Abstract: An expandable anterior lumbar interbody fusion device comprises a deformable monolithic body having posterior and anterior ends, an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure. The body is expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger height. The body comprises a pair of opposed side structures, each including a translatable center section being movable in a direction transverse to the height axis, a first locator arm adjacent the posterior end, a second locator arm adjacent the anterior end and a pair of formable load-bearing columns supported by the upper bone contact structure, the lower bone contact structure and the center section. The columns are not formed at the first height but are operative upon expansion of the body to the second height to form load-bearing columns along the height axis between the upper and lower bone contact structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in spinal interbody fusion comprises, in combination, a spinal interbody fusion implant and an inserter releasably attached thereto. The implant comprises a hollow interior through which the inserter extends, the inserter having a tapered distal tip projecting exteriorly beyond the distal end of the implant to initially distract opposing tissue surfaces and to facilitate insertion of the implant into the intradiscal space between the vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An expandable anterior lumbar interbody fusion device comprises a deformable monolithic body having posterior and anterior ends, an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure. The body is expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger height. The body comprises a pair of opposed side structures, each including a translatable center section being movable in a direction transverse to the height axis, a first locator arm adjacent the posterior end, a second locator arm adjacent the anterior end and a pair of formable load-bearing columns supported by the upper bone contact structure, the lower bone contact structure and the center section. The columns are not formed at the first height but are operative upon expansion of the body to the second height to form load-bearing columns along the height axis between the upper and lower bone contact structures.

Abstract: A system for delivering bone graft material into an interbody fusion device (IBFD) in an intradiscal space of a spine, the IBFD having an open-frame with a hollow interior and an opening through its proximal end communicating with the interior. Included is an elongate channel having a lumen extending therethrough, the distal end being in engagement with the IBFD to align the lumen with the opening through the proximal end of the IBFD. An adjustable block is movably attached to the channel, the block having plural chambers containing bone graft material, the chambers being individually sequentially alignable with the lumen. A plunger pushes graft material from each chamber, through the lumen and into the IBFD. A distal end of a tamper is configured to be inserted through each chamber and the lumen and into the IBFD interior for tamping graft material deposited into the interior of the IBFD.

Abstract: An expandable anterior lumbar interbody fusion device comprises a deformable monolithic body having posterior and anterior ends, an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure. The body is expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger height. The body comprises a pair of opposed side structures, each including a translatable center section being movable in a direction transverse to the height axis, a first locator arm adjacent the posterior end, a second locator arm adjacent the anterior end and a pair of formable load-bearing columns supported by the upper bone contact structure, the lower bone contact structure and the center section. The columns are not formed at the first height but are operative upon expansion of the body to the second height to form load-bearing columns along the height axis between the upper and lower bone contact structures.

Abstract: A method for coupling a prosthesis to a spinal segment in a patient includes the steps of selecting first and second reference points disposed along the spinal segment and pre-operatively measuring a target distance. The target distance extends between the first and second reference points while the patient is in a preferred posture such as the standing position. A prosthesis is coupled to the spinal segment and the prosthesis is then intra-operatively adjusted in order to set the distance between the first and second reference points based on the target distance.

Abstract: A system for restricting flexion of a spinal segment in a patient comprises a constraint device having a tether structure and a compliance member coupled with the tether structure. The tether structure is adapted to be coupled with a superior spinous process and a sacrum. The system also includes an anchor member that is anchored to the sacrum. The anchor member has an attachment feature that is adapted to couple with the constraint device.

Abstract: Described here are deformable, monolithic, stabilization implants suitable for use within bone and between bones to fuse vertebral bodies, to repair herniated discs, or to repair spinal compression fractures. The implants are introduced into a chosen site at a first, smaller height and then plastically deformed to achieve a second, but unique, pre-selected, larger height. Variations of the device provide one or more specific larger heights. The devices are suitable as intervertebral spinal fusion implants for the immobilization of adjacent vertebral bodies. Methods of and instruments for deployment of the implants are also described. Also described are variations of the device suitable as sizing instruments.

Abstract: An expandable anterior lumbar interbody fusion device comprises a deformable monolithic body having posterior and anterior ends, an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure. The body is expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger height. The body comprises a pair of opposed side structures, each including a translatable center section being movable in a direction transverse to the height axis, a first locator arm adjacent the posterior end, a second locator arm adjacent the anterior end and a pair of formable load-bearing columns supported by the upper bone contact structure, the lower bone contact structure and the center section. The columns are not formed at the first height but are operative upon expansion of the body to the second height to form load-bearing columns along the height axis between the upper and lower bone contact structures.

Abstract: Described here are deformable monolithic, stabilization devices, or implants, suitable for use within bone and between bones, for instance, to fuse vertebral bodies, to repair herniated discs, or to repair spinal compression fractures. The implants are introduced into a chosen site at a first, smaller height and then plastically deformed to achieve a second, but unique, pre-selected, larger height. Variations of the device provide one or more specific larger heights. The devices are particularly suitable as intervertebral spinal fusion implants for the immobilization of adjacent vertebral bodies. Methods of deploying the implants are also described as are instruments for such deployment.

Abstract: An expandable anterior lumbar interbody fusion device comprises a deformable monolithic body having posterior and anterior ends, an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure. The body is expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger height. The body comprises a pair of opposed side structures, each including a translatable center section being movable in a direction transverse to the height axis, a first locator arm adjacent the posterior end, a second locator arm adjacent the anterior end and a pair of formable load-bearing columns supported by the upper bone contact structure, the lower bone contact structure and the center section. The columns are not formed at the first height but are operative upon expansion of the body to the second height to form load-bearing columns along the height axis between the upper and lower bone contact structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in spinal interbody fusion comprises, in combination, a spinal interbody fusion implant and an inserter releasably attached thereto. The implant comprises a hollow interior through which the inserter extends, the inserter having a tapered distal tip projecting exteriorly beyond the distal end of the implant to initially distract opposing tissue surfaces and to facilitate insertion of the implant into the intradiscal space between the vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A method for coupling a prosthesis to a spinal segment in a patient includes the steps of selecting first and second reference points disposed along the spinal segment and pre-operatively measuring a target distance. The target distance extends between the first and second reference points while the patient is in a preferred posture such as the standing position. A prosthesis is coupled to the spinal segment and the prosthesis is then intra-operatively adjusted in order to set the distance between the first and second reference points based on the target distance.

Abstract: Described here are deformable monolithic, stabilization devices, or implants, suitable for use within bone and between bones, for instance, to fuse vertebral bodies, to repair herniated discs, or to repair spinal compression fractures. The implants are introduced into a chosen site at a first, smaller height and then plastically deformed to achieve a second, but unique, pre-selected, larger height. Variations of the device provide one or more specific larger heights. The devices are particularly suitable as intervertebral spinal fusion implants for the immobilization of adjacent vertebral bodies. Methods of deploying the implants are also described as are instruments for such deployment.

Abstract: An expandable anterior lumbar interbody fusion device comprises a deformable monolithic body having posterior and anterior ends, an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure. The body is expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger height. The body comprises a pair of opposed side structures, each including a translatable center section being movable in a direction transverse to the height axis, a first locator arm adjacent the posterior end, a second locator arm adjacent the anterior end and a pair of formable load-bearing columns supported by the upper bone contact structure, the lower bone contact structure and the center section. The columns are not formed at the first height but are operative upon expansion of the body to the second height to form load-bearing columns along the height axis between the upper and lower bone contact structures.

Abstract: Described here are deformable monolithic, stabilization devices, or implants, suitable for use within bone and between bones, for instance, to fuse vertebral bodies, to repair herniated discs, or to repair spinal compression fractures. The implants are introduced into a chosen site at a first, smaller height and then plastically deformed to achieve a second, but unique, pre-selected, larger height. Variations of the device provide one or more specific larger heights. The devices are particularly suitable as intervertebral spinal fusion implants for the immobilization of adjacent vertebral bodies. Methods of deploying the implants are also described as are instruments for such deployment.

Abstract: An expandable anterior lumbar interbody fusion device comprises a deformable monolithic body having posterior and anterior ends, an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure. The body is expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger height. The body comprises a pair of opposed side structures, each including a translatable center section being movable in a direction transverse to the height axis, a first locator arm adjacent the posterior end, a second locator arm adjacent the anterior end and a pair of formable load-bearing columns supported by the upper bone contact structure, the lower bone contact structure and the center section. The columns are not formed at the first height but are operative upon expansion of the body to the second height to form load-bearing columns along the height axis between the upper and lower bone contact structures.

Abstract: A system for restricting flexion of a spinal segment in a patient comprises a constraint device having a tether structure and a compliance member coupled with the tether structure. The tether structure is adapted to be coupled with a superior spinous process and a sacrum. The system also includes an anchor member that is anchored to the sacrum. The anchor member has an attachment feature that is adapted to couple with the constraint device.

Abstract: Described here are deformable monolithic, stabilization devices, or implants, suitable for use within bone and between bones, for instance, to fuse vertebral bodies, to repair herniated discs, or to repair spinal compression fractures. The implants are introduced into a chose site at a first, smaller height and then plastically deformed to achieve a second, but unique, pre-selected, larger height. Variations of the device provide one or more specific larger heights. The devices are particularly suitable as intervertebral spinal fusion implants for the immobilization of adjacent vertebral bodies. Methods of deploying the implants are also described as are instruments for such deployment.

Abstract: An expandable anterior lumbar interbody fusion device comprises a deformable monolithic body having posterior and anterior ends, an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure. The body is expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger height. The body comprises a pair of opposed side structures, each including a translatable center section being movable in a direction transverse to the height axis, a first locator arm adjacent the posterior end, a second locator arm adjacent the anterior end and a pair of formable load-bearing columns supported by the upper bone contact structure, the lower bone contact structure and the center section. The columns are not formed at the first height but are operative upon expansion of the body to the second height to form load-bearing columns along the height axis between the upper and lower bone contact structures.