A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.

An apparatus and method for joining members together using a self-drilling screw apparatus or stapling apparatus are disclosed. The screw apparatus includes a worm drive screw, a spur gear and superior and inferior screws which turn simultaneously in a bi-directional manner. A rotating mechanism drives the first and second screw members in opposite directions and causes the screw members to embed themselves in the members to be joined. The screw apparatus can be used to join members such as bones, portions of the spinal column, vertebral bodies, wood, building materials, metals, masonry, or plastics. A device employing two screws (two-in-one) can be combined with a capping horizontal mini-plate. A device employing three screws can be combined in enclosures (three-in-one). The stapling apparatus includes grip handles, transmission linkages, a drive rod a fulcrum and a cylinder. The staple has superior and inferior segments with serrated interfaces, a teethed unidirectional locking mechanism and four facet piercing elements. The staples can be also be used to join members such as bones, portions of the spinal column, or vertebral bodies.

A method of preparing an assembly for a surgical procedure while an implant is engaged with a bone includes mounting a first insert component, configured to mount to the implant with a first predetermined orientation, with a first mating component fixed thereto in a replication instrument at a second predetermined orientation, and determining an angular position of the provided first mating component with respect to the first insert component using the replication instrument. The first insert component and the first mating component are removed from the replication instrument and a second insert component configured to mount to the implant with the first predetermined orientation is mounted in the replication instrument at the second predetermined orientation and the determined angular position is replicated with the mounted second insert component and a second mating component.

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.

An implant (30) for a mammalian bone joint (3) for spacing a first bone (2) of the joint from a second bone (1) of the joint while allowing translational movement of the second bone in relation to the first bone is described. The implant comprises (a) a distal part (31) configured for intramedullary engagement with an end of the second bone, (b) a proximal part (34) having a platform (15) configured for non-engaging abutment of an end of the first bone and translational movement thereon, and (c) an articulating coupling (10, 16) provided between the distal and proximal ends allowing controlled articulation of the first and second bones. The bone-abutting platform is shaped to conform to and translate upon the end of the first bone. A kit for assembly to form the implant of the invention, and the use of the implant to treat osteoarthritis in a bone joint, are also described.

An intervertebral implant has a hollow space formed within the implant and accessible through an elongate opening extending through a recessed portion of the side wall, and the hollow space is shaped to receive an engagement portion of a drive shaft of an insertion tool; and the intervertebral implant includes at least two guiding surfaces facing each other and being configured for sliding engagement by a portion of a sleeve of the insertion tool movably holding the drive shaft.

An expandable interbody spacer for the spine is provided. The interbody spacer includes a housing, upper and lower endplates, an anterior actuator, a posterior actuator, an anterior drive screw, and a posterior drive screw. The anterior and posterior drive screws are independently or simultaneously rotated with respect to each other by a driver to wedge one or more of the anterior and posterior actuators between the endplates moving them into parallel and/or angular expansion.

A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.

A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.

A surgical procedure method includes accessing an implanted joint prosthesis having an implant engaged within a bone of the joint and a first articulating component mounted by a first mating component to a first insert component removably mounted to the implant, and partially disassembling the accessed implanted joint prosthesis by removing the first insert component with the first articulating component fixed thereto from the implant while the implant is engaged with the bone. The angular position of the first mating component with respect to the first insert component is then determined and replicated with a second insert component and a second mating component. The second insert component and the second mating component are then fixed at the replicated angle and the fixed second insert component and second mating component are mounted to the implant engaged within the bone. A new articulating component is then mounted to the second mating component.