A bone joint spacer has two endplates which have a bone engaging surface on one side, and ramps extending from an opposite side. A shaft has a threaded end, and another end which has ramp followers which mate with the endplate ramps of both endplates. A collar slides over the threaded end of the shaft, and also has ramp followers which mate with the endplate ramps of both endplates. A nut threads onto the end of the shaft and pushes the collar towards the ramp followers of the shaft. This movement causes the ramp followers to slide the ramp followers of the collar and the shaft against the endplate ramps, pushing the endplates apart. Two of these spacers can be combined by a link plate so that the spacers can be aligned or curved into a U-shape to be inserted into the body and positioned between bony surfaces, respectively.

A surgical system includes a trial connected with a first image guide oriented relative to a sensor to communicate a signal representative of the trial relative to a patient anatomy. A tracking device includes the sensor and communicates with a processor to generate a storable image of the trial relative to the patient anatomy for display from a monitor. A spinal implant is connected with a second image guide oriented relative to the sensor to communicate a signal representative of the spinal implant relative to the patient anatomy. The sensor receives the signal of the second image guide and communicates with the processor to generate an image of the spinal implant in real time for display from the monitor in a configuration to align the spinal implant in real time with the stored image of the trial. In some embodiments, methods, spinal constructs, implants and surgical instruments are disclosed.

An inflatable central distractor is inserted in to a disc space between two vertebral endplates. A perimeter balloon is inserted into the disc space in such a manner as to surround the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon and the central inflatable distractor are simultaneously expanded such that as the central inflatable distractor expands the perimeter balloon surrounds the central inflatable distractor and such that the central inflatable distractor and the perimeter balloon, when expanded, contribute to forcing adjacent vertebral endplates apart.

A curved expandable interbody device for placement between vertebrae having an upper structure, a lower structure, and a screw mechanism, wherein actuation of the screw mechanism moves the upper and lower structures between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A deployment tool couples to the curved expandable interbody device for positioning the device between adjacent vertebrae and actuating the screw mechanism, wherein the deployment tool can lock to the curved expandable interbody device and pivot relative to the curved expandable interbody device.

An apparatus for sacroiliac fusion surgery is provided. The apparatus includes a tube that allows x-ray visualization of objects passing through the tube, the tube having a proximal end with an opening and a distal end with an opening. The tube further has one or more mounts on its distal end for attaching removable anchoring tips thereto. The apparatus further has one or more removable anchoring tips attached to the distal end of the tube with the one or more mounts. The tube is made of a material that is radiolucent and permits x-ray visualization of objects that are passed through the tube.

An interbody device configured for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes a body comprising and exterior surface and an interior surface defining a cavity. The body comprises a visualization window extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface, where the visualization window comprises a lattice of radiopaque structures. A density of the lattice in a central region of the visualization window is less than in the density of the lattice in an outer region of the visualization window such that the visualization window is radiolucent through the central region.

A method of manufacturing an implant, including mixing a first quantity of biocompatible polymer particles, a second quantity of bioactive ceramic particles, and a third quantity of fugitive material particles to define an admixture, forming the admixture to define a composite body having an inferior portion, a superior portion and a central portion disposed between the inferior and superior portions, heating the admixture to fuse the first quantity of bioactive polymer particles to define a composite implant body, and infiltrating the composite implant body with a solvent to remove fugitive material particles to yield a network of interconnected pores and to define a porous implant body. The fugitive material particles are hollow spheres partially filled with a material selected from the group comprising air, bioactive agents, biological growth enhancers, drugs, and biocompatible polymer material, combinations thereof.

A cranial implant for access to a cerebral cortex includes a window member shaped and dimensioned for positioning within a dural defect to provide access through the dura such that access to the cerebral cortex is provided in a location under study. An implant body is provided having a geometry that substantially conforms to a resected portion of a patient's anatomy to which the implant body is to be secured.

An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower prosthesis plates locatable against respective vertebrae and having opposing, concavely curved recesses therein, and a core located between the plates. The core has opposed, convexly curved surfaces received in the recesses of the plates to allow the plates to slide in articulated manner over the core. The opposed surfaces of the core and the recesses of the plates have cooperating spherical curvatures. The recess of each plate surrounds a locating peg projecting centrally from the base of the recess and is bounded by an annular rim, such that the annular rims of the plates are arranged to contact one another at a predetermined limit of sliding movement of the plates over the core. The peg locates loosely in an opening located centrally in a curved surface of the core, whereby the plates can slide over the core in all directions while the peg holds the core captive.

The present invention relates to a method of inserting an implant comprising providing an expandable vertebral implant. The method further may comprise providing an angling inserter tool. The angling inserter tool comprises a handle portion, a base portion, and a tip assembly, the base portion being disposed between the handle portion and the tip assembly. The method further may comprise distally advancing a central shaft of the tip assembly with rotation into an opening in the expandable vertebral implant to secure the angling inserter tool to the expandable vertebral implant. The method further may comprise positioning the expandable vertebral implant in a patient's spine. The method further may comprise for causing the tip assembly to angulate with respect to a longitudinal axis of the angling inserter tool, wherein the internal shaft is coaxial with an outer cylinder of the base portion.