A total artificial expansile disc and a method for posterior insertion between a pair of vertebral endplates are disclosed. The total artificial expansile disc includes at least one pair of substantially parallel plates that move apart along a first axis, in order to occupy a space defined by the vertebral endplates. In another embodiment, each of substantially parallel plates includes a first plate and a second sliding plate. An expansion device or tool is used to move the substantially parallel pair of plates apart along the first axis. A core is disposed between the pair of plates, and the core permits the vertebral endplates to move relative to one another. A ball limiter or ball extender prevents the core from being extruded from between the substantially parallel plates.

A self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatus is disclosed which includes at least first and second sliding boxes. A first screw member having a tapered end and a threaded body is disposed within the first sliding box, and a second screw member having a tapered end and a threaded body disposed within the second sliding box. An adjuster adjusts the height of the sliding boxes. The screw members are screwed into vertebral bodies in order to fuse the vertebral bodies together. A plurality of the self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatuses may be attached together and/or integrated via a plate or cage. Also disclosed is a cervical facet staple that includes a curved staple base and at least two prongs attached to the bottom surface of the curved staple base.

A method for inserting an intervertebral artificial disc is provided with the intervertebral disc including a first endplate having a plurality of protrusions for attaching to an adjacent vertebrae and an extension portion extending towards a second adjacent vertebrae. A second endplate is provided with a plurality of protrusions for attaching to a second adjacent vertebrae and an extension portion extending towards the first adjacent vertebrae. A flexible member having an upper portion and a lower portion and a slider plate positioned within the upper portion of the flexible member is also provided. The extension portion of the first endplate is adapted to fit within a first cavity in the upper portion of the flexible member and the extension portion of the second endplate is adapted to fit within a second cavity in the lower portion of the flexible member.

An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.

A system for treating a spinal disease by placement of an interbody spacer between vertebrae comprises a horizontally curved interbody spacer and a guiding tool. The interbody spacer includes a pair of contact surfaces for contact with the vertebrae, a convex ventral surface that connects the contact surfaces, and a concave dorsal surface that connects the contact surfaces. The interbody spacer includes an engagement portion, located along the direction in which the interbody spacer is curved, in the ventral surface and/or the dorsal surface. The guiding tool for guiding the interbody spacer to a predetermined position between the vertebrae includes, on a distal end, a guide rail portion to be fitted into one of the engagement portions. The radius of curvature of the guide rail portion in plan view is substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the ventral surface or the dorsal surface of the interbody spacer.

A glenoid implant system includes an anchoring structure and a glenoid liner. The anchoring structure includes a base, a wall, and a ledge. The wall extends from a first surface of the base. The ledge extends generally along at least a portion of a first side of the wall, thereby forming an undercut. The wall has a slot formed in a second opposing side of the wall. The glenoid liner is configured to be removably coupled to the anchoring structure. The glenoid liner has a cap portion, a main body, and a deflectable finger. The main body extends from the cap portion and includes a lip configured to engage the undercut of the anchoring structure. The deflectable finger extends from the cap portion. The deflectable finger has a protrusion configured to engage the slot of the anchoring structure to aid in securing the glenoid liner to the anchoring structure.

An expandable interbody spacer for the spine is provided. The interbody spacer includes a housing, a top endplate and a bottom endplate. An actuator is located inside the housing between the top and bottom endplates. A locking screw is configured to drive the actuator and move the endplates between collapsed and expanded configurations. Variations of the expandable spacer are provided in which the endplates move bilaterally outwardly into uniform and parallel expansion along the latitudinal axis, the endplates angulate about a pivot point along a longitudinal axis such that the distal end of the spacer increases in height relative to the proximal end, and the endplates angulate about a pivot along a lateral axis such that the height along one lateral side of the spacer increases in height relative to the other lateral side.

The present invention relates to an implantable cervical cage having a flexible posterior plate allowing for posterior displacement or movement of the cage. The cervical cage includes an anterior wall or side with a rigidity greater than a rigidity of the posterior plate. The differential between the anterior and posterior rigidity allow the cervical cage to flex more in a posterior plane than an anterior plane.

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.

A self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatus is disclosed which includes at least first and second sliding boxes. A first screw member having a tapered end and a threaded body is disposed within the first sliding box, and a second screw member having a tapered end and a threaded body disposed within the second sliding box. An adjuster adjusts the height of the sliding boxes. The screw members are screwed into vertebral bodies in order to fuse the vertebral bodies together. A plurality of the self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatuses may be attached together and/or integrated via a plate or cage. Also disclosed is a cervical facet staple that includes a curved staple base and at least two prongs attached to the bottom surface of the curved staple base.