Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods of removing a core from an intervertebral prosthetic disc. The method may include: securing a multipart prosthetic disc to a distal end of a removal instrument by grasping at least a portion of the multipart prosthetic disc between a pair of core removal arms on the placement instrument; inserting the pair of core removal arms between two prosthetic disc plates of the intervertebral prosthetic disc to distract the plates away from one another; and removing the core from the intervertebral prosthetic disc with the removal instrument. The removal instrument may include: an inner shaft connected to the pair of core removal arms; and an outer shaft movable with respect to the inner shaft and including an activation mechanism for causing the arms to grasp the core for removal.

Abstract: Various implementations include intervertebral discs and associated methods of use and imaging. One implementation includes an intervertebral disc capable of imaging under MRI, the disc including: an upper plate including a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) portion having a lower bearing surface and an upper vertebra contacting surface, the upper surface formed at least in part from a metal for improved bone attachment; a lower plate including a PAEK portion having an upper bearing surface and a lower vertebra contacting surface, the lower surface formed at least in part from a metal for improved bone attachment; and a ceramic core to mate and articulate with respect to the bearing surfaces of the upper and lower plates, wherein upon imaging under X-ray the PAEK portion of the upper and lower plates are substantially completely invisible and the upper and lower vertebral contacting surfaces of the upper and lower plates are substantially completely visible.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc includes a superior endplate having an upper vertebral contacting surface and a lower bearing surface, wherein the upper vertebral contacting surface of the superior endplate has a central portion that is raised relative to a peripheral portion of the superior endplate, and wherein the lower bearing surface has a concavity disposed opposite the raised central portion. The disc includes an inferior endplate having a lower vertebral contacting surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower vertebral contacting surface of the inferior endplate has a central portion and wherein the upper bearing surface has a concavity disposed opposite the central portion. A core is positioned between the upper and inferior endplates, the core having upper and lower core bearing surfaces configured to mate with the bearing surfaces of the upper and inferior endplates.

Abstract: Systems and methods for robotically distracting a disc space are provided for implantation of an intervertebral prosthetic disc. The system includes a 3D modeling system for creating a 3D model of first and second vertebra adjacent the disc space and identifying positions of the first and second vertebrae. A robotic distractor precisely opens the disc space just large enough to receive a selected intervertebral disc. A computing system stores and processes the 3D model and the positions of the first and second vertebrae before and after distraction. A surgeon interface on the computing system allows the surgeon to select an intervertebral disc prosthesis to be implanted and a desired distraction distance or force to be achieved.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthetic disc placement instrument is provided for implantation of an intervertebral prosthetic disc. The placement instrument shaft has a distal end and a proximal end and an instrument handle on the proximal end having an activation mechanism. A pair of grasping jaws on the distal end of the instrument shaft are configured to move with respect to one another to grasp a multipart prosthetic disc in a non-articulating configuration. The grasping jaws are movable from a tightened to a released position by the activation mechanism. A prosthetic disc ejector on the distal end of the instrument shaft moves distally with respect to the pair of grasping jaws when the grasping jaws are in the released position and the ejector is configured to contact the prosthetic disc to fully disengage the prosthetic disc from the placement instrument.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae, in one embodiment, includes upper and lower prosthesis plates and a movable core. The prosthesis plates and optionally the core are formed of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) for improved imaging properties. A metallic insert is provided on each of the PAEK prosthesis plates providing a bone ongrowth surface.

Abstract: A dynamic intervertebral spacer includes a ring which is split on an anterior portion. A posterior portion of the ring acts as a torsion spring. After implantation, the ring is able to act as a spring between superior and inferior vertebral bodies, thus allowing dynamic bone growth in fusion procedures.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc includes a superior endplate having an upper vertebral contacting surface and a lower bearing surface, wherein the upper vertebral contacting surface of the superior endplate has a central portion that is raised relative to a peripheral portion of the superior endplate, and wherein the lower bearing surface has a concavity disposed opposite the raised central portion. The disc includes an inferior endplate having a lower vertebral contacting surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower vertebral contacting surface of the inferior endplate has a central portion and wherein the upper bearing surface has a concavity disposed opposite the central portion. A core is positioned between the upper and inferior endplates, the core having upper and lower core bearing surfaces configured to mate with the bearing surfaces of the upper and inferior endplates.

Abstract: Systems and methods for robotically distracting a disc space are provided for implantation of an intervertebral prosthetic disc. The system includes a 3D modeling system for creating a 3D model of first and second vertebra adjacent the disc space and identifying positions of the first and second vertebrae. A robotic distractor precisely opens the disc space just large enough to receive a selected intervertebral disc. A computing system stores and processes the 3D model and the positions of the first and second vertebrae before and after distraction. A surgeon interface on the computing system allows the surgeon to select an intervertebral disc prosthesis to be implanted and a desired distraction distance or force to be achieved.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthetic disc placement instrument is provided for implantation of an intervertebral prosthetic disc. The placement instrument shaft has a distal end and a proximal end and an instrument handle on the proximal end having an activation mechanism. A pair of grasping jaws on the distal end of the instrument shaft are configured to move with respect to one another to grasp a multipart prosthetic disc in a non-articulating configuration. The grasping jaws are movable from a tightened to a released position by the activation mechanism. A prosthetic disc ejector on the distal end of the instrument shaft moves distally with respect to the pair of grasping jaws when the grasping jaws are in the released position and the ejector is configured to contact the prosthetic disc to fully disengage the prosthetic disc from the placement instrument.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc is provided having an upper plate, a lower plate, and a core. The upper and lower plates include outer vertebral body contacting surfaces which are provided with attachment enhancing features to ensure bone integration. The attachment enhancing features shown include one or more fins, serrations and teeth. An opposite surface of the plates from the vertebral body contacting surfaces is formed with a recess which serves as a bearing surface for the core. In order to form an intervertebral disc with a lower disc height, at least one of the recesses is provided opposite a corresponding dome shaped portion on the vertebral body contacting surfaces. This allows the plates to be formed with a thinner profile for a smaller overall disc height. In addition to providing a lower overall height to the artificial disc, the dome shaped portion of the plates also provides a more anatomically shaped outer vertebral body contacting surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for robotically distracting a disc space are provided for implantation of an intervertebral prosthetic disc. The system includes a 3D modeling system for creating a 3D model of first and second vertebra adjacent the disc space and identifying positions of the first and second vertebrae. A robotic distractor precisely opens the disc space just large enough to receive a selected intervertebral disc. A computing system stores and processes the 3D model and the positions of the first and second vertebrae before and after distraction. A surgeon interface on the computing system allows the surgeon to select an intervertebral disc prosthesis to be implanted and a desired distraction distance or force to be achieved.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for robotically assisted disc prosthesis selection and implantation. The system includes a 3D modeling system for creating a 3D model of first and second vertebra adjacent the intended surgical site and identifying and storing data for the positions of the first and second vertebrae. A computing system for stores and processes the 3D model and the position data. A robot connected to the computing system attaches to a plurality of instruments including sizing templates, trials, cutters or placement instruments for intervertebral disc prostheses. An interface on the computing system allows the surgeon to sequentially deliver the plurality of instruments with the robot to a registration position to improve the speed and accuracy of the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for robotically preparing a disc space are provided for implantation of an intervertebral prosthetic disc. The system includes three-dimensional modeling to identify positions of vertebrae adjacent a surgical site and a disc selection interface in a computing system to allow the surgeon to select an intervertebral disc prosthesis for implantation. A bone cutting interface allows the surgeon to determine a bone cutting pattern tailored to both the three-dimensional positions of the vertebrae and the selected intervertebral disc. A robot controls a cutting device or guides a cutting device to cut the vertebral bone in the bone cutting pattern.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc with shock absorption includes upper and lower plates disposed about a shock absorbing movable core. The upper and lower plates have an outer surface which engages a vertebrae and an inner bearing surface. The shock absorbing core includes a unitary member of a rigid material having at least one lateral cut between upper and lower surfaces of the core to allow the upper and lower surfaces to move resiliently toward and away from each other. This allows the core to absorb forces applied to it by the vertebrae.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc is provided having an upper plate, a lower plate, and a core. The upper and lower plates include outer vertebral body contacting surfaces which are provided with attachment enhancing features to ensure bone integration. The attachment enhancing features shown include one or more fins, serrations and teeth. An opposite surface of the plates from the vertebral body contacting surfaces is formed with a recess which serves as a bearing surface for the core. In order to form an intervertebral disc with a lower disc height, at least one of the recesses is provided opposite a corresponding dome shaped portion on the vertebral body contacting surfaces. This allows the plates to be formed with a thinner profile for a smaller overall disc height. In addition to providing a lower overall height to the artificial disc, the dome shaped portion of the plates also provides a more anatomically shaped outer vertebral body contacting surface.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc includes a superior endplate having an upper vertebral contacting surface and a lower bearing surface, wherein the upper vertebral contacting surface of the superior endplate has a central portion that is raised relative to a peripheral portion of the superior endplate, and wherein the lower bearing surface has a concavity disposed opposite the raised central portion. The disc includes an inferior endplate having a lower vertebral contacting surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower vertebral contacting surface of the inferior endplate has a central portion and wherein the upper bearing surface has a concavity disposed opposite the central portion. A core is positioned between the upper and inferior endplates, the core having upper and lower core bearing surfaces configured to mate with the bearing surfaces of the upper and inferior endplates.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes an upper plate, a lower plate and a core. The core is retained between the upper and lower plates by a retention feature in the form of central projections on the plates and a corresponding opening in the core. The retention feature is designed to allow the plates to slide over the upper and lower surfaces of the core in the anterior/posterior direction and in the lateral direction and to allow the plates to rotate with respect to each other and the core. The retention feature is also designed to prevent contact between the first and second plates during sliding movement of the plates over the core.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc includes a superior endplate having an upper vertebral contacting surface and a lower bearing surface, wherein the upper vertebral contacting surface of the superior endplate has a central portion that is raised relative to a peripheral portion of the superior endplate, and wherein the lower bearing surface has a concavity disposed opposite the raised central portion. The disc includes an inferior endplate having a lower vertebral contacting surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower vertebral contacting surface of the inferior endplate has a central portion and wherein the upper bearing surface has a concavity disposed opposite the central portion. A core is positioned between the superior and inferior endplates, the core having upper and lower core bearing surfaces configured to mate with the bearing surfaces of the superior and inferior endplates.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes an upper plate, a lower plate and a core. The core is retained between the upper and lower plates by a retention feature in the form of central projections on the plates and a corresponding opening in the core. The retention feature is designed to allow the plates to slide over the upper and lower surfaces of the core in the anterior/posterior direction and in the lateral direction and to allow the plates to rotate with respect to each other and the core. The retention feature is also designed to prevent contact between the first and second plates during sliding movement of the plates over the core.