An implant is insertable in the joint space to separate bones of the joint. The implant has two endplates each configured to engage a separate articulating bone of the joint, and a threaded member positioned between the two endplates and configured to increase the space between the two endplates when the threaded member is rotated. A rotatable gear is engaged with the threaded member, and is engageable with a rotating gear of a connected implantation tool, so that rotation of the gear on the tool causes rotation of the threaded member and expansion of the implant to separate the bones. Connector portions on the tool and the implant may be rotated together to securely engage the implant and the tool so that the gears of the tool and the implant can be rotated using an actuator outside of the body, when the implant is inside the body.

A joint spacer has first and second endplates, with each having a bone engaging surface, and at least two cams with an inclined cam surface positioned on an opposite side. First and second slides, each having ramps with an inclined surface are engaged with the cams of the endplate. The first slide has an angled portion at an end, and the second slide has a hinge portion. A threaded shaft has a hinge portion connected to the slide hinge portion, connecting the shaft to the slide, enabling the shaft to pivot. A nut is threaded to the shaft, and can contact and interfere with the angled portion of the first slide to drive the first slide with respect to the second slide. This results in engagement of the cams and ramps to drive the endplates apart to increase the spacer height.

An expandable interbody fusion implant device has a frame, two ramp assemblies and two overlying base plates driven by two independent drive shafts. The two ramp assemblies include a distal ramp assembly and a proximal ramp assembly. Each ramp assembly has a translating ramp, a first pivoting hinged ramp and a second pivoting hinged ramp. The two overlying base plates include a first base plate overlying a second base plate. 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 two independently driven drive shafts include a first drive shaft for translating the distal ramp assembly and a second drive shaft for translating the proximal ramp assembly to independently expand the implant proximally or distally or both.

An insertion instrument for expandable spinal implants includes an elongate member, a shuttle, and a worm gear. The elongate member includes a handle portion of a proximal end and an end effector on a distal end, wherein the end effector is configured to be releasably engaged to an expandable spinal implant. The shuttle is slidably disposed within a cavity defined within the end effector and includes a wedged shaped distal end configured to engage an expandable spinal implant. The worm gear is rotatably disposed within the cavity defined in the end effector and is in mechanical communication with the shuttle, such that rotation of the worm gear effectuates movement of the shuttle. Distal movement of the shuttle effectuates articulation of an expandable spinal implant. A method of performing surgery is also disclosed.

Multiple, small, staple-like supports are inserted through a small tube into the disc space then rotated into position on the edge of the vertebral bodies. The tooth-like geometry of the proximal and distal faces of these staples mates with the outer edge of the vertebral body, extending past the front of the endplate anteriorly. The staples have teeth that dig into the endplate on the inside of the rim as well.

An intervertebral implant includes a body with a first face, a second face connected to the first face, and an axis of rotation. The body defines a hollow space for connecting to an insertion device, the hollow space being accessible through an opening formed between the first and second faces. The opening is elongate and extends around the axis of rotation to facilitate pivoting of the implant relative to the insertion device about the axis of rotation to a first angular position and a second angular position. The implant further includes a first abutment surface that engages the insertion device in a form-fit manner at the first angular position, and a second abutment surface that engages the insertion device in a form-fit manner at the second angular position. The opening can also engage the insertion device to hold the implant at at least one additional angular position.

An orthopedic surgical instrument and method for positioning an acetabular prosthetic component in a patient's surgically-prepared acetabulum is disclosed. The orthopedic surgical instrument has a base configured to engage the patient's pelvis, a first linkage pivotally coupled to the base, a locking mechanism operable to lock the first linkage in position relative to the base, and a second linkage removably coupled to the first linkage. The second linkage has an alignment axis corresponding to a desired abduction angle and a desired anteversion angle of the acetabular axis of the acetabular prosthetic component.

An intervertebral implant has at least one arm (14) pivotally connected to a base (10). At least one worm gear configuration includes a worm in (18) mounted within the base (10) so as to be rotatable, and a set of gear teeth (20) associated with the arm (14). When the worm (18) is rotated about its central axis, the arm (14) is driven through a range of pivotal motion relative to the base so as to change an angle of inclination between a direction of elongation (16) of the arm and the direction of elongation (12) of the base. Embodiments of the invention include devices with a hollow proximal worm allowing access into the implant via the worm, distally deployed worms, and devices with a pair of worm gear assemblies that operate synchronously or independently.

A unitarily formed expandable spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant is moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, and can be manufactured by a 3-dimensional printer. The unitarily formed expandable spinal implant includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a proximal wall, a first distal wall portion, a second distal wall portion, and a separator connected by at least one point of attachment to the spinal implant. A separation tool breaks the separator free from the at least one point of attachment, and moves the separator within the implant to force expansion thereof from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration.

A method for treating a spine is provided. The method includes the steps of: disposing an interbody implant adjacent a posterior portion of an intervertebral disc space; connecting a surgical instrument with at least one fixation element fastened with tissue adjacent the posterior portion; and manipulating the surgical instrument such that tissue adjacent the posterior portion engages the interbody implant and one or more vertebra rotate about the interbody implant. Spinal implants; surgical instruments and systems are disclosed.