Abstract: The present invention provides instruments and methods for insertion of spinal implants into the intervertebral space between opposing vertebral bodies. Instrumentation according to the invention includes an instrument guide having a first member and a second member each having a tubular proximal region and a distal region having a lateral guide surface. The instruments and methods of the invention are particularly advantageous for placement of spinal implants using a posterior approach to the vertebrae.

Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for implanting a spinal fusion implant includes a rigid centering guide having a distal end sized to be inserted into the disc space with the guide extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end. The guide includes a first external guide surface which extends at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end. The external guide surface is shaped complimentary to an external guided surface of a drill guide. The external guide surface and the guided surface are nested such that the guided surface slides against the external guide surface along a path of travel parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a surgical method and apparatus for implanting a spinal fusion implant into an intervertebral disc space. In one embodiment, the invention includes an alignment guide having a distal end sized to be inserted into the disc space with the guide extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end and a multi-lumen drill tube that can be passed over the alignment guide. Other tools and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A bone joining implant has a rigid, implantable base body having an outer surface with at least one bone bed engaging portion configured for engaging between a pair of bone bodies to be joined. At least one spline is provided by the bone bed engaging portion, the spline being constructed and arranged to extend outwardly of the body and having an undercut portion. Upon implantation, the undercut portion of the implant is configured to engage with a bone bed provided in the bone bodies to be joined so as to provide instantaneous fixation there between. In one embodiment, the implant is a vertebral interbody fusing device. The base body is cylindrical and the spline is an undercut thread helically configured about the body. In another embodiment, the base body forms a bridging portion for encircling a vertebra to be removed, and splines in the form of strips of material extend outwardly of top-most and bottom-most portions of the body.

Abstract: Spinal fusion implants are inserted into a disc space of disc material separating first and second vertebrae by forming bores between the vertebrae. A distraction spacer is temporarily put in place on one side of the vertebrae while a bore is being formed on an opposite of the vertebrae.

Abstract: Spinal fusion implants are laparoscopically placed in a disc space separating two vertebrae. Implant tools, including distraction spacers, boring tools and implants are passed through a hollow tube having exposed teeth and including a blunt sleeve slidably placed over the hollow tube.

Abstract: An implantable device for affixing to the anterior side of cervical vertebrae for stabilizing the cervical vertebral column. A plate has an anterior surface and a posterior surface and a plurality of through holes open at the anterior surface and at the posterior surface. Each hole has an anterior portion having a first diameter and a posterior portion having a second diameter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter, and the anterior portion of the hole is internally threaded. A bone screw has a threaded shank having a major diameter smaller than the second diameter of the through hole of the plate. The bone screw also has a head having a major diameter greater than the second diameter of the through hole of the plate and smaller than the first diameter of the hole of the plate. A locking cap has an exterior thread and is sized to be threadedly received within the anterior portion of the through hole of the plate while the head of the bone screw is disposed within the through hole.

Abstract: The invention provides a guide system for use in a spinal implant procedure. The system includes a hollow tube for accurately guiding instruments to prepare a site and/or insert a spinal fusion implant between opposing vertebrae. The guide tube can be surrounded by a sheath to reduce the chance of injury during placement of the guide tube.

Abstract: A lordotic implant has a frusto-conical shape with external threads. Prior to placement of the implant, vertebrae are distracted in a manner to provide a desired lordosis between the vertebrae. The pre-distracted vertebrae are then tapped to provide a tapped bore having a geometry matching the conical geometry of the implant. The threaded implant is then placed within the pre-tapped conical bore.

Abstract: A method for implanting an implant into a bore formed between opposing vertebra includes forming a bore between the vertebra and selecting an implant having a rigid body with exposed threads and a hollow interior and with holes formed through a shell of the body into the interior. The implant is placed within the bore with a longitudinal axis of the body aligned with an axis of the bore. The body is advanced into the bore to stretch an annulus.

Abstract: A bone joining implant has a rigid, implantable base body having an outer surface with at least one bone bed engaging portion configured for engaging between a pair of bone bodies to be joined. At least one spline is provided by the bone bed engaging portion, the spline being constructed and arranged to extend outwardly of the body and having an undercut portion. Upon implantation, the undercut portion of the implant is configured to engage with a bone bed provided in the bone bodies to be joined so as to provide instantaneous fixation there between. In one embodiment, the implant is a vertebral interbody fusing device. The base body is cylindrical and the spline is an undercut thread helically configured about the body. In another embodiment, the base body forms a bridging portion for encircling a vertebra to be removed, and splines in the form of strips of material extend outwardly of top-most and bottom-most portions of the body.

Abstract: A lordotic implant has a frusto-conical shape with external threads. Prior to placement of the implant, vertebrae are distracted in a manner to provide a desired lordosis between the vertebrae. The pre-distracted vertebrae are then tapped to provide a tapped bore having a geometry matching the conical geometry of the implant. The threaded implant is then placed within the pre-tapped conical bore.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing spinal stabilization includes a distraction spacer sized to be inserted into a disc space and act against end plates of vertebra to urge the vertebra apart. A tube guide is placed at a second location on the disc space with the tube guide including a spacer on its distal end sized approximate to a sizing of the distraction spacer. A guide tube is mutually sized with the tube guide for the tube guide and the spacer to be withdrawn through the guide tube. The guide tube is sized to direct surgical tools to the disc space. A boring tool includes a guide tip which is sized to be received within the disc space and act against end plates of the vertebra to maintain the boring tool in accurate alignment with the disc space.

Abstract: A bone joining implant has a rigid, implantable base body having an outer surface with at least one bone bed engaging portion configured for engaging between a pair of bone bodies to be joined. At least one spline is provided by the bone bed engaging portion, the spline being constructed and arranged to extend outwardly of the body and having an undercut portion. Upon implantation, the undercut portion of the implant is configured to engage with a bone bed provided in the bone bodies to be joined so as to provide instantaneous fixation there between. In one embodiment, the implant is a vertebral interbody fusing device. The base body is cylindrical and the spline is an undercut thread helically configured about the body. In another embodiment, the base body forms a bridging portion for encircling a vertebra to be removed, and splines in the form of strips of material extend outwardly of top-most and bottom-most portions of the body.

Abstract: Spinal fusion implants are laparoscopically placed in a disk space separating two vertebrae. Implant tools, including distraction spacers, boring tools and implants, are passed through a cannula toward the disk space.

Abstract: A intervertebral fusion implant includes first and second bearing surfaces which oppose cortical bone upon insertion of the implant into a bore formed between two vertebrae. The implant includes first and second ridges which extend from the bearing surface. The ridges extend through the cortical bone into cancellous bone. The ridges are provided with openings formed through the ridges. The openings are in communication with the interior of the implant.

Abstract: An implant for use in spinal stabilization includes four generally linear thread segments. The thread segments are maintained and spaced apart alignment by rigid supports. The thread segments include a plurality of individual threads with the individual threads of the segments defining a thread pattern. The supports and the thread segments define a hollow implant interior exposed to an exterior of the implant.

Abstract: Spinal fusion implants are inserted into a disc space of disc material separating first and second vertebrae by forming bores between the vertebrae. A distraction spacer is temporarily put in place on one side of the vertebrae while a bore is being formed on an opposite side of the vertebrae.

Abstract: An implant is disclosed for use in spinal stabilization. In one preferred embodiment, the implant is described as including a hollow, cylindrical body having external threading and a plurality of openings formed radially through the body in communication with the body interior. The holes are positioned to chip bone into the implant as the implant is rotated.

Abstract: An implant is disclosed for use in spinal stabilization. In one preferred embodiment, the implant is a body having side walls extending between upper and lower walls with openings on the upper and lower walls. The side walls are solid and oppose disk material.