A method of performing minimally invasive surgery includes inserting an access port through the skin of a patient and positioning the access port so that a distal end of the access port enters or is in contact with an intervertebral disk. An instrument is inserted through the access port such that a distal end portion of the instrument extends into the intervertebral disk, and the instrument is manipulated to pass a shaft portion of the instrument through at least a portion of a slot of the port.

An artificial replacement disc includes a pair of substantially parallel plates formed to occupy a space defined by vertebral endplates, each of the plates including a plurality of spikes on a first surface and a concave trough formed on a second surface opposite of the first surface. A mobile core includes a core rim with opposing convex surfaces extending from opposite sides of the core rim, the mobile core being capable of being disposed between the pair of plates to permit the vertebral endplates to move relative to one another. The spikes on each of the plates extend substantially away from the mobile core and the convex surfaces are formed to integrally fit within the concave trough of at least one of the plates. The core rim limits lateral movement of the mobile core relative to the parallel plates. One or more insertion tools for inserting and implanting the replacement disc are also described.

Described herein are devices and methods for fusion of adjacent vertebral bones using distractor platforms for exposure and resection of at least a portion of a facet joint, such as in performance of a TLiF procedure. In one embodiment, the distractor platform contains at least a first receptacle and/or extension adapted to couple to the implanted screw/bone marker, and the method includes advancing a threaded segment of a bone fastener assembly into the identified first pedicle of the first vertebral bone, the bone fastener assembly further comprises a second segment adapted to couple with a distraction platform, which is adapted to concurrently attach onto at least one tissue retention blade, and retain the tissue retention blade in the displaced position. Stabilization of a spinal segment is also provided by advancing a substantially concave orthopedic implant through an opening made in a posterior aspect of a disc space.

A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized cross section in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Expanding selectively (anteriorly, along the vertical axis of the spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage shape intends to rest proximate to the anterior column cortices securing the desired spread and fixation, allowing for bone graft in, around, and through the implant for arthrodesis whereas for arthroplasty it fixes to endpoints but cushions the spine naturally.

An expandable spinal implant is provided having a frame with a distal wall for retaining an expansion plug such that bone growth promoting material may be introduced to a proximal portion of the implant after expansion. Various implants, systems and methods are disclosed.

A polyaxial cannulated screw having a resilient expandable body capable of supporting compressive and cyclic loads. The expandable body provides an artificial disc prosthesis by use of the expandable body that mimics the properties of the natural disc by maintaining the intervertebral disc space through a full range of natural motion, absorbing shocks and permitting a natural range of motion. A U-shaped saddle attached to a spherical ball permits optimum positioning of a rod member by polyaxial placement.

An intervertebral spinal spacer system includes a first portion of a modular spacer, the first portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer surface, and a second portion of the modular spacer, the second portion having an upper surface a lower surface, and an outer surface. The first portion is selectively engageable with the second portion. The first portion and the second portion each define an internal cavity extending from the respective upper surface to the respective lower surface.

A bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus including an intervertebral cage for maintaining disc height, and a method of inserting the same is provided. The intervertebral cage includes a first internal screw guide and a second internal screw guide, a first screw member and a second screw member, and a central screw locking lever coupled to the intervertebral cage, wherein the central screw locking lever prevents the first screw member and the second screw from pulling-out of the first internal screw guide and the second internal screw guide. The central screw locking lever includes a rotatable handle and stem portion, or a screw locking horizontal bracket. A pliers device for inserting and removing the bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus, a posterior cervical and lumbar facet joint staple, and a staple gun for a posterior cervical and lumbar facet joint staple also are provided.

A spinal implant that allows for fluid injection of material is disclosed. The implant includes a fitting with a passage and holes that are in fluid communication with the passage. The holes extend through upper and lower surfaces and/or into a central cavity of the implant. The implant allows for material to be introduced into the implant after initial implantation thereof. Methods of implanting the implant are also disclosed.

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.