A device for treatment of spondylotic disease includes a distractor for distracting vertebral facets of first and second vertebrae located adjacent each other. The distractor includes a first abutment surface for interfacing with an inferior articular facet of the first vertebra. The distractor also includes a second abutment surface for interfacing with the superior articular facet of the second vertebra corresponding to the inferior articular facet of the first vertebra. The first and second abutment surfaces of the distractor engage with each other and are separated by a predetermined distance.

A surgical implant with recesses adapted to capture fixation medium that extravasates during implantation. The implant includes an elongated stem having a distal tip configured for insertion into an implant receiving area of a patient. A collar having recesses for capturing extravasating fixation medium is attached on the stem. The collar can be fixed to the stem by a separable collar-engagement feature or the collar can be fixed to the stem via structures on the stem.

An expandable spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper body, a lower body, a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of bone screws. The upper body and lower body are pivotably affixed at a first end and are capable of movement relative to each other. The ratchet mechanism is slidably disposed on one of the upper and lower body and is capable of engaging the opposite one of the upper and lower body thereby permitting movement of the upper and lower body relative to each other in a first direction, but not in a second direction. An insertion instrument capable of being attached to the expandable spinal instrument and a method of performing spinal surgery is also disclosed.

According to some embodiments of the invention, an intervertebral disc replacement includes a first layer having a lower surface for contacting a first vertebral bone, a second layer coupled to the first layer, the second layer comprising a plurality of compressible column springs, and a third layer coupled to the second layer, the third layer having an upper surface for contacting a second vertebral bone. Each of the plurality of compressible column springs comprises a plurality of stacked coils, and each of the plurality of stacked coils has a spring constant (K). At least one of the plurality of compressible column springs includes a first coil having a first spring constant and a second coil comprising a second spring constant, wherein the first spring constant is different from the second spring constant.

Instruments, kits, and methods are disclosed for installing an implant spacer through an incision and down a surgical corridor. The instruments also serve to align a drill guide and align and insert a spacer stabilizer for stabilization of adjacent bone portions. The instrument comprises an elongated guide bar body, an inserter face at a distal end of said guide bar body for abutting an instrument attachment portion of a spacer, a connection tip portion for securing a spacer against an inserter face, and a guide portion of said elongated guide bar body for aligning instruments with said spacer and for introducing a stabilizer to secure the spacer in a predetermined position between the bone portions. Included is a retractable graft block for securing graft material within an aperture of said spacer during insertion of the spacer.

A first prosthetic ankle component (10) comprising: a first bearing surface (12) configured to engage a second bearing surface (22) of a second prosthetic ankle component (20); and a protrusion (16) or slot (26) on the first bearing surface, the protrusion or slot being configured to engage a respective slot (26) or protrusion (16) in the second bearing surface of the second prosthetic ankle component, wherein the protrusion or slot is further configured such that the interaction with the respective slot or protrusion permits the first and second prosthetic ankle components to slide with respect to one another in an interface plane defined by the interface between the first and second bearing surfaces, and wherein the protrusion or slot is further configured to restrict the first and second prosthetic ankle components moving away from one another in a direction with a component perpendicular to the interface plane.

The invention relates to an intervertebral fusion implant for fusing two adjacent vertebrae (9, 9), comprising a base piece (2) and a top piece (3) which in each case are designed to come to rest against a facing end plate (92) of one of the adjacent vertebrae (9, 9), wherein the top piece (3) is vertically adjustable relative to the base piece (2), wherein a ratchet device (4), which effects a vertical adjustment in steps and secures a set height against reversion, is provided between the base piece (2) and the top piece (3). Thus a defined expansion can be achieved which is dependent upon the number of actuations. Precise control over the state of expansion is enabled in a purely haptic manner. Furthermore, implantation instruments are provided which are configured as parallel spreaders and have a stop as spreading path limiter or co-operating force and path measuring device. Thus it can be implanted more reliably, wherein the risk of overloading or injury to the vertebrae and the nerves and ligaments of the vertebrae is decreased.

A spinal implant is provided. The spinal implant comprises a body configured for implantation between two adjacent vertebrae, and comprises a retaining member movable between a first position where the retaining member is in an unexpanded configuration and a second position where the retaining member is in an expanded configuration. The retaining member comprises a tissue contacting surface configured to engage a lamina of at least one of the adjacent vertebrae.

A protective cover prevents undesired leakage of materials out of a spinal implant. In one embodiment, the implant is a lateral interbody fusion implant that accommodates biologically active material to promote bone ingrowth. The protective cover prevents unintended migration of the biologically active material out of the implant and into surrounding tissue.

Instruments, kits, and methods are disclosed for installing an implant spacer through an incision and down a surgical corridor. The instruments also serve to align a drill guide and align and insert a spacer stabilizer for stabilization of adjacent bone portions. The instrument comprises an elongated guide bar body, an inserter face at a distal end of said guide bar body for abutting an instrument attachment portion of a spacer, a connection tip portion for securing a spacer against an inserter face, and a guide portion of said elongated guide bar body for aligning instruments with said spacer and for introducing a stabilizer to secure the spacer in a predetermined position between the bone portions. Included is a retractable graft block for securing graft material within an aperture of said spacer during insertion of the spacer.