The disclosure includes methods and systems for making orthopedic connections where there is unique adjustability to the connection. Illustratively, one embodiment provides a connecting assembly for connecting a plurality of orthopedic components. Such connecting assemblies can include a first orthopedic component that provides a female bore. Additionally, the assembly can include a second orthopedic component that can be or include a male-type connecting member that is positionable in the bore of the first orthopedic component. In one preferred form, the male-type connecting member will be a quasi-spherical member. The quasi-spherical member can include a textured outer surface, e.g., for contacting one or more walls or surfaces in the bore in a fashion that removably locks or helps to removably lock or fix the quasi-spherical member in the bore.

An interbody spacer for use in spinal procedures. The interbody spacer has one or more surfaces with a unique surface pattern. The interbody spacer is preferably designed for use as an intervertebral spacer in spinal fusion surgery, where portions of an affected disc are removed from between two adjacent vertebrae and replaced with an interbody spacer that provides segmental stability, may correct a deformity, and allows for bone to grow between the two vertebrae to bridge the gap created by disk removal. The interbody spacer has one or more unique surfaces designed to aid in bone growth and attachment. The unique surface comprises one or more surface projections, referred to generally as surface projection pattern or matrix, which can be arranged to form unique patterns and structures.

An impactor system is for impacting a base of a shoulder implant into a humerus. The system may include a housing having distal stabilizer configured to contact a proximal resected surface of the humerus. The distal stabilizer may define an open space. An impaction member may be slidably received within the housing. The impaction member may have a proximal surface and a distal connection mechanism adapted to connect to the base of the shoulder implant. The impaction member may be movable from a first proximal position in which the base of the shoulder implant, when connected to the impaction member, is positioned within the open space defined by the distal stabilizer, to a second distal position in which the base of the shoulder implant, when connected to the impaction member, is positioned at least partially distal to the open space defined by the distal stabilizer.

An implantable medical device, such as an intervertebral spacer, may comprise a polymeric component and a metallic component. The metallic component can contain both porous metal and substantially-solid metal. The polymeric material can contain particles of an osseointegrative material. The metallic component can be more protruding toward bone than the polymeric component while having a smaller dimension of roughness than the polymeric component. In embodiments, the pin may press-fit against substantially solid metal. The porous metal may surround solid metal which in turn may surround the pin. The pin may have a press-fit with metal and a looser fit with polymeric component, if the metal components and polymeric components are trapped. A pin may connect superior and inferior metal components by a press-fit. The central opening may be exposed to porous metal and also to substantially-solid metal and to polymer. Specific geometries of implants are disclosed.

A medical implant having an anchoring system for anchoring and retaining the medical implant (such as a cage) in place and method of use thereof. The implantable intervertebral device can be used with any interchangeable combination of (a) anchors and (b) screws (i.e., the surgeon/practitioner can use the same medical implant and elect which combination of anchors and screws to use for anchoring purposes). The medical implant can be placed between the vertebrae and a tool be utilized to secure and anchor the medical implant in place.

A discectomy device for clearing material out of a disc space of a patient having a body, a first rotatable member at the distal portion of the body, and a second rotatable member at the distal portion of the body spaced from the first rotatable member. A transverse axis passes through the first and second rotatable members. A first mechanism is actuable to rotate the first and second rotatable members about the transverse axis. A mechanism can be provided to expand the rotatable members to increase the distance between the rotatable members. The rotatable members in some versions can be detached from the device for placement within the disc space.

The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a spinal fixation procedure. A cross connector system for use during a spinal fixation procedure is provided. The system includes at least one bridge defining a coupling bore and having a pair of downwardly extending arms for coupling to a first fastener. The system includes a contoured bar having a first end offset from a second end, and a bore having a central axis. The system includes an expansion ring received within the bore, and a locking device received through the expansion ring and the coupling bore. The locking device is operable in a first state in which the contoured bar is movable about the central axis of the bore and in a second state in which the contoured bar fixed relative to the central axis of the bore.

Intervertebral implants for implanting into an intervertebral space are provided. The implants can comprise one or more layers that are operably attached to one another. An implant can comprise a first layer having a first mating surface that mates with a second mating surface of a second layer. The first mating surface and the second mating surface can have features that allow them to complement each other. The implants can include one or more bore holes for receiving a fixation member. The bore holes can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. In some cases, the bore holes will be blind bore holes.

A spinal implant is provided including an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface and a back surface, two side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the two side surfaces extending between the front surface and the back surface and an opening positioned closer to the back surface than the front surface. The opening is provided to contain graft material that spans between a cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the cortical rim of the lower vertebral body. The method includes packing the opening with graft material, wherein the graft material spans between the decorticated cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the decorticated cortical rim of the lower vertebral body.

A method of implanting an intervertebral spacer may include positioning the intervertebral spacer within an intervertebral space defined by adjacent vertebral bodies. The intervertebral spacer may include a plurality of bores, and each of the plurality of bores may be configured to receive either a linear fastening element or a curvilinear fastening element. The method also may include selecting a first fastening element from a group including linear fastening elements and curvilinear fastening elements, and inserting the first fastening element into a first bore of the plurality of bores such that the first fastening element is inserted into one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to secure the intervertebral spacer within the intervertebral space.