An intervertebral implant comprising a body formed as an open truss structure, the body having a generally annular shape with a superior surface, an inferior surface, and a perimeter surface extending around an outer periphery of the body. The body has a central portion and a peripheral portion, the peripheral portion extending inward from the perimeter surface toward the central portion. The peripheral portion includes a first set of trusses having a first density of trusses, and the central portion includes a second set of trusses having a second density of trusses. The first density of trusses in the peripheral portion is greater than the second density of trusses in the central portion. The first set of trusses includes a first strut and a first node, and the second set of trusses includes a second strut, wherein the first node connects the first strut with the second strut.

Disclosed are improved spinal implants that are configured to help prevent post-operative migration of the implant. In some embodiments, the implant system includes multi-axial tooth geometry and other geometrical configurations such as but not limited to peripheral curvatures that aid in the prevention of such post-operative migration. Also disclosed are asymmetrical implants having superior and inferior surfaces with different angulations relative to the sagittal midline.

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.

Systems for distracting a facet joint and positioning a permanent implant in the joint are disclosed. The implants serve to retain a distracted position of the facet joint which is achieved with positioning of the leading end of a distraction tool in the facet joint and then distracting or enlarging the joint a desired amount. The permanent implant could be part of the distraction mechanism which can be separated from the delivery tool once the joint has been distracted or an auxiliary implant may be positioned before the distraction mechanism is removed from the distracted joint. The permanent implants can be solid, mechanical devices that may have fixation means thereon to hold them in place or injected fluids such as hydrogels or fluids confined within balloons.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon.

In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

An expandable prosthetic implant for engagement between vertebrae includes a first member having a first end, a second end, a plurality of extensions and a hollow interior portion extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the plurality of extensions extend from the first end to the second end. A second member includes a first end, a second end, a hollow interior portion extending from the first end to the second end, and a plurality of extensions extending from the second end to the first end. The plurality extensions of the first member are configured to coaxially interdigitate with the second member, and the plurality of extensions of the second member are configured to coaxially interdigitate with the first member. The first member of the implant is moveable relative to the second member along a longitudinal axis.

An intervertebral implant comprising a body formed as an open truss structure, the body having a generally annular shape with a superior surface, an inferior surface, and a perimeter surface extending around an outer periphery of the body. The body may have a central portion and a peripheral portion, the peripheral portion extending inward from the perimeter surface toward the central portion, the peripheral portion including a first set of trusses, and the central portion including a second set of trusses. The implant may further include a strut at least partially defining a boundary between the central portion and the peripheral portion, wherein the strut has an oblong cross-sectional shape oriented to facilitate flow of bone graft material in a substantially radial direction away from the central axis.

An intervertebral implant includes a body and a plate. The body has an upper surface defining an upper plane and a lower surface defining a lower plane. First and second fastener holes of the plate are configured to retain the heads of first and second fasteners. A portion of each of the shanks of the first and second fasteners extends from the first and second fastener holes beyond the upper plane. The shank portions of the first and second fasteners are curved in a direction away from the upper surface. The third fastener hole is configured to retain the head of the third fastener between the upper and lower planes. A portion of the shank of the third fastener extends from the third fastener hole beyond the lower plane. The shank portion of the third fastener is curved in a direction away from the lower surface.

The invention is directed to an interbody fusion device comprises a fusion bearing device and a retention device and further comprises two bone screws that pass through the retention device and into the vertebral bodies. When implanted, the construct is flush with the anterior face of the vertebras and provides support and temporary fixation for the ultimate fusion of the vertebral bodies.

An expandable prosthetic implant for engagement between vertebrae includes a first member having a first end, a second end, a plurality of extensions and and a hollow interior portion extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the plurality of extensions extend from the first end to the second end. A second member includes a first end, a second end, a hollow interior portion extending from the first end to the second end, and a plurality of extensions extending from the second end to the first end. The plurality extensions of the first member are configured to coaxially interdigitate with the second member, and the plurality of extensions of the second member are configured to coaxially interdigitate with the first member. The first member of the implant is moveable relative to the second member along a longitudinal axis.