Abstract: A surgical procedure and apparatus according to which force is applied to a member to compress the member, and the member is retained in its compressed state while it is inserted between two anatomical structures. The member is then allowed to move from its compressed state towards its original state and into engagement with the structures.

Abstract: A method for implanting an articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis into an intervertebral disc space comprises surgically accessing the intervertebral disc space through an opening on a first lateral side of the intervertebral disc space and inserting a first half of the articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis through the opening and into the intervertebral disc space. The method further comprises inserting a second half of the articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis through the opening on the first lateral side of the intervertebral disc space and positioning the first half of the articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis on a second lateral side of the intervertebral disc space. The method also comprises positioning the second half of the articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis on the first lateral side of the intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: An artificial spinal joint for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra is disclosed. The artificial spinal joint comprises a first arthroplasty half comprising a first articulating joint replacement component for placement in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a first posterior joint replacement component, and a first bridge component coupled between the first articulating joint replacement component and the first posterior joint replacement component. The artificial spinal joint further comprises a second arthroplasty half comprising a second articulating joint replacement component for placement in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a second posterior joint replacement component, and a second bridge component coupled between the second articulating joint replacement component and the second posterior joint replacement component.

Abstract: Spinal support members having varying stiffnesses are disclosed. In one embodiment, an elongated spinal prosthetic includes a pair of curved elongated portions. The portions are formed of materials having different stiffness characteristics such that the stiffness of the prosthetic varies along its length. In another embodiment, an elongated spinal implant includes a pair of threadedly engaged elongated sections. The first section is formed of a first material having a first rigidity. The second section has an inner portion formed of the first material and an outer portion formed of a second material. The second material is less rigid than the first material. In another embodiment, a modular spinal rod is provided. The modular spinal rod includes a pair of connectable rod portions with different stiffness characteristics. In yet another embodiment, a kit for a modular spinal rod includes a plurality of connectable modular rod portions having different stiffness characteristics.

Abstract: A motion-preserving implant device for insertion between two bones is disclosed. The motion-preserving implant includes a first plate for engaging with a first bone and a second plate for engaging with a second bone. An articulation member is positioned between the two plates and a motion-controlling member attached to one or both of the plates. In some embodiments, the motion-controlling member is configured to constrain, dampen, and/or bumper the relative motion between the two plates.

Abstract: A multi-piece intervertebral disc augmentation implant that may be assembled within the annulus fibrosus is disclosed. The implant may be guided into a precise location through a relatively small opening in the annulus fibrosus with the aid of an elongated guide.

Abstract: A multi-piece intervertebral disc augmentation implant that may be assembled within the annulus fibrosus is disclosed. The implant may be guided into a precise location through a relatively small opening in the annulus fibrosus with the aid of an elongated guide.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant comprises a first member for engaging a first vertebral body and a second member for engaging a second vertebral body. The first member has a first surface with a first curve, and the second member has a second surface with a second curve. The first member is translatable with respect to the second member and the second curve is positioned within the first curve to bias the first and second curved surfaces towards central alignment along a longitudinal axis passing through the first and second vertebral bodies.

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: Spinal support members having varying stiffnesses are disclosed. In one embodiment, an elongated spinal prosthetic includes a pair of curved elongated portions. The portions are formed of materials having different stiffness characteristics such that the stiffness of the prosthetic varies along its length. In another embodiment, an elongated spinal implant includes a pair of threadedly engaged elongated sections. The first section is formed of a first material having a first rigidity. The second section has an inner portion formed of the first material and an outer portion formed of a second material. The second material is less rigid than the first material. In another embodiment, a modular spinal rod is provided. The modular spinal rod includes a pair of connectable rod portions with different stiffness characteristics. In yet another embodiment, a kit for a modular spinal rod includes a plurality of connectable modular rod portions having different stiffness characteristics.

Abstract: Spinal prosthetic devices having selectable and/or changeable centers of rotation are disclosed. In one aspect, a spinal prosthesis kit includes a first component, a second component, and a plurality of inserts. The first component has a first articulating surface that includes a first articulating structure. The second component has a second articulating surface with a recessed opening adapted to receive one of the plurality of inserts. Each of the plurality of inserts includes a second articulating structure adapted to moveably mate with the first articulating structure. The second articulating structure is positioned in a different location on each of the plurality of inserts. In some embodiments, the articulating structures are moveably mating projections and recesses. In another aspect, a revisable prosthetic device having a first component, a second component, and an insert is provided.

Abstract: Spinal prosthetic devices having various engagement structures are disclosed. In one aspect a spinal prosthesis system comprises a first component with a first engagement structure extending from a surface of the first component at an oblique angle and a second component with a second engagement structure extending from a surface of the component at an oblique angle. In another aspect, a pair of flange members extend from the first engagement surface at an oblique angle such that the flange members are substantially perpendicular to one another. In another aspect, a first flange member extends transversely from the first engagement surface at a first oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the surface and a second flange member extends transversely from the first engagement surface at a second oblique angle to the longitudinal axis such that the flange members are non-parallel.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device for promoting fusion of first and second vertebrae comprises first and second endplate modules. Each endplate module includes an outer surface adapted to interface with vertebral bone and an opposite inner surface. The endplate modules further include an attachment feature. A central module is adapted to extend between the first and second endplate modules and is further adapted for connection with the attachment feature. A through passage extends through the outer and inner surfaces of the each of the first and second endplates and through the central module.

Abstract: A surgical procedure and apparatus according to which force is applied to a member to compress the member, and the member is retained in its compressed state while it is inserted between two anatomical structures. The member is then allowed to move from its compressed state towards its original state and into engagement with the structures.

Abstract: A surgical procedure according to which a member containing a material is inserted between two anatomical structures; and the member is caused to change state and expand into engagement with at least one of the structures.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method are provided for positioning an intervertebral device between vertebral members. The tool includes an elongate shaft, an anti-rotation sleeve, and an actuation mechanism. The shaft has proximal and distal ends, with the distal end of the shaft including an engagement member for releasably engaging an intervertebral device. The sleeve includes proximal and distal ends, and is movably mounted to the shaft for reciprocating relative thereto between retracted and extended positions. The distal end of the sleeve includes an anti-rotation member. The actuation mechanism controls positioning of the sleeve between the retracted and extended positions, and locks the sleeve relative to the shaft. When the intervertebral device is releasably engaged by the engagement member, and the sleeve is in the extended position, the anti-rotation member engages the intervertebral device and prevents rotation of the intervertebral device when releasing the engagement member from the intervertebral device.

Abstract: Instruments and methods are provided for implanting nucleus replacement material in an intervertebral disc nucleus space employing an inserter having proximal and distal end regions and a passageway effective for passing the material therethrough. The distal end region of the inserter includes a conical-shaped outer surface, and the passageway exits through a side surface of the inserter in the distal end region at other than the apex of the conical-shaped outer surface. The nucleus replacement material passing through the inserter exits into an intervertebral disc nucleus space when the passageway exit in the side surface at the distal end region is disposed in the nucleus space. The instrument may also include a cover locking mechanism having pivotally connected first and second cover plates with a latching tab and landing sized and configured to mate and lock the cover plates automatically when the inserter assumes an implanting configuration.

Abstract: A spinal rod having first and second end members. The end members may be flexible or rigid. An expandable intermediate section is positioned between the first and second end members. The intermediate section may be axially expandable upon the introduction of a substance into a port that may be located in either of the first and second end members or the intermediate section. The intermediate section may be expandable between a first size, where the first and second end members are spaced a first distance apart, and a second enlarged size, where the first and second end members are spaced a second greater distance apart.

Abstract: The present application is directed to devices and methods for spacing apart spinous processes. In one embodiment, the device includes a body having a central portion that separates first and second sections. The body is constructed of a combination of an elastic material and a bio-absorbable material. When initially implanted within a patient, the bio-absorbable material affects the stiffness of the device. The device stiffness changes to that of the elastic material as the bio-absorbable material is absorbed by the body.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthetic disc that is configured to be installed within an intervertebral space that can be established between an inferior vertebra and a superior vertebra is disclosed. The intervertebral prosthetic disc includes an inferior articular half that can be configured to engage the inferior vertebra and a superior articular half that can be configured to engage the superior vertebra. The inferior articular half can be configured to cooperate with the superior articular half to allow relative angular motion between the inferior vertebra and the superior vertebra when installed. Further, the intervertebral prosthetic device can be sized and shaped to pass through a psoas muscle without injuring a spinal cord or a sympathetic chain.