Abstract: A surgical instrument and method are provided for removal of a spinal implant from the intervertebral disc space. The instrument includes a carriage body for interfacing with the implant, a housing for interfacing with the vertebrae, and a handle portion having a first portion rotatably coupled with a proximal end of the housing and a second portion rotatably engageable with a proximal attachment portion of the carriage body. A central passage of the housing extends between the proximal end and a distal engagement surface of the housing. The central passage is dimensioned to mate with the carriage body. Rotation of the handle portion about an axis causes translational movement of the carriage body along the axis. A modular inserter/distractor apparatus and method and an anchor remover and method are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for inserting a spinal implant in the intervertebral disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and an anchor engageable with the implant and an adjacent vertebra are provided. The instrument includes an inserter having an engagement portion including a distal engagement surface for interfacing with the implant and a handle portion. The engagement portion includes a track for slidably translating the anchor toward the engagement surface. A kit is provided including the inserter and a tamp to force the anchor into engagement with the implant and the adjacent vertebra. The kit may also include a cutter for piercing the adjacent vertebra.

Abstract: An orthopedic joint prosthesis may include a first component, a bearing component, and a third component. The first component has a base and a keel protruding from the base to extend into a first bone. The keel's longitudinal axis is offset from a geometric center of the base. The base has a first articular surface and the bearing component has a second articular surface shaped to articulate with the first articular surface. A feature unitary with the first component reversibly attaches to the bearing component. The bearing component has a third articular surface shaped to articulate with a fourth articular surface on the third component. A distraction feature of the bearing component is shaped to provide alignment and/or distraction between the first articular surface and the fourth articular surface during insertion of the bearing component into a joint space between the first and second bones.

Abstract: Arthroplasty components include an articular surface and a bone-facing surface. The bone-facing surface bears at least one anchoring element adapted for an oblique implantation trajectory. The articular surface includes a larger radius of curvature in the superior-inferior direction than in the anterior-posterior direction. An inferior chamfer may be present on the articular surface. Instruments and implantation methods are also disclosed. Reamers include reamer heads coupled to various offset shaft configurations.

Abstract: Arthroplasty components include an articular surface and a bone-facing surface. The bone-facing surface includes a concave arrangement of planar surfaces which converge as they approach a middle portion of the articular surface. Instruments and implantation methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for spinal surgery includes a prosthesis comprising a plurality of bone anchors which engage an intervertebral construct for fusion or motion preservation. The fusion construct comprises a spacer optionally encircled by a jacket. The motion preservation construct may comprise an articulating disc assembly or an elastomeric disc assembly. Any of the constructs may occupy the intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebrae after removal of an intervertebral disc. The anchors slidingly engage the construct to securely fix the prosthesis to the vertebrae. The anchors and jacket of the fusion construct provide a continuous load path across opposite sides of the prosthesis so as to resist antagonistic motions of the spine.

Abstract: Arthroplasty components include an articular surface and a bone-facing surface. The bone-facing surface includes a concave arrangement of planar surfaces which converge as they approach a middle portion of the articular surface. Instruments and implantation methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the replacement of at least a portion of the bone of a facet located on a mammalian vertebra, comprising: an articulating surface that articulates with another facet; a bone contacting surface that contacts a surface of the vertebra, the articulating surface being connected to the bone contacting surface; and a fixation element that attaches the bone contacting surface to the vertebra, the fixation element being adapted for implantation into an interior bone space of a pedicle of the vertebra; wherein the prosthesis is configured so that no portion of the prosthesis contacts the posterior arch of the vertebra.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for inserting a spinal implant in the intervertebral disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and an anchor engageable with the implant and an adjacent vertebra are provided. The instrument includes an inserter having an engagement portion including a distal engagement surface for interfacing with the implant and a handle portion. The engagement portion includes a track for slidably translating the anchor toward the engagement surface. A kit is provided including the inserter and a tamp to force the anchor into engagement with the implant and the adjacent vertebra. The kit may also include a cutter for piercing the adjacent vertebra.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the replacement of at least a portion of the bone of a facet located on a mammalian vertebra, comprising: an articulating surface that articulates with another facet; a bone contacting surface that contacts a surface of the vertebra, the articulating surface being connected to the bone contacting surface; and a fixation element that attaches the bone contacting surface to the vertebra, the fixation element being adapted for implantation into an interior bone space of a pedicle of the vertebra; wherein the prosthesis is configured so that no portion of the prosthesis contacts the posterior arch of the vertebra.

Abstract: A system for implanting an anchor into bone, the system comprising a curved cannulated guide for percutaneous insertion, having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible drill insertable through the curved guide from the proximal end to the distal end, the flexible drill having a shaft having a flexible portion; and a flexible inserter for inserting a suture anchor into a bore at the anatomical site formed by the flexible drill, the flexible inserter having a shaft having a flexible portion, wherein the flexible portions of both the flexible drill and flexible inserter include a series of discrete, interlocking segments.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device and method for stabilizing a bone. The device includes a polymer with a deformation temperature. The polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the deformation temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the deformation temperature. The device, while the polymer is above the deformation temperature, is responsive to an insertion force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone. The device, while the polymer is below the deformation temperature, is relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device and method for stabilizing a bone. The device includes a polymer with a glass transition temperature. The polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the glass transition temperature. The device, while the polymer is above the glass transition temperature, is responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone. The device, while the polymer is below the glass transition temperature, is relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.

Abstract: Arthroplasty components include an articular surface and a bone-facing surface. The bone-facing surface includes a concave arrangement of planar surfaces which converge as they approach a middle portion of the articular surface. Instruments and implantation methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device and method for stabilizing a bone. The device includes a polymer with a glass transition temperature. The polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the glass transition temperature. The device, while the polymer is above the glass transition temperature, is responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone. The device, while the polymer is below the glass transition temperature, is relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.

Abstract: Arthroplasty components include an articular surface and a bone-facing surface. The bone-facing surface includes a concave arrangement of planar surfaces which converge as they approach a middle portion of the articular surface. Instruments and implantation methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A posterior spinal fusion system may include a plurality of cannulas that mate with cages polyaxially coupled to pedicle screws. The cannulas maintain access to the pedicle screws to facilitate percutaneous insertion of a fusion rod into engagement with the cages. Each cannula has a pair of blades that may be held together by an abutment member that at least partially encircles the blades. Each abutment member abuts the skin to define a variable subcutaneous length of the corresponding cannula. Each abutment members is also lockably removable from the corresponding blades to enable the blades to pivot with respect to the connecting element to a position in which they can be withdrawn from the connecting element. The blades of each cannula are spaced apart to provide first and second slots of each cannula, through which the fusion rod can be percutaneously inserted.