Abstract: An implant that includes a body and a plurality of arched bone contacting elements is disclosed. The body includes a peripheral structure and three support beams extending in a central region of the peripheral structure. Arched bone contacting elements extend between adjacent beams and between beams and the peripheral structure. The arched bone contacting elements include flared legs. The arched bone contacting elements may be arranged in V-like configurations on the superior and inferior sides.

Abstract: An implant may include a body including a ring, the ring further defining an opening, and the body defining a transverse plane dividing the implant into a superior half and an inferior half. The ring may also define a circumferential direction. The implant may further include a first outer member attached to the ring, wherein the first outer member extends outward in a direction away from the ring, wherein the first outer member defines one or more arches, and wherein the ring further defines a central channel extending through the implant.

Abstract: An implant may include a body having a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, and an intermediate portion. The leading edge portion may include a substantially smooth surface forming a substantial majority of a leading edge surface and the trailing edge portion may include a monolithic structure including at least one receptacle configured to receive an insertion tool. The intermediate portion may include a plurality of elongate curved structural members continuously formed with at least one of the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion. In addition, the elongate curved structural members may be configured such that the intermediate portion remains substantially rigid under compressive forces during insertion of the implant between bone surfaces of a patient. Also, the elongate curved structural members may include an elongate curved structural member extending longitudinally from the leading edge portion to the trailing edge portion and having a substantially sinusoidal configuration.

Abstract: An implant may include a body including a ring, the ring further defining an opening, and the body defining a transverse plane dividing the implant into a superior half and an inferior half. The ring may also define a radial direction and a circumferential direction. The implant may further include a first outer member attached to the ring, wherein the first outer member extends radially from the ring, wherein the first outer member defines one or more arches, and wherein the ring further defines a central channel extending through the implant.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant may include an anterior plate forming a first monolithic structure defining a first end of the implant, and including at least two screw holes each configured to receive a bone screw; and a plurality of coils extending from the anterior plate about a periphery of the implant. The screw holes may be angled such that, when the implant is inserted between two adjacent vertebrae, bone screws are guided into the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant may include an anterior plate forming a first monolithic structure defining a first end of the implant, and including at least two screw holes each configured to receive a bone screw; and a plurality of coils extending from the anterior plate about a periphery of the implant. The screw holes may be angled such that, when the implant is inserted between two adjacent vertebrae, bone screws are guided into the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An implant may include a body having a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, and an intermediate portion. The leading edge portion may include a substantially smooth surface forming a substantial majority of a leading edge surface and the trailing edge portion may include a monolithic structure including at least one receptacle configured to receive an insertion tool. The intermediate portion may include a plurality of elongate curved structural members continuously formed with at least one of the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion. In addition, the elongate curved structural members may be configured such that the intermediate portion remains substantially rigid under compressive forces during insertion of the implant between bone surfaces of a patient. Also, the elongate curved structural members may include an elongate curved structural member extending longitudinally from the leading edge portion to the trailing edge portion and having a substantially sinusoidal configuration.

Abstract: A retractor system used in preparation for an oblique lateral interbody fusion surgical procedure includes a first retractor blade having a first proximal portion and a first distal end; a second retractor blade having a second proximal portion and a second distal end; and a connecting device that is configured to connect the first retractor blade to the second retractor blade. The first distal end of the first retractor blade is configured to engage a posterior portion of the vertebra and the second distal end of the second retractor blade is configured to engage an anterior portion of the vertebra. The length of the first retractor blade is less than approximately 96 percent of the length of the second retractor blade, and the first distal end of the first retractor blade extends at a non-zero angle from the first proximal portion of the first retractor blade.

Abstract: Retractor blades for a retractor system are disclosed. The blades are designed for use in preparing an area of the body for a surgical procedure. The retractor blades are configured with different lengths and with different blade tip geometries to facilitate engagement with vertebrae for the oblique lateral interbody fusion surgical approach.

Abstract: A retractor system for use in preparing an area of the body for a surgical procedure is disclosed. The retractor system includes retractor blades that can be independently inserted and positioned within the body. The system also includes articulating arms that can be used to secure the retractor blades to one another and to rigidly fix the retractor blades in place relative to an operating table or other fixed structure.

Abstract: A system and method of positioning a spinal implant into an intervertebral space comprises the steps of: cutting an incision through the skin toward an intervertebral space between a L5 and S1 vertebra; inserting an uncoupled first, second and third retractor blade into the incision to pre-position the retractor blades prior to retraction; coupling the pre-positioned first retractor blade to a connector arm to connect the first retractor blade to a table arm; attaching a blade to blade connector and mini flex arm to couple the second blade to either the first blade or third blade; and wherein the three uncoupled blades, once pre-positioned and then coupled, the blades are retracted to open the incision and expose the vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An implant may include a body including a ring, the ring further defining an opening, and the body defining a transverse plane dividing the implant into a superior half and an inferior half. The ring may also define a radial direction and a circumferential direction. The implant may further include a first outer member attached to the ring, wherein the first outer member extends radially from the ring, wherein the first outer member defines one or more arches, and wherein the ring further defines a central channel extending through the implant.

Abstract: An implant may include a first body member and a second body member, at least one bone contacting arched member, and a first external element extending from the first body member to the second body member, wherein the first external element has an undulating planar geometry in which the first external element undulates in a single plane.

Abstract: An implant for use in a spine includes a body and a plurality of structural members. The superior and inferior surfaces each include a ring and structural members arranged in a web-like pattern around the ring. Bone contacting members are arranged radially away from the ring and support members are arranged in a circumferential direction around the ring.

Abstract: A retractor system for use in preparing an area of the body for a surgical procedure is disclosed. The retractor system includes retractor blades that can be independently inserted and positioned within the body. The system also includes articulating arms that can be used to secure the retractor blades to one another and to rigidly fix the retractor blades in place relative to an operating table or other fixed structure.

Abstract: Retractor blades for a retractor system are disclosed. The blades are designed for use in preparing an area of the body for a surgical procedure. The retractor blades are configured with different lengths and with different blade tip geometries to facilitate engagement with vertebrae for the oblique lateral interbody fusion surgical approach.

Abstract: An implant including a first body member and a second body member and a first bone contacting element extending from the first body member to the second body member. The first bone contacting element may have a spiral configuration forming a plurality of arched members including at least two arched members extending substantially parallel to and offset with respect to one another.

Abstract: A system and method of positioning a spinal implant into an intervertebral space comprises the steps of: cutting an incision through the skin toward an intervertebral space between a L5 and S1 vertebra; inserting an uncoupled first, second and third retractor blade into the incision to pre-position the retractor blades prior to retraction; coupling the pre-positioned first retractor blade to a connector arm to connect the first retractor blade to a table arm; attaching a blade to blade connector and mini flex arm to couple the second blade to either the first blade or third blade; and wherein the three uncoupled blades, once pre-positioned and then coupled, the blades are retracted to open the incision and expose the vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An implant including a peripheral frame portion defining a periphery of the body; a first helical bone contacting member attached to the body and disposed within the superior half of the implant; and a second helical bone contacting member attached to the body and disposed within the superior half of the implant. The implant also includes a first support member extending inwardly of the bone contacting member into a central region of the implant; and a second support member extending inwardly of the bone contacting members. The first support member and the second support member are substantially U-shaped and are connected to one another at the bottoms of the two U-shapes in the central region.

Abstract: An implant may include a peripheral structure, an opening for receiving part of an insertion device, and a plurality of bone contacting elements. A first lateral portion and an anterior portion are joined at a first corner portion of the peripheral structure and a second lateral portion and a posterior portion are joined at a second corner portion of the peripheral structure. Also, the opening is disposed in the first corner portion of the peripheral structure. Further, the opening has a central axis and the implant further includes at least three support beams including a first support beam extending along a second axis through a central portion of the implant from the anterior portion to the posterior portion of the peripheral structure. In addition, the second axis of the first support beam is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the central axis of the opening.