Abstract: The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are

Abstract: The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are

Abstract: The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are

Abstract: The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are

Abstract: The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are

Abstract: A modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position and an implanted position in which the modular segments are combined to mimic the shape of the vertebra.

Abstract: The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are

Abstract: The present invention is an intervertebral disc replacement for replacing a disc between a first vertebra and a second vertebra including an upper containment structure adapted to contact a lower surface of a first vertebra, a lower containment structure adapted to contact an upper surface of a second vertebra, where the upper and lower containment structures are adapted to centrally contain a deformable support body positioned between the upper and lower containment structures.

Abstract: Reciprocating cutting apparatus and methods for removing tissue from an intervertebral disc are disclosed. The reciprocating cutting apparatus can include a guide tube, a cutting cap and a drive shaft. Other reciprocating cutting apparatus can include a guide tube, an outer guide tube, a cutting cap and a drive shaft. The cutting cap reciprocates relative to the distal opening in the guide tube to cut and/or abrade tissues within an intervertebral disc. A cutting member may be provided to assist in the cutting and/or abrading of the tissues within the intervertebral disc. The reciprocating cutting apparatus may be generally configured to extend and withdraw a guide tube from and into the distal opening in the outer guide tube.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing tissue from an intervertebral disc are disclosed. The apparatus can include an elongated guide tube, a rotary cutting member and a drive shaft. Other apparatus can include an elongated guide tube, an inner guide tube, a cutting head, a rotary cutting member and a drive shaft. The apparatus are generally configured to extend and withdraw a rotary cutting member or a rotary cutting member in combination with a cutting head from and into the distal end of the elongated guide tube to cut and/or abrade tissues within an intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a prosthetic spinal disc nucleus. The including forming a hydrogel core from a hydrogel material in a natural state. The hydrogel material in the natural state is characterized by a natural swelling rate. The hydrogel is treated in an alkaline solution having a pH of at least about 8. This treatment transitions the hydrogel core from the natural state to a treated state characterized by an elevated swelling rate. The elevated swelling rate is greater that the natural swelling rate. The resultant, treated hydrogel core forms at least a portion of a prosthetic spinal disc nucleus that is otherwise sized for insertion into a spinal disc nucleus cavity. In one particular embodiment, the hydrogel core is inserted into a constraining jacket. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a prosthetic spinal disc nucleus including a hydrogel core having the elevated swelling rate.

Abstract: An adjustable surgical dilator for dilating an opening formed in a bodily tissue structure, such as an anulus of a spinal disc. The dilator includes an outer tube and an inner rod. The outer tube includes a proximal section, a distal section and a central lumen extending from the proximal section to the distal section. The distal section terminates in a distal end and includes first and second arms each defining an inner surface and an outer surface. The arms combine to define a head tapering to the distal end. The head is configured to contact bodily tissue and has a variable cross-sectional outer dimension as defined by the outer surfaces of the arms. The inner rod is co-axially disposed within the central lumen and includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion extends from the proximal portion and forms a bearing surface for selectively engaging the inner surfaces of the first and second arms, respectively.