Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preparing a spinal implant surgical site for receiving a spinal fusion implant. The apparatus includes a drive shaft, a handle, and a hollow, cylindrical cutting body. The handle is carried by the drive shaft, the hollow, cylindrical cutting body is provided at a leading end of the drive shaft. The cylindrical cutting body has an open leading end, a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart cutting teeth provided on the open leading end, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart gullets each provided between an adjacent pair of the cutting teeth. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A tool for driving a bone joining implant is provided. The tool includes a drive body having a hollow tubular tool end with an inner bore at the leading end sized substantially the same as an inner bore of a bone joining implant to allow passage of contiguous bone peninsulas completely through the implant upon implantation. An implant is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for driving an implant. The apparatus includes a drive body having a leading end with an implant engaging surface and a plurality of drive elements contiguous with the implant engaging surface. The drive elements extend radially outwardly from the implant engaging surface, adjacent the leading end. The drive elements are configured to engage with corresponding apertures along a trailing end of an implant.

Abstract: A bone joining implant, comprising a tubular body having an open leading end and a central aperture, the central aperture similarly sized to the open leading end, the open leading end communicating with the central aperture and configured to entrap a bone projection from each of a pair of adjacent bone bodies being joined together. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A bone joining implant, comprising a tubular body having an open leading end and a central aperture, the central aperture similarly sized to the open leading end, the open leading end communicating with the central aperture and configured to entrap a bone projection from each of a pair of adjacent bone bodies being joined together. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A bone joining implant includes a tubular body. The tubular body has an axially extending outer surface defining an outer dimension of substantially uniform cross-section and including a smooth leading insertion portion and a bone engaging trailing portion.

Abstract: An implant is disclosed for use in spinal stabilization. In one preferred embodiment, the implant is described as including a hollow, cylindrical body having external threading and a plurality of openings formed radially through the body in communication with the body interior. The holes are positioned to chip bone into the implant as the implant is rotated.

Abstract: A bone joining implant includes a tubular body. The tubular body has an axially extending outer surface defining an outer dimension of substantially uniform cross-section and including a smooth leading insertion portion and a bone engaging trailing portion.

Abstract: An implant is disclosed for use in spinal stabilization. In one preferred embodiment, the implant is described as including a hollow, cylindrical body having external threading and a plurality of openings formed radially through the body in communication with the body interior. The holes are positioned to chip bone into the implant as the implant is rotated.

Abstract: A bone joining implant, comprising a tubular body having an open leading end and a central aperture, the central aperture similarly sized to the open leading end, the open leading end communicating with the central aperture and configured to entrap a bone projection from each of a pair of adjacent bone bodies being joined together. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A bone joining implant, comprising a tubular body having an open leading end and a central aperture, the central aperture similarly sized to the open leading end, the open leading end communicating with the central aperture and configured to entrap a bone projection from each of a pair of adjacent bone bodies being joined together. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An implant is disclosed for use in spinal stabilization. In one preferred embodiment, the implant is described as including a hollow, cylindrical body having external threading and a plurality of openings formed radially through the body in communication with the body interior. The holes are positioned to chip bone into the implant as the implant is rotated.

Abstract: An implant is disclosed for use in spinal stabilization. In one preferred embodiment, the implant is described as including a hollow, cylindrical body having external threading and a plurality of openings formed radially through the body in communication with the body interior. The holes are positioned to chip bone into the implant as the implant is rotated.

Abstract: A method for implanting an implant into a bore formed between opposing vertebra includes forming a bore between the vertebra and selecting an implant having a rigid body with exposed threads and a hollow interior and with holes formed through a shell of the body into the interior. The implant is placed within the bore with a longitudinal axis of the body aligned with an axis of the bore. The body is advanced into the bore to stretch an annulus.

Abstract: An implant is disclosed for use in spinal stabilization. In one preferred embodiment, the implant is described as including a hollow, cylindrical body having external threading and a plurality of openings formed radially through the body in communication with the body interior. The holes are positioned to chip bone into the implant as the implant is rotated.

Abstract: An implant is disclosed for use in spinal stabilization. In one preferred embodiment, the implant is a body having side walls extending between upper and lower walls with openings on the upper and lower walls. The side walls are solid and oppose disk material.

Abstract: A coil fusion implant is formed as a length of wire helically wound up or torqued about a center axis. It has terminal sections at opposed ends that can be releasably gripped and axially twisted about the reference axis to reduce the outer diameter of the coil. The coil can be screwed into place between opposing bony surfaces of a joint while it is constrained in a reduced diameter state. Following its insertion between the prepared bony surfaces, the coil is permitted to gradually recoil as its diameter increases. The coil, in its expanded state then exerts compressive forces radially outward against the bone surfaces in opposition to forces exerted by the ligaments and other tissues connecting the contacted bones of the joint.

Abstract: A surgical vertebral implant comprises a hollow rigid sphere having multiple fenestrations or openings leading to an interior cavity within which bone fragments can be positioned during surgery. It is useful in promoting arthrodesis (fusion) or arthroplasty (joint formation) between adjacent spinal vertebrae. The procedures for implantation require formation of complementary spherical bony recesses between adjacent vertebrate, placement of the spherical implant, positioning of bone fragments within the implant, and post-operative treatment of the patient consistent with the intended surgical result (fusion of joint formation).

Abstract: A process for immediate stabilization and subsequent promotion of bone-to-bone fusion in a joint where separation of the bones is restricted by surrounding ligaments or other soft tissue. A hole is bored transversely across the joint. A slightly larger cylindrical basket is driven into the hole, thereby spreading the bones in resistance to the tensile forces of the surrounding tissue. Immediate stabilization of the joint is achieved by the implantation of the rigid cylindrical basket. Subsequent bone-to-bone fusion is achieved, both through and about the basket, which is filled with bone fragments produced during the boring step.