Methods and devices for stabilizing spinal anatomical structures. Some example methods may include introducing a curved segment of an elongate fastener placement rod adjacent to a bone, providing a fastener at the leading end of the curved segment, and/or securing the fastener in place with respect to the bone.

An expansion member for distributing graft material through a cage and into an intervertebral space is provided. The expansion member has a central beam with an entry port in fluid communication with an exit port for distribution of the graft material. The central beam is inserted into a cage having a reversible collapse from an expanded state into a collapsed state, the expanded state forming a graft distribution window. The expanded state, for example, can be configured to open the graft distribution window which at least substantially closes upon the reversible collapse.

The invention relates to a set for the endoscopic fixation of an implant by means of a nail or pin. It comprises the following: an applicator sheath insertable through an endoscope into an intervertebral disk and through which an implant is insertable into an intervertebral disk defect; a drill wire guide sheath sized to be insertable into the applicator sheath; and a pusher for imparting blows during the fixation of an implant in the intervertebral disk by means of a nail or pin, wherein the pusher being sized to be insertable into the applicator sheath. In addition, the set may comprise an implant and or at least one nail or pin.

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.

Methods and compositions for the biological repair of cartilage using a hybrid construct combining both an inert structure and living core are described. The inert structure is intended to act not only as a delivery system to feed and grow a living core component, but also as an inducer of cell differentiation. The inert structure comprises concentric internal and external and inflatable/expandable balloon-like bio-polymers. The living core comprises the cell-matrix construct comprised of HDFs, for example, seeded in a scaffold. The method comprises surgically removing a damaged cartilage from a patient and inserting the hybrid construct into the cavity generated after the foregoing surgical intervention. The balloons of the inert structure are successively inflated within the target area, such as a joint, for example. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing and differentiating human fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells via mechanical strain.

The present invention provides a supporting member and a supporting member assembly including the same to be implanted into or between a subject's bones, and a template plug and a tamper corresponding to the supporting member. The supporting member comprises a main body; a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion formed on the upper and lower sides of the main body respectively and forming a dovetail joint with each other; and a guiding structure formed at a side of the main body and including guiding holes as well as a buffer groove for mating with an external template plug. The supporting members of the invention can be sequentially implanted and connected into a bone or between two connected bones, and improve the defect of the conventional one-size giant implants injuring the surrounding nerves.

Artificial intervertebral discs include an annulus fibrosus portion and a nucleus pulposus portion. Annulus fibrosus portions disclosed and contemplated herein include a plurality of layers. Fibers within the layers are arranged to provide a crisscross pattern between adjacent layers. Nucleus pulposus portions disclosed and contemplated herein can include a flexible, sealed enclosure.

Intervertebral disc implant comprising a prosthetic nucleus of a hydrogel. The prosthetic nucleus comprises a porous inner core embedded in the hydrogel, e.g., with sections with open cells and sections with closed cells. The porous inner core can for example be made of a 3D printable hydrogel or bio-ink. The prosthetic nucleus further comprises a jacket enclosing the porous inner core and the embedding hydrogel.

Embodiments may include an attachable fastener, which may include a bondable material that may be secured to the end of an end effector. Vibration may be tuned to occur at a distal end of the fastener. Accordingly, the fastener may be used to generate heat at a distal point of contact. If the contact surface contains bondable material, that material may be softened. If the fastener includes bondable material at the point of contact, that material may also be softened by heat produced by vibration at the contact area. A hard implant or another polymeric material may function as the anvil.