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 for support and/or fixation of either or both of the adjacent vertebrae is also disclosed.

I claim: 
     
         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 lateral panel that forms at least part of a lateral-facing exterior surface of the device, 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;   expanding the device at the target site, wherein expanding the device comprises longitudinally moving the first wedge and the second wedge toward the longitudinal middle of the device, and wherein the expanding comprises moving the first plate away from the second plate along a first dimensional axis, and wherein the lateral panel remains in a constant position with respect to the first wedge and the second wedge in the direction of the first dimensional axis first extension slides in the first receiver during the expansion of the device; and   inserting a locking element into the device wherein the locking element is configured to prevent a change in the vertical dimension of the device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein expanding further comprises restricting a longitudinal translation between the first plate and the second plate. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lateral panel is attached to and extends from the first plate, and wherein the second plate has a receiver configured to receive the lateral panel, and wherein the restricting the longitudinal translation between the first plate and the second plate comprises sliding of the lateral panel first extension in the first receiver. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein expanding further comprises rotating an elongated element positioned along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein expanding further comprises rotating an elongated element parallel to at least one of the first plate and/or the second plate. 
     
     
         6 . 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;   a lateral panel that forms at least part of a lateral-facing exterior surface of the device; and   a locking element configured to be inserted into the remainder of the device, wherein the locking element is configured to prevent a change in the vertical dimension of the device; and   wherein the device has a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein the first plate is farther away from the second plate along a first dimensional axis in the second configuration than in the first configuration, and wherein the lateral panel is in a same position with respect to the first wedge and the second wedge in the direction of the first dimensional axis in the first configuration as the lateral panel is in the second configuration   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 is configured to slide within the first receiver.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the first plate has a first plate face substantially defining a first plane, and wherein the lateral panel first extension is attached to the first plate, and wherein the lateral panel extends away from the first plate face in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the second plate has a second plate face substantially defining a second plane, and wherein a first receiver is configured to slidably receive the lateral panel first extension in a slidable direction perpendicular to the second plane. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the second plane is parallel with the first plane. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a rotatable elongated element positioned along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a rotatable elongated element parallel to at least one of the first plate and/or the second plate. 
     
     
         12 . An implantable orthopedic device having a longitudinal axis comprising:
 a first plate;   a second plate parallel with the first plate;   a first wedge between the first plate and the second plate at a first longitudinal end of the first plate; and   a second wedge between the first plate and the second plate at a second longitudinal end of the first plate; and   a lateral panel that forms at least part of a lateral-facing exterior surface of the device;   a locking element configured to be inserted into the remainder of the device, wherein the locking element is configured to prevent a change in the vertical dimension of the device; and   wherein the device has a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein the first plate is farther away from the second plate along a first dimensional axis in the second configuration than in the first configuration, and wherein the lateral panel is in a same position with respect to the first wedge and the second wedge in the direction of the first dimensional axis in the first configuration as the lateral panel is in the second configuration; and   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 wherein the device is configured to and prevent translation of the first plate with respect to the second plate first extension in the longitudinal direction; and   wherein the first wedge is longitudinally translatable toward the second wedge.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first plate has a first plate face substantially defining a first plane, and wherein the lateral panel first extension extends away from the first plate face in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a rotatable elongated element positioned along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a rotatable elongated element parallel to at least one of the first plate and/or the second plate. 
     
     
         16 . An implantable orthopedic device, comprising:
 a first plate, having a first plate lengthwise direction, having a first plate outward-facing surface, said outward-facing surface occupying a generally planar envelope and comprising on said outward-facing surface a pattern of grooves aligned from side to side transverse to said longitudinal axis;   a second plate opposite to said first plate;   a wedge between said first plate and said second plate, wherein said wedge is able to translate parallel to said lengthwise direction causing motion of said first and second plates toward or away from each other in a direction perpendicular to said lengthwise direction;   a lateral panel that forms at least part of a lateral-facing exterior surface of the device; and   wherein said first plate has, away from said outward-facing surface, a ramped surface comprising a track in an edge of said ramped surface,   wherein said track engages a capturable shape on said wedge,   wherein said ramped surface of said first plate intersects and breaks through said first plate outward-facing surface within a region of said first plate outward-facing surface that contains said pattern of said grooves; and   wherein the device has a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein the first plate is farther away from the second plate along a first dimensional axis in the second configuration than in the first configuration, and wherein the lateral panel is in a same position with respect to the first wedge and the second wedge in the direction of the first dimensional axis in the first configuration as the lateral panel is in the second configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said track has edges that are either perpendicular to or parallel to said ramped surface. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a rotatable elongated element positioned along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a rotatable elongated element parallel to at least one of the first plate and/or the second plate.