An implant is provided for performing spinal fusion. The implant includes an implant body having a leading side and a trailing side at opposing ends along a longitudinal axis. Between the leading side and trailing side are an upper surface, a lower surface, an anterior side, and a posterior side. At least one keel structure is provided extending from the implant body for penetration into an adjacent vertebral body. A trial sizer and keel cutter may be utilized to form keel channels within the vertebral body to receive the keel structure.

A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided. The method includes implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is applied between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more tethers. Other embodiments are also described.

A stemless prosthetic shoulder joint may include a prosthetic humeral head and a stemless base. The stemless base may include a collar and an anchor extending from the collar intended to anchor the base into the proximal humerus. The anchor may include various features to enhance the fixation of the base, including hooks, threads, and/or expandable members that may be transitioned from a contracted insertion condition to an expanded implanted condition once the base is positioned in the bone. The anchor and/or collar may also include additional features to enhance fixation, such as geometries and surface features to enhance fixation to bone. The anchor may include a plurality of chisel slots to facilitate removal of bone during a revision surgery.

A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided. The method includes implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is applied between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more tethers. Other embodiments are also described.

An intervertebral implant for spondylolisthesis correction includes a superior side with serrations angled superiorly and toward the implant insertion direction, an inferior side with serrations angled inferiorly and opposite the implant insertion direction, and an instrument connection feature. An instrument for connection to the implant includes an implant connection feature movable between unlocked and locked states, and a friction-reducing feature movable between disengaged and engaged states. The instrument has a first state, in which the implant connection feature is in the unlocked state and the friction-reducing feature is in the disengaged state; a second state, in which the implant connection feature is in the locked state and the friction-reducing feature is in the engaged state; and a third state, in which the implant connection feature is in the locked state and the friction-reducing feature is in the disengaged state. Methods of apparatus assembly and surgery are disclosed.

According to some embodiments, a method of inserting a lateral implant within an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebral member and a lower vertebral member includes creating a lateral passage through a subject in order to provide minimally invasive access to the intervertebral space, at least partially clearing out native tissue of the subject within and/or near the intervertebral space, positioning a base plate within the intervertebral space, wherein the base plate comprise an upper base plate and a lower base plate and advancing an implant between the upper base plate and the lower base plate so that the implant is urged into the intervertebral space and the upper vertebral member is distracted relative to the lower vertebral member.

A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided. The method includes implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is applied between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more tethers. Other embodiments are also described.

According to some embodiments, a method of inserting a lateral implant within an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebral member and a lower vertebral member includes creating a lateral passage through a subject in order to provide minimally invasive access to the intervertebral space, at least partially clearing out native tissue of the subject within and/or near the intervertebral space, positioning a base plate within the intervertebral space, wherein the base plate comprise an upper base plate and a lower base plate and advancing an implant between the upper base plate and the lower base plate so that the implant is urged into the intervertebral space and the upper vertebral member is distracted relative to the lower vertebral member.

A fixation member inserter instrument attaches to an interbody spacer and assists in the insertion of the interbody spacer into the intravertebral spacer. The distal end of the fixation member inserter instrument includes a fixation member guide with two or more fixation members that is configured to simultaneously deliver the two or more fixation members during the fixation member impaction process. The interbody spacer is attached to the inserter instrument by a threaded rod adjacent to the main body of the fixation member inserter instrument. There is an impaction rod extending through the device which connects to the two or more fixation members in the fixation member guide. When the impaction rod is impacted on a proximal end, the distal end contacts the two or more fixation members simultaneously and forces them into the vertebral body at the same time.

A method produces a multilayer film for covering a bone defect site. The film comprises at least one substantially completely bioresorbable covering layer, and the at least one covering layer is placed on a thermally deformable and substantially completely bioresorbable molding layer. The at least one covering layer is connected to the molding layer thermally and/or mechanically, preferably in a compressed manner. Mandrel-like protrusions are arranged on the molding layer, and the protrusions are pressed into the at least one covering layer by the placement of the at least one covering layer on the molding layer and/or pushed through the at least one covering layer. Alternatively or in addition to the protrusions, substantially completely bioresorbable connection devices, preferably rivets or pins, are pushed through the molding layer and the at least one covering layer.