This disclosure provides vertebral implants, fastening devices for vertebral implants, and implant instrumentation, and various combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the implant comprises a peripheral wall extending according to a vertical axis between upper and lower surfaces of the implant, with each such surface configured to be placed in contact with a vertebral structure, respectively, at the top and the bottom of the vertebral segment replaced by the implant. Some embodiments comprise fastening means, deployment of which anchors the implant in the lower and upper vertebral structures. Some fastening means may be deployed by sliding parallel to the vertical axis of the implant, and may comprise a plate with at least one part remaining in contact with the peripheral wall of the implant when deployed and a pointed end projecting from one of the upper and lower surfaces of the implant to enter a vertebral structures on completion of deployment.

The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes body, a first endplate, and a second endplate, a middle ramp piece, a stem, and two ramp pins. The middle ramped piece is operable to move to generate lordotic expansion of the first and second endplates followed by parallel expansion. The fusion device is operable to be deployed down an endoscopic tube.

The present invention provides a composition for filling the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc, the composition containing a low endotoxin monovalent metal salt of alginic acid. The composition is applied to a nucleus pulposus site of a subject, is used so as to be cured partially after application, and has fluidity when applied to the nucleus pulposus site. Accordingly, a composition for filling nucleus pulposus is provided, the composition being capable of promoting the regeneration of the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc.

Implants for vertebral body or functional spinal unit replacement comprise a bioactive surface roughening on one or more of the anterior, posterior, and lateral surfaces of the implant. The bioactive surface includes macro-, micro-, and nano-scale structural features that contact vertebral bone that lines a specialized channel in a vertebrae, and thereby facilitate bone growth and osteointegration of the implant with the vertebral bone.

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.

Self-aligning plating systems and methods are disclosed. The self-aligning plating system may include an interbody spacer, a medical device plate, and an insertion member. The interbody spacer may be inserted between a top vertebra and a bottom vertebra of a patient's spinal column. A medical device plate may slide along an insertion member in operable connectivity with the interbody spacer so that the medical device plate comes into contact with and can be secured to the patient's anatomy.

An implant for therapeutically separating bones of a joint has two endplates each having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side. A frame is slideably connected to the endplates to enable the endplates to move relative to each other at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the implant, in sliding connection with the frame. An actuator screw is rotatably connected to the frame. A carriage forms an open area aligned with the openings in the endplates. The openings in the endplates pass through the carriage to form an unimpeded passage from bone to bone of the joint. The carriage has ramps which mate with the ramped surfaces of the endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates move closer or farther apart.

A medical device includes a base ring configured to be implanted within a body of a patient. The base ring provides a contact surface to a vertebra. Multiple layers of multiple leveling plates are configured to equalize forces applied to the contact surface of the base ring, where at least one of the layers of the leveling plates engages an inner surface of the base ring. A layer of multiple pads is included with a top surface of the pads configured to maintain a parallel plane and a bottom surface of each of the multiple pads is configured to engage a top surface of one of the layers of the leveling plates. A cover is configured to enclose the multiple layers of the leveling plates, the layer of the multiple pads and the base ring. The cover provides a contact surface to a vertebra.

A spinal fusion system comprising an interbody device includes a leading end, trailing end, and opposed bone contacting sides extending therebetween. The trailing end defines a threaded opening that extends toward the leading end. The system also includes a bone plate that includes inner and outer surfaces and defines a first bone screw opening and connection screw opening extending therethrough. The system further includes a connection screw that includes a head and a threaded shaft. The head is positioned within the connection screw opening of the bone plate and is rotatably connected thereto such that the connection screw is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof but is prohibited from translational movement relative to the bone plate. The threaded shaft extends from the connection screw opening and is configured for threaded engagement with the threaded opening of interbody device.

A spinal facet fusion implant comprising: an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body being characterized by a superior body surface and an inferior body surface; a superior stabilizer extending outwardly from the superior body surface, the superior stabilizer being characterized by a superior stabilizer surface; and an inferior stabilizer extending outwardly from the inferior body surface, the inferior stabilizer being characterized by an inferior stabilizer surface; wherein (i) the superior body surface and the inferior body surface are tapered relative to one another, and/or (ii) the superior stabilizer surface and the inferior stabilizer surface are tapered relative to one another.