Abstract: A method of expanding an expandable spinal interbody fusion device, in situ, includes the steps of providing an expandable spinal interbody fusion device having an elevator disposed between relatively movable inferior and superior endplates, the elevator being captively supported for movement along a direction of expansion independently of movement of the inferior and superior endplates, releasably attaching a distal end of an inserter to the device, the inserter including an actuator at a proximal end thereof, and operating the actuator to cause the elevator to move toward the superior endplate and move the superior endplate away from said inferior endplate to expand said device.

Abstract: Apparatus and devices for percutaneously extending an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. The additional spinal construct comprises a rod connector that includes an elongate additional rod integrally attached thereto. The additional rod is placed through an access port in a first orientation generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the access port and rotated to a different second orientation generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the access port. During such rotation the additional rod is moved subcutaneously beneath the skin of the patient from the existing spinal rod to an additional bone engaging implant. In another arrangement, the extension of an existing spinal construct in a minimally invasive procedure comprises a rod connector having an offset support for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed laterally interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: Dry powder inhaler systems for pulmonary delivery of pharmaceuticals are disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device includes a superior endplate and an inferior endplate. The superior endplate is designed and structured to be angled; the angled surface of the superior endplate becomes prominent upon expansion. The inferior endplate has a bounded cavity in which the superior endplate is fully nested in an unexpanded condition. In a fully expanded condition, the entire outer surface of the superior endplate moves out of the cavity and above an upper surface of the inferior endplate.

Abstract: An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable interbody fusion device and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The interbody fusion device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other in the intradiscal space. The device includes an elevator captively supported between the inferior endplate and the superior endplate for movement independently toward and away from each of the inferior endplate and the superior endplate. The inserter includes a lifting platform that defines lifting surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cooperatively engage complementary lifting surfaces on the elevator and move the inferior endplate away from the superior endplate. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert into the expanded device between the superior and inferior endplates.

Abstract: Apparatus and devices for adding an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. In one arrangement the additional spinal construct extends an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an inline rod connector in a minimally invasive or preferably, percutaneous procedure. In another arrangement, the ipsilateral extension of an existing spinal construct uses an offset rod connector for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable interbody fusion device and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The interbody fusion device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other in the intradiscal space. The inserter includes a lifting platform and an elevator that define cooperatively engaging ramps and ramps surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cause the superior and inferior endplates to move relatively away from each other. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert into the expanded device between the superior and inferior endplates.

Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.

Abstract: An expandable device for expanding and supporting body tissue comprises an inferior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact one body tissue surface and a superior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact an opposing body tissue surface. The inferior endplate and the superior endplate are movable relative to each other in a direction of expansion. The device includes an elevator captively supported between the inferior endplate and the superior endplate for independent movement along the direction of expansion. In the first direction the elevator is moved toward said superior endplate to lift the superior endplate and expand the device. In the second direction the elevator moves away from said superior endplate toward said inferior endplate to create a space for insertion of an insert into the expanded device.

Abstract: Apparatus and devices for percutaneously extending an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. The additional spinal construct comprises a rod connector that includes an elongate additional rod integrally attached thereto. The additional rod is placed through an access port in a first orientation generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the access port and rotated to a different second orientation generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the access port. During such rotation the additional rod is moved subcutaneously beneath the skin of the patient from the existing spinal rod to an additional bone engaging implant. In another arrangement, the extension of an existing spinal construct in a minimally invasive procedure comprises a rod connector having an offset support for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed laterally interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable device for expanding body tissue and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The expandable device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other between opposing tissue surfaces of a body. The inserter includes a lifting platform comprising ramp surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cooperatively engage complementary surfaces of expansion structure within the device to cause the superior and inferior endplates to move relatively away from each other. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert between the superior and inferior endplates after expansion of the device.

Abstract: A method of expanding an expandable spinal interbody fusion device, in situ, includes the steps of providing an expandable spinal interbody fusion device having an elevator disposed between relatively movable inferior and superior endplates, the elevator being captively supported for movement along a direction of expansion independently of movement of the inferior and superior endplates, releasably attaching a distal end of an inserter to the device, the inserter including an actuator at a proximal end thereof, and operating the actuator to cause the elevator to move toward the superior endplate and move the superior endplate away from said inferior endplate to expand said device.

Abstract: An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable interbody fusion device and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The interbody fusion device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other in the intradiscal space. The device includes an elevator captively supported between the inferior endplate and the superior endplate for movement independently toward and away from each of the inferior endplate and the superior endplate. The inserter includes a lifting platform that defines lifting surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cooperatively engage complementary lifting surfaces on the elevator and move the inferior endplate away from the superior endplate. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert into the expanded device between the superior and inferior endplates.

Abstract: An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable interbody fusion device and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The interbody fusion device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other in the intradiscal space. The inserter includes a lifting platform comprising ramps surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cooperatively engage complementary surfaces of expansion structure within the device to cause the superior and inferior endplates to move relatively away from each other. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert between the superior and inferior endplates after expansion of the device.

Abstract: An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable interbody fusion device and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The interbody fusion device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other in the intradiscal space. The device includes an elevator captively supported between the inferior endplate and the superior endplate for movement independently toward and away from each of the inferior endplate and the superior endplate. The inserter includes a lifting platform that defines lifting surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cooperatively engage complementary lifting surfaces on the elevator and move the inferior endplate away from the superior endplate. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert into the expanded device between the superior and inferior endplates.

Abstract: An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable interbody fusion device and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The interbody fusion device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other in the intradiscal space. The inserter includes a lifting platform comprising ramps surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cooperatively engage complementary surfaces of expansion structure within the device to cause the superior and inferior endplates to move relatively away from each other. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert between the superior and inferior endplates after expansion of the device.

Abstract: Apparatus and devices for adding an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. In one arrangement the additional spinal construct extends an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an inline rod connector in a minimally invasive or preferably, percutaneous procedure. In another arrangement, the ipsilateral extension of an existing spinal construct uses an offset rod connector for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable interbody fusion device and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The interbody fusion device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other in the intradiscal space. The device includes an elevator captively supported between the inferior endplate and the superior endplate for movement independently toward and away from each of the inferior endplate and the superior endplate. The inserter includes a lifting platform that defines lifting surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cooperatively engage complementary lifting surfaces on the elevator and move the inferior endplate away from the superior endplate. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert into the expanded device between the superior and inferior endplates.

Abstract: An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable interbody fusion device and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The interbody fusion device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other in the intradiscal space. The inserter includes a lifting platform comprising ramps surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cooperatively engage complementary surfaces of expansion structure within the device to cause the superior and inferior endplates to move relatively away from each other. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert between the superior and inferior endplates after expansion of the device.

Abstract: An expandable spinal interbody fusion device comprises an inferior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact a vertebral body of the spine and a superior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact an opposing vertebral body. The inferior endplate and the superior endplate are movable relative to each other in a direction of expansion. The device includes an elevator captively supported between the inferior endplate and the superior endplate for independent movement along the direction of expansion. In the first direction the elevator is moved toward said superior endplate to lift the superior endplate and expand the device. In the second direction the elevator moves away from said superior endplate toward said inferior endplate to create a space for insertion of an insert into the expanded device.