Abstract: An implant is provided for performing spinal fusion. The implant includes an implant body having a leading side and a trailing side at opposing ends along a longitudinal axis. Between the leading side and trailing side are an upper surface, a lower surface, an anterior side, and a posterior side. At least one keel structure is provided extending from the implant body for penetration into an adjacent vertebral body. A trial sizer and keel cutter may be utilized to form keel channels within the vertebral body to receive the keel structure.

Abstract: An implant is provided for performing spinal fusion. The implant includes an implant body having a leading side and a trailing side at opposing ends along a longitudinal axis. Between the leading side and trailing side are an upper surface, a lower surface, an anterior side, and a posterior side. At least one keel structure is provided extending from the implant body for penetration into an adjacent vertebral body. A trial sizer and keel cutter may be utilized to form keel channels within the vertebral body to receive the keel structure.

Abstract: An intervertebral support system, comprising: a center portion having top and bottom recesses; a top portion having a bottom recess, the bottom recess in the top portion interlocking with the top recess in the center portion when the top position is positioned on top of the center portion; and a bottom portion having a top recess, the top recess in the bottom position interlocking with the bottom recess in the center portion when the bottom portion is positioned under the center portion.

Abstract: An implant is provided for performing spinal fusion. The implant includes an implant body having a leading side and a trailing side at opposing ends along a longitudinal axis. Between the leading side and trailing side are an upper surface, a lower surface, an anterior side, and a posterior side. At least one keel structure is provided extending from the implant body for penetration into an adjacent vertebral body. A trial sizer and keel cutter may be utilized to form keel channels within the vertebral body to receive the keel structure.

Abstract: An implant is provided for performing spinal fusion. The implant includes an implant body having a leading side and a trailing side at opposing ends along a longitudinal axis. Between the leading side and trailing side are an upper surface, a lower surface, an anterior side, and a posterior side. At least one keel structure is provided extending from the implant body for penetration into an adjacent vertebral body. A trial sizer and keel cutter may be utilized to form keel channels within the vertebral body to receive the keel structure.

Abstract: An intervertebral support system, comprising: a center portion having top and bottom recesses; a top portion having a bottom recess, the bottom recess in the top portion interlocking with the top recess in the center portion when the top position is positioned on top of the center portion; and a bottom portion having a top recess, the top recess in the bottom position interlocking with the bottom recess in the center portion when the bottom portion is positioned under the center portion.

Abstract: An implant is provided for performing spinal fusion. The implant includes an implant body having a leading side and a trailing side at opposing ends along a longitudinal axis. Between the leading side and trailing side are an upper surface, a lower surface, an anterior side, and a posterior side. At least one keel structure is provided extending from the implant body for penetration into an adjacent vertebral body. A trial sizer and keel cutter may be utilized to form keel channels within the vertebral body to receive the keel structure.

Abstract: A system for distracting two tissue surfaces away from one another within a spine, involving a plurality of biocompatible and generally rectangular spinal inserts configured to be successively stacked within a spine to distract the two tissues surfaces away from one another. Each spinal insert has a generally planar top surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a generally planar bottom surface disposed generally parallel to the top surface and including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a beveled surface extending from at least one of the leading edge of the planar top surface and the leading edge of the planar bottom surface. The beveled surface is configured to allow a currently inserted spinal insert to be positioned at least one of above and below a previously introduced spinal insert to distract the two tissue surfaces.

Abstract: A system for distracting two tissue surfaces away from one another within a spine, involving a plurality of biocompatible and generally rectangular spinal inserts configured to be successively stacked within a spine to distract the two tissues surfaces away from one another. Each spinal insert has a generally planar top surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a generally planar bottom surface disposed generally parallel to the top surface and including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a beveled surface extending from at least one of the leading edge of the planar top surface and the leading edge of the planar bottom surface. The beveled surface is configured to allow a currently inserted spinal insert to be positioned at least one of above and below a previously introduced spinal insert to distract the two tissue surfaces.

Abstract: A method for distracting two tissue surfaces away from one another within a spine. In one embodiment, the method involves the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of biocompatible and generally rectangular spinal inserts having a generally planar top surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a generally planar bottom surface disposed generally parallel to the top surface and including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a beveled surface extending from at least one of the leading edge of the planar top surface and the leading edge of the planar bottom surface; and (b) successively introducing into a spine the plurality of spinal inserts such that the generally planar top and bottom surfaces are generally parallel to the two tissue surfaces, wherein the beveled surface are configured to allow a currently inserted spinal insert to be positioned at least one of above and below a previously introduced spinal insert to distract the two tissue surfaces.

Abstract: A system for distracting two tissue surfaces away from one another within a spine, involving a plurality of biocompatible and generally rectangular spinal inserts configured to be successively stacked within a spine to distract the two tissues surfaces away from one another. Each spinal insert has a generally planar top surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a generally planar bottom surface disposed generally parallel to the top surface and including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a beveled surface extending from at least one of the leading edge of the planar top surface and the leading edge of the planar bottom surface. The beveled surface is configured to allow a currently inserted spinal insert to be positioned at least one of above and below a previously introduced spinal insert to distract the two tissue surfaces.

Abstract: An implant is provided for performing spinal fusion. The implant includes an implant body having a leading side and a trailing side at opposing ends along a longitudinal axis. Between the leading side and trailing side are an upper surface, a lower surface, an anterior side, and a posterior side. At least one keel structure is provided extending from the implant body for penetration into an adjacent vertebral body. A trial sizer and keel cutter may be utilized to form keel channels within the vertebral body to receive the keel structure.

Abstract: An implant is provided for performing spinal fusion. The implant includes an implant body having a leading side and a trailing side at opposing ends along a longitudinal axis. Between the leading side and trailing side are an upper surface, a lower surface, an anterior side, and a posterior side. At least one keel structure is provided extending from the implant body for penetration into an adjacent vertebral body. A trial sizer and keel cutter may be utilized to form keel channels within the vertebral body to receive the keel structure.

Abstract: An intervertebral support system, comprising: a center portion having top and bottom recesses; a top portion having a bottom recess, the bottom recess in the top portion interlocking with the top recess in the center portion when the top position is positioned on top of the center portion; and a bottom portion having a top recess, the top recess in the bottom position interlocking with the bottom recess in the center portion when the bottom portion is positioned under the center portion.

Abstract: A system for distracting two tissue surfaces away from one another within a spine, involving a plurality of biocompatible and generally rectangular spinal inserts configured to be successively stacked within a spine to distract the two tissues surfaces away from one another. Each spinal insert has a generally planar top surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a generally planar bottom surface disposed generally parallel to the top surface and including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a beveled surface extending from at least one of the leading edge of the planar top surface and the leading edge of the planar bottom surface. The beveled surface is configured to allow a currently inserted spinal insert to be positioned at least one of above and below a previously introduced spinal insert to distract the two tissue surfaces.

Abstract: A intervertebral support system, comprising: a center portion having top and bottom recesses; a top portion having a bottom recess, the bottom recess in the top portion interlocking with the top recess in the center portion when the top position is positioned on top of the center portion; and a bottom portion having a top recess, the top recess in the bottom position interlocking with the bottom recess in the center portion when the bottom portion is positioned under the center portion.

Abstract: A method of positioning a cannula along a path in a patient's intervertebral plane, comprising: suspending a cross member across a patient, the cross member having two cannula guides attached thereto, the cannula guides each being adjustably movable both along the length of the cross member and around a central longitudinally extending axis of the cross member; suspending radiopaque markers from the cannula guides; aligning the radiopoaque markers with the intervertebral plane as viewed in a radio-image, thereby aligning the cannula guides with the intervertebral plane; and advancing a cannula through the cannula guide.

Abstract: A intervertebral support system, comprising: a center portion having top and bottom recesses; a top portion having a bottom recess, the bottom recess in the top portion interlocking with the top recess in the center portion when the top position is positioned on top of the center portion; and a bottom portion having a top recess, the top recess in the bottom position interlocking with the bottom recess in the center portion when the bottom portion is positioned under the center portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for resecting bony tissue such as the facet joint processes using a cannulated resector held by a guidance platform. Rotation of the support holding the cannula causes the resecting surface of a rotating burr to move into contact with the facet joint.

Abstract: A method of interlocking first and second inserts between adjacent vertebrae comprising: introducing the first insert between adjacent vertebrae; rotating the first insert to anchor the first insert into a fixed position between the adjacent vertebrae; introducing the second insert between the adjacent vertebrae; rotating the second insert to anchor the second insert into a fixed position between the adjacent vertebrae; and fastening the first insert to the second insert.