An electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc having an upper disc plate and a lower disc plate is disclosed. An actuator imparts movement to at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. A control device controls the actuator and the amount of movement between the disc plates. The actuator includes a plurality of either linear actuators or rotary actuators that are driven by electric motors in response to the control device. The control device includes at least a first sensor for detecting the position of the actuator and at least a second sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. The control device also preferably includes a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides a control signal to the actuator to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

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.

An implant including first and second end plates, each of which defines at least one anterior ramped surface and at least one posterior ramped surface. A posterior actuator is positioned between the first and second end plates and has guiding ramp surfaces which correspond with the posterior ramped surfaces. An anterior actuator is positioned between the first and second end plates and guiding ramp surfaces which correspond with the anterior ramped surfaces. An actuator assembly extends between the posterior actuator and the anterior actuator and is configured to selectively move the posterior actuator and the anterior actuator simultaneously, move posterior actuator independently of the anterior actuator, or move the anterior actuator independently of the posterior actuator.

An electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc having an upper disc plate and a lower disc plate is disclosed. An actuator imparts movement to at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. A control device controls the actuator and the amount of movement between the disc plates. The actuator includes a plurality of either linear actuators or rotary actuators that are driven by electric motors in response to the control device. The control device includes at least a first sensor for detecting the position of the actuator and at least a second sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. The control device also preferably includes a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides a control signal to the actuator to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

A spinal implant includes a first member that is curved along an axis between opposite ends. The first member defines a bore and a first thread. A second member is positioned in the bore and is curved between opposite ends. The second member includes a second thread engaged with the first thread. The second thread includes a series of gear teeth. A third member is positioned in the bore and is curved between opposite ends and includes opposite ends. A driver includes a gear configured to engage the gear teeth such that rotation of the driver relative to the first member and the second member rotates the second member relative to the first member to translate the second member relative to the first member along the axis. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Disclosed is an angle-expandable spinal cage including an upper plate and a lower plate disposed to face each other, a frame disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate, the frame having a space formed therein, a block disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate and disposed in front of the frame, and a driving bolt having one end thereof connected to the frame and a remaining end thereof connected to the block. The angle-expandable spinal cage is implanted into an affected area while occupying the minimum angle thereof and to be expanded between vertebral bodies.

A spinal implant comprises a first member, a second member and an actuator defining a transverse pivot axis, A first link is connected to the first member and the actuator adjacent the pivot axis. The first link includes an inner surface defining a cavity. A second link is connected to the second member and the actuator adjacent the pivot axis. The actuator is rotatable for translating the pivot axis such that the second link is movable within the cavity to move the members between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.

The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being inserted between adjacent vertebrae to facilitate the fusion process. The expandable fusion device may include first and second endplates, a translation member configured to expand an anterior side and/or posterior side of the device, a plurality of joists configured to connect the first and second endplates to the translation member, and first and second actuation members disposed internally to the device such that openings on a back side of the device can be used to expand or compress the anterior side, the posterior side, or both and such openings may also be used to introduce graft material into the device.

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 implant having superior and inferior endplates disposed on opposite sides of a core is disclosed. The superior endplate may include a first screw engagement surface disposed on a proximal end thereof and the inferior endplate may include a second screw engagement surface disposed on a proximal end thereof. A pin may extend through corresponding pin apertures of the superior endplate, the inferior endplate, and the core. In various embodiments, the superior endplate and inferior endplate are hingedly connected to the core via the pin. The implant may include a locking screw movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking screw may urge an engagement surface of the superior endplate and inferior endplate such that corresponding interior surfaces of the superior and inferior endplates frictionally engage against a corresponding exterior surface of the core.