Fixation device and method

Abstract

An implantable orthopedic stability device is disclosed. The device can have a contracted and an expanded configuration. A method of using the device between adjacent vertebral body surfaces surfaces for support and/or fixation of either or both of the adjacent vertebrae is also disclosed.

1 . A method of using an orthopedic support device comprising:
 positioning the device at a target site, wherein the device has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the device comprises a first plate, a second plate opposite to the first plate, a first wedge between the first plate and the second plate at a first end of the device, and a second wedge between the first plate and the second plate at a second end of the device, wherein the first plate has a first extension extending in the direction of the second plate, and wherein the second plate has a first receiver configured to receive the first extension; and   expanding the device at the target site, wherein expanding the target site comprises longitudinally moving the first wedge and the second wedge toward the longitudinal middle of the device, and wherein the first extension slides in the first receiver during the expansion of the device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein expanding further comprises restricting longitudinal translation between the first plate and the second plate. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the restricting longitudinal translation comprises sliding of the first extension in the first receiver. 
     
     
         4 . An implantable orthopedic device having a longitudinal axis comprising:
 a first plate;   a second plate opposite to the first plate;   a first wedge between the first plate and the second plate at a first longitudinal end of the device; and   a second wedge between the first plate and the second plate at a second longitudinal end of the device;   wherein the first plate has a first extension extending in the direction of the second plate, and wherein the second plate has a first receiver configured to slidably receive the first extension; and   wherein the first wedge is longitudinally translatable toward the second wedge, and wherein the first extension slides.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the first plate has a first plate face substantially defining a first plane, and wherein the first extension extends away from the first plate face in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the second plate has a second plate face substantially defining a second plane, and wherein the first receiver is configured to slidably receive the first extension in a slidable direction perpendicular to the second plane. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the second plane is parallel with the first plane.