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.

An expandable implant for bone restoration. The implant includes a first end element and a second end element. A plate is expandable in a first direction, and a blade expandable in a second direction. A first interconnecting element extends between the plate and at least one of the first and second end elements. A second interconnecting element extends between the blade and at least one of the first and second end elements. When the implant is in a collapsed position, a length of the blade is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and when the blade is in an expanded position, the length of the blade is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis. The blade may include a length extending from a base to a tip, and the tip of the blade is further from the longitudinal axis than the plate when the implant is in the expanded 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.

An intervertebral fusion cage that is adapted to contain an inserter within its inner volume during insertion of the cage.

A placeholder for vertebrae or vertebral discs includes a tubular body, which along its jacket surface has a plurality of breakthroughs or openings for over-growth with adjacent tissue. The placeholder includes at least a second tubular body provided with a plurality of breakthroughs and openings at least partially inside the first tubular body. The first and second tubular bodies can have different cross-sectional shapes, can be are arranged inside one another by press fit or force fit or can be connected to each other via connecting pins and arranged side by side to one another in the first body.

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 here are deformable, monolithic, stabilization implants suitable for use within bone and between bones to fuse vertebral bodies, to repair herniated discs, or to repair spinal compression fractures. The implants are introduced into a chosen site at a first, smaller height and then plastically deformed to achieve a second, but unique, pre-selected, larger height. Variations of the device provide one or more specific larger heights. The devices are suitable as intervertebral spinal fusion implants for the immobilization of adjacent vertebral bodies. Methods of and instruments for deployment of the implants are also described. Also described are variations of the device suitable as sizing instruments.

An expandable fusion device is capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. The fusion device may include a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

The present invention relates to a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (IVD) suitable for total disc replacement in a mammal and methods of fabrication. The IVD comprises a nucleus pulposus structure comprising a first population of living cells that secrete a hydrophilic protein and an annulus fibrosis structure surrounding and in contact with the nucleus pulposus structure, the annulus fibrosis structure comprising a second population of living cells and type I collagen. The collagen fibrils in the annulus fibrosis structure are circumferentially aligned around the nucleus pulposus region due to cell-mediated contraction in the annulus fibrosis structure. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating tissue-engineered intervertebral discs.

Described herein are devices and methods for fusion of adjacent vertebral bones of a subject using distractor platforms for the exposure and resection of at least a portion of the 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 that are adapted to couple to the implanted screw/bone marker and the method includes advancing a first threaded segment of a first bone fastener assembly into the identified first pedicle of the first vertebral bone, wherein the first bone fastener assembly further comprises a second segment that is adapted to couple with a distraction platform adapted to concurrently attach onto at least one tissue retention blade and is adapted to retain the tissue retention blade in the displaced position.