Importance

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Abstract

An interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion across a disc space between two vertebrae includes a mid-longitudinal axis, upper and lower members each having portions adapted for placement in contact with one of the two vertebrae, and corresponding proximal and distal ends with a length therebetween. The upper and lower members articulate therebetween adjacent either the proximal or distal ends allowing for expansion of the implant from a collapsed height to an increased height. The upper and lower members include side walls adapted to cooperatively engage one another alone a portion of the length of the side walls to hold a portion of the upper and lower members apart so as to maintain the increased height. One of the side walls may have a first load bearing surface with a longitudinal axis that is non-perpendicular to the mid-longitudinal axis of the implant and another side wall may have a second load bearing surface for contacting said first load bearing surface. The side walls may also have interior and exterior surfaces, where one of the interior surfaces of one of the upper or lower members contacts one of the exterior surfaces of the other of the upper and lower members to form a generally coplanar transition between the upper and lower members.

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First Claim