Abstract: Electronic devices that detect their position and/or orientation with respect to earth's frame of reference are described. A coupler can removeably maintain the electronic devices in physical proximity of one another. Each electronic device can have a housing and the coupler can be included on the housing and arranged to physically connect the housing of the electronic device to the housing of at least one other electronic device. Alternatively, the coupler can be a packaging that maintains the electronic devices in physical proximity of one another. Each electronic device can be calibrated using the orientation or position information obtained by other electronic devices maintained by the coupler. Further, each electronic device can include a power source that remains inactive until the device is ready for use.

Abstract: Accuracy enhancing systems, devices and methods are provided using data obtained from inertial measurement units (IMUs). IMUs are provided on one or more of a patient, surgical table, surgical instruments, imaging devices, navigation systems, and the like. Data from sensors in each IMU is collected and used to calculate absolute and relative positions of the patient, surgical table, surgical instruments, imaging devices, and navigation systems on which the IMUs are provided. The data generated by the IMUs can be coupled with medical images and camera vision, among other information, to generate and/or provide surgical navigation, alignment of imaging systems, pre-operative diagnoses and plans, intra-operative tool guidance and error correction, and post-operative assessments.

Abstract: A polyaxial instrument suitable for preparing the intervertebral disc space of a patient through an anterior, posterior, transforaminal or anterolateral approach. The trial can be partially inserted into a disc space and then its angle adjusted to ease its further insertion into the disc space. The trial work tip can be interchangeable with the working tip of another type of instrument such as a curette, a rasp, a spreader, a shaver, a cobb elevator, a penfield, a woodson, a chisel and an osteotome.

Abstract: An insertion instrument is configured to attach and secure to an expandable implant. The insertion instrument includes a securement member that is configured to be secured to the implant both when the implant is in a collapsed configuration and when the implant is in an expanded configuration. The insertion instrument further includes a drive member that is configured to actuate the implant to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An insertion instrument is configured to attach and secure to an expandable implant. The insertion instrument includes a securement member that is configured to be secured to the implant both when the implant is in a collapsed configuration and when the implant is in an expanded configuration. The insertion instrument further includes a drive member that is configured to actuate the implant to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant includes a first endplate and a second endplate, a first wedge member and a second wedge member spaced from the first wedge member that couple the first and second endplates together. The first and second wedge members configured to translate along an actuation member housed between the first and second endplates to cause the implant to expand from a first collapsed configuration into a second expanded configuration. The actuation member has a first threaded section spaced apart from a second threaded section where the first and second threaded sections are at an angle with each other. Between the first and second threaded sections on the actuation member there is a section that permits the first and second threaded sections to rotate in the same rotational direction.

Abstract: Multiple, small, staple-like supports are inserted through a small tube into the disc space then rotated into position on the edge of the vertebral bodies. The tooth-like geometry of the proximal and distal faces of these staples mates with the outer edge of the vertebral body, extending past the front of the endplate anteriorly. The staples have teeth that dig into the endplate on the inside of the rim as well.

Abstract: Electronic devices that detect their position and/or orientation with respect to earth's frame of reference are described. A coupler can removeably maintain the electronic devices in physical proximity of one another. Each electronic device can have a housing and the coupler can be included on the housing and arranged to physically connect the housing of the electronic device to the housing of at least one other electronic device. Alternatively, the coupler can be a packaging that maintains the electronic devices in physical proximity of one another. Each electronic device can be calibrated using the orientation or position information obtained by other electronic devices maintained by the coupler. Further, each electronic device can include a power source that remains inactive until the device is ready for use.

Abstract: An expandable tube having a substantially semicircular unexpanded shape is inserted into the disc space after the disc material has been removed therefrom. A plurality of expandable lockable rings are passed over this tube in their unexpanded states and positioned along the anterior edge of the endplates. The tube is then expanded, thereby forcing the rings to expand. The rings hold their final expanded configuration via a one-way locking mechanism. Once sufficient distraction is achieved and the rings locked, the tube is collapsed and removed, thereby leaving the expanded, locked rings behind to support the disc space.

Abstract: An expandable implant is made via a central strut having a pivotable arm on each end. The implant can be inserted into a disc space either horizontally or vertically with the arms in a closed position and then (if inserted horizontally) optionally rotated up into place. The arms are then pivoted out, thereby increasing the foot print of a horizontally inserted implant. The expanded implant can be locked in place through the use of an additional insert or ratchet that fits between the arms and locks the arms in place.

Abstract: An expandable tube having a substantially semicircular unexpanded shape is inserted into the disc space after the disc material has been removed therefrom. A plurality of expandable lockable rings are passed over this tube in their unexpanded states and positioned along the anterior edge of the endplates. The tube is then expanded, thereby forcing the rings to expand. The rings hold their final expanded configuration via a one-way locking mechanism. Once sufficient distraction is achieved and the rings locked, the tube is collapsed and removed, thereby leaving the expanded, locked rings behind to support the disc space.

Abstract: An interbody fusion device having an accordion-like structure, wherein the device in inserted into the disc space in its collapsed configuration and then expanded into its expanded configuration by compressing the accordion-like portion of the device. In some embodiments, a pre-formed tube with an accordion-like structure over a portion of its length is inserted in a relaxed (collapsed) configuration, giving the tube a minimum possible diameter. This tube has a cable running through it that is fixed to a distal end portion of the tube and extends past the proximal end portion of the tube to the outside of the patient. Once the tube is positioned on the rim of the endplate, the proximal end of the cable is pulled, thereby tensioning the cable and causing the accordion portion of the tube to become shorter in length but larger in diameter.

Abstract: An interbody fusion device having an accordion-like structure, wherein the device in inserted into the disc space in its collapsed configuration and then expanded into its expanded configuration by compressing the accordion-like portion of the device. In some embodiments, a pre-formed tube with an accordion-like structure over a portion of its length is inserted in a relaxed (collapsed) configuration, giving the tube a minimum possible diameter. This tube has a cable running through it that is fixed to a distal end portion of the tube and extends past the proximal end portion of the tube to the outside of the patient. Once the tube is positioned on the rim of the endplate, the proximal end of the cable is pulled, thereby tensioning the cable and causing the accordion portion of the tube to become shorter in length but larger in diameter.

Abstract: Multiple, small, staple-like supports are inserted through a small tube into the disc space then rotated into position on the edge of the vertebral bodies. The tooth-like geometry of the proximal and distal faces of these staples mates with the outer edge of the vertebral body, extending past the front of the endplate anteriorly. The staples have teeth that dig into the endplate on the inside of the rim as well.

Abstract: Multiple, small, staple-like supports are inserted through a small tube into the disc space then rotated into position on the edge of the vertebral bodies. The tooth-like geometry of the proximal and distal faces of these staples mates with the outer edge of the vertebral body, extending past the front of the endplate anteriorly. The staples have teeth that dig into the endplate on the inside of the rim as well.

Abstract: An assembly comprising an expandable corpectomy cage and an insertion instrument, wherein the expandable cage comprises an instrument attachment features, including mating holes on the sides of the outer sleeve, and a ball-shaped pocket on the endplate of the inner sleeve, and the insertion instrument features a tuning-fork shaped holder, which attaches to the mating holes on the implant's outer sleeve using small bosses which mate with the holes under the spring tension of the fork, and a lever with a spherical end that mates with the ball-shaped pocket in the inner sleeve endplate.

Abstract: An assembly comprising an expandable corpectomy cage and an insertion instrument, wherein the expandable cage comprises an instrument attachment features, including mating holes on the sides of the outer sleeve, and a ball-shaped pocket on the endplate of the inner sleeve, and the insertion instrument features a tuning-fork shaped holder, which attaches to the mating holes on the implant's outer sleeve using small bosses which mate with the holes under the spring tension of the fork, and a lever with a spherical end that mates with the ball-shaped pocket in the inner sleeve endplate.

Abstract: A polyaxial instrument suitable for preparing the intervertebral disc space of a patient through an anterior, posterior, transforaminal or anterolateral approach. The trial can be partially inserted into a disc space and then its angle adjusted to ease its further insertion into the disc space. The trial work tip can be interchangeable with the working tip of another type of instrument such as a curette, a rasp, a spreader, a shaver, a cobb elevator, a penfield, a woodson, a chisel and an osteotome.

Abstract: Multiple, small, staple-like supports are inserted through a small tube into the disc space then rotated into position on the edge of the vertebral bodies. The tooth-like geometry of the proximal and distal faces of these staples mates with the outer edge of the vertebral body, extending past the front of the endplate anteriorly. The staples have teeth that dig into the endplate on the inside of the rim as well.

Abstract: Multiple, small, staple-like supports are inserted through a small tube into the disc space then rotated into position on the edge of the vertebral bodies. The tooth-like geometry of the proximal and distal faces of these staples mates with the outer edge of the vertebral body, extending past the front of the endplate anteriorly. The staples have teeth that dig into the endplate on the inside of the rim as well.