Abstract: A ball and socket joint assembly is disclosed that includes a body defining a cavity, a collet disposed in the cavity to receive a ball of a connector, and an actuator shaft coupled to the collet for rotating and translating the collet in the cavity. The cavity has a distal opening to accept the ball and an engagement feature extending into the cavity. The collet has an outer diameter larger than the opening in the body when the ball is disposed in the collet, and the collet has a corresponding engagement feature around at least a portion of the outer surface for receiving the engagement feature and converting rotation of the compression member into translation of the compression member along a proximal-distal axis of the body. The collet is compressed against the opening of the cavity when the collet is advanced distally against the opening.

Abstract: Inflatable orthopedic implants and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for deploying such implants within an intervertebral space for use in spinal fusion surgery, other intervertebral surgical procedures, or other surgical procedures. The inflatable intervertebral implant can include a hollow inflatable body that can be configured in a compact state for insertion into a target intervertebral space between a pair of adjacent vertebral bodies. Once the vertebral bodies are separated or distracted, e.g., using one or more inflatable distractors, the hollow body of the inflatable implant can be inflated with bone cement or other curable material. When the curable material hardens, the inflated implant can form a rigid intervertebral support structure (e.g., a fusion cage) capable of maintaining the vertebral distraction and thereby enabling removal of the distractors.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing bone anchors to bone. In general, the methods and devices can allow for a bone anchor to be fixed to a bone at a desired angle to a surface of the bone. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided that includes a bone anchor configured to engage bone, a receiver member for seating a head of the bone anchor, and a compression member for securing the bone anchor at fixed angle with respect to the receiver member when the compression member is seated within the receiver member. Corresponding engagement features of the compression member and the receiver member can be engaged in a secured configuration to inhibit or prevent removal of the compression cap from the receiver member and optionally to substantially prevent longitudinal and/or rotational movement of the compression member with respect to the receiver member.