A PEEK spacer for use in the spine is disclosed. The PEEK spacer may be configured to fit through Kambin's Triangle and expand upon insertion.

A central inflatable distractor and a perimeter balloon are inserted into the disc space in uninflated configurations. The central inflatable distractor is then expanded, thereby distracting the vertebral endplates to the controlled height of the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon is then inflated with a curable substance. The perimeter balloon expands as it is filled with the curable substance and conforms to the void remaining in the disc space around the central inflatable distractor, thereby creating a horseshoe shape. Once the flowable material in the perimeter balloon has cured, the central inflated distractor can be deflated and removed. The remaining void (or inner space) is then packed with graft for fusion.

A surgical instrument includes a shaft having a distal end connectable with an implant, and a handle connected to a proximal end of the shaft. The instrument defines an internal fluid channel through which a fluid can be passed. A kit includes the instrument and a spinal implant that is expandable through the introduction of the fluid therein. A method of using the instrument includes passing a fluid through an internal fluid channel defined by the instrument and toward the implant.

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.

Devices and methods for restructure and stabilization of a fractured or weakened head of a bone are disclosed herein. A device includes a delivery catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, an inner void for passing at least one light sensitive liquid, and an inner lumen; an expandable member releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter; and a light conducting fiber sized to pass through the inner lumen of the delivery catheter and into the expandable member. The expandable member moves from a deflated state to an inflated state when the light sensitive liquid is passed to the expandable member. When the light conducting fiber is in the expandable member, the light conducting fiber is able to disperse the light energy to initiate hardening of the light sensitive liquid within the expandable member to form a photodynamic implant.

A cranial plate is provided for use after a craniectomy. The plate is mounted to the skull and protects the brain exposed in the skull opening. A plate is initially spaced above the skull with gaskets or spacers so as to preclude pressure on the brain. The gaskets or spacers are resorptive, or otherwise dissolve or shrink over time, until the plate settles upon the skull. An elastic web extending over the plate provides a constant force to pull the plate towards the skull as the spacers shrink. The plate is secured to the skull using screws. The plate may include alignment posts residing adjacent the skull opening to maintain proper positioning of the plate as the spacers shrink. The plate eliminates the need for a second cranioplasty surgical procedure.

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.

A staged expansion of an intervertebral scaffolding system is provided, and also include a laterovertically-expanding frame operable for a reversible collapse from an expanded state into a collapsed state. The expanded state, for example, can be configured to have an open graft distribution window that at least substantially closes upon the reversible collapse.

A tool for delivery and/or compaction of bone graft material includes a cannula with an inner lumen extending along a longitudinal axis from a hopper end of the cannula to a delivery tip of the cannula. A hopper with an internal volume for storing bone graft material is connected to the hopper end of the cannula with the internal volume of the hopper in communication with the inner lumen of the cannula for delivery of bone graft material from the hopper to the delivery tip of the cannula. An output shaft within the inner lumen extends along the longitudinal axis. The output shaft includes a helical screw thread extending radially outward from the output shaft toward an inner surface of the cannula. An actuator is connected to the hopper and to the output shaft to drive the output shaft rotationally relative to the hopper and to the cannula.

Expandable prosthetic devices used for treating a variety of conditions, including rotator cuff injuries, broken and/or depressed bone fractures, infection and/or inflammation in the body. In one embodiment, a prosthesis includes an implant having a pressure regulating valve. The implant is capable of being positioned between a first tissue and an opposing second tissue in a void space and of deforming under pressure in response to articulation of a joint. The pressure regulating valve is configured to open based on a predetermined pressure in the implant.