A nucleus implant includes a core (10) arranged inside a nucleus pulposus space (Es) obtained after nucleotomy of the intervertebral disk (Di) and at least one extension (11) penetrating inside at least one channel (Co) formed in the vertebral body of the corresponding vertebra (Va, Vb) to strengthen and ensure a connection between the nucleus implant (1) and the bone body of the vertebra (Va) and/or (Vb) through the diffusion or migration of the viscoelastic material making up the nucleus implant in the cancellous bone of the vertebra.

An implant configured to completely replace degenerated or damaged nucleus pulposus in an intervertebral disc. The implant comprises a silicone elastomer shell that is implanted into a void within the annulus fibrosus created by at least partial removal of the nucleus pulposus therefrom. A colloidal suspension of platinum cured silicone-based polymer and carbon nanotubes is injected into the elastomer shell. The colloidal suspension is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, particularly infrared or near infrared light, to the point that it hardens. The hardened implant becomes a mechanical replacement for the original nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral disc.

An expandable support device for tissue repair is disclosed. The device can be used to repair hard or soft tissue, such as bone or vertebral discs. A method of repairing tissue is also disclosed. The device and method can be used to treat compression fractures. The compression fractures can be in the spine. The device can be deployed by compressing the device longitudinally resulting in radial expansion.

A cannulated screw having a resilient balloon structure capable of supporting compressive and cyclic loads. The balloon provides an artificial disc prosthesis by use of the balloon that mimics the properties of the natural disc by maintaining the intervertebral disc space through a full range of natural motion, absorbing shocks and permitting a natural range of motion.

The invention primarily relates to fastening and stabilizing tissues, implants, and/or bondable materials, such as the fastening of a tissue and/or implant to a bondable material, the fastening of an implant to tissue, and/or the fastening of an implant to another implant. This may involve using an energy source to bond and/or mechanically to stabilize a tissue, an implant, a bondable material, and/or other biocompatible material. The invention may also relate to the use of an energy source to remove and/or install an implant and/or bondable material or to facilitate solidification and/or polymerization of bondable material.

Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

The invention provides a method of making a biological disc graft. In one embodiment, the biological disc graft is useful for treating back or neck pain. In one embodiment, the biological disc graft is useful for treating any joint pain. The invention also provides a method of implanting said biological disc graft in a way that is minimally invasive and less dangerous.

Various embodiments provide systems and methods for repairing or replacing intervertebral discs as a treatment for derangements. Systems and methods may comprise an inter vertebral disc implant for deployment into an intervertebral disc space wherein the nucleus has been at least partially evacuated from the deranged intervertebral disc. The intervertebral disc implant may be intraoperatively and postoperatively filled and/or re-filled with a growth matrix. The intervertebral disc implant may be differentially permeable to the growth matrix to provide directional growth and/or diffusion of the growth matrix to restore height to the intervertebral disc space. Systems and methods may further comprise an implant delivery device for deploying the intervertebral disc implant into the intervertebral disc space.

A device for safely approaching vertebral disc space utilizing stereotactic guidance, clearing material from the disc space, a device for expanding the disc space, stereotactic methods for implant planning and monitoring articulating instrument end effectors and a device for implantation into the disc space for the purpose of fusion or disc replacement.

The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region is generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.