Abstract: A self-supporting surgical retractor is provided for retracting soft tissue and anatomy at a spinal surgical site. The retractor includes a tubular base defining an upper rim and a lower rim and a working channel there between the upper and lower rims, in which the base and lower rim are sized and configured to be seated on adjacent vertebral bodies spanning an intervertebral space. At least two elongated legs are provided, each projecting from the upper rim and each including a fixation feature at a free end thereof. Each of the legs has a length sufficient for the fixation feature to be outside the body of a patient when the lower rim is seated on adjacent vertebral bodies of the patient. The retractor is formed of a radio-transparent or radio-lucent material.

Abstract: An anterior lumbar interbody fusion device comprising a superior component, an inferior component, and a locking mechanism. The superior component bottom side and the inferior component top side oppose each other when these are received in the intervertebral space whereby their external sides abut against the respective vertebra, thereby coupling force between the latter. The components inter-engage with each other whereby they are constrained to move in an anterior-posterior direction relative to each other and resistance is presented to movement relative to each other in each of a direction of separation and a direction orthogonal to the anterior-posterior direction and to the direction of separation.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device comprises a superior component, an inferior component, and a core component. The superior and inferior components are received between first and second vertebrae whereby a superior component top side of the superior component abuts against the first vertebra, and an inferior component bottom side of the inferior component abuts against the second vertebra. The core component is inserted between the superior and inferior components to determine a height of the intervertebral fusion device. First and second core profiles of the core component cooperate respectively with a first component profile of the superior component and a second component profile of the inferior component during insertion of the core component to guide the core component relative to the superior and inferior components.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device is disclosed. The intervertebral fusion device comprises a superior component (40), an inferior component (60) and a core component (10). The superior component (40) has a superior component top side and a superior component bottom side and is configured to be received in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae whereby the superior component top side abuts against the first vertebra. The inferior component (60) has an inferior component top side and an inferior component bottom side and is configured to be received in the intervertebral space whereby the inferior component bottom side abuts against the second vertebra. The superior component bottom side and the inferior component top side oppose each other when the superior and inferior components (40, 60) are received in the intervertebral space.

Abstract: Intervertebral fusion device comprising a superior component, an inferior component, and a core component. The superior component comprises first and second superior parts which are coupled to each other to allow the first and second superior parts to move apart to thereby increase a perimeter of the superior component top side. The inferior component comprises first and second inferior parts which are coupled to each other to allow the first and second inferior parts to move apart to thereby increase a perimeter of the inferior component bottom side. The core component is configured for insertion between the superior and inferior components whereby separation between the superior and inferior components is determined. The core component interengages with each of the superior and inferior components upon insertion. The superior and inferior components are unattached to each other before the core component is inserted between the superior and inferior components.

Abstract: The insertion instrument (10) for inserting a modular intervertebral fusion device or components thereof into an inter-vertebral space comprises at least one superior (arm 16), (18) mounted on a superior support (12) such that the at least one superior arm extends from the superior support. The insertion instrument further comprises at least one inferior arm (20), (22) mounted on an inferior support (14) such that the at least one inferior arm extends from the inferior support.

Abstract: An assembly for determining height and angle of an intervertebral device to be implanted in an intervertebral space. The assembly comprises a sizing instrument (12) comprising a support (18) attached to first and second arms (20), (22) which extend in generally a same direction from the support. The assembly also comprises superior and inferior endplates (14), (16) of the intervertebral device to be implanted. One of the superior and inferior endplates (14), (16) engages with a distal end of the first arm (20) and the other of the superior and inferior endplates (14), (16) engages with a distal end of the second arm (22), the superior and inferior endplates opposing each other when they are engaged with their respective arms.

Abstract: The intervertebral fusion device (200) comprises a superior component (220), an inferior component (240) and a core component (260). The superior and inferior components (220, 240) are received in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae whereby the superior component top side abuts against the first vertebra, the inferior component bottom side abuts against the second vertebra, and the superior component bottom side and the inferior component top side oppose each other. A height of the intervertebral fusion device is determined upon insertion of the core component (260) between the superior and inferior components (220, 240). Each of the superior component top side and the inferior component bottom side is one of: oblong having a major axis; and square, being bounded by four edges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device (10) comprising a superior component (20), an inferior component (40), and a core component (80) inserted there between. The intervertebral fusion device further comprises first and second retention mechanisms which resist ejection of the core component from between the superior and inferior components. Each of the first and second retention mechanisms comprises first and second portions. One of the first and second portions is unitary with one of the superior and inferior components. The other of the first and second portions is unitary with the core component. The first and second portions each comprise an inter-engaging formation which are urged in an opposite direction. The first inter-engaging formation is urged to inter-engage with the second inter-engaging formation upon insertion of the core component between the superior and inferior components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device (10) comprising a superior component (20), an inferior component (40) receivable in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae, with the core component (80) insertable between the superior and inferior components to determine a separation between the superior and inferior components. The superior, inferior components and core components comprise respective formations and profiles. The formations (54, 68) present a barrier to separation of the core from one of the inferior and superior components during insertion of the core component. The profiles guide the core component during insertion of the core component while presenting no barrier to separation from each other during its insertion. The components comprise further formations (39, 76) which present a barrier to separation of the components from each other once the core has been fully inserted between the inferior and superior components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device (10) comprising a superior component (12), an inferior component (14) and a core component (16). The superior component (12) and the inferior component (14) are receivable in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae with the core component (16) insertable between the superior and inferior components to determine a separation between the superior and inferior components. A bone graft conveying aperture is defined in at least one of a superior component top surface (18) of the superior component and an inferior component bottom surface (20) of the inferior component. The core component defines a bone graft material holding space which is enclosed except at at least one of a core component top surface and core component bottom surface of the core component and a bone graft material delivery opening. The bone graft material delivery opening extends from outside the core component side to the bone graft material holding space.

Abstract: A self-supporting surgical retractor is provided for retracting soft tissue and anatomy at a spinal surgical site. The retractor includes a tubular base defining an upper rim and a lower rim and a working channel there between the upper and lower rims, in which the base and lower rim are sized and configured to be seated on adjacent vertebral bodies spanning an intervertebral space. At least two elongated legs are provided, each projecting from the upper rim and each including a fixation feature at a free end thereof. Each of the legs has a length sufficient for the fixation feature to be outside the body of a patient when the lower rim is seated on adjacent vertebral bodies of the patient. The retractor is formed of a radio-transparent or radio-lucent material.

Abstract: A textile-based plate implant (and related methods) that supports tissue ingrowth within the implanted implant structure and is suitable for use in a variety of surgical applications, including but not limited to anterior, posterior and lateral surgical approaches directed towards the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions of the spine.

Abstract: A combination pre-filled and in situ filled implant for the replacement of an intervertebral disc of the spine, including a textile core and a flange with apertures dimensioned to receive screws or other affixation elements. The combination pre-filled and in situ filled implant may also have attached side pockets comprised of extra layers of embroidered fabric. The pockets on the implant may serve a dual purpose: to facilitate insertion and to expand the dimensions of the implant after insertion.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the replacement of an intervertebral disc of the spine comprises a block of an elastomeric material, which is held under compression by an encapsulating textile fabric. A preferred version of the invention has flanges that are continuations of the encapsulating fabric forming an interdigitation, with the continuation of the upper fabric passing through a hole in the lower fabric and being attached to the lower vertebral body and the continuation of the lower fabric crossing to its fixation site on the upper vertebral body. Optionally, the flanges are resorbable, over time leaving only the implant core and encapsulation fabric in the intervertebral space.

Abstract: A manufacturing process and resultant medical devices and components thereof wherein one or more individual laces (12) is placed within an embroidered structure (10) using an automated process allowing for the manufacture of embroidered surgical implants containing laces to be mass produced repeatably and cost effectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods for replacement of an intervertebral disc are provided. The spinal implant comprises an elastomeric material that has been treated with an additive to decrease the ability of emissions to pass through the elastomeric material and to increase at least one of wear resistance, stiffness, and Shore hardness of the elastomeric material. The additive may be a barium-containing compound, one or more metals, or one or more x-ray opaque materials. The additive may be included in certain localities of the implant. A series of implants may be provided with different sizes and different structural properties that mimic the stiffness and shock absorbing properties of the natural intervertebral disc to be replaced.

Abstract: An embroidery process allowing for a three-dimensional shape to be embroidered in two dimensions, allowing for the cost effective and repeatable manufacturing required for use in surgically implanted medical devices.

Abstract: Implants and methods aimed at safely repairing and/or reconstructing the facet joint so as to provide the required flexibility and elasticity to support continued motion after the implant has been implanted in a facet joint.

Abstract: A treatment process by which medical implants may be pre-settled before surgical implantation. Although explained herein within the context of a spinal implant, it will be appreciated that the same techniques and features of the present invention may be applied to any medical implant, particularly those having a core or other structure subject to material creep over time after implantation. This pre-settling process of the present invention may be done at any stage in the manufacturing of the implantable device after the spinal implant has been formed but before the device is surgically implanted. The pre-settling of the invention may be used for any type of core material that may have creep characteristics including, but not limited to, elastomers and textiles.