Abstract: A bone material dispensing device is provided. The bone material dispensing device comprises a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. The proximal end having a first opening and the distal end having a second opening. The first opening and the second opening configured to slidably receive at least a portion of a plunger. A locking member is provided that is pivotably connected to an upper surface of the housing and extends adjacent to the upper surface of the housing. The locking member comprises a locking surface extending adjacent to the distal end of the housing configured to engage a portion of a tubular member, a funnel, or a combination thereof. The locking member is movable in a locking position to lock the portion of the tubular member, the funnel, or the combination thereof with the housing. A bone material dispensing system and a method of implanting bone material with the bone material dispensing system are also provided.

Abstract: A unitarily formed expandable spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant is moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, and can be manufactured by a 3-dimensional printer. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a proximal wall, a first distal wall portion, a second distal wall portion, and a separator connected by at least one point of attachment to the spinal implant. A separation tool breaks the separator free from the at least one point of attachment, and moves the separator within the implant to force expansion thereof from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A unitarily formed expandable spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant is moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, and can be manufactured by a 3-dimensional printer. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a proximal wall, a first distal wall portion, a second distal wall portion, and a separator connected by at least one point of attachment to the spinal implant. A separation tool breaks the separator free from the at least one point of attachment, and moves the separator within the implant to force expansion thereof from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A unitarily formed expandable spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant is moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, and can be manufactured by a 3-dimensional printer. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a proximal wall, a first distal wall portion, a second distal wall portion, and a separator connected by at least one point of attachment to the spinal implant. A separation tool breaks the separator free from the at least one point of attachment, and moves the separator within the implant to force expansion thereof from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A unitarily formed expandable spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant is moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, and can be manufactured by a 3-dimensional printer. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a proximal wall, a first distal wall portion, a second distal wall portion, and a separator connected by at least one point of attachment to the spinal implant. A separation tool breaks the separator free from the at least one point of attachment, and moves the separator within the implant to force expansion thereof from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A unitarily formed expandable spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant is moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, and can be manufactured by a 3-dimensional printer. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a proximal wall, a first distal wall portion, a second distal wall portion, and a separator connected by at least one point of attachment to the spinal implant. A separation tool breaks the separator free from the at least one point of attachment, and moves the separator within the implant to force expansion thereof from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A unitarily formed expandable spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant is moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, and can be manufactured by a 3-dimensional printer. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a proximal wall, a first distal wall portion, a second distal wall portion, and a separator connected by at least one point of attachment to the spinal implant. A separation tool breaks the separator free from the at least one point of attachment, and moves the separator within the implant to force expansion thereof from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A unitarily formed expandable spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant is moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, and can be manufactured by a 3-dimensional printer. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a proximal wall, a first distal wall portion, a second distal wall portion, and a separator connected by at least one point of attachment to the spinal implant. A separation tool breaks the separator free from the at least one point of attachment, and moves the separator within the implant to force expansion thereof from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A unitarily formed expandable spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant is moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, and can be manufactured by a 3-dimensional printer. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a proximal wall, a first distal wall portion, a second distal wall portion, and a separator connected by at least one point of attachment to the spinal implant. A separation tool breaks the separator free from the at least one point of attachment, and moves the separator within the implant to force expansion thereof from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A retaining mechanism for use in affixing a stratum to bone is disclosed. The retaining mechanism comprises a stratum and a retaining element. The stratum comprises a first surface, a second surface, and at least one hole extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to engage at least a portion of the bone. The retaining element is configured to engage the stratum and configured to at least partially overlap the at least one hole such that the retaining element helps prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the at least at least one hole of the stratum, wherein the retaining element is substantially rigid. Further, methods of implanting a spinal plate are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and instrumentation particularly adapted for disc space preparation for insertion of implants from an anterior approach to the spine are provided. The instruments include a guide sleeve defining a channel having overlapping cylindrical working channel portions and lateral non-distracting extensions extending from reduced thickness wall portions. The guide sleeve has an overall reduced width configuration. A pair of distractors are provided. A first distractor includes a shaft and distal tip, each having convex walls. A second distractor includes a shaft and distal tip including a recessed area at least along the tip. The first distractor is at least partially received within the recessed area of the second distractor when the first and second distractors are in side-by-side relation and a reduced overall width of the distractors is obtained. Preferably, the first and second distractors are used with the guide sleeve. Methods using the disclosed instruments are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and instruments for implant insertion through a posterior lateral opening to the disc space. The instruments include an implant inserter, and the devices include a spinal fusion implant engageable by the implant inserter. The implant provides bilateral support of the adjacent vertebrae when inserted into the disc space from a postero-lateral approach.

Abstract: A series of instruments (30, 80, 120, 210, 510, 550) are provided for direct-anterior and oblique-anterior disc space and end plate preparation. The instruments (30, 80, 120, 210, 510, 550) provide precise guidance for channel formation in the vertebral endplates by guiding rotating and bladed cutting instruments (122, 250, 580). Instrumentation (550) for oblique-anterior disc space preparation includes compound angulation to account for the angle of approach to the spine and the angulation between adjacent vertebrae. Methods and techniques for use of the instruments (30, 80, 120, 210, 510, 550) are also described.

Abstract: Instruments, implants and methods are provided for positioning spinal implants in a spinal disc space between adjacent vertebrae. The instruments provide a low profile engagement with the implants and facilitate insertion while minimizing tissue retraction and exposure of the tissue and neural elements to the instrumentation in the approach to the disc space.

Abstract: Instrument and implants are disclosed which provide for insertion of an implant into an intervertebral disc space from multiple approaches to the spine. Specifically, as a preferred aspect of the invention the implant includes a tapered portion and the implant may be inserted from multiple approaches to the spine with the orientation and taper properly oriented in the disc space regardless of the approach.

Abstract: A series of instruments (30, 80, 120, 210, 510, 550) are provided for direct-anterior and oblique-anterior disc space and end plate preparation. The instruments (30, 80, 120, 210, 510, 550) provide precise guidance for channel formation in the vertebral endplates by guiding rotating and bladed cutting instruments (122, 250, 580). Instrumentation (550) for oblique-anterior disc space preparation includes compound angulation to account for the angle of approach to the spine and the angulation between adjacent vertebrae. Methods and techniques for use of the instruments (30, 80, 120, 210, 510, 550) are also described.

Abstract: A vertebral replacement device for supporting adjacent vertebrae includes a vertebral body member having at least one of an upper or lower disc replacement member engaged thereto at one end thereof. The disc replacement device can be positioned in a spinal disc space when disengaged from the vertebral body member.

Abstract: Instrument and implants are disclosed which provide for insertion of an implant into an intervertebral disc space from multiple approaches to the spine. Specifically, as a preferred aspect of the invention the implant includes a tapered portion and the implant may be inserted from multiple approaches to the spine with the orientation and taper properly oriented in the disc space regardless of the approach.