A separate nub component between the plate and an intervertebral fusion cage, wherein the nub is attached to the plate. The nub lessens the undesired pivotal movement of the plate. It is believed that when the nub fits snugly between the endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies, it acts as a stop against the undesired pivotal movement of the plate.

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.

Methods for treating an annulus fibrosis having a defect include inserting a flexible device into the defect. The flexible device is advanced distally beyond an outer layer of the annulus fibrosus. The flexible device is then expanded such that a width of the flexible device is larger than the defect, where the flexible device prevents escape of nucleus pulposus through the defect. The flexible device may have at least two appendages made from a shape-memory metal. Alternatively, the flexible device may have a U-shaped structure that includes a central portion and two legs. The flexible device may also be anchored to the annulus fibrosis and/or the vertebrae.

An expandable interbody spinal fusion device, including a superior component an inferior component and an expansion mechanism. The expansion mechanism including a threaded rod, a threaded collar operatively arranged to engage with the threaded rod and axially translate in a first axial direction, a fixed collar secured about the threaded rod, a first arm pivotably secured to the fixed collar, and a first strut pivotably secured to the first arm and the threaded collar.

Methods of inserting and retaining interbody fusion material are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include inserting an anchored implant comprising a bone anchoring portion and an engagement portion. A method may also include inserting at least one bone fusion material within a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies. In some embodiments, a method includes driving the bone anchoring portion into an outer surface of at least one of the adjacent vertebral bodies and recessing the bone anchoring portion within the outer surface of the at least one adjacent vertebral body.

An implant including a peripheral frame portion defining a periphery of the body; a first helical bone contacting member attached to the body and disposed within the superior half of the implant; and a second helical bone contacting member attached to the body and disposed within the superior half of the implant. The implant also includes a first support member extending inwardly of the bone contacting member into a central region of the implant; and a second support member extending inwardly of the bone contacting members. The first support member and the second support member are substantially U-shaped and are connected to one another at the bottoms of the two U-shapes in the central region.

Systems and methods for distracting an intervertebral disc space are provided. The systems use an expandable trial with telescopic stabilizers. The systems and methods of distracting an intervertebral space are provided in a manner that addresses the problem of subsidence. The method includes inserting the trial into the intervertebral space in a collapsed state and, once inserted, the trial is then used for distracting the intervertebral space using an expansion that includes a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes expanding the trial laterally toward the peripheral zones of the top vertebral plate and the bottom vertebral plate, and the second stage includes expanding the trial vertically to distract the intervertebral space.

An interbody device may include a main body and an arm movably connected thereto. The device may have a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the device, a first side, a second side opposite the first side in a direction of a first transverse axis of the device, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side in a direction of a second transverse axis of the device. An overall distance between the first side and the second side may increase along at least a majority of a length of the device in a direction from the first end toward the second end, and an overall distance between the third side and the fourth side may increase along at least a majority of the length in a direction from the second end toward the first end.

The invention provides a method of making a biological disc graft. In one embodiment, the biological disc graft is useful for treating back or neck pain. In one embodiment, the biological disc graft is useful for treating any joint pain. The invention also provides a method of implanting said biological disc graft in a way that is minimally invasive and less dangerous.

The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, gear member and a locking assembly 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.