Devices and methods for treating one or more damaged, diseased, or traumatized portions of the spine, including intervertebral discs, to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. In one or more embodiments, the present invention relates to an expandable interbody spacer. The expandable interbody spacer may comprise a first jointed arm comprising a plurality of links pivotally coupled end to end. The expandable interbody spacer further may comprise a second jointed arm comprising a plurality of links pivotally coupled end to end. The first jointed arm and the second jointed arm may be interconnected at a proximal end of the expandable interbody spacer. The first jointed arm and the second jointed arm may be interconnected at a distal end of the expandable interbody spacer.

A hybrid spinal implant for performing an intervertebral fusion procedure can include a pair of spacers separated by an expandable container that are formed of a porous titanium scaffold material. A connecting rod can span longitudinally between the pair of spacers. The spacers can be formed of titanium or PEEK, with endplates that are formed of the porous titanium scaffold material. The endplates can be bioactive. Exposed surfaces of the porous titanium scaffold material can be coated in a snag-preventing substance. The expandable container can be formed of a mesh material.

A distally expanding facet joint implant and delivery device for distally distracting a facet joint. The facet joint implant generally includes an outer part and an inner part. The outer part includes a pair of opposed distally expandable facet plates connected by a hinge. The inner part includes a wedge that is selectively movable against the facet plates to distally expand and contract the facet joint implant into open and closed states. Teeth on the outer part engage indents on the inner part to maintain the facet joint implant in the distally expanded state. The outer and inner parts include outer and inner connectors, and the delivery device includes corresponding outer and inner connectors adapted to be in locked engagement with the outer and inner connectors to hold the implant and selectively cause it to distally expand and contract.

An elbow prosthesis according to the present teachings can include a stem structure and an articulating component. The stem structure can be operable to be positioned in a bone of a joint. The stem structure can include a stem portion that is operable to be positioned in the bone and a C-shaped body portion having a first retaining mechanism formed thereon. The articulating component can have a second retaining mechanism formed thereon. One of the first and second retaining mechanisms can comprise an extension portion and a first anti-rotation portion. The other retaining mechanism can comprise a receiving portion and a second anti-rotation portion. The articulating component can be advanced from an insertion position to an assembled position, such that the first and second mechanisms cooperatively interlock to inhibit translation and rotation of the articulating component relative to the C-shaped body portion of the stem structure.

An elbow prosthesis includes a stem structure and an articulating component. The stem structure is operable to be positioned in a bone of a joint and includes a stem portion and a C-shaped body portion. The stem portion is operable to be positioned in the bone. The C-shaped body portion includes a first articulating surface bound by a medial wall and a lateral wall. The medial and lateral walls are separated by a first distance. The articulating component includes a second articulating surface positioned between a medial side surface and a lateral side surface. The medial and lateral side surfaces are separated by a second distance that is less than the first distance. The second articulating surface is configured to slidably communicate in a medial/lateral direction along the first articulating surface of the C-shaped body portion.

The embodiments provide various interbody fusion spacers, or cages, for insertion between adjacent vertebrae. The cages may contain an articulating mechanism to allow expansion and angular adjustment, and enable upper and lower plate components to glide smoothly relative to one another. The cages may have a first, insertion configuration characterized by a reduced size at each of their insertion ends to facilitate insertion through a narrow access passage and into the intervertebral space. In their second, expanded configuration, the cages are able to maintain the proper disc height and stabilize the spine by restoring sagittal balance and alignment. The intervertebral cages are able to adjust the angle of lordosis, and can accommodate larger lodortic angles in their second, expanded configuration. Further, these cages may promote fusion to further enhance spine stability by immobilizing the adjacent vertebral bodies.

The present application generally relates to orthopedic systems, and in particular, to systems including independent plates and spacers. A plating system can include a spacer and a plate that is independent from the spacer. A number of locking mechanisms can be provided to secure the plate to the spacer. In some cases, the spacer includes a pair of notches that extend on an outer surface of the spacer. The plate can include a pair of lateral extensions that can engage the notches to secure the plate to the spacer. In other cases, the spacer includes an opening including a pair of inlets. The plate can include an enclosed posterior extension that can be received in the pair of inlets to secure the plate to the spacer.

A tunable implant, system, and method enables a tunable implant to be adjusted within a patient. The tunable implant includes a securing mechanism to secure the implant in the patient, a actuation portion that enables the implant to move and an adjustment portion that permits adjustment of the implant after the implant has been positioned within the patient. The method of adjusting the tunable implant includes analyzing the operation of the implant, determining if any adjustments are necessary and adjusting the implant to improve implant performance. The implant system includes both the tunable implant and a telemetric system that is operable to telemetrically receive data from the tunable implant where the data is used to determine if adjustment of the tunable implant is necessary. The system also includes an instrument assembly that is used for performing spinal surgery where the instrument assembly includes a mounting platform and a jig.

Expandable spinal fusion devices, systems, and methods of using them are provided, and they can be inserted in a subject in a collapsed state through a small surgical corridor, and the expand cephalocaudal only, transverse only, or in both directions, in which direction of expansion can also be obtained independently, if desired, after the insertion. These inventions are valuable in reducing risk and surgical complexity, allowing for an on-the-fly selection of a desirable width footprint, a desired control of height expansion through a gradual cephalocaudal expansion, and a desired control of the alignment of the adjacent vertebral bodies. Devices, systems, and methods are also offered to provide a desired control of the contact area desired between the device and the upper and lower vertebral endplates achieved, for example, using an interdigitated endplate system.

A component of an artificial joint according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, inter alia, a hollow tube including bone ingrowth material. Further, the hollow tube is selectively expandable. The bone ingrowth material allows the component to become biologically fixed to adjacent bone. Further, expansion of the hollow tube increases friction between the hollow tube and the adjacent bone, which increases stability.