Abstract: An vertebral implant is interposed between two vertebral endplates and comprises a first endplate assembly having a first restraint mechanism extending from a first exterior surface for engaging a first vertebral endplate The implant further comprises a second endplate assembly having a second restraint mechanism extending from a second exterior surface for engaging a second vertebral endplate and a central body articulable between the first and second endplate assemblies. The first restraint mechanism has a shape that matches a contour in the first vertebral endplate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved prosthetic joints and a nucleus supplement device for a spinal disc without violating its annulus fibrosus. In one example, a prosthetic joint includes: a tip adapted for mating against a superior articular process of an inferior vertebra, and the tip acts as at least a spacer between the superior articular process and an inferior articular process of a superior vertebra; and an body for mating against a hole in the superior vertebra, and the body comprises a surface that is uneven along its entire length. In another example, a method for restoring motions of a joint includes: providing a body for a prosthetic joint; threading a surface of the body, and the threading extends an entire length of the body; and creating an internal cavity in the prosthetic joint.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include devices and methods for performing a corpectomy or spinal disc replacement. Devices may include an inferior bearing that is implantable in an inferior vertebral body and a superior bearing that is implantable in a superior vertebral body. The bearings of some embodiments have a support member rotatably coupled between the bearings, and a fixation device may attach the vertebral bodies to the support member with a fastener.

Abstract: An artificial spinal joint for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprises an articulating joint replacement assembly. The articulating joint replacement assembly comprises an anterior joint replacement component extending into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a first posterior joint replacement component, and a first bridge component coupled between the anterior joint replacement component and the first posterior joint replacement component. The artificial spinal joint further comprises a support joint replacement assembly. The support joint replacement assembly comprises an anterior support component extending into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a second posterior joint replacement component, and a second bridge component coupled between the anterior support component and the second posterior joint replacement component.

Abstract: An artificial spinal joint for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprises a first joint half comprising a first intervertebral articulating assembly, a first rostral connection assembly, and a first caudal connection assembly. The joint further comprises a second joint half comprising a second intervertebral articulating assembly, a second rostral connection assembly, and a second caudal connection assembly. The joint further comprises a constraint component extending between the first rostral connection assembly and the first caudal connection assembly.

Abstract: An artificial vertebral joint is interposed between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra. The artificial vertebral joint comprises a rostral joint component having a first surface adapted for engagement with an endplate of the superior vertebra, a first anterior articulation surface, and a support tab adapted for extending from the first surface and for engaging a portion of the endplate. The portion of the endplate extends from the first surface to a posterior edge of the endplate. The joint further comprises a caudal joint component having a second surface adapted for engagement with an endplate of the inferior vertebra and a spacer component adapted for interposition between the rostral joint component and the caudal joint component.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant including a body having a longitudinal axis and including first and second axial walls spaced apart along a transverse axis, and first and second transverse end walls extending between and interconnecting the first and second axial walls. The intervertebral implant includes an expansion member co-acting with the axial walls to expand the body along the transverse axis.

Abstract: An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae includes a handle assembly and a distal portion at a distal end of the handle assembly. The distal portion includes first and second members movable from an unexpanded configuration for insertion in the disc space toward an expanded configuration to separate the vertebrae. A cutting member of a cutting instrument can be guided by the instrument to prepare the vertebrae for engagement with an implant.

Abstract: A disc replacement device is provided for replacing a spinal disc in an animal subject. The disc replacement device includes a shell, a fulcrum, and a damping sleeve. The shell further comprises a first portion adapted for articulating with the fulcrum such as a spherical stainless steel ball, and a second portion adapted for coupling with the damping sleeve.

Abstract: A modular prosthetic device is described. The modular prosthetic device is provided with an anchoring device having first and second end members, the first and second end members cooperating to receive a prosthetic insertion device. The first and second end members each include a first surface, at least one vertebral-engaging member extending from the first surface, a second surface in an opposed relation to the first surface, and at least one flange extending from the second surface. The anchoring device is adapted to receive a variety of prosthetic insertion devices such that the modular prosthetic device can be revised into a variety of modular prosthetic devices. A stacking member is also provided for use with the anchoring device to provide a variety of modular, stackable prosthetic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to orthopedic implants made from a mesh material. The mesh material can be treated in order to promote bone growth, to provide antibiotics, or to provide other beneficial treatment. Specific applications for the implants include, for example, a prosthetic ligament, a tension band, an interbody device, or a fixation device that extends across one or more joints or fractures.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for lateral insertion into an intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first laterally-extending flange for engaging a first vertebra from a lateral approach to the first vertebra, the first component having a first articular surface. The prosthetic device further includes a second component having a second laterally-extending flange for engaging a second vertebra from a lateral approach to the second vertebra, the second component having a second articular surface for cooperating with the first articular surface to permit articulating motion between the first and second components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to orthopedic implants made from a mesh material. The mesh material can be treated in order to promote bone growth, to provide antibiotics, or to provide other beneficial treatment. Specific applications for the implants include, for example, a prosthetic ligament, a tension band, an interbody device, or a fixation device that extends across one or more joints or fractures.

Abstract: A fusion-promoting, spinal plating assembly is described. The plating assembly includes a first plate, and at least one additional plate connected to the first plate, the at least one additional plate extending transversely to the first plate. The plating assembly is adapted to be completely inserted within an intervertebral space defined between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for transforaminal insertion into an intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first curved flange for engaging a first vertebra from a transforaminal approach, the first component having a first articular surface, and a second component having a second curved flange for engaging a second vertebra from a transforaminal approach, the second component having a second articular surface for cooperating with the first articular surface to permit articulating motion between the first and second components.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for anterior-oblique insertion into an intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for engaging a first vertebra from an anterior-oblique approach, the first flange being angled relative to the longitudinal and transverse axes of the first component, and a second component having a second flange for engaging a second vertebra from an anterior-oblique approach, the second flange being angled relative to the longitudinal and transverse axes of the second component, and wherein the first and second components cooperate to permit articulating motion between the first and second components.

Abstract: A method for correcting spondylolisthesis from the lateral approach is provided in which a pair of insertion members are inserted laterally into upper and lower vertebrae, a connecting member is affixed to the insertion members, and a rotating force is applied to the connecting member to encourage the upper and lower vertebrae into a desired position relative to one another.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.

Abstract: An assembly for aligning a prosthetic device for insertion into an intervertebral space is provided. The assembly includes an alignment instrument, a first clamp assembly slidably engaged with the alignment instrument, a second clamp assembly slidably engaged with the first clamp assembly, and an implantation device slidably engaged with the second clamp assembly, the implantation device being adapted to retain a prosthetic device thereon.

Abstract: An instrument and method for cutting a path in bone are provided. The instrument includes a curved guide member defining a curved opening extending therein, and a bit member positioned within the opening of the guide member. The bit member is adapted to move within the opening of the guide member to cut a path in bone.