Abstract: The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are

Abstract: The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are

Abstract: A surgical instrument for implanting a semi-rigid medical implant. The surgical instrument includes a shaft, an accessory shaft, an actuation mechanism and an implant engagement mechanism. The shaft has a channel formed therein. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. The accessory shaft is slidably mounted in the channel. The accessory shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. The actuation mechanism is mounted to the shaft proximate the proximal end thereof. The actuation mechanism is capable of causing the accessory shaft to slide with respect to the shaft. The implant engagement mechanism is attached to the distal end of the accessory shaft. The implant engagement mechanism is capable of engaging a semi-rigid surgical implant.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for implanting a semi-rigid medical implant. The surgical instrument includes a shaft, an accessory shaft, an actuation mechanism and an implant engagement mechanism. The shaft has a channel formed therein. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. The accessory shaft is slidably mounted in the channel. The accessory shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. The actuation mechanism is mounted to the shaft proximate the proximal end thereof. The actuation mechanism is capable of causing the accessory shaft to slide with respect to the shaft. The implant engagement mechanism is attached to the distal end of the accessory shaft. The implant engagement mechanism is capable of engaging a semi-rigid surgical implant.

Abstract: The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are

Abstract: The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are

Abstract: The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are

Abstract: A segmented disc nucleus replacement prosthesis and system for its implantation wherein the segments are made of a compliant, homogeneous material throughout. The prosthesis comprises a plurality of modular segments that mate together in a rail-and-slot arrangement. The rails and slots are configured to interlock and hold together under load despite being formed of compliant materials. In one embodiment, insertion tools and stabilizers are utilized for manipulation of the modular segments, the insertion tools and stabilizers being designed to accommodate for handling the compliant modular segments.

Abstract: A segmented disc nucleus replacement prosthesis and system for its implantation wherein the segments are made of a compliant, homogeneous material throughout. The prosthesis comprises a plurality of modular segments that mate together in a rail-and-slot arrangement. The rails and slots are configured to interlock and hold together under load despite being formed of compliant materials. In one embodiment, insertion tools and stabilizers are utilized for manipulation of the modular segments, the insertion tools and stabilizers being designed to accommodate for handling the compliant modular segments.

Abstract: A segmented disc nucleus replacement prosthesis and system for its implantation wherein the segments are made of a compliant, homogeneous material throughout. The prosthesis comprises a plurality of modular segments that mate together in a rail-and-slot arrangement. The rails and slots are configured to interlock and hold together under load despite being formed of compliant materials. In one embodiment, insertion tools and stabilizers are utilized for manipulation of the modular segments, the insertion tools and stabilizers being designed to accommodate for handling the compliant modular segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a damaged intervertebral disc nucleus in a minimally invasive manner utilizes a modular disc prosthesis preferably comprised of at least three modular segments and at least two rails that operably connect adjacent modular segments. In one embodiment, each modular segment includes a harder inner portion and a softer outer portion. Preferably, the rails operate to slidably connect and interlock adjacent modular segments. A stem portion of the rails that extends outside the periphery of the body of the prosthesis is removable after implantation such that the modular segments form an implanted unitary device that closely mimics the geometry of the disc nucleus cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a damaged intervertebral disc nucleus in a minimally invasive manner utilizes a modular disc prosthesis preferably comprised of at least three modular segments and at least two rails that operably connect adjacent modular segments. In one embodiment, each modular segment includes a harder inner portion and a softer outer portion. Preferably, the rails operate to slidably connect and interlock adjacent modular segments. A stem portion of the rails that extends outside the periphery of the body of the prosthesis is removable after implantation such that the modular segments form an implanted unitary device that closely mimics the geometry of the disc nucleus cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a damaged intervertebral disc nucleus in a minimally invasive manner utilizes a modular disc prosthesis preferably comprised of at least three modular segments and at least two rails that operably connect adjacent modular segments. In one embodiment, each modular segment includes a harder inner portion and a softer outer portion. Preferably, the rails operate to slidably connect and interlock adjacent modular segments. A stem portion of the rails that extends outside the periphery of the body of the prosthesis is removable after implantation such that the modular segments form an implanted unitary device that closely mimics the geometry of the disc nucleus cavity.