Abstract: A spinal implant includes an intermediate portion and a first portion extending in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The first portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. A second portion is spaced from the first portion and extends in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The second portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. At least one of the first portion and the second portion includes an outer surface having a mating element engageable with a mating element of a surgical instrument. Systems, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes an intermediate portion and a first portion extending in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The first portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. A second portion is spaced from the first portion and extends in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The second portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. At least one of the first portion and the second portion includes an outer surface having a mating element engageable with a mating element of a surgical instrument. Systems, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes an intermediate portion and a first portion extending in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The first portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. A second portion is spaced from the first portion and extends in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The second portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. At least one of the first portion and the second portion includes an outer surface having a mating element engageable with a mating element of a surgical instrument. Systems, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes an intermediate portion and a first portion extending in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The first portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. A second portion is spaced from the first portion and extends in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The second portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. At least one of the first portion and the second portion includes an outer surface having a mating element engageable with a mating element of a surgical instrument. Systems, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a trial including a mating element. A member has a tissue engagement surface and a mating part releasably engageable with the mating element such that the trial is interchangeable with a plurality of alternate members. Systems, implants and methods are described.

Abstract: The spinal implant includes a tissue barrier. A first member extends in a transverse orientation from the tissue barrier and is connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. A second member is spaced from the first member and extends in a transverse orientation from the tissue barrier. The second member is connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. At least one of the members includes an end that is disposable about at least a portion of the vertebral tissue. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a trial including a mating element. A member has a tissue engagement surface and a mating part releasably engageable with the mating element such that the trial is interchangeable with a plurality of alternate members. Systems, implants and methods are described.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes an intermediate portion and a first portion extending in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The first portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. A second portion is spaced from the first portion and extends in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The second portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. At least one of the first portion and the second portion includes an outer surface having a mating element engageable with a mating element of a surgical instrument. Systems, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The spinal implant includes a tissue barrier. A first member extends in a transverse orientation from the tissue barrier and is connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. A second member is spaced from the first member and extends in a transverse orientation from the tissue barrier. The second member is connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. At least one of the members includes an end that is disposable about at least a portion of the vertebral tissue. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: The spinal implant includes a first end configured for connection with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. A second end is spaced from the first end and configured for connection with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. An intermediate portion includes a scaffold and a tissue barrier. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.

Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.

Abstract: An artificial disc implant and associate methods and instrumentation are provided for the artificial disc implant that includes opposite vertebral endplate members and a spacer member between the vertebral endplate members. An anchoring member extends from at least one of the vertebral endplate members toward an adjacent vertebral endplate when the implant is positioned between vertebrae. The anchoring member can be received in an anchor seat formed in the adjacent vertebral endplate without requiring the artificial disc implant to be impacted into the space between vertebrae to engage the anchoring member in the seat.

Abstract: A vertebral implant for installation in a disc space is disclosed that includes a body defining a first vertebral support rail and a second vertebral support rail extending along a vertical axis. Each vertebral support rail is separated by a channel running circumferentially around at least a portion of the body along a longitudinal axis of the body. The first vertebral support rail has a first height and the second vertebral support rail has a second height. The first height is smaller than the second height. The height or apex of each vertebral support rail is sized and configured to match the concave nature of the endplates of vertebra of the spine.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc space preparation guide comprises a spacer portion having a first recess and a first machining guide comprising a first bore. The first bore and the first recess are aligned and adapted to receive a first bone removal mechanism.

Abstract: A guide and a blade for contouring vertebral bodies. The guide is sized to be mounted between two vertebral members and includes a pair of edges for receiving the blade. The pair of edges are spaced a distance apart for the first edge to align with a first vertebral member, and the second edge to align with a second vertebral member. The blade includes a pair of arms with at least one cutting edge. The arms are sized to fit within the pair of edges respectively. Using the blade and guide comprises inserting the guide adjacent to two vertebral members, and inserting the arms through the pair of edges to contour the ends of the members. In an embodiment with cutting edges at the distal ends of each of the arms, the two vertebral members can be contoured simultaneously.

Abstract: Instrumentation and techniques for preparing vertebral members for insertion of an implant. Foundation instruments provide a reference relative to the vertebral members. The foundation devices guide the placement of one or more instruments that prepare the vertebral members. The instruments operatively align with the foundation instruments in a specific orientation to ensure proper placement relative to the vertebral members. Preparatory instruments may be used to further remove bone from the vertebral members. The preparatory instruments may be used prior to or after the other instruments. An insert is inserted and mounted to the vertebral members after the bone has been removed. A holder may be used for holding and placing the implant relative to the vertebral members.

Abstract: An intervertebral device comprises a first endplate assembly including a first exterior surface, a second endplate assembly including a second exterior surface, and a bone in-growth area located on the first exterior surface. The bone in-growth area includes an osteoconductive surface. The intervertebral device also comprises a bone in-growth indicator located on the first exterior surface and an access guide on the first endplate. The access guide is adapted for directing a revision instrument to the bone in-growth area.

Abstract: A guide and a blade for contouring vertebral bodies. The guide is sized to be mounted between two vertebral members and includes a pair of edges for receiving the blade. The pair of edges are spaced a distance apart for the first edge to align with a first vertebral member, and the second edge to align with a second vertebral member. The blade includes a pair of arms with at least one cutting edge. The arms are sized to fit within the pair of edges respectively. Using the blade and guide comprises inserting the guide adjacent to two vertebral members, and inserting the arms through the pair of edges to contour the ends of the members. In an embodiment with cutting edges at the distal ends of each of the arms, the two vertebral members can be contoured simultaneously.

Abstract: A system and method of contouring a perimeter surface of a vertebral body. The invention includes positioning a reference mechanism relative to one or more vertebral bodies. In one embodiment, the reference mechanism is positioned relative to the disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The reference mechanism may have a variety of forms, including mechanical, computerized, and visual. A bone removal mechanism is aligned with the reference mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies. A predetermined relationship exists between the bone removal mechanism and the reference mechanism. The predetermined relationship provides for the bone removal mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies in a precise fashion.