Abstract: A vertebral defect device includes a housing having a convexly tapered distal end, a convexly tapered proximal end, a top, a bottom, an anterior side, a posterior side and an outer surface having generally rounded edges thereby facilitating insertion into an intervertebral space between a pair of adjacent vertebrae. The length of the housing as measured from the distal end to the proximal end is greater than the width of the housing as measured between the anterior and posterior sides and is greater than the height of the housing as measured between the top and bottom.

Abstract: A multi-blade curette tool for use in spinal surgery. The curette tool includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A handle is disposed at the first end. A curette head is disposed at the second end. The curette head is generally tapered toward the first end and the second end. The curette head includes a convexly-shaped and generally tapered nose portion, a base portion, and a plurality of blades. Each blade extends between the base portion and the nose portion, and each of the plurality of blades is provided with at least one cutting element. A drive stem connects the handle and the curette head. At least one cutting element of each blade is adapted to remove spinal disk material upon rotation of the curette tool in at least one direction.

Abstract: An intervertebral disk prosthesis includes a first part, and the first part has a top, a bottom having an opening, an outer surface, an inner surface and a socket extending into an interior of the first part from the opening and defined by the inner surface. The disk prosthesis further includes a second part including a top, a bottom, and an outer surface. The outer surface of the second part proximate the top of the second part cooperatively engages the inner surface of the first part thereby allowing at least two-degrees of freedom of movement. At least one of the upper part and the lower part further comprises at least one arch spanning the outer surface proximate the top and the outer surface proximate the bottom, respectively.

Abstract: An internal fixation rod for spine surgery includes an elongate body, a first rod end, a second rod end, a first mounting member and a second mounting member. The first mounting member is disposed proximate the first rod end, and the second mounting member is disposed proximate the second rod end. The first mounting member and the second mounting member are smaller in cross-section than the elongate body.

Abstract: A working channel for spinal surgery includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end and an interior lumen traversing through the elongate body. The elongate body generally has a parallelogram-shaped cross-section. Another working channel for spinal surgery includes a flared upper section having a distal end, a proximal end and an interior lumen traversing through the flared upper section. The proximal end of the flared upper section is wider than the distal end of the flared upper section. The working channel also includes a lower section extending from the distal end of the flared upper section. The lower section has a distal end, a proximal end and an interior lumen traversing through the lower section. The lower section generally has a parallelogram-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A diskectomy instrument includes a blade housing assembly having a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The second portion is fixedly attached to a probe body, and the first portion is releasably connectable to the second portion. At least one blade opening is provided, and at least one blade is movably mounted at least partially within the blade housing for movement through the at least one blade opening between an extended position and a retracted position. A drive stem is movably mounted for linear movement within the probe body and is operatively connected to an actuator. The drive stem engages the at least one blade to move the blade between the extended position and the retracted position. A removal tool is provided to permit the first housing portion to be removed from the second housing portion.

Abstract: A vertebral defect device includes a housing having a convexly tapered distal end, a convexly tapered proximal end, a top, a bottom, an anterior side, a posterior side and an outer surface having generally rounded edges thereby facilitating insertion into an intervertebral space between a pair of adjacent vertebrae. The length of the housing as measured from the distal end to the proximal end is greater than the width of the housing as measured between the anterior and posterior sides and is greater than the height of the housing as measured between the top and bottom.

Abstract: An intervertebral disk prosthesis includes a first part, and the first part has a top, a bottom having an opening, an outer surface, an inner surface and a socket extending into an interior of the first part from the opening and defined by the inner surface. The outer surface proximate the top contacts a concave portion of a first vertebra. The disk prosthesis further includes a second part including a top, a bottom, and an outer surface. The outer surface proximate the bottom contacts a concave portion of a second vertebra, and the outer surface of the second part proximate the top of the second part cooperatively engages the inner surface of the first part thereby allowing at least two-degrees of freedom of movement.

Abstract: A diskectomy instrument includes an elongate body, a blade and a drive stem. The elongate body has a distal end, a proximal end, and a blade opening proximate the distal end. The blade is removably and movably mounted within the elongate body proximate the blade opening. The blade has a distal end, a proximal end, a sharp edge, a ramped portion and a stem mating portion. The drive stem is movably mounted within the elongate body and has a distal end, a proximal end and a blade mating portion. The drive stem is configured to slidably engage the blade when the drive stem is moved distally thereby extending the at least one blade radially outward though the at least one blade opening. The blade mating portion is configured to cooperatively engage the stem mating portion of the blade when the drive stem is moved proximally thereby retracting the blade.