Abstract: A tool configured to deliver a radially compressible hydrogel implant at a surgical site includes an introducer tube, a plunger provided inside the introducer tube and configured to travel from the proximal end of the introducer tube toward the distal end of the introducer tube urging the hydrogel implant through a sloped portion of the introducer tube radially compressing the implant before exiting through the distal end of the introducer tube, a handle connected to the introducer tube, and a clamp hingeably connected to the handle.

Abstract: An expandable vertebral device includes a base assembly having end portions that are movable relative to one another via adjustment of an adjustment mechanism at the first end portion. A plurality of movable plates are movably disposed at the base assembly and are at least vertically movable relative to the base assembly as the end portions are moved relative to one another. Each of the end portions has a pair of vertical guide elements and may have a pair of lateral guide elements. Each of the movable plates includes a vertical guide that moves along the respective vertical guide element and may have a lateral guide that moves along a respective lateral guide element. When the adjustment mechanism is adjusted to draw the end portions toward one another, the movable plates move outward from a longitudinal axis of the base assembly as the guides move along the respective guide elements.

Abstract: A tool configured to deliver a radially compressible hydrogel implant at a surgical site includes an introducer tube, a plunger provided inside the introducer tube and configured to travel from the proximal end of the introducer tube toward the distal end of the introducer tube urging the hydrogel implant through a sloped portion of the introducer tube radially compressing the implant before exiting through the distal end of the introducer tube, a handle connected to the introducer tube, and a clamp hingeably connected to the handle.

Abstract: A method of creating a wedge-shaped recess in a bone is disclosed. The method includes creating a cylindrical recess within a bone, positioning a tool within the cylindrical recess, radially expanding an articulating cutter of the tool and rotating the tool to remove additional bone along the cylindrical recess' side walls and create a wedge-shaped recess; wherein, a diameter of the bottom surface of the wedge-shaped recess is larger than a diameter of a surface opening of the wedge-shaped recess.

Abstract: A multi-stage minimally invasive surgical procedure and associated instruments are disclosed. First, the surgical site is prepared. After preparation, the bone screws or anchors are attached to the bone. Subsequent to insertion of the screws, a rod or connecting member is positioned within the yoke portion of the bone screw. Caps are then placed in a pre-lock position within the yokes. The bone screws may be compressed together or distracted along the rod or connecting member, thereby setting the final spacing of the bones or bone segments. Finally the caps are moved to a final lock position to fix the screws to the rod or connecting member to maintain the bones in position relative to each other.

Abstract: A multi-stage minimally invasive surgical procedure and associated instruments are disclosed. First, the surgical site is prepared. After preparation, the bone screws or anchors are attached to the bone. Subsequent to insertion of the screws, a rod or connecting member is positioned within the yoke portion of the bone screw. Caps are then placed in a pre-lock position within the yokes. The bone screws may be compressed together or distracted along the rod or connecting member, thereby setting the final spacing of the bones or bone segments. Finally the caps are moved to a final lock position to fix the screws to the rod or connecting member to maintain the bones in position relative to each other.

Abstract: A surgical implant assembly includes a plate having at least one aperture extending through the plate and having a central axis. A screw includes a head and a body, with the head including at least one head thread configured to engage with the plate at the aperture and the body including at least one body thread configured to engage a bone material. The at least one head thread has a first pitch and the at least one body thread has a second pitch that is different than the first pitch. When the plate is disposed at a surface of the bone material and the screw is rotatably driven into the bone material, the pitch difference enables the plate to one selected from the group consisting of (i) lift away from the surface of the bone material and (ii) compress down onto the surface of the bone material.

Abstract: A method of creating a wedge-shaped recess in a bone is disclosed. The method includes creating a cylindrical recess within a bone, positioning a tool within the cylindrical recess, radially expanding an articulating cutter of the tool and rotating the tool to remove additional bone along the cylindrical recess' side walls and create a wedge-shaped recess; wherein, a diameter of the bottom surface of the wedge-shaped recess is larger than a diameter of a surface opening of the wedge-shaped recess.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a joint of a patient comprises creating a recess in a bone located at or near a targeted joint, wherein the recess includes a generally wedge or truncated cone shape. In one embodiment, the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone and a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess, such that a diameter of the surface opening is generally smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening. The method additionally comprises providing a joint implant having a wedge or truncated cone shape, wherein a diameter of a top end of the joint implant is generally smaller than a diameter of a bottom end of the joint implant, inserting the joint implant within the recess.

Abstract: A multi-stage minimally invasive surgical procedure and associated instruments are disclosed. First, the surgical site is prepared. After preparation, the bone screws or anchors are attached to the bone. Subsequent to insertion of the screws, a rod or connecting member is positioned within the yoke portion of the bone screw. Caps are then placed in a pre-lock position within the yokes. The bone screws may be compressed together or distracted along the rod or connecting member, thereby setting the final spacing of the bones or bone segments. Finally the caps are moved to a final lock position to fix the screws to the rod or connecting member to maintain the bones in position relative to each other.

Abstract: A multi-stage minimally invasive surgical procedure and associated instruments are disclosed. First, the surgical site is prepared. After preparation, the bone screws or anchors are attached to the bone. Subsequent to insertion of the screws, a rod or connecting member is positioned within the yoke portion of the bone screw. Caps are then placed in a pre-lock position within the yokes. The bone screws may be compressed together or distracted along the rod or connecting member, thereby setting the final spacing of the bones or bone segments. Finally the caps are moved to a final lock position to fix the screws to the rod or connecting member to maintain the bones in position relative to each other.

Abstract: A kit for implanting a woven retention device into bone includes a woven retention device, a delivery tube, and a push rod. The woven retention device includes a distal end that is tapered to a distal tip, a proximal end for receiving a fastener, and a sleeve body between the distal and proximal ends. The delivery tube includes distal and proximal openings, and a compression portion over at least a distal end of the delivery tube. The push rod can be slideably received within the delivery tube and has a distal end for pushing the woven retention device through the distal opening of the delivery tube.

Abstract: A multi-stage minimally invasive surgical procedure and associated instruments are disclosed. First, the surgical site is prepared. After preparation, the bone screws or anchors are attached to the bone. Subsequent to insertion of the screws, a rod or connecting member is positioned within the yoke portion of the bone screw. Caps are then placed in a pre-lock position within the yokes. The bone screws may be compressed together or distracted along the rod or connecting member, thereby setting the final spacing of the bones or bone segments. Finally the caps are moved to a final lock position to fix the screws to the rod or connecting member to maintain the bones in position relative to each other.

Abstract: A multi-stage minimally invasive surgical procedure and associated instruments are disclosed. First, the surgical site is prepared. After preparation, the bone screws or anchors are attached to the bone. Subsequent to insertion of the screws, a rod or connecting member is positioned within the yoke portion of the bone screw. Caps are then placed in a pre-lock position within the yokes. The bone screws may be compressed together or distracted along the rod or connecting member, thereby setting the final spacing of the bones or bone segments. Finally the caps are moved to a final lock position to fix the screws to the rod or connecting member to maintain the bones in position relative to each other.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a joint of a patient comprises creating a recess in a bone located at or near a targeted joint, wherein the recess includes a generally wedge or truncated cone shape. In one embodiment, the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone and a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess, such that a diameter of the surface opening is generally smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening. The method additionally comprises providing a joint implant having a wedge or truncated cone shape, wherein a diameter of a top end of the joint implant is generally smaller than a diameter of a bottom end of the joint implant, inserting the joint implant within the recess.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a joint of a patient comprises creating a recess in a bone located at or near a targeted joint, wherein the recess includes a generally wedge or truncated cone shape. In one embodiment, the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone and a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess, such that a diameter of the surface opening is generally smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening. The method additionally comprises providing a joint implant having a wedge or truncated cone shape, wherein a diameter of a top end of the joint implant is generally smaller than a diameter of a bottom end of the joint implant, inserting the joint implant within the recess.

Abstract: A system for preparing and inserting a woven retention device into bone is provided. The system includes a woven retention device having a distal end, a proximal end for receiving a fastener, and a sleeve body between the distal and proximal ends. A longitudinal axis extends between the distal and proximal ends. The system also includes a measuring device surrounding at least a portion of the woven retention device and defining a cutting position at which the woven retention device is to be cut for insertion into a hole in the bone. The measuring device measures a distance from the distal end of the woven retention device to the cutting position. The woven retention device is movable relative to a least a portion of the measuring device that defines the cutting position such that the woven retention device can be cut to a desired size.

Abstract: A kit for implanting a woven retention device into bone includes a woven retention device, a delivery tube, and a push rod. The woven retention device includes a distal end that is tapered to a distal tip, a proximal end for receiving a fastener, and a sleeve body between the distal and proximal ends. The delivery tube includes distal and proximal openings, and a compression portion over at least a distal end of the delivery tube. The push rod can be slideably received within the delivery tube and has a distal end for pushing the woven retention device through the distal opening of the delivery tube.