Abstract: A suspension arm assembly includes at least three horizontally aligned members relatively rotatable about each other, each adjacent pair of the at least three horizontally aligned members being connected to each other by a joint; a conduit pathway for positioning at least one conduit such that the at least one conduit extends along the at least three horizontally aligned members, outward of a load bearing periphery of the at least three horizontally aligned members; a brake system comprising a brake at each joint for selectively preventing movement of respective adjacent ones of the at least three horizontally aligned members about the joint; and at least one shell arranged about the at least three horizontally aligned members and the conduit pathway.

Abstract: A suspension arm assembly includes at least three horizontally aligned members relatively rotatable about each other, each adjacent pair of the at least three horizontally aligned members being connected to each other by a joint; a conduit pathway for positioning at least one conduit such that the at least one conduit extends along the at least three horizontally aligned members, outward of a load bearing periphery of the at least three horizontally aligned members; a brake system comprising a brake at each joint for selectively preventing movement of respective adjacent ones of the at least three horizontally aligned members about the joint; and at least one shell arranged about the at least three horizontally aligned members and the conduit pathway.

Abstract: A suspension arm assembly including at least three horizontally aligned members relatively rotatable about each other. Each adjacent pair of members are connected to each other by a joint. At least one conduit extends along the at least three horizontally aligned members, with the at least one conduit being routed horizontally along the horizontally aligned members and not being located within a periphery of the at least three horizontally aligned members.

Abstract: A spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper end plate including an outer surface extending between first and second end surfaces and opposed side surfaces. The outer surface includes a first convex profile extending between the first and second end surfaces and a second convex profile extending between the opposed side surfaces. The first convex profile and the second convex profile have different curvatures. The spinal implant further includes a lower end plate and a core disposed between the upper and lower end plates and coupled thereto. A method of assembling a spinal implant and a method of performing spinal surgery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper end plate including an outer surface extending between first and second end surfaces and opposed side surfaces. The outer surface includes a first convex profile extending between the first and second end surfaces and a second convex profile extending between the opposed side surfaces. The first convex profile and the second convex profile have different curvatures. The spinal implant further includes a lower end plate and a core disposed between the upper and lower end plates and coupled thereto. A method of assembling a spinal implant and a method of performing spinal surgery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper end plate including an outer surface extending between first and second end surfaces and opposed side surfaces. The outer surface includes a first convex profile extending between the first and second end surfaces and a second convex profile extending between the opposed side surfaces. The first convex profile and the second convex profile have different curvatures. The spinal implant further includes a lower end plate and a core disposed between the upper and lower end plates and coupled thereto. A method of assembling a spinal implant and a method of performing spinal surgery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A suspension arm assembly including at least three horizontally aligned members relatively rotatable about each other. Each adjacent pair of members are connected to each other by a joint. At least one conduit extends along the at least three horizontally aligned members, with the at least one conduit being routed horizontally along the horizontally aligned members and not being located within a periphery of the at least three horizontally aligned members.

Abstract: A spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper end plate including an outer surface extending between first and second end surfaces and opposed side surfaces. The outer surface includes a first convex profile extending between the first and second end surfaces and a second convex profile extending between the opposed side surfaces. The first convex profile and the second convex profile have different curvatures. The spinal implant further includes a lower end plate and a core disposed between the upper and lower end plates and coupled thereto. A method of assembling a spinal implant and a method of performing spinal surgery are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc and facet joints prosthesis includes (i) an intervertebral disc prosthesis element having an upper rigid prosthesis endplate, a lower rigid prosthesis endplate, and a core interposed between and attached to the rigid endplates, and (ii) at least one facet joint prosthesis element, each facet joint prosthesis element including an upper facet joint prosthesis component and a lower facet joint prosthesis component. The upper facet joint prosthesis component is constructed to cooperate with its respective lower facet joint prosthesis component, the upper facet joint prosthesis component being rigidly fixed to the upper endplate and the lower facet joint prosthesis component being rigidly fixed to the lower endplate. The prosthesis may be implanted by surgical procedures involving a posterior or postero-lateral approach.

Abstract: An endplate for an intervertebral prosthesis prosthesis endplate of the invention includes: a generally planar base plate, a first elevated region, or dome, within the base plate periphery, and a second elevated region, or dome, within the boundary of the first elevated region. The antero-posterior and side-to-side (medial-lateral) dimensions of the first elevated region are made to be unequal in order to provide resistance to torsional stresses, and the laterally opposite sidewalls of the first elevated region are defined by arcs that terminate in sagittal planes of the endplate, and are symmetrical with respect to a coronal plane of the endplate. A bone rasp for preparing a surgical site for implantation of the prosthesis has a rasp head having a pivot point and rasp teeth arranged to produce a recess or seat of predetermined shape.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant for replacing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk includes upper and lower endwalls of discoid cross-section, each having an antero-posterior diameter less than its transverse diameter, and an hourglass-shaped sidewall connecting the peripheries of the upper endwall and lower endwall to enclose an interior volume filled with a substantially incompressible liquid or soft plastic material. A total prosthesis for replacing the entire human intervertebral disk has an annular core made of a first biocompatible polymer surrounding a central cavity, transitional plates affixed respectively to the upper and lower surfaces of the annular core, the upper and lower transitional plates being made of a second biocompatible material having an elastic modulus greater than that of the first biocompatible polymer, and upper and lower endplates adapted to contact adjacent vertebrae and affixed respectively to the upper and lower transitional plates.

Abstract: In an intervertebral disc prostheses having a pair of rigid endplates and an elastomeric core structure between the endplates. The core structure is designed to provide desired functional characteristics of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A suite of surgical tools for use in implantation of an intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided. The surgical tools include an external alignment frame (EAF), an annulus incision guide (AIG), a depth gauge, a positioning/alignment block, a disc space distractor, an endplate drill guide (EDG), and a vertebral endplate cutter (VEC), any or all of which can be used by a surgeon in a procedure for preparing an implantation site by excising all or part of a degenerated intervertebral disc and implanting an intervertebral disc prosthesis in the site so prepared.

Abstract: Lumbar and thoracic spinal implants comprised of substantially cancellous bone and/or calcaneus are disclosed. The graft lumbar and thoracic spinal implants have sufficient load bearing capacity to withstand the loads of the lumbar and thoracic spine.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant for replacing a facet joint of a spinal motion segment includes a generally conical superior component adapted to be implanted at a surgically prepared site on a lower articular process of a cephalad vertebra of a spinal motion segment, and a cup-shaped inferior component adapted to be implanted at a surgically prepared site on a superior articular process of a caudad vertebra of the spinal motion segment.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant for replacing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk includes upper and lower endwalls of discoid cross-section, each having an antero-posterior diameter less than its transverse diameter, and an hourglass-shaped sidewall connecting the peripheries of the upper endwall and lower endwall to enclose an interior volume filled with a substantially incompressible liquid or soft plastic material. A total prosthesis for replacing the entire human intervertebral disk has an annular core made of a first biocompatible polymer surrounding a central cavity, transitional plates affixed respectively to the upper and lower surfaces of the annular core, the upper and lower transitional plates being made of a second biocompatible material having an elastic modulus greater than that of the first biocompatible polymer, and upper and lower endplates adapted to contact adjacent vertebrae and affixed respectively to the upper and lower transitional plates.