Abstract: A system for treating a facet joint of a patient. The facet joint includes a superior articular face and an inferior articular face. The system includes a resurfacing device, an implant insertion tool and a guide cannula. The resurfacing device is positionable between a superior articular face of a facet joint and an inferior articular face of a facet joint. The implant insertion tool is adapted to engage the resurfacing device. The guide cannula has a passage extending therethrough. The guide cannula passage is adapted to receive at least a portion of the resurfacing device and the implant insertion tool.

Abstract: An undercutting system for preparing a region between ilium and sacrum for sacroiliac fusion. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus and a cutting assembly. The insertion apparatus has an elongate shaft and a rotatable handle. The cutting assembly is operably attached to the insertion apparatus. Rotation of the handle with respect to the shaft causes the cutting assembly to move with respect to the shaft between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. When in the extended configuration, at least a portion of the cutting assembly extends laterally from the shaft.

Abstract: An undercutting system for preparing a region between an ilium and a sacrum for sacroiliac fusion. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus, a probe assembly and a cutting assembly. The probe assembly is operably mounted to the insertion apparatus. The probe assembly is moveable with respect to the insertion apparatus between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. In the extended configuration at least a portion of the probe assembly extends from the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly is operably mounted with respect to the probe assembly and the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly is movable with respect to the insertion apparatus between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. In the extended configuration at least a portion of the cutting assembly extends from the insertion apparatus.

Abstract: A method of treating a facet joint of a patient. The facet joint includes a superior facet having superior articular face and an inferior facet having an inferior articular face. A distal end of an implant delivery cannula is extended between the superior and inferior articular faces. The implant delivery cannula has a channel extending therethrough. An implant is moved through the channel until the implant is between the superior and inferior articular faces while at least a portion of the implant is within the channel. The implant includes a first surface and a second surface. The implant delivery cannula is moved away from the superior and inferior articular faces so that the first surface is adjacent the superior articular face and the second surface is adjacent the inferior articular face.

Abstract: A facet fusion system including a first drill guide, a second drill guide and a facet fusion implant. The first drill guide has a first aperture formed therein. The second drill guide has a second aperture formed therein. A position of the first aperture on the first drill guide is offset from a position of the second aperture on the second drill guide. The facet fusion implant has at least one gripping region and at least one bone growth region. The at least one bone growth region has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the first aperture and the second aperture.

Abstract: A system for treating a facet joint of a patient including superior and inferior resurfacing devices. The superior device includes a resurfacing body configured to conform to a shape of a superior facet articular face, and the inferior device includes a resurfacing body configured to conform to a shape of an inferior facet articular face. Each resurfacing body exhibits sufficient flexibility to transition from a relatively flat state to an inserted state in which the resurfacing body substantially matches any multi-planar concavities of the corresponding facet articular face in the presence of compressive forces. With this construction, the system is capable of establishing a new sliding interface within the facet joint, and can be inserted on a minimally-invasive basis. The resurfacing bodies can be formed of PEEK, and can include teeth that engage the corresponding facet articular face.

Abstract: An undercutting system for preparing a region between an ilium and a sacrum for sacroiliac fusion. The undercutting system includes a probe assembly and a cutting assembly. The probe assembly is operably mounted to the insertion apparatus. The probe assembly is moveable with respect to the insertion apparatus between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. In the extended configuration at least a portion of the probe assembly extends laterally from the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly is operably mounted with respect to the probe assembly and the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly is movable with respect to the insertion apparatus between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. In the extended configuration at least a portion of the cutting assembly extends laterally from the insertion apparatus.

Abstract: An undercutting system for preparing a region between ilium and sacrum for sacroiliac fusion. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is operably attached to the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly is movable with respect to the insertion apparatus between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.

Abstract: A device for treating a facet joint of a patient, the facet joint including opposing, superior and inferior faces. The device includes a superior component and an inferior component each defining an anchoring surface configured to engage bone at a face of the facet joint and an articulating surface. The device is configured for percutaneous insertion into the facet joint, with the articulating surfaces abutting one another in a sliding interface. One or more instruments are included with the device as part of a percutaneous implantation kit, such as a dilator, a guide wire, and a sheath.

Abstract: A bone screw including a main body portion having a proximal end and a distal end. An external threaded surface and an internal threaded surface are formed on the main body portion. The external threaded surface intersects the internal threaded surface proximate a lower surface of the external threaded surface and a lower surface of the internal threaded surface. A plurality of bone growth apertures is defined on the surface of the main body portion where the external threaded surface and the internal threaded surface are not located. The bone growth apertures comprise between about 10 percent and about 60 percent of the surface of the main body portion.

Abstract: A system for treating a facet joint of a patient. The facet joint includes a superior articular face and an inferior articular face. The system includes a resurfacing device, an implant insertion tool and a guide cannula. The resurfacing device is positionable between a superior articular face of a facet joint and an inferior articular face of a facet joint. The implant insertion tool is adapted to engage the resurfacing device. The guide cannula has a passage extending therethrough. The guide cannula passage is adapted to receive at least a portion of the resurfacing device and the implant insertion tool.

Abstract: A radial deployment surgical tool having an inner shaft, an outer shaft and a function head. The radial deployment surgical tool is adapted for performing surgical procedures within narrow regions within a patient.

Abstract: An undercutting system for preparing a region between ilium and sacrum for sacroiliac fusion. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is operably attached to the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly is movable with respect to the insertion apparatus between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.

Abstract: A method of forming prolonged-release injectable steroids. The method includes providing a steroid composition, a bioabsorbable polymer and a solvent. A solution is formed from the steroid composition, the bioabsorbable polymer and the solvent. Droplets are formed from the solution. The solvent is removed from the droplets to cause the droplets to form microspheres.

Abstract: A low friction resurfacing implant system including a first implant component and a second implant component. The first implant component has a first bearing surface. The second implant component has a second bearing surface. The first implant component and the second implant component are each fabricated from a durable material that possesses a low coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A system for treating a facet joint of a patient including superior and inferior resurfacing devices. The superior device includes a resurfacing body configured to conform to a shape of a superior facet articular face, and the inferior device includes a resurfacing body configured to conform to a shape of an inferior facet articular face. Each resurfacing body exhibits sufficient flexibility to transition from a relatively flat state to an inserted state in which the resurfacing body substantially matches any multi-planar concavities of the corresponding facet articular face in the presence of compressive forces. With this construction, the system is capable of establishing a new sliding interface within the facet joint, and can be inserted on a minimally-invasive basis. The resurfacing bodies can be formed of PEEK, and can include teeth that engage the corresponding facet articular face.

Abstract: A device for treating a facet joint of a patient, the facet joint including opposing, superior and inferior faces. The device includes a superior component and an inferior component each defining an anchoring surface configured to engage bone at a face of the facet joint and an articulating surface. The device is configured for percutaneous insertion into the facet joint, with the articulating surfaces abutting one another in a sliding interface. One or more instruments are included with the device as part of a percutaneous implantation kit, such as a dilator, a guide wire, and a sheath.