The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device (10) comprising a superior component (20), an inferior component (40), and a core component (80) inserted there between. The intervertebral fusion device further comprises first and second retention mechanisms which resist ejection of the core component from between the superior and inferior components. Each of the first and second retention mechanisms comprises first and second portions. One of the first and second portions is unitary with one of the superior and inferior components. The other of the first and second portions is unitary with the core component. The first and second portions each comprise an inter-engaging formation which are urged in an opposite direction. The first inter-engaging formation is urged to inter-engage with the second inter-engaging formation upon insertion of the core component between the superior and inferior components.

The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device (10) comprising a superior component (20), an inferior component (40) receivable in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae, with the core component (80) insertable between the superior and inferior components to determine a separation between the superior and inferior components. The superior, inferior components and core components comprise respective formations and profiles. The formations (54, 68) present a barrier to separation of the core from one of the inferior and superior components during insertion of the core component. The profiles guide the core component during insertion of the core component while presenting no barrier to separation from each other during its insertion. The components comprise further formations (39, 76) which present a barrier to separation of the components from each other once the core has been fully inserted between the inferior and superior components.

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 steerable expandable implant including a base member, an adjustable member coupled to the base member, the adjustable member movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, a pivot member rotatably received by the base member and configured to receive a tool such that the tool and the pivot member are rotatable relative to the base member between a first position and a second position, wherein the pivot member is translationally fixed relative to the base member, and a first control member received by the base member, wherein manipulation of the first control member causes the adjustable member to move between the collapsed position and the expanded position.

A surgical instrument includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end along an axis, the distal end configured to abut an implant, and an anchor rod disposable within the lumen of the body for contacting the implant to secure the implant at the distal end of the body. When the anchor rod is disposed within the lumen of the body in a working configuration, the anchor rod is connected to the body at the proximal end of the body and at the distal end of the body to substantially fix the anchor rod from moving along the axis of the lumen. The body includes a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle, and a torque limiting mechanism.

A method and apparatus can include: a delivery tool having an insertion mandrel; an implant having a distal segment coupled to a proximal segment, the proximal segment having a proximal segment upper and a proximal segment lower, the distal segment having a distal segment upper and a distal segment lower, the implant including: a straight configuration based on the insertion mandrel being extended through the proximal segment and the distal segment, and a curved configuration based on the insertion mandrel being retracted from the distal segment; and an expansion mandrel configured for insertion into the implant, the implant including an expanded configuration based on the expansion mandrel being inserted between the proximal segment upper and the proximal segment lower, and being inserted between the distal segment upper and the distal segment lower.

An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant including upper and lower body portions each having proximal and distal surfaces at proximal and distal ends thereof. The implant can include a proximal wedge member disposed at the proximal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions, and a distal wedge member disposed at the distal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions. First and second linkages can connect the upper and lower body portions. Rotation of an actuator shaft can cause the distal and proximal wedge members to be drawn together such that longitudinal movement of the distal wedge member against the distal surfaces and the longitudinal movement of the proximal wedge member against the proximal surfaces causes separation of the upper and lower body portions.

An artificial functional spinal unit including an expandable intervertebral implant that can be inserted via a posterior surgical approach and used with one or more facet replacement devices to provide an anatomically correct range of motion is described. Lordotic and non-lordotic expandable, articulating implants and cages are described, along with embodiments of facet replacement devices and instruments for insertion. Methods of insertion are also described.

An interbody spinal implant for implantation in a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, and an insertion instrument facilitating such implantation is provided. The spinal implant includes a body portion and an extended end portion, where at least the body portion can include a biconvex upper and lower surfaces. And the insertion instrument is engageable to a proximal end portion of the interbody spinal implant to facilitate insertion of the interbody spinal implant into the disc space.

An intervertebral implant for insertion into an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies or between two bone portions. The implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion operatively coupled to the spacer portion and one or more blades for securing the implant to the adjacent vertebral bodies. The blades preferably include superior and inferior cylindrical pins for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant may be configured to be inserted via a direct lateral trans-psoas approach. Alternatively, the implant may be configured for insertion via an anterior approach.