This invention relates to a double-layer fibrous annulus patch, a patch clamp, a suture needle and a fishbone suture. The inner layer foldable patch and the outer layer foldable patch are arranged and connected by a pair of crossed flexible connectors. Both ends of the two patches are connected by auxiliary connectors. A pair of auxiliary connectors are further arranged on both sides of the outer foldable patch, which can be used with the patch clamp to unfold the patch and secure it in place. With both patches in a folded state, the patch clamp is used to push the inner foldable patch through the rupture in the intervertebral disc into the annulus fibrosus and the patch unfolds within the annulus fibrosus. The outer layer foldable patch is unfolded on the outside of the annulus fibrosus and is fixed by two auxiliary connectors and fishbone sutures.

An intervertebral implant component of an intervertebral implant includes an outer surface for engaging an adjacent vertebra and an inner surface. A keel extends from the outer surface and is designed to be disposed in a slot provided in the adjacent vertebra. This keel extends in a plane which is non-perpendicular to the outer surface; and preferably there are two of the keels extending from the outer surface which are preferably offset laterally from one another. In another embodiment, an anterior shelf is provided at an anterior end of the outer surface, and this anterior shelf extends vertically away from the inner surface in order to help prevent bone growth from the adjacent vertebra towards the inner surface. Further in accordance with disclosed embodiments, various materials, shapes and forms of construction of the component and/or keel provide various benefits.

An intervertebral implant is disclosed. The implant can be made of Titanium or alloys thereof. A kit of intervertebral implants can be included having different lordotic profiles or having no lordotic profile. The intervertebral implants of the kit have endplates with thicknesses suitable to prevent the titanium endplates from being too stiff. The intervertebral implants can have apertures that extend through the endplates, but sufficient surface area at the outer surfaces of the endplates to avoid subsidence into the respective vertebral body.

Implant inserters and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for delivering a fusion cage or other implant to a spinal disc space and for rotating or articulating the implant within the disc space. An exemplary instrument can include an inner member having opposed jaws for grasping the implant and holding the implant during insertion. The inner member can be slidably received within an outer member such that relative axial translation of the inner and outer members is effective to open or close the jaws. The jaws and/or the distal end of the outer member can have a low-profile geometry, which can advantageously facilitate certain surgical procedures. For example, the low-profile geometry can allow for a more medial approach to an intervertebral disc space in which the implant is to be inserted.

The invention relates to an intervertebral disk prosthesis (10), comprising a caudal plate (20), a cranial plate (30), and an elastic core (40) formed between the caudal plate (20) and the cranial plate (30), wherein the caudal plate (20) has a cavity (25) on the side (21) facing the cranial plate (30), wherein the core (40) is integrally connected to the cavity (25) in the caudal plate (20).

An interbody system including an implant and a tool for inserting and expanding the medical implant and locking the implant in place is disclosed. The medical implant may include an expandable body defined by a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are hingedly coupled and may be expanded and lordosed. The superior and inferior endplate may include radially disposed and opposed surfaces that mate and/or directly contact each other when a locking screw is threaded through a screw aperture. The implant may include a threaded breakoff screw disposed in the threaded screw aperture and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, for example. In the locked position, the threaded locking screw may urge the distal engagement surface of the first core into direct contact with the proximal engagement surface of the second core. When broken, the breakoff screw may comprise a recessed fracture surface.

A system and method for facilitating the treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease. The method comprising making an incision posterolaterally along an annulus fibrosus of a specimen, removing nucleus pulposus from the specimen with tissue removing tools, and pushing magnetic spherical beads into a nuclear area within the specimen. The system comprises the specimen with the nuclear area, a plurality of magnetic spherical beads, tissue removal tools, a hollow cannula and a non-magnetic rod. The hollow cannula and non-magnetic rod configured for pushing the magnetic spherical beads within the nuclear area after incision.

An expandable implant may include an expandable body defined by a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are hingedly coupled and may be expanded and lordosed by an external surgical tool. The superior endplate may include a first core having a distal engagement surface and the inferior endplate may a second core having a proximal engagement surface and a threaded screw aperture. The implant may include a threaded locking screw disposed in the threaded screw aperture and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, for example. In the locked position, the threaded locking screw may urge the distal engagement surface of the first core into direct contact with the proximal engagement surface of the second core. The implant may include a pair of mounting tangs that may be sheared off and/or recesses. The locking screw may be a break-off screw.

An expanding, conforming interbody implant includes a plurality of superior and a plurality of inferior segments. The segments are adapted to individually expand, contact, and conform to endplates of vertebral bodies to distribute forces equally over the implant and across the vertebral endplates. Once a proper extension of the segments has been achieved, the segments are locked in position. The implant has a stiffness that approximates the stiffness of bone, and the implant minimizes problems with subsidence, endplate fractures, and stress shielding.

In one embodiment, an intervertebral implant includes a body and a locking element. The body includes a leading surface and a trailing surface opposite the leading surface. The body also includes first and second bone fastener passageways through the implant body and a cavity in between the first and second passageways. The cavity includes a trailing wall that separates the cavity from the trailing surface. The locking element is disposed in the cavity such that part of the locking element is visible through an access opening in the trailing wall so that the locking element may be rotated from outside of the implant. In a first rotational position, a first part of the locking element is located within one of the first and second passageways and in a second rotational position, the first part of the locking element is inside the body covered by the trailing wall.