An insertion instrument for inserting an implant includes an elongated main body having a proximal handle and a distal portion that selectively couples to the implant. A wing actuation tool is slidably engaged in a central passage of the elongated main body to fix the implant to the elongated main body. The wing actuation tool temporarily attaches to the implant allowing for deployment and retraction of wings of the implant during surgery. Longitudinal translation of the wing actuation tool deploys an actuation plunger of the implant.

An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes in a spinal motion segment is provided. The spacer includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and passageway. A first arm and a second arm are connected to the body. Each arm has a pair of extensions and a saddle defining a U-shaped configuration for seating a spinous process therein. Each arm has a proximal caming surface and is capable of rotation with respect to the body. An actuator assembly is disposed inside the passageway and connected to the body. When advanced, a threaded shaft of the actuator assembly contacts the caming surfaces of arms to rotate them from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the distracted adjacent spinous processes are seated in the U-shaped portion of the arms.

Systems for distracting a facet joint and positioning a permanent implant in the joint are disclosed. The implants serve to retain a distracted position of the facet joint which is achieved with positioning of the leading end of a distraction tool in the facet joint and then distracting or enlarging the joint a desired amount. The permanent implant could be part of the distraction mechanism which can be separated from the delivery tool once the joint has been distracted or an auxiliary implant may be positioned before the distraction mechanism is removed from the distracted joint. The permanent implants can be solid, mechanical devices that may have fixation means thereon to hold them in place or injected fluids such as hydrogels or fluids confined within balloons.

An implantable device includes a barrel. The barrel has a first portion and a second portion. The implantable device includes a first plate having multiple projections extending from one side of the first plate, where the first plate is configured to movably couple to the first portion of the barrel. The implantable device includes a second plate having multiple projections extending from one side of the second plate, where the second plate is configured to movably couple to the second portion of the barrel. The barrel is configured to transition from a collapsed form having a first height to an expanded form having a second height, where the second height is greater than the first height.

An implantable device may comprise a barrel, the barrel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The barrel may be configured to transition from a collapsed form having a first height to an expanded form having a second height and wherein the second height is greater than the first height. The implantable device may further include an actuator assembly disposed in the barrel, the actuator assembly comprising a front ramped actuator in engagement with the barrel, a rear ramped actuator in engagement with the barrel, and a central screw that extends from the rear ramped actuator through the front ramped actuator. The implantable device may further comprise a first plate and a second plate.

An implant that can hold bone graft material, and receive support from adjacent tissues and structures. In one aspect, the implant has an attachment region to directly engage with adjacent tissues and structures. In another aspect, the implant is malleable and can be manipulated to conform to the adjacent tissues and structures.

A method of treating scoliosis in a subject includes securing a scoliosis treatment device to first and second locations on the subject's skeletal system, the scoliosis treatment device including a first portion, a second portion moveably mounted relative to the first portion, and an adjustment device disposed on the device and configured to change a distraction force between the first location and the second location, the adjustment device including a rotationally mounted magnetic element configured to move the second portion relative to the first portion in response to rotation of the magnetic element. An external adjustment device is provided external to the subject and is able to adjust the distraction force between the first location and second location.

An implantable device may include a barrel, the barrel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The implantable device may further include an actuator assembly disposed in the barrel, and a central screw that extends from a rear ramped actuator through a front ramped actuator. The implantable device may further include a first plate having multiple projections extending from one side of the first plate. The implantable device may further include a second plate having multiple projections extending from one side of the second plate, the second plate configured to be received on the central screw. The barrel may be configured to transition from a collapsed form having a first height to an expanded form having a second height and wherein the second height is greater than the first height.

An implantable device may include a barrel, the barrel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The implantable device may further include an actuator assembly disposed in the barrel, and a central screw that extends from a rear ramped actuator through a front ramped actuator. The implantable device may further include a first plate having multiple projections extending from one side of the first plate. The implantable device may further include a second plate having multiple projections extending from one side of the second plate, the second plate configured to be received on the central screw. The barrel may be configured to transition from a collapsed form having a first height to an expanded form having a second height and wherein the second height is greater than the first height.

Medical devices in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention employ one or more coaxial screw gear sleeve mechanisms. In various embodiments, coaxial screw gear sleeve mechanisms include a post with a threaded exterior surface and a corresponding sleeve configured to surround the post, the corresponding sleeve having a threaded interior surface configured to interface with the threaded exterior surface of the post and a geared exterior surface. A drive mechanism can be configured to interface with the geared exterior surface of the sleeve, causing the device to expand.