Abstract: A prosthetic system for implantation between upper and lower vertebrae having an upper joint component and a lower joint component. The joint is adapted for implantation within a disc space between the upper and lower vertebrae, allowing the upper and lower vertebrae to move relative to one another. The system further includes a bridge component extending posteriorly from the lower joint component and from the disc space, with the bridge component having a lower contact surface configured for engaging a resected bone surface of a pedicle of the lower vertebrae. The distal end of the bridge component comprises a connection component adapted to receive a fastener.

Abstract: A prosthetic system for implantation between upper and lower vertebrae having an upper joint component and a lower joint component. The joint is adapted for implantation within a disc space between the upper and lower vertebrae, allowing the upper and lower vertebrae to move relative to one another. The system further includes a bridge component extending posteriorly from the lower joint component and from the disc space, with the bridge component having a lower contact surface configured for engaging a resected bone surface of a pedicle of the lower vertebrae. The distal end of the bridge component comprises a connection component adapted to receive a fastener.

Abstract: A prosthetic system for implantation between upper and lower vertebrae comprises an upper joint component. The upper joint component comprises an upper contact surface and an upper articulation surface. The system further includes a lower joint component. The lower joint component comprises a lower contact surface and a lower articulation surface configured to movably engage the upper articulation surface to form an articulating joint. The articulating joint is adapted for implantation within a disc space between the upper and lower vertebrae, allowing the upper and lower vertebrae to move relative to one another. The system further includes a bridge component extending posteriorly from one of either the upper or lower joint components and from the disc space. The bridge component has a distal end opposite the one of the either upper or lower joint components. The distal end of the bridge component comprises a connection component adapted to receive a fastener.

Abstract: A prosthetic system for implantation between upper and lower vertebrae comprises an upper joint component. The upper joint component comprises an upper contact surface and an upper articulation surface. The system further includes a lower joint component. The lower joint component comprises a lower contact surface and a lower articulation surface configured to movably engage the upper articulation surface to form an articulating joint. The articulating joint is adapted for implantation within a disc space between the upper and lower vertebrae, allowing the upper and lower vertebrae to move relative to one another. The system further includes a bridge component extending posteriorly from one of either the upper or lower joint components and from the disc space. The bridge component has a distal end opposite the one of the either upper or lower joint components. The distal end of the bridge component comprises a connection component adapted to receive a fastener.

Abstract: A prosthetic system for implantation between upper and lower vertebrae comprises an upper joint component. The upper joint component comprises an upper contact surface and an upper articulation surface. The system further includes a lower joint component. The lower joint component comprises a lower contact surface and a lower articulation surface configured to movably engage the upper articulation surface to form an articulating joint. The articulating joint is adapted for implantation within a disc space between the upper and lower vertebrae, allowing the upper and lower vertebrae to move relative to one another. The system further includes a bridge component extending posteriorly from one of either the upper or lower joint components and from the disc space. The bridge component has a distal end opposite the one of the either upper or lower joint components. The distal end of the bridge component comprises a connection component adapted to receive a fastener.

Abstract: A prosthetic system for implantation between upper and lower vertebrae comprises an upper joint component. The upper joint component comprises an upper contact surface and an upper articulation surface. The system further includes a lower joint component. The lower joint component comprises a lower contact surface and a lower articulation surface configured to movably engage the upper articulation surface to form an articulating joint. The articulating joint is adapted for implantation within a disc space between the upper and lower vertebrae, allowing the upper and lower vertebrae to move relative to one another. The system further includes a bridge component extending posteriorly from one of either the upper or lower joint components and from the disc space. The bridge component has a distal end opposite the one of the either upper or lower joint components. The distal end of the bridge component comprises a connection component adapted to receive a fastener.

Abstract: A prosthetic system for implantation between upper and lower vertebrae comprises an upper joint component. The upper joint component comprises an upper contact surface and an upper articulation surface. The system further includes a lower joint component. The lower joint component comprises a lower contact surface and a lower articulation surface configured to movably engage the upper articulation surface to form an articulating joint. The articulating joint is adapted for implantation within a disc space between the upper and lower vertebrae, allowing the upper and lower vertebrae to move relative to one another. The system further includes a bridge component extending posteriorly from one of either the upper or lower joint components and from the disc space. The bridge component has a distal end opposite the one of the either upper or lower joint components. The distal end of the bridge component comprises a connection component adapted to receive a fastener.

Abstract: An artificial vertebral joint for interposition between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprises a pair of bilateral joint subcomponents. Each joint subcomponent includes a superior component including a superior vertebra engaging surface and an inferior component including an inferior vertebra engaging surface. Each joint subcomponent further includes a spacer extending between the superior component and the inferior component. The spacer includes a first modulus of elasticity and a second modulus of elasticity. The first modulus transitions to the second modulus with a gradient change.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for positioning in a lordotic disc space that avoids any unnecessary cutting of bone and therefore, any unwanted subsidence, is provided. Specifically, the implant can work particularly well between the L5-S1 juncture. The implant comprises an inferior component, and a superior component, wherein the superior component has an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein an expandable component is situated between the upper portion and the lower portion, and the implant has a profile that changes from a relatively flat profile to a relatively angled profile. A method for inserting an intervertebral implant into a lordotic intervertebral disc space from a posterior approach without unnecessary bone removal, and without resulting subsidence also is provided.

Abstract: An artificial vertebral joint for interposition between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprises a pair of bilateral joint subcomponents. Each joint subcomponent includes a superior component including a superior vertebra engaging surface and an inferior component including an inferior vertebra engaging surface. Each joint subcomponent further includes a spacer extending between the superior component and the inferior component. The spacer includes a first modulus of elasticity and a second modulus of elasticity. The first modulus transitions to the second modulus with a gradient change.

Abstract: A prosthetic system for implantation between upper and lower vertebrae comprises an upper joint component. The upper joint component comprises an upper contact surface and an upper articulation surface. The system further includes a lower joint component. The lower joint component comprises a lower contact surface and a lower articulation surface configured to movably engage the upper articulation surface to form an articulating joint. The articulating joint is adapted for implantation within a disc space between the upper and lower vertebrae, allowing the upper and lower vertebrae to move relative to one another. The system further includes a bridge component extending posteriorly from one of either the upper or lower joint components and from the disc space. The bridge component has a distal end opposite the one of the either upper or lower joint components. The distal end of the bridge component comprises a connection component adapted to receive a fastener.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in spinal surgery is provided. The surgical instrument may have particular application in posterior total disc arthroplasty. The surgical instrument is adapted to be minimally invasive in some embodiments. The surgical instrument is adapted to maintain the relative positions of multiple components of a prosthesis during insertion. The surgical instrument can be anchored into position by a stability pin. Further, the surgical instrument can guide a drill or other instrument to a portion vertebra to facilitate the securing of the prosthesis components to the vertebrae.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in spinal surgery is provided. The surgical instrument may have particular application in posterior total disc arthroplasty. The surgical instrument is adapted to be minimally invasive. The surgical instrument can be anchored into position by a stability pin. Further, the surgical instrument can guide a chisel or other instrument to the intervertebral space to resect a portion of a vertebral endplate. In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrument is also capable of distracting the disc space.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include expandable, implantable devices and methods. Devices expand linearly to provide secure fixation between or among anatomical structures. In some embodiments, an implant replaces one or more vertebral bodies of the spine.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for posterior placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebrae and a lower vertebrae may include an upper articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space and a lower articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space below the upper articular portion, the upper and lower articular portions being configured to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae. The upper and lower articular portions each may include a posterior section configured to be disposed in a location posterior of the intervertebral space. The posterior section of one of the upper and lower articular portions may include a post, and the posterior section of the other of the upper and lower articular portions may include a receiving portion configured to interact with the post during articulation.

Abstract: An end device attached to an implant and methods of use. The end device comprises a base having a receiving area, an opening, and at least one gate that is selectively positionable between open and closed orientations. The implant is sized to fit through the opening and into the receiving area when the gate is in the open orientation. Once inserted, the gate is sized to extend across at least a section of the opening and prevent the implant from escaping.

Abstract: The present application is directed to spacing devices that attach directly or indirectly to vertebral implants. The spacing device may include a first side that faces the implant, and an angled second side that faces towards a vertebral member. The angled second side matches the shape of the vertebral member. The devices may further include apertures that receive spikes that extend outward from the implant. The second side may also include spikes that bite into and maintain the position of the device against the vertebral member. In one method of use, the spacing device may be rotated relative to the implant for the angled second side to match the vertebral member. The apertures are then placed over the spikes that extend outward from the implant to connect the spacing device to the implant.

Abstract: An artificial spinal joint creates at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra. The artificial spinal joint comprises an anterior joint replacement component extending into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae. The artificial spinal joint further comprises a bridge component coupled to the anterior joint replacement and extending posteriorly from the anterior joint replacement beyond the intervertebral disc space and a posterior joint replacement component coupled to the bridge, wherein the posterior joint replacement component includes a posterior protrusion engaged with a posterior socket.