An expandable interspinous process fixation system capable of restoring spinal stability and facilitating fusion. In one embodiment, the expandable interspinous process fixation system includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. Each endplate supporting fixed and/or adjustable spinous process engaging plates.

The present invention relates to an expandable implant for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.

A tool for insertion of an intervertebral insert into an intervertebral space is provided. The tool includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the shaft is configured to be coupled to the intervertebral insert. The tool includes a tapered section located at the distal end of the shaft, the tapered section tapering toward the longitudinal axis of the shaft and away from the proximal end of the shaft. The tool further includes a recess formed in the tapered section, the recess configured to receive the intervertebral insert such that at least a portion of the intervertebral insert is located within the recess when the intervertebral insert is coupled to the shaft.

A method for performing a surgical procedure on a patient using a robotic system and a navigation system. The robotic system includes a cutting tool. The navigation system has at least one locating device to track a portion of the patient during the surgical procedure. The navigation system provides information as to a position of the portion of the patient. An optical cutting guide is projected onto the portion of the patient to enable cutting of the portion of the patient with the cutting tool of the robotic system while the optical cutting guide is projected onto the portion of the patient.

The invention primarily relates to fastening and stabilizing tissues, implants, and/or bondable materials, such as the fastening of a tissue and/or implant to a bondable material, the fastening of an implant to tissue, and/or the fastening of an implant to another implant. This may involve using an energy source to bond and/or mechanically to stabilize a tissue, an implant, a bondable material, and/or other biocompatible material. The invention may also relate to the use of an energy source to remove and/or install an implant and/or bondable material or to facilitate solidification and/or polymerization of bondable material.

An orthopaedic implant can replace a joint in a patient. The orthopaedic implant includes a first component having a first component surface and a second component having a second component surface. The first component surface and the second component surface mate at an interface. The first component surface includes a metal substrate, a nanotextured surface, a ceramic coating, and a transition zone. The nanotextured surface is disposed directly upon the metal substrate and has surface features in a size of 10.sup.−9 meters. The ceramic coating conforms to the nanotextured surface and includes a plurality of bio-active sites configured to attract and retain calcium and phosphorous cations. The transition zone is disposed between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating. The transition zone includes a concentration gradient transitioning from the metal substrate to the ceramic coating and there is no distinct interface between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating.

Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

An example expandable interbody device can include a structural body having an upper endplate and a lower endplate. The device can include at least one wedge block and at least one linkage block arranged between the upper and lower endplates. The linkage block can include a plurality of linkages and a shear pin disposed at a respective proximal end of each of the linkages. The device can include a drive screw extending through the wedge and linkage blocks. The drive screw can be configured to rotate and drive the wedge block to expand the upper and lower endplates of the structural body from the closed position to an intermediate position. Additionally, the drive screw can be further configured to rotate and drive the linkage block to expand the upper and lower endplates of the structural body from the intermediate position to an open position.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

The aim of the invention is to restore the mobility of an articular end (2) of a bone (3) of a patient by means of a reconstruction implant. This implant (1), which permits reconstruction both of bone and of cartilage, comprises a grated framework (10) and a sheet (20) made of a biological tissue material, this sheet firmly covering one face (11) of the framework, while the opposite face (12) is designed to be pressed rigidly against, and firmly joined to, the end of the bone.