of the implant when rotated.

Claim 187

Dependent Claim 34 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said expander moves said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members from a first angled orientation to a second angled orientation relative to one another.

Claim 188

Dependent Claim 22 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein each of said upper and lower members are adapted to cooperate with said expander.

Claim 189

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 180 , wherein each of said upper and lower members have a track configured to permit said expander to rotate therein.

Claim 190

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 181 , wherein said track of said upper member and said track of said lower member are in the same plane.

Claim 191

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 181 , wherein said track of said upper member and said track of said lower member are parallel to one another.

Claim 192

Dependent Claim 33 words

The push-in implant of claim 181 , where said track of said upper member and said track of said lower member are in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 193

Dependent Claim 28 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said upper and lower members structurally cooperate with said expander so as to keep said expander located within said implant.

Claim 194

Dependent Claim 50 words

The push-in implant of claim 181 , wherein at least one of said tracks of said upper and lower members has a cooperating surface, said expander having a corresponding cooperating surface that contacts said cooperating surface of said at least one track to orient said expander in a predetermined location.

Claim 195

Dependent Claim 35 words

The push-in implant of claim 186 , wherein said cooperating surfaces orient said expander within said implant such that the axis of rotation of said expander is parallel with the longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 196

Dependent Claim 34 words

The push-in implant of claim 187 , wherein said cooperating surfaces center said expander within said implant such that the axis of rotation of said expander coincides with the longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 197

Dependent Claim 41 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said upper and lower members are configured to cooperate with one another so as to stop said upper and lower members from being moved apart from one another more than a predetermined distance.

Claim 198

Dependent Claim 36 words

The push-in implant of claim 180 , wherein said upper and lower members are adapted to cooperate with said expander so as to center said expander within a cross section of the upper and lower members.

Claim 199

Dependent Claim 55 words

The push-in implant of claim 180 , wherein at least one of said tracks of said upper and lower members includes at least one side having a cooperating surface, said expander having a corresponding cooperating surface that contacts said cooperating surface of said at least one side to orient said expander in a predetermined location.

Claim 200

Dependent Claim 31 words

The push-in implant of claim 191 , wherein said cooperating surface of said at least one side is a detent and said corresponding cooperating surface of said expander is a projection.

Claim 201

Dependent Claim 36 words

The push-in implant of claim 192 , wherein said detent and said projection center said expander within said implant such that the axis of rotation of said expander coincides with the longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 202

Dependent Claim 45 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein the difference between said first height and said second height of said expander approximates the difference in height of said implant between said first position and said second position as measured proximate the location of said expander.

Claim 203

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said expander has a depth dimension less than that of said first and second height of said expander.

Claim 204

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 195 , wherein said expander has a fixed shape during movement from an initial insertion position to a final deployed position within said implant.

Claim 205

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , further comprising a second expander located between said upper and lower members for moving at least a portion of the upper and lower members away from one another to increase the maximum height of said implant where said second expander is located.

Claim 206

Dependent Claim 19 words

The push-in implant of claim 197 , wherein said second expander rotates to increase the height of said implant.

Claim 207

Dependent Claim 22 words

The push-in implant of claim 197 , wherein said second expander is located proximate an end of said implant opposite said expander.

Claim 208

Dependent Claim 37 words

The push-in implant of claim 197 , wherein said implant has a longitudinal axis and said second expander rotates in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said implant to increase the height of said implant.

Claim 209

Dependent Claim 46 words

The push-in implant of claim 199 , wherein said hollow is substantially unobstructed by said second expander extending along a substantial portion of the length of said hollow so as to permit growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant.

Claim 210

Dependent Claim 25 words

The push-in implant of claim 199 , wherein said second expander remains in the same location along the longitudinal axis of the implant when rotated.

Claim 211

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 197 , wherein said second expander is located proximate one of the proximal end and the distal end of said upper and lower members.

Claim 212

Dependent Claim 43 words

The push-in implant of claim 203 , wherein said hollow is unobstructed by said second expander extending along a substantial portion of the length of said hollow to permit growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant.

Claim 213

Dependent Claim 33 words

The push-in implant of claim 203 , further comprising a second hollow between said upper and lower member located between said second expander and said end of said implant proximate said second expander.

Claim 214

Dependent Claim 24 words

The push-in implant of claim 197 , wherein each of said upper and lower members have a track within which said second expander rotates.

Claim 215

Dependent Claim 31 words

The push-in implant of claim 206 , wherein said track is configured to permit said second expander to rotate therein and then to move from side to side within said track.

Claim 216

Dependent Claim 74 words

The push-in implant of claim 197 , wherein said second expander has a first height corresponding to the height of said second expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said second expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said second expander when said second expander is moved into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height being greater than said first height.

Claim 217

Dependent Claim 52 words

The push-in implant of claim 197 , wherein said second expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said second expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, and said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 218

Dependent Claim 47 words

The push-in implant of claim 209 , wherein the difference between said first height and said second height of said second expander approximates the difference in height of said implant between said first position and said second position as measured proximate the location of said second expander.

Claim 219

Dependent Claim 18 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said upper and lower members have walls contacting one another.

Claim 220

Dependent Claim 20 words

The push-in implant of claim 211 , wherein said walls are aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis of said implant.

Claim 221

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 211 , wherein said walls are at least in part overlapping.

Claim 222

Dependent Claim 34 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said upper and lower members have a rotational articulation therebetween adjacent one of said proximal end and said distal end of said upper and lower members.

Claim 223

Dependent Claim 31 words

The push-in implant of claim 214 , wherein said rotational articulation is at one of said proximal end and said distal end of said upper and lower members opposite said expander.

Claim 224

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 214 , wherein said rotational articulation allows for expansion.

Claim 225

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 216 , wherein said rotational articulation allows for limited expansion.

Claim 226

Dependent Claim 86 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein one of said upper and lower members has an interior wall, which is unexposed, extending therefrom toward the other of said upper and lower members when said implant is in an initial insertion position, and when said implant is in a final position said implant has a shape such that each of said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members are separated by at least a portion of said interior wall, which now has an exposed side.

Claim 227

Dependent Claim 20 words

The push-in implant of claim 218 , wherein said upper and lower members have side walls for engaging each other.

Claim 228

Dependent Claim 23 words

The push-in implant of claim 219 , wherein said side walls of said upper and lower members are at least partially overlapping walls.

Claim 229

Dependent Claim 33 words

The push-in implant of claim 218 , wherein said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members form an angular orientation relative to one another when said implant is in the final position.

Claim 230

Dependent Claim 59 words

The push-in implant of claim 218 , wherein said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members when said implant is in the final position form one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other.

Claim 231

Dependent Claim 47 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant has an interior, at least one of said upper and lower members has a screw hole passing therethrough adapted to receive a screw passing from said interior of said implant into one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 232

Dependent Claim 51 words

The push-in implant of claim 223 , wherein each of said upper and lower members has at least one screw hole passing therethrough adapted to receive a screw passing from said interior of said implant into the adjacent vertebral body in contact with each of said upper and lower members respectively.

Claim 233

Dependent Claim 41 words

The push-in implant of claim 223 , further comprising at least one screw adapted to pass from said interior of said implant through said screw hole and into the adjacent vertebral body to anchor said implant to the adjacent vertebral body.

Claim 234

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant has a side surface when in a final position that is contoured to cooperate with another implant.

Claim 235

Dependent Claim 33 words

The push-in implant of claim 226 , wherein said implant and said cooperating other implant have a combined width therebetween less than the combined height of said implant and said cooperating other implant.

Claim 236

Dependent Claim 38 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , further comprising a cap for closing one of said proximal end and said distal end of said upper and lower members, said cap having an exterior surface and an interior surface.

Claim 237

Dependent Claim 31 words

The push-in implant of claim 228 , wherein said interior surface of said cap has spaced slots about its circumference to facilitate a snap fit of said cap into said implant.

Claim 238

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant comprises an artificial material other than bone.

Claim 239

Dependent Claim 21 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant is made of an artificial material that is stronger than bone.

Claim 240

Dependent Claim 21 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant is made of an artificial material that is harder than bone.

Claim 241

Dependent Claim 12 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant comprises bone.

Claim 242

Dependent Claim 13 words

The push-in implant of claim 233 , wherein said bone includes cortical bone.

Claim 243

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant comprises bone growth promoting material.

Claim 244

Dependent Claim 32 words

The push-in implant of claim 235 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from the group consisting of bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 245

Dependent Claim 18 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant is treated with a bone growth promoting substance.

Claim 246

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant is a source of osteogenesis.

Claim 247

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 248

Dependent Claim 12 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant comprises metal.

Claim 249

Dependent Claim 22 words

The push-in implant of claim 240 , wherein said metal is ASTM material suitable for use in said push-in spinal fusion implant.

Claim 250

Dependent Claim 12 words

The push-in implant of claim 240 , wherein said metal includes titanium.

Claim 251

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant comprises a plastic material.

Claim 252

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant comprises a ceramic material.

Claim 253

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant is formed of a porous material.

Claim 254

Dependent Claim 34 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant is formed of a material that intrinsically participates in the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant.

Claim 255

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said implant has an interior surface and a hollow defined therein, said hollow being capable of containing bone growth promoting material.

Claim 256

Dependent Claim 32 words

The push-in implant of claim 247 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is selected from the group consisting of bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 257

Dependent Claim 19 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said at least one opening is adapted to retain fusion-promoting materials.

Claim 258

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein at least a portion of said implant is treated to promote bone ingrowth between said implant and said adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 259

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 260

Dependent Claim 62 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , wherein said expander has an external thread, each of said upper and lower members having a push-in converging portion adapted to cooperate with said external thread of said expander to expand said implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when said expander is rotated from a first to a second position.

Claim 261

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 235 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is hydroxyapatite.

Claim 262

Dependent Claim 21 words

The push-in implant of claim 253 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 263

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 247 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is hydroxyapatite.

Claim 264

Dependent Claim 21 words

The push-in implant of claim 247 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 265

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 166 , further in combination with a bone growth promoting material.

Claim 266

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 257 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is bone morphogenetic protein.

Claim 267

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 257 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is hydroxyapatite.

Claim 268

Dependent Claim 21 words

The push-in implant of claim 257 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 269

Dependent Claim 15 words

The push-in implant of claim 257 , wherein said bone growth promoting material is bone.

Claim 270

Dependent Claim 580 words

A push-in interbody signal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, said implant having side walls and said expander not contacting said side walls when said implant is in the final deployed position.

Claim 271

Dependent Claim 580 words

A push-in interbody signal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, said implant having side walls and said expander not contacting said side walls when said implant is in the final deployed position.

Claim 272

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 262 , wherein said expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 273

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 263 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 274

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 262 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 275

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 262 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 276

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 262 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 277

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 267 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 278

Dependent Claim 574 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, said expander remaining in the same location along the longitudinal axis of the implant when rotated.

Claim 279

Dependent Claim 574 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, said expander remaining in the same location along the longitudinal axis of the implant when rotated.

Claim 280

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 269 , wherein said expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 281

Dependent Claim 26 words

The push-in implant of claim 270 , wherein said two opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 282

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 269 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 283

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 269 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 284

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 269 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 285

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 274 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 286

Dependent Claim 588 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, said expander being located at a predetermined location along the length of said implant and remaining so located in transitioning said implant from the first position to the second position.

Claim 287

Dependent Claim 588 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, said expander being located at a predetermined location along the length of said implant and remaining so located in transitioning said implant from the first position to the second position.

Claim 288

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 276 , wherein said expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 289

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 158 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 290

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 276 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 291

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 276 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 292

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 276 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 293

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 281 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 294

Dependent Claim 604 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, each of said upper and lower members being adapted to cooperate with said expander, each of said upper and lower members having a track configured to permit said expander to rotate therein, said tracks permitting said expander to move from side to side within said track.

Claim 295

Dependent Claim 604 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, each of said upper and lower members being adapted to cooperate with said expander, each of said upper and lower members having a track configured to permit said expander to rotate therein, said tracks permitting said expander to move from side to side within said track.

Claim 296

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 283 , wherein said expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 297

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 284 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 298

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 283 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 299

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 283 , combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 300

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 283 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 301

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 288 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 302

Dependent Claim 599 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, said expander having an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 303

Dependent Claim 599 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander, said expander having an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 304

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 290 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 305

Dependent Claim 20 words

The push-in implant of claim 290 , wherein each of said upper and lower surfaces lie generally in a plane.

Claim 306

Dependent Claim 19 words

The push-in implant of claim 290 , wherein said upper and lower surfaces are generally parallel to one another.

Claim 307

Dependent Claim 24 words

The push-in implant of claim 290 , wherein said side surfaces and said upper and lower surfaces are oriented to substantially form a parallelogram.

Claim 308

Dependent Claim 19 words

The push-in implant of claim 291 , wherein said two diametrically opposed arcs are each of the same radius.

Claim 309

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 295 , wherein the distance across said two diametrically opposed arcs generally approximates the distance between said upper and lower surfaces of said expander.

Claim 310

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 291 , wherein said two diametrically opposed corners form a 90-degree angle.

Claim 311

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 290 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 312

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 290 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 313

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 290 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 314

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 300 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 315

Dependent Claim 578 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members having a rotational articulation therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said rotational articulation being formed by said upper and lower members interdigitating so as to cooperatively engage, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander.

Claim 316

Dependent Claim 578 words

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members having a rotational articulation therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said rotational articulation being formed by said upper and lower members interdigitating so as to cooperatively engage, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging protection adapted for linear insertion is formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one expander adapted to expand said upper and lower members from the first position to the second position when moved from an expander insertion position to a final deployed expander position, said expander being adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said expander having a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is rotated into a final deployed position to increase the height of said implant, said second height of said expander being greater than said first height of said expander.

Claim 317

Dependent Claim 29 words

The push-in implant of claim 302 , wherein said rotational articulation is configured such that engagement occurs when said upper and lower members are substantially perpendicular to one another.

Claim 318

Dependent Claim 36 words

The push-in implant of claim 303 , wherein said rotational articulation is configured to remain engaged within a range of movement of said upper and lower members resulting from positioning said implant in the second position.

Claim 319

Dependent Claim 49 words

The push-in implant of claim 302 , wherein said expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 320

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implant of claim 305 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 321

Dependent Claim 16 words

The push-in implant of claim 302 , wherein said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 322

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implant of claim 302 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 323

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implant of claim 302 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 324

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implant of claim 309 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Claim 325

Dependent Claim 782 words

A pair of push-in interbody spinal fusion implants for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said pair of implants comprising: a first push-in interbody spinal fusion implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one blocker adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said blocker being located at a predetermined location along the length of said first implant and remaining at the predetermined location in transitioning said first implant from said first position to said second position; and a second push-in interbody spinal fusion implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends; and at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine, said first and second implants when in side-to-side contact having a combined width substantially less than the combined heights as measured from the upper to the lower bone-engaging surfaces of said first and second implants.

Claim 326

Dependent Claim 782 words

A pair of push-in interbody spinal fusion implants for at least in part linear insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a spine, said pair of implants comprising: a first push-in interbody spinal fusion implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends, said upper and lower members articulating therebetween adjacent one of said proximal ends and said distal ends of said upper and lower members and allowing for expansion of the height of said implant, said upper and lower members having a first position relative to one another allowing for a collapsed implant height and a second position relative to one another allowing for an increased height, said arcuate portions of said upper and lower members in the first position being angled to one another over a substantial portion of the length of said implant and forming at least a portion of one of a frusto-conical shape and the shape of a cylinder split along a horizontal plane through its mid-longitudinal axis with said upper member and said lower member being angled to each other along the length of said implant; at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine; and at least one blocker adapted to cooperatively engage and hold at least a portion of said upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height of said implant and resist the collapse of said implant to the collapsed implant height when said implant is in a final deployed position, said blocker being located at a predetermined location along the length of said first implant and remaining at the predetermined location in transitioning said first implant from said first position to said second position; and a second push-in interbody spinal fusion implant comprising: an upper member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said upper member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lower member having a portion being at least in part arcuate adapted for placement toward and at least in part within the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said lower member having at least one opening adapted to communicate with the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said openings of said upper and lower members being in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant and being sufficiently sized and located to allow for interbody spinal fusion through said implant, said lower member having a proximal end and a distal end corresponding to said proximal end and said distal end of said upper member, respectively, and a length between said proximal and distal ends; and at least a portion of a bone-engaging projection adapted for linear insertion formed on the exterior of each of said opposed arcuate portions of said upper and lower members for penetrably engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and to facilitate securing said implant into the spine, said first and second implants when in side-to-side contact having a combined width substantially less than the combined heights as measured from the upper to the lower bone-engaging surfaces of said first and second implants.

Claim 327

Dependent Claim 38 words

The push-in implants of claim 311 , wherein said blocker is an expander adapted to expand said first implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height when moved from a first to a second position.

Claim 328

Dependent Claim 71 words

The push-in implants of claim 312 , wherein said expander has a first height corresponding to the height of said expander when said first implant is initially inserted into the spine, said expander having a second height corresponding to the height of said expander when said expander is moved into a final deployed position to increase the height of said first implant, said second height being greater than said first height.

Claim 329

Dependent Claim 50 words

The push-in implants of claim 312 , wherein said expander has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces as defined when said expander is positioned to increase the height of said first implant, said side surfaces intersecting said upper and said lower surfaces at two diametrically opposed junctions.

Claim 330

Dependent Claim 27 words

The push-in implants of claim 314 , wherein said two diametrically opposed junctions are a pair of diametrically opposed corners and a pair of diametrically opposed arcs.

Claim 331

Dependent Claim 20 words

The push-in implants of claim 311 , wherein at least one of said implants is at least in part bioabsorbable.

Claim 332

Dependent Claim 17 words

The push-in implants of claim 311 , in combination with a chemical substance to inhibit scar formation.

Claim 333

Dependent Claim 14 words

The push-in implants of claim 311 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

Claim 334

Dependent Claim 30 words

The push-in implants of claim 318 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of bone, bone morphogenetic protein, hydroxyapatite, and genes coding for the production of bone.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-03-23	2007-09-22	2008-03-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-03-23	2011-09-22	2012-03-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-03-23	2015-09-22	2016-03-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Expandable push-in arcuate interbody spinal fusion implant with tapered configuration during insertion

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