Abstract: A surgical spacer comprising first and second hollow support members, a flexible container, and a compressible material disposed in the container is disclosed. The first and second support members each have an exterior and an interior cavity. The exteriors of the first and second support members are affixed together and the interior cavities of the first and second support members are connected via a connecting opening. The container is disposed in the interior cavities and extends through the connecting opening. In addition, the container is substantially impermeable to the compressible material. The first and second support members are more rigid than the flexible container. A combination of the first and second support members controls the shape of the flexible container, with the compressible material disposed therein, in response to a compressive load applied to an exterior of the spacer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing a surgical procedure using implantable sensors are disclosed. The method includes providing one or more implantable sensors, each sensor configured for implantation adjacent to an anatomical feature of a patient; imaging the patient to determine the relative positions of the one or more implantable sensors relative to the anatomical features of the patient; inserting an implant adjacent to at least one of the anatomical features; and tracking the position of the implant relative to the at least one anatomical feature during the inserting of the implant using the implantable sensors.

Abstract: Medical devices for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. The medical device includes a main body that is adapted to be placed between the L5 vertebra and the sacrum so that the main body acts as a spacer with respect to the L5 vertebra and the sacrum to maintain distraction therebetween when the spine moves in extension. The main body is formed from a material having a gradual variation in modulus.

Abstract: Instruments and techniques separate or spread adjacent bony structures by inserting a distal spreader assembly into the space between the adjacent bony structures and actuating the spreading members with a proximal actuator assembly.

Abstract: A vertebral replacement device for supporting adjacent vertebrae includes a vertebral body member having at least one of an upper or lower disc replacement member engaged thereto at one end thereof. The disc replacement device can be positioned in a spinal disc space when disengaged from the vertebral body member.

Abstract: An interspinous process brace is disclosed and can include a superior component and an inferior component. The superior component can include a superior spinous process bracket that can engage a superior spinous process. The inferior component can include an inferior spinous process bracket that can engage an inferior spinous process. Further, the interspinous process brace can be moved between a bent configuration and a straight configuration. In the bent configuration, an overall height of the interspinous process brace can be minimized to facilitate installation between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods and devices that provide for asymmetrical movement of vertebral members. In one embodiment, first and second anchors connect the rod to the vertebral members. The rod may be fixedly connected to the first anchor, and movably connected to the second anchor. A limiting device may be positioned on one or both sides of the second anchor. The limiting device or devices control an extent of movement between the rod and the second anchor during vertebral motion. In one embodiment, the device controls an amount of flexion and extension of the vertebral members.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant comprising a cage body including at least two movable branches having first end portions that are interconnected to one another and second end portions that are movable relative to one another. The movable branches include a first shell portion having a first pair of longitudinal edges and defining a first hollow region therebetween, and a second shell portion having a second pair of longitudinal edges and defining a second hollow region therebetween, with the first and second hollow regions cooperating to define at least a portion of a hollow interior of the cage body. An expansion member co-acts with the first and second shell portions to transition the cage body to an expanded configuration as the expansion member is axially displaced along said first and second pairs of longitudinal edges.

Abstract: A prosthetic device and a method of implanting same between two vertebrae of a vertebral column to stabilize the column, according to which each vertebrae is engaged by a spacer, and the spacers are connected to permit relative movement between the spacers so that the distance between the spacers can vary to conform with the distance between the vertebrae and accommodate bending movements of the vertebral column.

Abstract: An implant is disclosed and can include a body and a plurality of pellets disposed within the body. The implant can be moved between an unmolded, relaxed configuration wherein the body is not conformed to a bone and a molded, relaxed configuration wherein the body is at least partially conformed to the bone.

Abstract: Devices and methods for attaching a support to the sacrum. One device may include first and second anchors that mount to the sacrum, and first and second lateral extensions coupled to the anchors to secure the device to the sacrum. A bearing face having a width is positioned between the lateral extensions. The face may have a height in an anterior-posterior direction greater than the spinous process of the sacrum. Further, the bearing face may be oriented in a superior direction when the device is mounted to the sacrum. An implant may be supported by the device to space the sacrum and L5 vertebra. The implant may be an interspinous device and positioned between the L5 spinous process and the bearing face. The implant is supported at least in part by the bearing face.

Abstract: An implant assembly for stabilizing a spinal motion segment includes a spacer which is at least partially flexible and positionable in an interspinous spacer between adjacent spinous processes. The spacer member includes upper and lower surfaces structured to receive a respective adjacent one of the upper and lower spinous processes of the spinal motion segment and a body having distinctive first and second sections with differing flexibility to modify the manner of movement at the spinal motion segment.

Abstract: Medical devices for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. The medical device includes a main body that is adapted to be placed between the L5 vertebra and the sacrum so that the main body acts as a spacer with respect to the L5 vertebra and the sacrum to maintain distraction therebetween when the spine moves in extension.

Abstract: Medical devices for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. The medical device includes a main body that is adapted to be placed between the L5 vertebra and the sacrum so that the main body acts as a spacer with respect to the L5 vertebra and the sacrum to maintain distraction therebetween when the spine moves in extension. The main body is formed from a material having a gradual variation in modulus.

Abstract: Medical devices for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. The medical device includes a main body that is adapted to be placed between the L5 vertebra and the sacrum so that the main body acts as a spacer with respect to the L5 vertebra and the sacrum to maintain distraction therebetween when the spine moves in extension. The main body is formed from two pieces, an upper body portion and a lower body portion.

Abstract: Medical devices for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. The medical device includes a main body that is adapted to be placed between the L5 vertebra and the sacrum so that the main body acts as a spacer with respect to the L5 vertebra and the sacrum to maintain distraction therebetween when the spine moves in extension. Channels are formed in the lower portion of the main body and allow a fixation device to extend through each channel at different angles. A locking mechanism is disposed in the channels to lock the fixation devices in each channel with respect to the device in a desired orientation.

Abstract: An interspinous implant includes a spacer having an upwardly facing concave saddle and a downwardly facing concave saddle. The lateral sides of the implant are pulled inward to force the saddles vertically away from each other, thereby increasing the effective height of the implant. In one version, a strap extends circumferentially around the anterior and posterior surfaces of the spacer, such that tightening the strap causes the saddles to move away from each other. In another version, the spacer includes a first outwardly facing convex segment disposed on a first lateral side of the saddles and a second outwardly facing convex segment disposed on a second lateral side of the saddles. A rod extends between the first and second convex segments and is fixed to the first convex segment and movable relative to the second convex segment.

Abstract: A molding device is disclosed and can include a first mold component and a second mold component substantially opposite the first mold component. The first mold component and the second mold component can fit around a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process.

Abstract: An expandable interspinous process spacer is disclosed that includes at least two chambers, one disposed within the other. Each of the at least two chambers can receive an injectable biocompatible material, which advantageously may have different material properties such as hardness. Further, the expandable interspinous process spacer can be changed from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration. In the inflated configuration, the expandable interspinous process spacer can engage and support a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process.

Abstract: An interspinous implant kit includes a receiver body and multiple modules. The receiver body is adapted to be implanted between a spinous processes and includes corresponding saddles with an intermediate section therebetween. The intermediate section includes a module-receiving bay. The modules are configured to be interchangeably received in the bay. The first module may have a sensor adapted to generate measurement data indicative of at least one of forces acting on said receiver body and strain when mated to said receiver body. The second and third modules have mechanical material properties that are the of the same type, but different. One of the modules is advantageously mated to the receiver body to form a long-term implant.