A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized cross section in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Expanding selectively (anteriorly, along the vertical axis of the spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage shape intends to rest proximate to the anterior column cortices securing the desired spread and fixation, allowing for bone graft in, around, and through the implant for arthrodesis whereas for arthroplasty it fixes to endpoints but cushions the spine naturally.

Embodiments may include an attachable fastener, which may include a bondable material that may be secured to the end of an end effector. Vibration may be tuned to occur at a distal end of the fastener. Accordingly, the fastener may be used to generate heat at a distal point of contact. If the contact surface contains bondable material, that material may be softened. If the fastener includes bondable material at the point of contact, that material may also be softened by heat produced by vibration at the contact area. A hard implant or another polymeric material may function as the anvil.

A method of using a robotic guidance system for performing surgery on a spine is provided. The method includes utilizing a computerized tomographic scan image of a location on a spinal column of a patient, such that the computerized tomographic scan image is connected to a computer and visible on a monitor connected to the computer. The method also includes attaching a coupling component to the spinal column of the patient, coupling a marker to the coupling component, and imaging, with a fluoroscope, the view of the spinal column of the patient, wherein the fluoroscope image is transmitted to the computer and visible on the monitor and the at marker is clearly visible in the fluoroscope image. The method also includes positioning a cannula, with a robotic mechanism, to a first position relative to a vertebra in the spinal column of the patient, drilling a passage through the cannula into bone of the vertebra in the spinal column of the patient, inserting a guidewire through the cannula into the passage in the bone of the vertebra in the spinal column of the patient, and positioning a screw into the bone of the vertebra in the spinal column of the patient.

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.

The invention relates to an operating instrument for minimally invasive or conventional implanting of a spinal implant into the intervertebral space comprising an outer tube which has a hollow handle on its proximal end, wherein the inner rod can be moved in the outer tube and the hollow handle, and the inner rod is provided with a threaded region which extends beyond the distal end of the outer tube, wherein the threaded region serves for fastening to the rear region of an implant and for tensioning the implant with its rear region against the distal end region of the outer tube, wherein the distal end region of the outer tube is at least partially adapted to the rear region of the implant, wherein the tensioning of the implant against the outer tube takes place by means of a tensioning device having a lever.

Devices and related methods for the dynamic correction of spinal deformities are disclosed. The devices and methods are particularly useful for correcting an abnormal curvature of the spine. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for correcting deformity via a spinal implant that can include a polymer between or attached to a top and bottom plate, which can exist in a wedge-shaped configuration in order to apply asymmetric forces to the spinal column, is provided. The implant may be inserted between adjacent vertebrae comprising part of the abnormal curvature, thereby restoring the normal curvature of a spine.

A facet joint replacement device includes an enclosing element including an enclosing body and an inferior attachment member. The enclosing body includes an inner cavity defined by an interior surface of the enclosing body, wherein a portion of the interior surface of the enclosing body forms a superior articulating surface. The facet joint replacement device also includes an inferior articulating element including an articulating body and a superior attachment member. The inferior articulating body is positioned within the inner cavity of the enclosing body of the enclosing element and is configured to move within the inner cavity of the enclosing body of the enclosing element. The inferior articulating body includes an inferior articulating surface. The movement of the articulating body of the inferior articulating element is constrained in at least one direction within the inner cavity of the enclosing body of the enclosing element.

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.

Implants including non-resorbable frameworks and resorbable components, as well as methods of use thereof are disclosed. The embodiments include different combinations of a non-resorbable framework (in some case structural and in other cases non-structural), and a resorbable component embedded within and/or around the framework (again, in some cases structural and in other cases non-structural). The disclosed implants provide an efficient means of providing structural support for the vertebral bodies post-implantation, as well as encouraging resorption of the implant and fusion of the associated vertebral bodies without negative side effects and/or failure, such as subsidence of the implant or cracking/fracturing of a portion of the implant when implanted.

Spinal implant trials are provided having various configurations and sizes that aid the selection of spinal implants having similar configurations and sizes. A surgeon during surgery can insert various configurations and sizes of the spinal implant trials into a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a patient to enable the selection of a spinal implant configured and sized to fit the patient's disc space. Fluoroscopic images can be used in aiding the selection of an appropriately configured and sized spinal implant corresponding to one of the spinal implant trials. The spinal implant trials include features that reveal on the fluoroscopic images whether the spinal implant trials are properly located and oriented in the disc space and include features corresponding to different sizes of spinal implants also revealed on the fluoroscopic images.