A method of joining adjacent bone includes providing a medical device having a first implant portion, a second implant portion attached to the first implant portion, and a driver assembly having an instrument adapted to form an opening in bone. The driver assembly is integrally connected to and removably attached to the second implant portion at a connection, distal from the first implant portion. The driver assembly further has a wire driver extending therefrom, distal from the first implant portion. The method further includes inserting the wire driver into a wire driver tool; placing the first implant portion against a first bone structure; inserting the first implant portion into the first bone structure; removing the second implant portion from the driver assembly; using the driver assembly to form an opening in a second bone structure, adjacent to the first bone structure; and inserting the second implant portion into the opening.

A device (10) which serves as a stiff guide wire for surgical procedures includes a tube (12) having an internal channel, and a central rod (14) in close-fitting sliding engagement within the tube. The tips of the tube and the central rod are in rigid mechanical engagement or interconnection. A region of the tube (112) is longitudinally slotted to form deflectable strips (18) so that advancing of the tube (12) relative to central the rod (14) causes outward deflection of the strips (18) to form an anchoring configuration. The central rod (14) and the tube (12) together define a stiff guide wire preferably having a length-to-width ratio in excess of 100:1.

Pedicle bone anchor implants, assemblies, and methods thereof. The implant may include an expandable anchor having a body with expandable sections separated by one or more expansion joints, a plurality of expandable teeth, or an expandable head. The expandable anchor has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, thereby creating a press-fit in adjacent bone.

A method of joining adjacent bone includes providing a medical device having a first implant portion, a second implant portion attached to the first implant portion, and a driver assembly having an instrument adapted to form an opening in bone. The driver assembly is integrally connected to and removably attached to the second implant portion at a connection, distal from the first implant portion. The driver assembly further has a wire driver extending therefrom, distal from the first implant portion. The method further includes inserting the wire driver into a wire driver tool; placing the first implant portion against a first bone structure; inserting the first implant portion into the first bone structure; removing the second implant portion from the driver assembly; using the driver assembly to form an opening in a second bone structure, adjacent to the first bone structure; and inserting the second implant portion into the opening.

An expandable laminoplasty device has a superior plate, an inferior plate, threaded or racked gear post having external threads or gear teeth, the post affixed to one of the superior plate or the inferior plate, and a gear nut or pinion gear, the gear has internal threads or external gear teeth configured to engage external threads or gear teeth of the post. The gear is held in one of the superior plate or inferior plate not affixed to the post and wherein the superior plate or inferior plate not affixed to the post has an end with a slot or channel to receive the post and a side opening to receive and hold the gear.

An expandable laminoplasty device has a superior plate, an inferior plate, threaded or racked gear post having external threads or gear teeth, the post affixed to one of the superior plate or the inferior plate, and a gear nut or pinion gear, the gear has internal threads or external gear teeth configured to engage external threads or gear teeth of the post. The gear is held in one of the superior plate or inferior plate not affixed to the post and wherein the superior plate or inferior plate not affixed to the post has an end with a slot or channel to receive the post and a side opening to receive and hold the gear.

A method of changing a bone angle includes creating an osteotomy between a first portion and a second portion of a tibia of a patient; creating a cavity in the tibia by removing bone material along an axis extending in a substantially longitudinal direction from a first point at the tibial plateau to a second point; placing a non-invasively adjustable implant into the cavity, the non-invasively adjustable implant comprising an adjustable actuator having an outer housing and an inner shaft, telescopically disposed in the outer housing, and a driving element configured to be remotely operable to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing; coupling one of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the first portion of the tibia; coupling the other of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the second portion of the tibia; and remotely operating the driving element to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing, thus changing an angle between the first portion and second portion of the tibia.

A composite implant comprising a bioabsorbable matrix material, an outer sheath of a textile comprising filaments; and a plurality of flexible reinforcing rods held together by the outer sheath; each of the flexible reinforcing rods have a plurality of filaments, and the filaments of the textile and the flexible reinforcing rods include a degradable or resorbable glass. Preferably, the filaments are present in the composite implant in an amount of 20 volume percent to 95 volume percent, based on the total volume of the composite implant.

An expandable laminoplasty device has a superior plate, an inferior plate, threaded or racked gear post having external threads or gear teeth, the post affixed to one of the superior plate or the inferior plate, and a gear nut or pinion gear, the gear has internal threads or external gear teeth configured to engage external threads or gear teeth of the post. The gear is held in one of the superior plate or inferior plate not affixed to the post and wherein the superior plate or inferior plate not affixed to the post has an end with a slot or channel to receive the post and a side opening to receive and hold the gear.

A spacer for separating bones of a joint, the spacer includes a first endplate configured to engage a first bone of the joint; a second endplate configured to engage a second bone of the joint; and an actuation subassembly comprising a drive nut, a drive screw coupled to the drive nut, and a cam frame coupled to the drive screw, wherein the cam frame is disposed between the first endplate and the second endplate, wherein the cam frame comprises a proximal frame end, a distal frame end, and lateral frame sides, wherein cams disposed on the lateral frame sides selectively engage at least one of the first endplate or the second endplate.