As used herein, an “opening” refers to a gap, a hole, an aperture, a port, a portal, a slit, a space or recess in a structure, a void in a structure, or the like. In certain embodiments, an opening can refer to a structure configured specifically for receiving something and/or for allowing access. In certain embodiments, an opening can pass through a structure. In such embodiments, the opening can be referred to as a window. In other embodiments, an opening can exist within a structure but not pass through the structure. In other embodiments, an opening can initiate on a surface or at an edge or at a side of a structure and extend into the structure for a distance but not pass through or extend to another side or edge of the structure. In other embodiments, an opening can initiate on a surface or at an edge or at a side of a structure and extend into the structure until the opening extends through or extends to another side or edge of the structure. An opening can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional and can have a variety of geometric shapes and/or cross-sectional shapes, including, but not limited to a rectangle, a square, or other polygon, as well as a circle, an ellipse, an ovoid, or other circular or semi-circular shape. As used herein, the term “opening” can include one or more modifiers that define specific types of “openings” based on the purpose, function, operation, position, or location of the “opening.” As one example, a “fastener opening” refers to an “opening” adapted, configured, designed, or engineered to accept or accommodate a “fastener.” … more As used herein, an “opening” refers to a gap, a hole, an aperture, a port, a portal, a slit, a space or recess in a structure, a void in a structure, or the like. In certain embodiments, an opening can refer to a structure configured specifically for receiving something and/or for allowing access. In certain embodiments, an opening can pass through a structure. In such embodiments, the opening can be referred to as a window. In other embodiments, an opening can exist within a structure but not pass through the structure. In other embodiments, an opening can initiate on a surface or at an edge or at a side of a structure and extend into the structure for a distance but not pass through or extend to another side or edge of the structure. In other embodiments, an opening can initiate on a surface or at an edge or at a side of a structure and extend into the structure until the opening extends through or extends to another side or edge of the structure. An opening can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional and can have a variety of geometric shapes and/or cross-sectional shapes, including, but not limited to a rectangle, a square, or other polygon, as well as a circle, an ellipse, an ovoid, or other circular or semi-circular shape. As used herein, the term “opening” can include one or more modifiers that define specific types of “openings” based on the purpose, function, operation, position, or location of the “opening.” As one example, a “fastener opening” refers to an “opening” adapted, configured, designed, or engineered to accept or accommodate a “fastener.”

As used herein, “additive manufacturing” refers to a manufacturing process in which materials are joined together in a process that repeatedly builds one layer on top of another to generate a three-dimensional structure or object. Additive manufacturing may also be referred to using different terms including additive processes, additive fabrication, additive techniques, additive layer manufacturing, layer manufacturing, freeform fabrication, ASTM F2792 (American Society for Testing and Materials), and 3D printing. Additive manufacturing can build the three-dimensional structure or object using computer-controlled equipment that applies successive layers of the material(s) based on a three-dimensional model that may be defined using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. Additive manufacturing can use a variety of materials including polymers, thermoplastics, metals, ceramics, biochemicals, and the like. Additive manufacturing may provide unique benefits, as an implant together with the pores and/or lattices can be directly manufactured (without the need to generate molds, tool paths, perform any milling, and/or other manufacturing steps). … more As used herein, “additive manufacturing” refers to a manufacturing process in which materials are joined together in a process that repeatedly builds one layer on top of another to generate a three-dimensional structure or object. Additive manufacturing may also be referred to using different terms including additive processes, additive fabrication, additive techniques, additive layer manufacturing, layer manufacturing, freeform fabrication, ASTM F2792 (American Society for Testing and Materials), and 3D printing. Additive manufacturing can build the three-dimensional structure or object using computer-controlled equipment that applies successive layers of the material(s) based on a three-dimensional model that may be defined using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. Additive manufacturing can use a variety of materials including polymers, thermoplastics, metals, ceramics, biochemicals, and the like. Additive manufacturing may provide unique benefits, as an implant together with the pores and/or lattices can be directly manufactured (without the need to generate molds, tool paths, perform any milling, and/or other manufacturing steps).

As used herein, a “mesh” refers to a two or three dimensional structure having a plurality of openings or pores distributed within a longitudinal plane of the structure. A mesh may comprise a polygon mesh or a volumetric mesh. In 3D computer graphics and solid modeling, a polygon mesh is a collection of vertices, edges and faces that defines the shape of a polyhedral object. The faces usually consist of triangles (triangle mesh), quadrilaterals (quads), or other simple convex polygons (n-gons), since this simplifies rendering, but may also be more generally composed of concave polygons, or even polygons with holes. Volumetric meshes are distinct from polygon meshes in that they explicitly represent both the surface and volume of a structure, while polygon meshes only explicitly represent the surface (the volume is implicit). Volumetric meshes are a polygonal representation of the interior volume of an object. Unlike polygon meshes, which represent only the surface as polygons, volumetric meshes also discretize the interior structure of the object. (Search 'Polygon Mesh' and "Volume mesh" on Wikipedia.com June 5, 2021, Sept. 30, 2021. Accessed Aug. 30, 2021.) Each of the plurality of openings or pores of a mesh may be of a common shape or a random shape. Alternatively, or in addition, the plurality of openings of a mesh may include pores having two or more geometric shapes. In addition, each of the plurality of pores of the mesh may be of a common size or diameter or may be of random sizes or diameters. Alternatively, or in addition, the plurality of pores of a mesh may include pores having two or more different diameter sizes. In certain embodiments, a mesh can include a single interconnected structure that occupies either a two dimensional or three dimensional space. In certain embodiments, a mesh can include a single structure that includes a plurality of wavy and curved edges that make up the mesh. … more As used herein, a “mesh” refers to a two or three dimensional structure having a plurality of openings or pores distributed within a longitudinal plane of the structure. A mesh may comprise a polygon mesh or a volumetric mesh. In 3D computer graphics and solid modeling, a polygon mesh is a collection of vertices, edges and faces that defines the shape of a polyhedral object. The faces usually consist of triangles (triangle mesh), quadrilaterals (quads), or other simple convex polygons (n-gons), since this simplifies rendering, but may also be more generally composed of concave polygons, or even polygons with holes. Volumetric meshes are distinct from polygon meshes in that they explicitly represent both the surface and volume of a structure, while polygon meshes only explicitly represent the surface (the volume is implicit). Volumetric meshes are a polygonal representation of the interior volume of an object. Unlike polygon meshes, which represent only the surface as polygons, volumetric meshes also discretize the interior structure of the object. (Search 'Polygon Mesh' and "Volume mesh" on Wikipedia.com June 5, 2021, Sept. 30, 2021. Accessed Aug. 30, 2021.) Each of the plurality of openings or pores of a mesh may be of a common shape or a random shape. Alternatively, or in addition, the plurality of openings of a mesh may include pores having two or more geometric shapes. In addition, each of the plurality of pores of the mesh may be of a common size or diameter or may be of random sizes or diameters. Alternatively, or in addition, the plurality of pores of a mesh may include pores having two or more different diameter sizes. In certain embodiments, a mesh can include a single interconnected structure that occupies either a two dimensional or three dimensional space. In certain embodiments, a mesh can include a single structure that includes a plurality of wavy and curved edges that make up the mesh.

As used herein, a “lattice” refers to a three-dimensional structure having a plurality of pores distributed within a longitudinal plane of the structure. In one embodiment, the pores of the lattice may be configured to expand and/or compress in response to a tensile force or compressive force applied in opposite directions and/or at opposite ends of the lattice. In particular embodiments, structures of the lattice that interconnect the pores may be configured and made of an elastic material such that lattice expands its overall shape in response to tensile force(s) and/or contracts its overall shape in response to compressive force(s). In certain embodiments, a tensile force on the lattice in opposite directions and at opposite ends can cause the lattice to deform, or stretch, to have a greater surface area. In certain embodiments, the pores of the lattice have a common shape and uniform size. For example, in one embodiment, each of the pores can have a geometric shape, a polygon shape, a circular shape, an ovoid shape, an elliptical shape, and the like. In other embodiments, the pores of the lattice have two or more different shape and diameter size that vary. In certain embodiments, a “lattice” may comprise a “mesh.” … more As used herein, a “lattice” refers to a three-dimensional structure having a plurality of pores distributed within a longitudinal plane of the structure. In one embodiment, the pores of the lattice may be configured to expand and/or compress in response to a tensile force or compressive force applied in opposite directions and/or at opposite ends of the lattice. In particular embodiments, structures of the lattice that interconnect the pores may be configured and made of an elastic material such that lattice expands its overall shape in response to tensile force(s) and/or contracts its overall shape in response to compressive force(s). In certain embodiments, a tensile force on the lattice in opposite directions and at opposite ends can cause the lattice to deform, or stretch, to have a greater surface area. In certain embodiments, the pores of the lattice have a common shape and uniform size. For example, in one embodiment, each of the pores can have a geometric shape, a polygon shape, a circular shape, an ovoid shape, an elliptical shape, and the like. In other embodiments, the pores of the lattice have two or more different shape and diameter size that vary. In certain embodiments, a “lattice” may comprise a “mesh.”

As used herein, “pattern” refers to a repeated set of shapes, or designs within or upon a planar structure. In certain embodiments, the pattern defines the number, size, position, layout, and distribution of shapes of a structure. The shapes of the pattern for the structure can include the openings and/or pores of the structure. In one embodiment, the pattern includes a distributed set of pores, or shapes, or openings, that include one or more geometric shapes of a set of geometric shapes. In certain embodiments, the set of pores of the opening is uniformly distributed. In other embodiments, the set of pores of the opening is non-uniformly distributed. … more As used herein, “pattern” refers to a repeated set of shapes, or designs within or upon a planar structure. In certain embodiments, the pattern defines the number, size, position, layout, and distribution of shapes of a structure. The shapes of the pattern for the structure can include the openings and/or pores of the structure. In one embodiment, the pattern includes a distributed set of pores, or shapes, or openings, that include one or more geometric shapes of a set of geometric shapes. In certain embodiments, the set of pores of the opening is uniformly distributed. In other embodiments, the set of pores of the opening is non-uniformly distributed.

As used herein, an “expanded configuration” refers to an arrangement of an upper plate 110, a lower plate 120, a first lattice 130, a second lattice 140, an opening 150, and an expansion mechanism 160 such that the apparatus or assembly has its greatest height and/or width. In certain embodiments, the expandable intervertebral implant 300 is configured such that the upper plate 110 moves as far away from the lower plate 120 as possible in the expanded configuration. … more As used herein, an “expanded configuration” refers to an arrangement of an upper plate 110, a lower plate 120, a first lattice 130, a second lattice 140, an opening 150, and an expansion mechanism 160 such that the apparatus or assembly has its greatest height and/or width. In certain embodiments, the expandable intervertebral implant 300 is configured such that the upper plate 110 moves as far away from the lower plate 120 as possible in the expanded configuration.

As used herein, a “collapsed configuration” refers to an arrangement of an upper plate 110, a lower plate 120, a first lattice 130, a second lattice 140, an opening 150, and an expansion mechanism 160 such that the apparatus or assembly has its smallest height. In certain embodiments, the expandable intervertebral implant 300 is configured such that the upper plate 110 engages the lower plate 112 such that the upper plate 110 is as close as possible to the lower plate 112 in the collapsed configuration. … more As used herein, a “collapsed configuration” refers to an arrangement of an upper plate 110, a lower plate 120, a first lattice 130, a second lattice 140, an opening 150, and an expansion mechanism 160 such that the apparatus or assembly has its smallest height. In certain embodiments, the expandable intervertebral implant 300 is configured such that the upper plate 110 engages the lower plate 112 such that the upper plate 110 is as close as possible to the lower plate 112 in the collapsed configuration.

As used herein, a “side” refers to a location on a structure. In general, a side is a location on a structure at, or near, a furthest position away from a central axis of the structure. … more As used herein, a “side” refers to a location on a structure. In general, a side is a location on a structure at, or near, a furthest position away from a central axis of the structure.

As used herein, a “plate” refers to a flat structure. In certain embodiments, a plate can be configured to support a load. In certain embodiments, a plate may comprise a generally planar structure. A plate can be a separate structure connected to, or integrated with, another structure. Alternatively, a plate can be connected to part of another structure. A plate can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional and can have a variety of geometric shapes and/or cross-sectional shapes, including, but not limited to a rectangle, a square, or other polygon, as well as a circle, an ellipse, an ovoid, or other circular or semi-circular shape. A plate can be made from a variety of materials including, metal, plastic, ceramic, wood, fiberglass, or the like. One plate may be distinguished from another based on where the plate is positioned within a structure, component, or apparatus. For example, an “upper plate” can include a plate positioned on, near, or integrated with, a structure such that the plate is at, or near, a top of the structure. Similarly, a “lower plate” can include a plate positioned on, near, or integrated with, a structure such that the plate is at, or near, a bottom of the structure. … more As used herein, a “plate” refers to a flat structure. In certain embodiments, a plate can be configured to support a load. In certain embodiments, a plate may comprise a generally planar structure. A plate can be a separate structure connected to, or integrated with, another structure. Alternatively, a plate can be connected to part of another structure. A plate can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional and can have a variety of geometric shapes and/or cross-sectional shapes, including, but not limited to a rectangle, a square, or other polygon, as well as a circle, an ellipse, an ovoid, or other circular or semi-circular shape. A plate can be made from a variety of materials including, metal, plastic, ceramic, wood, fiberglass, or the like. One plate may be distinguished from another based on where the plate is positioned within a structure, component, or apparatus. For example, an “upper plate” can include a plate positioned on, near, or integrated with, a structure such that the plate is at, or near, a top of the structure. Similarly, a “lower plate” can include a plate positioned on, near, or integrated with, a structure such that the plate is at, or near, a bottom of the structure.