A prosthetic intervertebral disc is formed of first and second end plates sized and shaped to fit within an intervertebral space and to be implanted from the back of the patient, thereby decreasing the invasiveness of the procedure. The posterior approach provides for a smaller posterior surgical incision and avoids important blood vessels located anterior to the spine particularly for lumbar disc replacements. The first and second plates are each formed of first, second and third parts are arranged in a first configuration in which the parts are axially aligned to form a low profile device appropriate for insertion through the small opening available in the TLIF or PLIF approaches described above. The three parts of both of the plates rotate and translate with respect to one another in situ to a second configuration or a deployed configuration in which the parts are axially unaligned with each other to provide a maximum coverage of the vertebral end plates for a minimum of insertion profile. Upon deployment of the disc, a height of the disc is increased.

A method of fusing a sacroiliac joint including a sacrum, an ilium, and a sacroiliac joint space defined therebetween. The method may include: approaching a posterior aspect of the sacroiliac joint space with a joint implant including a body extending a length between a distal end and a proximal end; and delivering the joint implant into the sacroiliac joint space such that the joint implant passes through an access region defined between the posterior superior iliac spine and the posterior inferior iliac spine. The joint implant may be oriented in the sacroiliac joint space such that a portion of the body of the joint implant is positioned within a joint plane of the sacroiliac joint space, and such that the distal end of the joint implant is positioned posteriorly of an anterior boundary of the sacroiliac joint space.

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 spinal jack adapted for installation between first and second vertebral processes and includes a three dimensional and arcuate ergonomic main body constructed from a first and second portions, from which is displaceable an upper body between each of retracted and expanded positions. Each of the jack halves includes gripping portions adapted for engaging the vertebral processes. A worm gear mechanism includes a central horizontally arrayed and rotatable worm gear supported within the main body and accessible through an inlet aperture. A tool bit is engageable with a bit receiving location of the worm gear which is accessible through the inlet aperture.

Technologies are generally provided for devices, systems, and methods to provide spinal fixation, spinal stabilization, and/or spinal fusion. Example devices may include a first end and a second end with a middle portion extending between the first and second end. The first end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a first or upper vertebra and the second end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a second or lower vertebra in an adjacent vertebral pair. Portions of the vertebra which may be in contact with the device may include lamina, processes, vertebral bodies, and facet joints. The example devices may include bone engagement features, such as screws or similar fasteners, to enhance stabilization and fixation when in contact with the vertebrae. Additionally, the devices may include a bone integration feature to promote bone growth and to facilitate fusion between the vertebrae.

An interbody implant system for use in the spine includes a base comprising two or more bone contacting surfaces, at least one recess in at least one of the two or more bone contacting surfaces, the recess configured for containing a tooth, a deployable tooth to provide fixation between the base and the anatomy of a subject, a break-away bridge between the tooth and the base for providing a first relative position between the tooth and the base, and a locking mechanism for providing a second relative position between the tooth and the base.

An expandable device for expanding and supporting body tissue comprises an inferior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact one body tissue surface and a superior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact an opposing body tissue surface. The inferior endplate and the superior endplate are movable relative to each other in a direction of expansion. The device includes an elevator captively supported between the inferior endplate and the superior endplate for independent movement along the direction of expansion. In the first direction the elevator is moved toward said superior endplate to lift the superior endplate and expand the device. In the second direction the elevator moves away from said superior endplate toward said inferior endplate to create a space for insertion of an insert into the expanded device.

A method of treating a hip joint of a human patient using a pelvic drill comprising a driving member, a bone contacting and an operating device for operating said driving member. The method comprise the steps of cutting the skin of the human patient, dissecting an area of the pelvic bone on the opposite side from the acetabulum, creating a hole in said dissected area using said pelvic drill, said hole passing through the pelvic bone and into the hip joint of the human patient, and providing at least one hip joint surface to the hip joint, through said hole in the pelvic bone of the human patient. In one embodiment the method includes inserting a needle or tube like instrument into the patient's body for filling a part of the patient's body with gas and thereby expanding a cavity within the body.

The present invention relates generally to a prosthetic spinal disc for replacing a damaged disc between two vertebrae of a spine and methods for inserting said discs. The intervertebral prosthetic discs are provided with connections for facilitating implantation and removal and features which enhance primary and secondary stability over time.

The disclosure provides an implant including first and second interconnected elongated articulating portions with vertebral contacting outer surfaces. The first and second interconnected elongated articulating portions have a first configuration for insertion into a disc space and a second configuration upon deployment in the disc space. In a first configuration the axes of the first and second interconnected elongated articulating portions are substantially axially aligned with each other and in a second configuration the axes of the portions are axially unaligned with each other. The first and second interconnected elongated articulating portions are configured to be deployed in situ from the first configuration to the second configuration by both pivoting. The implant is expandable in the height direction between the vertebral contacting outer surfaces while the implant is inside the disc space by sliding a portion of at least one of the first and second elongated articulating portions.