A bionic intervertebral disc with mechanical anisotropy includes an upper end plate, a core and a lower end plate. The core includes outer fibrous rings, a middle transition zone and an inner nucleus pulposus. The fibrous rings comprise collagen fiber sheets and collagen fibers, each of the collagen fibers is attached to a surface of a corresponding one of the collagen fiber sheets and arranged at an inclination angle, ones of the collagen fibers which are on every two adjacent layers of the collagen fiber sheets are arranged crosswise with each other. A honeycomb meshing size of a portion, which is located at a fibrous-ring transition zone, of the honeycomb structure is smaller and more compact, and a honeycomb meshing size of a portion, which is located at a nucleus pulposus transition zone, of the honeycomb structure is larger and sparser.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a system that includes an insertion tool and a drill guide. The insertion tool includes a body with a distal portion and a distal end. The body has a first engagement feature extending longitudinally along the distal portion and two arms extending longitudinally from the distal end of the body. The drill guide includes two bores and an open faced channel therebetween. The open faced channel includes a second engagement feature slidably engageable with the first engagement feature on the body of the insertion tool. The two bores are adapted for the disposal of a fastener driver tool therethrough.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for distracting tissue. The devices and methods may include insertion of first and second elongated members into the space between two tissue layers, with an augmenting elongated member inserted therebetween to form a distraction device between the tissues to be distracted. The distraction device defines a generally annular configuration, with a locking member secured to one of the elongated members at a plurality of locations to maintain the distraction device in the generally annular configuration. The augmenting elongated member may be shorter than the first and second elongated members such that a window is defined between the proximal and distal ends of the augmenting elongated member when the distraction device and the first and second elongated members are in the generally annular configuration. Bone graft material or bone filler may be introduced into the interior of the distraction device through the window.

Embodiments herein are generally directed to vertebral implants and implant trials for use with vertebral implant assemblies. In some embodiments, these implants and implant trials may be used in conjunction with corpectomy procedures.

An implant trial includes a trial body and an indicium disposed in the trial body. The trial body is positionable in a subject. The indicium is designed and constructed to indicate a parameter of the implant trial. The indicium is radiographically visible when the trial body is positioned in the subject. The implant trial may be a trial spacer for vertebrae.

Expandable spinal implants and drivers connected by a bendable joint are disclosed. The flexible connector allows the implant and driver to move to different angular orientations with respect to each other, and to apply rotational force or torque from the driver to the implant and its expansion mechanism. During insertion of an implant into the desired position, the driver may be oriented in the same or different direction than the long axis of the implant. After the spinal implant is placed in the desired position, the driver is used to expand the implant in selected dimensions.

Intervertebral spacer implants with dynamic load spreading features responsive to external loads and having attachment mechanisms. The dynamic load spreading features having a native state and a loaded state, which complements vertebral end plate geometry and disperses load to the epiphyseal rim.

A medical product which contains a mechanophore, and the use of a mechanophore for producing a medical product.

The present invention relates to a safety element, an implant comprising such a safety element and an implant system comprising an implant with the safety element. The safety element for an implant is arranged between an outer and inner part of an implant, wherein the safety element engages into the gearing of an expansion ring, wherein a releasing space between outer part and inner part of the implant is provided into that the safety element is to be radially moved for enabling rotation of the expansion ring.

A bone fusion method, system and device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together in order to replace degenerated discs and/or bones, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises a frame and one or more extendable plates that are able to be angled, rotatable, adjustable, and have top profiles designed to correct and/or match the replaced discs/bones. The bone fusion device is able to be inserted between or replace the vertebrae by using a minimally invasive procedure wherein the dimensions and/or other characteristics of the bone fusion device are selectable based on the type of minimally invasive procedure.