Abstract: A spacer separates bones of a joint using a driver tool having a threaded shaft. The spacer has a superior endplate with inferior facing ramps, and an inferior endplate with superior facing ramps. Two bearings are positioned between the endplates, each bearing has superior facing ramps which mate with the inferior facing ramps of the superior endplate, and inferior facing ramps which mate with the superior facing ramps of the inferior endplate. One bearing has a threaded aperture, and the other a thrust surface. A threaded shaft is threaded into the threaded aperture to push against the thrust surface to drive the bearings apart. As the bearings move apart, the mated ramps slide against each other to drive the superior and inferior endplates apart.

Abstract: Expandable fusion devices, systems, instruments, and methods thereof. The expandable fusion implant may include an upper endplate assembly and a lower endplate assembly. The upper and lower endplate assemblies may be configured to expand in width. A rotatable actuator may move one or more driving ramps, which mate with an upper ramp and a lower ramp, respectively. The actuator may cause independent movement of one or more of the driving ramps, thereby causing an expansion in height of the upper and lower endplate assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

Abstract: A bone joint spacer has two endplates which have a bone engaging surface on one side, and ramps extending from an opposite side. A shaft has a threaded end, and another end which has ramp followers which mate with the endplate ramps of both endplates. A collar slides over the threaded end of the shaft, and also has ramp followers which mate with the endplate ramps of both endplates. A nut threads onto the end of the shaft and pushes the collar towards the ramp followers of the shaft. This movement causes the ramp followers to slide the ramp followers of the collar and the shaft against the endplate ramps, pushing the endplates apart. Two of these spacers can be combined by a link plate so that the spacers can be aligned or curved into a U-shape to be inserted into the body and positioned between bony surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: Pedicle-based intradiscal fixation devices, systems, instruments, and methods thereof. The implant or a portion thereof may be composed of a shape-memory material, which has a curved shape-memory orientation and a temporarily straight orientation. The implant may be configured to be inserted into a pedicle of an inferior vertebra, through the vertebral body of the inferior vertebra, and into the vertebral body of the superior vertebra to thereby stabilize the inferior and superior vertebrae.

Abstract: Intradiscal implants, systems, and methods thereof. The intradiscal system may include an expandable implant and one or more intradiscal implants. The intradiscal implants may be supplemental to or integrated with the expandable implant. The intradiscal implant may include one or more flexible anchors with a straight configuration and a curved configuration. The anchor may be bendable, for example, using a shape-memory material.

Abstract: Intradiscal implants, systems, and methods thereof. The intradiscal system may include an expandable implant and one or more intradiscal implants. The intradiscal implants may be supplemental to or integrated with the expandable implant. The intradiscal implant may include one or more flexible anchors with a straight configuration and a curved configuration. The anchor may be bendable, for example, using a shape-memory material.

Abstract: A spacer separates bones of a joint using a driver tool having a threaded shaft. The spacer has a superior endplate with inferior facing ramps, and an inferior endplate with superior facing ramps. Two bearings are positioned between the endplates, each bearing has superior facing ramps which mate with the inferior facing ramps of the superior endplate, and inferior facing ramps which mate with the superior facing ramps of the inferior endplate. One bearing has a threaded aperture, and the other a thrust surface. A threaded shaft is threaded into the threaded aperture to push against the thrust surface to drive the bearings apart. As the bearings move apart, the mated ramps slide against each other to drive the superior and inferior endplates apart.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inserting an implant comprising providing an expandable vertebral implant. The method further may comprise providing an angling inserter tool. The angling inserter tool comprises a handle portion, a base portion, and a tip assembly, the base portion being disposed between the handle portion and the tip assembly. The method further may comprise distally advancing a central shaft of the tip assembly with rotation into an opening in the expandable vertebral implant to secure the angling inserter tool to the expandable vertebral implant. The method further may comprise positioning the expandable vertebral implant in a patient's spine. The method further may comprise for causing the tip assembly to angulate with respect to a longitudinal axis of the angling inserter tool, wherein the internal shaft is coaxial with an outer cylinder of the base portion.

Abstract: Surgical retractors and methods thereof for retracting body tissue in a therapeutic procedure. The surgical retractor may include retractor blades have openings or channels configured to receive bone pins while maintaining accessibility and visibility of the operative window.

Abstract: A spacer separates bones of a joint using a driver tool having a threaded shaft. The spacer has a superior endplate with inferior facing ramps, and an inferior endplate with superior facing ramps. Two bearings are positioned between the endplates, each bearing has superior facing ramps which mate with the inferior facing ramps of the superior endplate, and inferior facing ramps which mate with the superior facing ramps of the inferior endplate. One bearing has a threaded aperture, and the other a thrust surface. A threaded shaft is threaded into the threaded aperture to push against the thrust surface to drive the bearings apart. As the bearings move apart, the mated ramps slide against each other to drive the superior and inferior endplates apart.

Abstract: A soft tissue repair system is provided for covering or filling openings in the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The soft tissue repair system uses a single plug or a combination of a first plug and a second plug. The second plug is a flowable plug such as an adhesive material or a material that hardens to a flexible plug material. Each plug is configured to close the opening in the annulus and can be positioned within the opening, over the opening at the exterior surface or over the opening at the interior surface. The plug can also be combined with a clamping mechanism that engages the annulus to secure the plug in the opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

Abstract: An expandable fusion device may include a first endplate and a second endplate. The expandable fusion device may also include first and second ramps configured to mate with both the first and second endplates. The first ramp may include a mating feature having a first angle relative to a vertical axis, and the second ramp may include a mating feature having a second angle relative to the vertical axis such that the first angle is different from the second angle. In particular, the first and second ramps may be configured to provide for symmetrical expansion of the first and second endplates.

Abstract: A joint spacer has first and second endplates, with each having a bone engaging surface, and at least two cams with an inclined cam surface positioned on an opposite side. First and second slides, each having ramps with an inclined surface are engaged with the cams of the endplate. The first slide has an angled portion at an end, and the second slide has a hinge portion. A threaded shaft has a hinge portion connected to the slide hinge portion, connecting the shaft to the slide, enabling the shaft to pivot. A nut is threaded to the shaft, and can contact and interfere with the angled portion of the first slide to drive the first slide with respect to the second slide. This results in engagement of the cams and ramps to drive the endplates apart to increase the spacer height.

Abstract: Expandable fusion devices, systems, instruments, and methods thereof. The expandable fusion device is capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. The fusion device may include a body, a first endplate, and a second endplate. A drive screw may be rotated to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. Instruments may be provided to ensure the implant is inserted safely and as intended.

Abstract: Articulating expandable fusion devices, systems, instruments, and methods thereof. The articulating expandable fusion implant having a plurality of links is capable of being deployed and articulated inside an intervertebral disc space link by link. After the links are articulated into a polygonal shape, the links may be expanded outwardly into an expanded configuration. Instruments may be provided to articulate and expand the implant.

Abstract: Surgical retractors and methods thereof for retracting body tissue in a therapeutic procedure. The surgical retractor may include retractor blades have openings or channels configured to receive bone pins while maintaining accessibility and visibility of the operative window.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for implantation in an intervertebral space between vertebrae. The implant includes a body extending from an upper surface to a lower surface. The body has a front end, a rear end and a pair of spaced apart first and second side walls extending between the front and rear walls such that an interior chamber is defined within the front and rear ends and the first and second walls. The body defines an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter extending about the internal chamber. At least one of the side walls is defined by a solid support structure and an integral porous structure, the porous structure extending from the outer perimeter to the inner perimeter. The porous structure embeds or encapsulates at least a portion of the solid support structure.

Abstract: An implant insertion tool includes an outer shaft, an inner shaft received in the outer shaft, and two arms coupled to the outer shaft and the inner shaft. The inner shaft translates within the outer shaft and has angled ramps that slide within complementary angled ramps in the two arms. The arms engage an implant for insertion into a body. When the inner shaft translates along a longitudinal axis, it causes the angled ramps to slide against the complementary angled ramps in the arms such that the two arms move laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer shaft to engage and disengage the implant.