An apparatus for implanting a medical implant into bone includes: an implant having at least one predetermined natural frequency; and an instrument, comprising: a housing; a coupler carried by the housing and configured to be mechanically connected to a medical implant; and a forcing mechanism carried by the housing and operable to apply a cyclic excitation force at the predetermined natural frequency.

Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for surgical systems comprising an applicator having a first shaft, an implant having a first member pivotably and detachably coupled to the first shaft, and a second member for converting rotational motion of the implant to a translational offset, and at least one of a sensor for determining the offset or an indicator for indicating the offset, provided that the indicator is not a protrusion located at an end of the applicator. A controller may be provided, the controller being configured to receive offset data from the sensor, determine an angle of the implant in a patient using dimensions of the implant and the offset, and display a current position of the implant relative to patient anatomy. The applicator may have a second shaft slidably disposed on the first shaft along an axis defined by a longitudinal axis of the applicator.

The present invention includes a novel procedure and corresponding medical devices for a Percutaneous Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PePLIF). In PePLIF, the surgeon performs the entire operation percutaneously without the use of a microscope, endoscope, or magnifying loupes. An adjustable retractor system is disclosed that enables the surgeon to percutaneously perform the surgery through accessing the facet joint (and later disc space) that was created by said retractor system. This retractor system provides the surgeon a safe area to work and operate without fear of damaging nerves, blood vessels, or other tissue. An expanding trial may be inserted into and removed from the disc space through the interior of the retractor system to determine the proper size for the expandable cage. The retractor system also enables the expandable cage to be inserted into the disc space.

A driving instrument for adjusting a spinal implant includes an outer shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a proximal adjustment assembly of a spinal implant, and an inner shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a distal adjustment assembly of the spinal implant. The inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft, with a proximal end of the inner shaft extending proximally from the outer shaft. The proximal end is configured to be rotated such that rotation of the inner shaft results in simultaneous rotation of the inner and outer shafts, with rotation of the outer shaft ceasing at a first value of resistance associated with the proximal adjustment assembly and rotation of the inner shaft ceasing at a second value of resistance associated with the distal adjustment assembly such that cessation of rotation of the inner shaft is independent from cessation of rotation of the outer shaft.

A surgical access device including a frame, first and second supports, and first and second retractor blades releasably coupled with the first and second supports, respectively. The frame has first and second arms. The first support is releasably coupled with the first and second arms. The second support is slidably mounted on the first and second arms. The second support is movable between a first position with the retractor blades in close cooperative position and a spaced apart position with respect to the first support. The first and second retractor blades each have a distal end portion configured and adapted to engage a vertebral body. In one method of use, the retractor is inserted through an incision in first orientation with the blades in close approximation and rotated approximately 90°, before spreading the retractor blades to retract tissue.

Expandable implants for engagement between vertebrae generally include an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.

An instrument set for installing a fusion implant into the sacroiliac joint (“SI Joint”). The apparatus comprises a working channel having an alignment means, a joint locator having a first keying means, an abrading device having a second keying means, and an implant inserter having a third keying means. The first, second, and third, keying means mate with the alignment means when the joint locator, abrading device, and implant inserter, respectively, are inserted into the working channel.

Prostheses are described for stabilizing dysfunctional bone structures. The prostheses have proximal and distal ends, and an expandable mid-region disposed therebetween. The expandable mid-region includes a plurality of deflectable elongate members that are configured and adapted to transition from a compressed configuration to a deflected configuration when released from a deployment apparatus, whereby the plurality of deflectable elongate members deflects outwardly when the elongated member is inserted into a pilot opening of a dysfunctional bone structure, whereby the plurality of elongate members exerts a retaining force on the internal surface of the pilot opening and secures the elongated member in the pilot opening and, thereby, the dysfunctional bone structure.

A spinal interbody fusion device for use in a plurality of surgical approaches includes a cage, a top end, a bottom end, and at least a first side representing the width of the cage and at least a second side representing a length of the cage. The cage includes fixation holes and inserter holes, with each fixation hole being configured for accepting a screw or anchor and each inserter hole being accessible for one or more surgical approaches for performing a spinal fusion. Also included are methods for selecting a size of an intervertebral implant and methods of surgically approaching a spine of a patient for spinal surgical procedures.

The invention discloses an improved wedging cage within the sacroiliac (SI) joint and fixation screw(s). The wedging cage is adapted to be positioned between the sacrum and the lilac bone (e.g., the sacroiliac joint), and the wedging cage is effective to receive one or more fixation or axial screws to fasten the wedging cage and secure the wedging cage to the adjacent pelvic bones to provide a combination effect of fusion and/or fixation. Accordingly, the improved fixation screw assemblies promote flexibility and adaptability due to the adjustable head being movable to a locked and unlocked position relative to the screw body when implanted onto a substrate.