17/129,237

Paragraph Number

108

The size and shape of the opening 150 and the cross-sectional diameter of the screw member 400 (including the threads 410) impact how much the expandable intervertebral implant 300 expands when the screw member 400 is inserted into the opening 150. In one embodiment, the screw member 400 has a cross-sectional diameter D greater than height H of the opening 150. In this manner, as the screw member 400 is inserted in the opening, the lattice, mesh, and/or pattern of pores/openings in the upper plate 110 (or upper mesh 370), lower plate 120 (or lower mesh 380), and first lattice 130 and second lattice 140 (or first wall 350 and second wall 352) enable the opening 150 to enlarge to accept the screw member 400. In certain embodiments, the cross-sectional diameter D of the screw member 400 is greater than width W of the opening 150. In such an embodiment, insertion of the screw member 400 causes the opening 150 to widen beyond width W.

Added by DJM 2 2021