Abstract: An apparatus includes a guide shaft, an expansion member coupled to the guide shaft, and an actuator. The expansion member is configured to impart a force from within an interior of an implant to deform the implant. The actuator is coupled to the expansion member, the actuator is configured to move the expansion member from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a guide shaft, an expansion member coupled to the guide shaft, and an actuator. The expansion member is configured to impart a force from within an interior of an implant to deform the implant. The actuator is coupled to the expansion member, the actuator is configured to move the expansion member from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A method includes moving a spinal implant such that a central portion of the spinal implant is disposed between adjacent spinous processes, radially extending a proximal portion of the spinal implant on a first side of the adjacent spinous processes such that movement of the proximal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited, and radially extending a distal portion of the spinal implant on a second side of the adjacent spinous processes opposite the first side such that movement of the distal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a medical device within a body between adjacent spinous processes, moving the medical device from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within the body using an actuator removably coupled to the medical device, and removing the actuator from the body while the medical device remains between the adjacent spinous processes.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a medical device within a body between adjacent spinous processes, moving the medical device from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within the body using an actuator removably coupled to the medical device, and removing the actuator from the body while the medical device remains between the adjacent spinous processes.

Abstract: A method includes moving a spinal implant such that a central portion of the spinal implant is disposed between adjacent spinous processes, radially extending a proximal portion of the spinal implant on a first side of the adjacent spinous processes such that movement of the proximal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited, and radially extending a distal portion of the spinal implant on a second side of the adjacent spinous processes opposite the first side such that movement of the distal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a medical device within a body between adjacent spinous processes, moving the medical device from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within the body using an actuator removably coupled to the medical device, and removing the actuator from the body while the medical device remains between the adjacent spinous processes.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a medical device within a body between adjacent spinous processes, moving the medical device from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within the body using an actuator removably coupled to the medical device, and removing the actuator from the body while the medical device remains between the adjacent spinous processes.

Abstract: A method includes inserting percutaneously an implant in a first configuration between adjacent spinous processes, the implant having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, moving the first end of the implant in a first axial direction, and moving the second end of the implant in a second axial direction, opposite from the first axial direction, such that the implant is in a second configuration.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a medical device within a body between adjacent spinous processes, moving the medical device from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within the body using an actuator removably coupled to the medical device, and removing the actuator from the body while the medical device remains between the adjacent spinous processes.

Abstract: A method includes moving a spinal implant such that a central portion of the spinal implant is disposed between adjacent spinous processes, radially extending a proximal portion of the spinal implant on a first side of the adjacent spinous processes such that movement of the proximal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited, and radially extending a distal portion of the spinal implant on a second side of the adjacent spinous processes opposite the first side such that movement of the distal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for performing minimally-invasive medical procedures are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus includes an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion are each configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration and from the second configuration to the first configuration. At least a section of each of the proximal portion and the distal portion is collapsed in the first configuration and is expanded in the second configuration. A central portion is positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The non-expanding central portion is configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes upon spinal extension. A material of the non-expanding central portion is different than a material of the proximal portion and the distal portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inserting biocompatible filler materials in interior body regions are described. In one described method, an expansible body comprising a body material substantially resistant to at least one of a biocompatible filler material and a chemical component of the biocompatible filler material may be inserted into a treatment area along a path established by a hollow member. The expansible body may then be expanded within the treatment area. The biocompatible filler material may be inserted into the treatment area while the expansible body is expanded therein.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for performing minimally invasive medical procedures are disclosed herein. In one example, an apparatus includes a first body coupled to a second body. The first body and the second body collectively configured to be releasably coupled to an implant device configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes. A first engaging portion is coupled to the first body, and a second engaging portion is coupled to the second body. The first engaging portion and/or the second engaging portion is configured to be received within a first opening defined by the implant device. The first body configured to be moved relative to the second body such that a distance between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is moved between a first distance and a second distance and simultaneously a length of the implant device is moved between a first length and a second length.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for performing minimally-invasive medical procedures are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus includes an elongate member having a proximal portion configured to move repeatedly between a first configuration and a second configuration. At least a section of the proximal portion is collapsed in the first configuration and is expanded in the second configuration. The elongate member has a distal portion configured to move repeatedly between a first configuration and a second configuration. At least a section of the proximal portion is collapsed in the first configuration and is expanded in the second configuration. A non-expanding central portion is positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The non-expanding central portion is configured to engage adjacent spinous processes.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, a rod, a portion of which is disposed within the shaft, a first knob and a second knob. The first knob is coupled to the shaft and configured to engage the rod such that the rod translates within the shaft when the first knob is rotated. The second knob is coupled to the rod such that the rod rotates within the shaft when the second knob is rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate member having a portion configured to be deformed from a first configuration to a second configuration. In one variation, the apparatus includes an outer body, having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and an inner body. A portion of the outer body is configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes. The inner body is disposed within the interior region of the outer body. The inner body has an outer surface in slidable contact with an inner surface of the outer body.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate member having a portion configured to be deformed from a first configuration to a second configuration. In one variation, the apparatus includes an outer body, defining an interior region, and an inner body. A portion of the outer body is configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes. The inner body is disposed within the interior region of the outer body. A distal end portion of the inner body is coupled to a distal end portion of the outer body. A proximal end portion of the inner body configured to removably receive a tool to move the outer body between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing prostheses are described. One method comprises identifying a tissue in a treatment area. The method further comprises modifying a structural stiffness of a portion of an expansible body prosthesis disposed adjacent the tissue. The expansible body prosthesis is inserted into the treatment area.

Abstract: A surgical access device can include a plurality of retractor members that together define a lumen having a first cross-sectional dimension. Each of the plurality of retractor members can be moved radially outward to at least a second cross-sectional dimension to create a surgical access passage. The surgical access device, systems and kits comprising the surgical access device, and methods of using the surgical access device can include a mechanism for inserting an elongate member from exterior the body to the surgical site, a mechanism for moving the retractor members radially outward, a mechanism for guiding the radially outward movement of the retractor members, a mechanism for securing each of the retractor members in a range of positions, and a mechanism for illuminating the surgical site. Variations of the devices, systems, kits, and methods are useful for creating and maintaining a surgical access passage for performing minimally invasive surgery.