Abstract: A method of replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc of an intervertebral disc space of a spinal column, the intervertebral disc space defined at least by respective endplates of first and second adjacent vertebral bones, the method comprising the steps of inserting at least one intervertebral disc replacement trial into the intervertebral disc space to distract same in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the spinal column and simultaneously inserting first and second members of an intervertebral disc replacement device into an intervertebral disc space of the spinal column.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an intervertebral disc replacement device includes an insertion handle comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and an engagement member disposed at the distal end of the shaft and operable to detachably engage an insertion plate that maintains first and second members of an intervertebral disc replacement device in registration with one another for substantially simultaneous insertion into an intervertebral disc space of a spinal column.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an intervertebral disc replacement device includes a drill guide comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a guide member disposed at the distal end of the shaft and operable to engage an insertion plate that maintains first and second members of an intervertebral disc replacement device in registration with one another for insertion into an intervertebral disc space of a spinal column, wherein the guide member includes at least one guide bore operable to align with an area of a vertebral bone of the intervertebral disc space to which one of the first and second members of the intervertebral disc replacement device is to be attached.

Abstract: An articulating joint implant for use in the cervical spine includes a pair of opposing upper and lower elements having nested articulation surfaces providing a center of rotation of the implant above the adjacent vertebral body endplate surfaces in one mode of motion lateral bending and a center of rotation of the implant below those surfaces in flexion/extension, and that further permit axial rotation of the opposing elements relative to one another about the longitudinal axis of the spinal column through a range of angles without causing them to move in opposing directions along the longitudinal axis within that range. In preferred embodiments, the articulation surfaces further cause such opposite movement of the opposing elements beyond that range.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes: a first member having a first vertebral contact surface for engagement with an endplate of a first vertebral bone in the spinal column, and having a first articulation surface that is defined by a plurality of concave arcs each having a respective radius of curvature about a corresponding axis substantially perpendicular to an anterior-posterior plane of the spinal column, and a plurality of convex arcs each having a respective radius of curvature about a corresponding axis substantially perpendicular to a lateral plane of the spinal column; and a second member having a second vertebral contact surface for engagement with an endplate of a second vertebral bone in the spinal column, and having a second articulation surface that is defined by a plurality of convex arcs each having a radius of curvature about a corresponding axis substantially perpendicular to the anterior-posterior plane of the spinal column, an

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes a static trial holder for manipulating static trials, the static trial holder including an extension having a longitudinal axis, at least two prongs coupled to a fulcrum located at a distal extension end of the extension, each of the prongs having a prong extension, the prong extensions together defining a contractable and expandable holding enclosure for holding the static trial; and a sleeve that surrounds the distal extension and that is collinear with the extension longitudinal axis, and that is rotatable about the extension longitudinal axis; wherein rotation of the sleeve about the extension longitudinal axis brings an inner surface of the sleeve to bear on at least one of the prongs to move the holding enclosure to a contracted state in which the static trial cannot be removed from the holding enclosure.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes an inserter/impactor for inserting and removing the static trials and for inserting the artificial intervertebral discs, the inserter/impactor having at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis and a shaft distal end adapted for engagement with the trials and the disc, the shaft distal end further having forward surfaces for engagement with corresponding confronting surfaces of at least one of the baseplates for axial rotationally aligning the at least one of the baseplates with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes a dynamic trial for distracting an intervertebral space and/or determining the appropriate size of disc to be implanted, which dynamic trial includes a shaft, at least two distal extensions coupled to the shaft, a bifurcated trial having a first trial half of the bifurcated trial coupled to a first of the extensions and having a second trial half of the bifurcated trial coupled to a second of the extensions, and a pin located between the extensions, wherein movement of the pin in a distal direction increases a separation between the extensions, and wherein varying the separation between the extensions varies a separation between the trial halves.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc, the leveler including at least two tines extending parallel to one another from the leveler shaft distal end, wherein the tines are spaced and sized to be insertable and fittable between baseplates of the disc and to substantially fill at least a height of a separation space volume between the baseplates, and to straddle a central coupling of the baseplates during the insertion and when so fitted, such that when the baseplates are substantially non-parallel to one another in the intervertebral space, insertion of the tines into the intervertebral space between the baseplates and straddling the central coupling forces the baseplates into a substantially parallel orientation relative to one another.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes static trials and a dynamic trial for determining the appropriate size of disc to be implanted, static trial holders for manipulating the static trials, inserter/impactors for inserting and removing the static trials and for inserting the artificial intervertebral discs, repositioners/extractors for repositioning and extracting the static trials or the artificial intervertebral discs, and a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc. Methods for using the same are also disclosed. Features for artificial intervertebral discs and intervertebral spacer devices useful for manipulation by the instrumentation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes static trials and a dynamic trial for determining the appropriate size of disc to be implanted, static trial holders for manipulating the static trials, inserter/impactors for inserting and removing the static trials and for inserting the artificial intervertebral discs, repositioners/extractors for repositioning and extracting the static trials or the artificial intervertebral discs, and a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc. Methods for using the same are also disclosed. Features for artificial intervertebral discs and intervertebral spacer devices useful for manipulation by the instrumentation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes static trials and a dynamic trial for determining the appropriate size of disc to be implanted, static trial holders for manipulating the static trials, inserter/impactors for inserting and removing the static trials and for inserting the artificial intervertebral discs, repositioners/extractors for repositioning and extracting the static trials or the artificial intervertebral discs, and a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc. Methods for using the same are also disclosed. Features for artificial intervertebral discs and intervertebral spacer devices useful for manipulation by the instrumentation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes static trials and a dynamic trial for determining the appropriate size of disc to be implanted, static trial holders for manipulating the static trials, inserter/impactors for inserting and removing the static trials and for inserting the artificial intervertebral discs, repositioners/extractors for repositioning and extracting the static trials or the artificial intervertebral discs, and a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc. Methods for using the same are also disclosed. Features for artificial intervertebral discs and intervertebral spacer devices useful for manipulation by the instrumentation are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intervetebral spacer device having a pair of outwardly facing surfaces for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces The preferred attachment device for securing each outwardly facing surface to a vertebral bone surface is a convex metal mesh that is buried in a plasma spray at its perimeter to the outwardly facing surface. The metal mesh deflects as necessary during insertion of the intervertebral spacer device between vertebral bodies, and, once the intervertebral spacer device is seated between the vertebral bodies, deforms as necessary under anatomical loads to reshape itself to the concave surface of the vertebral endplate. The metal mesh therefore provides superior gripping and holding strength upon initial implantation and an osteoconductive surface through which the vertebral bone may ultimately grow.

Abstract: An artificial disc having a pair of opposing baseplates, for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a ball and socket joint that indudes a ball compression locked to a post extending from one of the baseplates. The ball is captured within a curvate socket formed in a peak of a convex structure attached to the other of the baseplates. The socket is formed by opposing curvate surfaces, one on the convex structure and one on the other of the baseplates. While the ball angulates freely in the socket, the rotation of the ball in the socket has a limited range due to interference between a protrusion on the convex structure that extends into the socket and a curvate recess on the ball. The ball and socket joint therefore permits the baseplates to rotate relative to one another through a limited range and also angulate relative to one another.

Abstract: An artificial disc having a pair of opposing baseplates, for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a ball and socket joint. The preferred attachment device for securing each plate member to a vertebral bone surface is a convex metal mesh that is buried in a plasma spray at its perimeter to the baseplate. The metal mesh deflects as necessary during insertion of the artificial intervertebral disc between vertebral bodies, and, once the artificial intervertebral disc is seated between the vertebral bodies, deforms as necessary under anatomical loads to reshape itself to the concave surface of the vertebral endplate. The metal mesh therefore provides superior gripping and holding strength upon initial implantation and an osteoconductive surface through which the vertebral bone may ultimately grow.

Abstract: A vertebral body contact element comprises a domed wire mesh convexly extendable from an orthopedic device for securing the orthopedic device to a vertebral body endplate. In preferred embodiments, the wire mesh is made of titanium and is laser-welded or buried in a plasma coating at its perimeter to the orthpedic device, and a porous coating is provided underneath the wire mesh. The wire mesh is deformably reshapeable under anatomical loads so that it conformably deflects against a concave surface of the vertebral body endplate to securably engage the endplate.

Abstract: An artificial disc having a pair of opposing baseplates, for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a ball and socket joint that includes a solid ball mounted to protrude from one of the baseplates. The ball is captured within a curvate socket formed in a peak of a convex structure integral with the other of the baseplates. The socket is formed by opposing curvate pockets, one on the convex structure and one on a retaining cap that is secured to the other of the baseplates. The ball rotates and angulates in the socket. The ball and socket joint therefore permits the baseplates to rotate and angulate relative to one another.

Abstract: An artificial disc having a pair of opposing baseplates, for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a ball and socket joint that includes a ball compression locked to a post extending from one of the baseplates. The ball is captured within a curvate socket formed in a peak of a convex structure attached to the other of the baseplates. The socket is formed by opposing curvate surfaces, one on the convex structure and one on the other of the baseplates. The ball rotates and angulates in the socket. The ball and socket joint therefore permits the baseplates to rotate and angulate relative to one another.