Abstract: An implant for orthopedic surgery includes an impaling member (101,102), which is separable into portions (102a, 102b) for impaling and attaching to tissue, for example, bone. Once the portions (102a, 102b) of the impaling member (101,102) are separated and attached to the requisite tissue, they may accommodate stabilizing members for fixation, or other instrumentation for procedures such as fusion.

Abstract: An adjustable implant (10, 60, 70, 80, 90) has a base (12) and a displaceable element (16) providing opposing tissue contact surfaces (14, 18). A linkage (20, 26) is pivotally connected to the displaceable element. A linkage mover (38, 40), engaged so as to be displaceable along the base, is associated with the linkage (20, 26) so as to define a displaceable pivot location (24, 30) for pivotal motion of the linkage relative to the base, in certain preferred embodiments, the base (12) has an internally threaded track (42, 44) in which a threaded segment of the linkage mover (38, 40) is engaged, so that rotation of the threaded segment about its central axis advances the linkage mover along the threaded track, thereby displacing the displaceable pivot locations and adjusting a separation between the first contact surface and at least part of the second contact surface.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant has at least one arm (14) pivotally connected to a base (10). At least one worm gear configuration includes a worm in (18) mounted within the base (10) so as to be rotatable, and a set of gear teeth (20) associated with the arm (14). When the worm (18) is rotated about its central axis, the arm (14) is driven through a range of pivotal motion relative to the base so as to change an angle of inclination between a direction of elongation (16) of the arm and the direction of elongation (12) of the base. Embodiments of the invention include devices with a hollow proximal worm allowing access into the implant via the worm, distally deployed worms, and devices with a pair of worm gear assemblies that operate synchronously or independently.

Abstract: A medical device (10) includes an implant body (20) with a number of segments (30) hingedly interconnected so as to assume a straightened state for delivery and a flexed or roughly curved deployed state. Implant body may have engagement elements on at least two different segments, for example on a majority of segments. An elongated locking element anchored at the distal segment of the implant body may have projections for at least each engagement element. Tension applied to the locking element biases the implant body from the straightened state to the flexed deployed state. When the locking element is deflected to reach the curved deployed state, flexing segments of the implant body lock by matching engagement elements of the implant body with projections of the locking element. A very secure lock may be formed to prevent opening after deployment.

Abstract: A system and method for deploying a medical implant includes a conduit assembly having a second conduit portion rigidly attached to a distal end of a first conduit portion such that inner channels of the two conduit portions are contiguous. The second conduit portion provides first and second opposing tissue contact surfaces rigidly interconnected by a rigid bridging structure. An implant insert is deployed along the inner channel of the first conduit portion to a deployed position engaging the second conduit portion. The second conduit portion is selectively detachable from the first conduit portion so as to leave the second conduit portion and the implant insert together defining an implant.

Abstract: Deflectable implants, systems and methods for implanting deflectable implants are disclosed. The deflectable implant includes at least one sequence of segments, the sequence includes at least two segments, the segments being interconnected at effective hinges, the sequence assuming a straightened or low curvature insertion state for insertion into the body, the sequence being deflectable to a fully deflected state defined by abutment of abutment features of adjacent of the segments.

Abstract: A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly.

Abstract: A tissue disruption device (10) for deployment via a rigid conduit (100) includes a rotary tissue disruptor (12) insertable along the conduit with its axis of rotation (14) parallel to the direction of conduit elongation (16). An angular displacement mechanism allows selective displacement of the rotary tissue disruptor (12) such that the axis of rotation (14) sweeps through a range of angular motion. A rotary drive is linked to the rotary tissue disruptor so as to drive the rotary tissue disruptor in rotary motion while the rotary tissue disruptor is at a range of angular positions within the range of angular motion.

Abstract: Devices for introducing materials into the body include collapsible material-filled tubes with pressure members, movable along the tubes. When the pressure members are advanced toward the tube opening, the tube collapses causing material to be emitted from the tube to the desired location or surgical site in the body.

Abstract: A spinal surgery tool system including an elongated conduit and an implant is disclosed. The implant assumes a straight configuration within the elongated conduit and is deployable from the elongated conduit into a closed or nearly-closed loop configuration for deployment interposed between two tissue surfaces to define an enclosed volume. The conduit and the implant are configured such that, when the implant is deployed in the loop configuration, an opening formed in a proximal portion of the implant forms a contiguous channel with a passageway along the conduit so as to provide a continuous access channel along the elongated conduit into the enclosed volume.

Abstract: A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly.

Abstract: A medical device (10) includes an implant body (20) with a number of segments (30) hingedly interconnected so as to assume a straightened state for delivery and a flexed or roughly curved deployed state. Implant body may have engagement elements on at least two different segments, for example on a majority of segments. An elongated locking element anchored at the distal segment of the implant body may have projections for at least each engagement element. Tension applied to the locking element biases the implant body from the straightened state to the flexed deployed state. When the locking element is deflected to reach the curved deployed state, flexing segments of the implant body lock by matching engagement elements of the implant body with projections of the locking element. A very secure lock may be formed to prevent opening after deployment.

Abstract: An inter-level locking mechanism of a multi- level medical device is disclosed. The locking mechanism includes (a) an elongated element (100) having a plurality of flexing regions, wherein the elongated element assumes a straightened configuration for introduction into the body, and wherein the elongated element assumes a closed helix configuration with a first portion of the elongated element coming in overlapping contact with a second portion of the elongated element in the closed helix configuration, and (b) at least one locking element deployable so as to interconnect the first and second portions of the elongated element so as to tighten together the overlapping portions of the elongated element, thereby stabilizing the closed helix configuration.

Abstract: An implant having a base with a first contact surface and a hinged element, hingedly interconnected with a first portion of the base, providing a second contact surface. The first portion of the base is displaceable relative to a second portion so that the base can be shortened from an initial length towards a second length. A linking segment is hingedly connected to both the second portion of the base and to the hinged element so that shortening of the base causes the linking segment to push a region of the hinged element away from the base, thereby changing an angle of the second contact surface relative to the first contact surface.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective binges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.

Abstract: An implant having a base with a first contact surface and a hinged element, hingedly interconnected with a first portion of the base, providing a second contact surface. The first portion of the base is displaceable relative to a second portion so that the base can be shortened from an initial length towards a second length. A linking segment is hingedly connected to both the second portion of the base and to the hinged element so that shortening of the base causes the linking segment to push a region of the hinged element away from the base, thereby changing an angle of the second contact surface relative to the first contact surface.

Abstract: An implant having a base with a first contact surface and a hinged element, hingedly interconnected with a first portion of the base, providing a second contact surface. The first portion of the base is displaceable relative to a second portion so that the base can be shortened from an initial length towards a second length. A linking segment is hingedly connected to both the second portion of the base and to the hinged element so that shortening of the base causes the linking segment to push a region of the hinged element away from the base, thereby changing an angle of the second contact surface relative to the first contact surface.

Abstract: A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.