Abstract: Laterally expanding vertebral spacer devices are provided for repairing damaged vertebral discs. The vertebral spacer devices maintain the height of a distracted vertebral disc space while providing stability to the spine. In one form of the invention, a vertebral spacer device is provided with a first arm movably coupled to a second arm. The first and second arms are laterally expandable from a first width for insertion into the disc space to a second width after insertion into the disc space. The first and second arms also define a cavity therebetween for placement of bone growth material.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing disc space preparation and implant insertion from a unilateral approach to the spine through a posterior lateral opening to the disc space. The instruments include spreaders, distractors, reamers, scrapers, cutters, chisels, pushers and implant inserters. A surgical procedure is provided that allows bilateral support of the adjacent vertebrae with at least one interbody fusion device inserted into the disc space via a unilateral approach. Implants for insertion into the disc space are also provided.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral device including a body extending generally along a longitudinal axis and including at least two branch portions coupled together adjacent an end portion of the body. The device further includes an expansion member positioned between the at least two branch portions with at least a portion of the expansion member arranged at an angular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis whereby a change in the angular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis urges the at least two branch portions apart to expand the body.

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: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. The instruments include a distractor and a cutting instrument. In one embodiment the distractor includes a body portion and a pair of flanges extending along opposite sides of the body portion such that a slot is formed between the flanges and the body portion. The cutting instrument is positionable over the body portion and into the slots of the distractor so that the flanges are positioned between the cutting instrument and the adjacent tissue.

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: A spinal cage implant (1) is adapted to be inserted in a damaged intervertebral disc for restoring the discal height and permitting an arthrodesis. Implant (1) comprises a central part (3c) with walls (4) and terminal parts (5, 6) for bearing against the cortical bone (14) of the vertebral end plates (15, 16). Central part (3c) is adapted to penetrate the vertebral end plates (15, 16) and transversely projects from the terminal bearing parts (5, 6). Implant (1) bears against the vertebral end plates (15, 16) with terminal parts (5, 6) and contains bone graft material between walls (4) which penetrate the openings (19, 21) in the end plates (15, 16) and permit bone fusion between the two vertebrae (V1, V2). Implant (1) permits restoring the physiological lordosis and the intervertebral height.

Abstract: Instruments and methods are provided for positioning one or more implants into a spinal disc space. The instruments and methods have application in an anterior lateral approach to the disc space between the L4 and L5 vertebrae. The instruments include a distractor, a housing, a guide member to facilitate positioning of the housing, and a partition member engageable to the housing to facilitate positioning of one or more implants into the disc space.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stabilizing the spine are provided. For stabilizing the L5-S1 junction, the system includes a plate that has a generally triangular shape with an upper node and a pair of lower nodes. The upper node has a hole through the plate to receive a screw for passage into the L5 vertebra. The lower nodes each include a hole through the plate to receive screws for passage into the S1 vertebra. The system further includes a plate having a retaining element for preventing backout of screws inserted through the plate. Instruments and methods for attaching the plate to the spinal column are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing disc space preparation and implant insertion from a unilateral approach to the spine through a posterior lateral opening to the disc space. The instruments include spreaders, distractors, reamers, scrapers, cutters, chisels, rasps, pushers and implant inserters. A surgical procedure is provided that allows bilateral support of the adjacent vertebrae with at least one interbody fusion device inserted into the disc space via a unilateral approach. Implants for insertion into the disc space are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing disc space preparation and implant insertion from a unilateral approach to the spine through a posterior lateral opening to the disc space. The instruments include spreaders, distractors, reamers, scrapers, cutters, chisels, pushers and implant inserters. A surgical procedure is provided that allows bilateral support of the adjacent vertebrae with at least one interbody fusion device inserted into the disc space via a unilateral approach. Implants for insertion into the disc space are also provided.

Abstract: A spinal cage implant (1) is adapted to be inserted in a damaged intervertebral disc for restoring the discal height and permitting an arthoesis. Implant (1) comprises a central part (3c) with walls (4) and terminal parts (5, 6) for bearing against the cortical bone (14) of the vertebral end plates (15, 16). Central part (3c) is adapted to penetrate the vertebral end plates (15, 16) and transversely projects from the terminal bearing parts (5, 6). Implant (1) bears against the vertebral end plates (15, 16) with terminal parts (5, 6) and contains bone graft material between walls (4) which penetrate the openings (19, 21) in the end plates (15, 16) and permit bone fusion between the two vertebrae (V1, V2).

Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal implant for promoting fusion of adjacent vertebrae and restoration of normal disc height. The spinal implant includes an upper and lower surface adapted to engage cancellous bone tissue in the vertebral bodies. The spinal implant also includes at least two opposing bearing surfaces adapted to bear against cortical bone tissue in the endplates of adjacent vertebrae. This invention also provides an instrumentation to prepare the intervertebral space to receive the spinal implant and techniques for treating patents in need of corrective spinal surgery.

Abstract: This invention relates to implants formed from donor bone for use in lumbar interbody fusion procedures and instruments for performing such procedures. The implants are formed to include a concave surface formed from a portion of the medullary canal of a long bone. The concave surface defines a recess in the implant that serves as a depot for osteogenic material. Specific instruments for inserting the implants prepared according to this invention and for preparing the intervertebral space to receive the implants are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to implants formed from donor bone for use in lumbar interbody fusion procedures and instruments for performing such procedures. The implants are formed to include a concave surface formed from a portion of the medullary canal of a long bone. The concave surface defines a recess in the implant that serves as a depot for osteogenic material. Specific instruments for inserting the implants prepared according to this invention and for preparing the intervertebral space to receive the implants are also provided.

Abstract: A plating system for stabilization of a bony segment includes a plate engageable to at least first and second bony elements. For spinal stabilization, the plate is attached at least to first and second vertebrae with at least one bone fastener in each vertebra. Retaining members are attachable to the plate to prevent the bone fasteners from backing out of the plate. One retaining member is a variable retaining member that allows the bone fasteners to toggle in the plate without interference. A second retaining member is a fixed retaining member that fixes the bone fasteners relative to the plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing disc space preparation and implant insertion from a uni31 lateral approach to the spine through a posterior lateral opening to the disc space. The instruments include spreaders, distractors, reamers, scrapers, cutters, chisels, rasps, pushers and implant inserters. A surgical procedure is provided that allows bilateral support of the adjacent vertebrae with at least one interbody fusion device inserted into the disc space via a unilateral approach. Implants for insertion into the disc space are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. A cannula is inserted to create a working channel through the skin and tissue of a patient using a transforaminal approach to the disc space. A viewing element is used to visualize working end of the cannula and the disc space. A facetectomy is performed through the working channel to access the disc space. The disc space is prepared with various instruments, such as distractors, shims, chisels and distractor-cutters that extend through the working channel. At least implant is inserted into the disc space. The procedure allows bi-lateral support of the adjacent vertebrae with the at least one implant inserted via a unitary, minimally invasive approach to disc space.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal implant for promoting fusion of adjacent vertebrae and restoration of normal disc height. The spinal implant includes an upper and lower surface adapted to engage cancellous bone tissue in the vertebral bodies. The spinal implant also includes at least two opposing bearing surfaces adapted to bear against cortical bone tissue in the endplates of adjacent vertebrae. This invention also provides an instrumentation to prepare the intervertebral space to receive the spinal implant and techniques for treating patents in need of corrective spinal surgery.

Abstract: This invention relates to implants formed from donor bone for use in lumbar interbody fusion procedures and instruments for performing such procedures. The implants are formed to include a concave surface formed from a portion of the medullary canal of a long bone. The concaved surface defines a recess in the implant that serves as a depot for osteogenic material. Specific instruments for inserting the implants prepared according to this invention and for preparing the intervertebral space to receive the implants are also provided.