Systems and methods are provided for determining acceptable ranges of pressures for use by a robotic arm on a surgical instrument, robotic systems and methods that are limited to using the acceptable ranges of pressures, and the medical devices for use in the robotic surgery. Learning software is included in the methods and systems for correlating manually-performed procedures with pressure sensors as a tactile gauge for qualifying the acceptable ranges of pressures for use by a robotic system. Robotic systems and methods are provided for (i) locating tissue borders of a surgical site, (ii) identifying a preferred pressure, and (iii) transmitting the data to the computer to avoid violating the integrity of tissue surrounding the surgical site.

Disclosed is a height-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 configured to be movable in a longitudinal direction inside the frame, and a driving bolt having one end thereof connected to the block to move the block. The height-expandable spinal cage is implanted into an affected area while occupying the minimum height thereof and to be expanded between vertebral bodies.

A bone graft delivery system and method for using same to deliver graft material into a surgical site. The method includes the steps of providing a hollow tube configured to receive the graft material, releasably attaching an implant to a distal end of the hollow tube so as to communicate with at least one opening in the distal end of the hollow tube, the implant being configured to receive the graft material delivered through the hollow tube; placing the implant within the surgical site; advancing the graft material through the hollow tube; conveying graft material through the hollow tube into an interior of the implant, whereby the implant is at least substantially filled with the graft material; and discharging the graft material through at least one opening in the implant into the surgical site, whereby the surgical site is at least substantially filled with the graft material.

An apparatus or a system employs a fixation assembly to stabilize and prevent migration of an interbody fusion device placed between adjacent vertebral bodies, and/or provide supplemental fixation of adjacent vertebral bodies. The fixation assembly may include modular fixation plates insertable and attachable to the interbody fusion device in situ. In certain embodiments, the fixation assembly may include a single fixation plate insertable and/or attachable to the interbody fusion device in situ. In certain embodiments, fixation plates are integrally formed with the interbody fusion device.

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 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 augment system is provided for use with an acetabular cup. The expandable augment system can include an expandable augment module that is adjustable in size and that can be adjusted incrementally between a fully collapsed state and an expanded state. A first portion of the expandable augment module is attachable to an outer surface of an acetabular cup and a second portion of the expandable augment module is attachable to bone or to a fixed augment module (e.g., a fixed angle augment module) that is attached to bone and interposed between the adjustable augment module and bone.

A fusion device includes an actuator including a shaft, a receiver disposed posterior to the actuator and configured to be coupled to the shaft of the actuator, and a first plate and a second plate each slidably coupled to the actuator. The first and second plates are configured to move away from each other when the fusion device transitions from a first state to a second state.

An interbody spinal cage when implanted can be manipulated non-invasively to change dimensions conforming to contours of adjacent vertebral bones. The interbody spinal cage includes a flexible shell that encases multiple variable-length rods. Each of the multiple variable-length rods includes telescoping tubes and an actuator for increasing and decreasing the length of the telescoping tubes. Each of the variable-length rods includes a retention member to limit movements of the telescoping tubes, wherein the retention member can be engaged and disengaged. Both the retention member and the actuator can be operated from outside the body in which the interbody spinal cage is implanted.

A spinal implant is provided including an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface and a back surface, two side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the two side surfaces extending between the front surface and the back surface and an opening positioned closer to the back surface than the front surface. The opening is provided to contain graft material that spans between a cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the cortical rim of the lower vertebral body. The method includes packing the opening with graft material, wherein the graft material spans between the decorticated cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the decorticated cortical rim of the lower vertebral body.