An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surf aces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant. The upper and lower body portions can have side portions that help facilitate linear translational movement of the upper body portion relative to the lower body portion.

A device (1, 100) for repairing an intervertebral disc comprising an anchoring body (2, 102), suitable for being advanced into and secured in one of the vertebrae adjacent the intervertebral disc; and a prosthesis (3, 103, 203, 303) attachable in a secure coupling position to the anchoring body (2, 102) and adapted for retaining or replacing the nucleus pulposus in an interior space of an outer annulus of the intervertebral disc, the anchoring body supporting and arranging in the cited coupling position the prosthesis such that the prosthesis is oriented to in a direction toward and through a hole in the outer annulus, the prosthesis comprising at least one active portion (4) adapted to assume and maintain a first placement shape (A) suitable for permitting the active portion to be inserted into and through the hole in the outer annulus during a placement thereof into the interior space of the outer annulus, and at least a second operative shape (B) suitable for at least partially occluding the hole in the outer annulus and/or replacing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus upon the active portion assuming a placement position in the interior space of the outer annulus.

Systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed for medical treatment comprising bone access and dilatation and/or cavity creation or enlargement using a narrow gauge, preferably 11-gauge or smaller, cannula wherein a catheter/expandable element assembly meeting medical protocols for such procedures is designed, adapted and fabricated to fit through the interior of the associated 11-gauge or smaller cannula, and further including apparatus and methods for wrapping and/or folding the expandable element either before or after a procedure to reduce its profile to fit through the cannula.

An implant is insertable in the joint space to separate bones of the joint. The implant has two endplates each configured to engage a separate articulating bone of the joint, and a threaded member positioned between the two endplates and configured to increase the space between the two endplates when the threaded member is rotated. A rotatable gear is engaged with the threaded member, and is engageable with a rotating gear of a connected implantation tool, so that rotation of the gear on the tool causes rotation of the threaded member and expansion of the implant to separate the bones. Connector portions on the tool and the implant may be rotated together to securely engage the implant and the tool so that the gears of the tool and the implant can be rotated using an actuator outside of the body, when the implant is inside the body.

A special tube is disclosed for the insertion of materials inside the maxillary sinus in order to displace the Schneiderian membrane. The tube is connected to a source of a flowable material. The tube is inserted through the alveolar ridge beneath the maxillary sinus and when the flowable material is advanced through the tube the Schneiderian membrane is lifted. The tube can be part of a dental implant which is screwed inside the alveolar ridge.

The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant for implantation in an intervertebral disc space in-between adjacent vertebral bodies. The intervertebral implant includes a plate preferably coupled to a spacer. The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.

A three component system for repairing critically sized bone defects having a first shape memory polymer (SMP) component formed as a scaffold that fills the defects, a second SMP component formed as a restricting sleeve that stabilizes and supports osseointegration and osteoconduction, and a third SMP component formed as a two-dimensional cell culture substrate for engineering periosteal grafts.

An intervertebral implant includes a body with a first face, a second face connected to the first face, and an axis of rotation. The body defines a hollow space for connecting to an insertion device, the hollow space being accessible through an opening formed between the first and second faces. The opening is elongate and extends around the axis of rotation to facilitate pivoting of the implant relative to the insertion device about the axis of rotation to a first angular position and a second angular position. The implant further includes a first abutment surface that engages the insertion device in a form-fit manner at the first angular position, and a second abutment surface that engages the insertion device in a form-fit manner at the second angular position. The opening can also engage the insertion device to hold the implant at at least one additional angular position.

Techniques and systems for distracting a spinal disc space and supporting adjacent vertebrae are provided. Trial instruments are insertable into the disc space to determine a desired disc space height and to select a corresponding implant. Implants can be also be self-distracting and the implant providing the desired disc space height can be implanted in the spinal disc space.

Pedicle-based intradiscal fixation devices, systems, instruments, and methods thereof. The implant or a portion thereof may be composed of a shape-memory material, which has a curved shape-memory orientation and a temporarily straight orientation. The implant may be configured to be inserted into a pedicle of an inferior vertebra, through the vertebral body of the inferior vertebra, and into the vertebral body of the superior vertebra to thereby stabilize the inferior and superior vertebrae.