The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

An expandable spinal fusion implant comprising first and second endplates coupled to an expansion member that sits within a housing. The expansion member is translated by a drive mechanism, whereby translation of the expansion member by the drive mechanism in a distal and proximal directions causes the distance between the endplates to increase and decrease, respectively.

An expandable interbody fusion implant device has a frame, two ramp assemblies, a threaded drive shaft and at least one base plate, preferably two. The frame has a first lateral side and a second lateral side and a distal end and a proximal end. Each ramp assembly has a translating ramp with a threaded opening, a first pivoting hinged ramp and a second pivoting hinged ramp. Each base plate is hinged to a first lateral side of the frame. Each base plate is hinged to the distal ramp assembly and the proximal ramp assembly at an end of one of said pivoting hinged ramps of each ramp assembly. The drive shaft has a distal drive shaft component having threads for translating the distal ramp assembly and a proximal drive shaft component having threads for translating the proximal ramp assembly.

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

An expandable interbody fusion implant device has a frame, two ramp assemblies, a threaded drive shaft and at least one base plate, preferably two. The frame has a first lateral side and a second lateral side and a distal end and a proximal end. Each ramp assembly has a translating ramp with a threaded opening, a first pivoting hinged ramp and a second pivoting hinged ramp. Each base plate is hinged to a first lateral side of the frame. Each base plate is hinged to the distal ramp assembly and the proximal ramp assembly at an end of one of said pivoting hinged ramps of each ramp assembly. The drive shaft has a distal drive shaft component having threads for translating the distal ramp assembly and a proximal drive shaft component having threads for translating the proximal ramp assembly.

An expandable interbody fusion implant device has a frame, two ramp assemblies, a threaded drive shaft and at least one base plate, preferably two. The frame has a first lateral side and a second lateral side and a distal end and a proximal end. Each ramp assembly has a translating ramp with a threaded opening, a first pivoting hinged ramp and a second pivoting hinged ramp. Each base plate is hinged to a first lateral side of the frame. Each base plate is hinged to the distal ramp assembly and the proximal ramp assembly at an end of one of said pivoting hinged ramps of each ramp assembly. The drive shaft has a distal drive shaft component having threads for translating the distal ramp assembly and a proximal drive shaft component having threads for translating the proximal ramp assembly.

The present invention refers to a patch for covering a defect in the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, and in particular also in the posterior longitudinal ligament, of a spine. A further aspect of the present invention refers to a surgical kit, including such a patch and at least one fastening element for fastening the patch body to the spine.

The technical description relates to an expandable intervertebral spacer configured to engage an intervertebral disk. An example expandable intervertebral spacer includes a main body, a first endplate, a second endplate, a driving member, and an actuation member. The expandable intervertebral spacer is transitions from a first configuration to a second configuration by structural interfacing between steps defined on the first endplate, the second endplate, and the driving member. Steps include a surface that lies on a plane disposed at a non-parallel angle to the longitudinal axis of the intervertebral spacer.

A bone fusion method, apparatus and device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together and/or in place of one or more of the bones, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable plates having a central rib. The bone fusion device includes one or more support channels configured to receive an insertion instrument that is then secured to the bone fusion device via a coupling mechanism. As a result, the coupled device is able to be securely positioned between vertebrae using the insertion instrument with minimal risk of slippage.