The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

An adjustable implant (10, 60, 70, 80, 90) has a base (12) and a displaceable element (16) providing opposing tissue contact surfaces (14, 18). A linkage (20, 26) is pivotally connected to the displaceable element. A linkage mover (38, 40), engaged so as to be displaceable along the base, is associated with the linkage (20, 26) so as to define a displaceable pivot location (24, 30) for pivotal motion of the linkage relative to the base, in certain preferred embodiments, the base (12) has an internally threaded track (42, 44) in which a threaded segment of the linkage mover (38, 40) is engaged, so that rotation of the threaded segment about its central axis advances the linkage mover along the threaded track, thereby displacing the displaceable pivot locations and adjusting a separation between the first contact surface and at least part of the second contact surface.

Surgical instruments, systems and methods are described for selecting a size and cutting bone for inserting of an intervertebral disc prosthesis. The surgical instrument includes a combined intervertebral disc prosthesis sizing trial and a slot or channel cutter which is movable with respect to the sizing trial.

An expandable device comprising, a body defining a bore, a shaft received in the bore of the body, an end plate coupled to the shaft, wherein rotation of the shaft translates the end plate with respect to the body, and a locking mechanism engaged with the shaft so as to permit the shaft to rotate in a first direction and apply a resistance force to resist the shaft when attempting to rotate in a second direction.

The invention relates to a height restoring device for restoring the height of and stabilizing the spinal column, in particular for stabilizing broken vertebral bodies or contused intervertebral discs, which device can be arranged in an insertion position in a compression-fractured vertebral body or between adjacent vertebral bodies and once there, can be transferred from the insertion position into an expansion position by means of an expansion apparatus.

A bodiless bone fusion method, apparatus and device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together and/or in place of one or more of the bones, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bodiless bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable plates, one or more extending blocks in communication with the extendable plates, one or more positioning elements for adjusting the extendable plates by manipulating the extending blocks, and one or more support panels for holding the positioning elements and guiding the extendable plates. The plates are able to be advantageously positioned in the confined space between the vertebrae to help brace the device until the bone has fused.

The present invention includes a novel procedure and corresponding medical devices for a Percutaneous Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PePLIF). In PePLIF, the surgeon performs the entire operation percutaneously without the use of a microscope, endoscope, or magnifying loupes. An adjustable retractor system is disclosed that enables the surgeon to percutaneously perform the surgery through accessing the facet joint (and later disc space) that was created by said retractor system. This retractor system provides the surgeon a safe area to work and operate without fear of damaging nerves, blood vessels, or other tissue. An expanding trial may be inserted into and removed from the disc space through the interior of the retractor system to determine the proper size for the expandable cage. The retractor system also enables the expandable cage to be inserted into the disc space.

Expandable fusion devices, systems, and methods thereof. The expandable implant may include first and second lateral legs and link plates pivotably joined between them. The lateral legs may include upper and lower endplates configured to engage adjacent vertebrae, an actuator assembly including a rotatable actuator having a shaft and a rotatable nut, and driving ramps positioned along the shaft of the actuator. The actuator assembly may cause independent movement of one or more of the driving ramps, thereby causing an expansion in height of the upper and lower endplates of the lateral legs and passive expansion of the connected link plates.

Embodiments are directed to an expandable spacer for insertion between two adjacent bony structures or two adjacent joint surfaces, and more particularly relate to an expandable spacer for insertion into the void remaining in the intervertebral space. Embodiments may include an expandable spacer comprising a first endplate; a second endplate spaced from the first endplate; and one or more bags disposed between the first endplate and the second endplate that couple the first endplate to the second endplate. The one or more bags may be configured to receive a filler material to expand the expandable spacer from an initial position having a first height to an expanded position having a second height, wherein the second height is greater than the first height.

Methods and apparatus for providing correction of one or more maladies or conditions of the spinal column of a living being. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an implantable device configured to be selectively adjustable in one or more portions thereof so as to permit correction of asymmetries or irregularities of the spinal column via insertion into one or more affected intervertebral disc spaces. In one variant, the implantable device includes upper and lower host elements which are hinged or can pivot relative to one another, and an insertable distraction mechanism which is adjustable to enable one side or the other of the implantable device to alter height. In another variant, both sides of the implantable device can be adjusted for height via the host elements and one or more pivots or hinges. In one implementation, the distraction mechanism is adjustable from multiple approaches into the disc space.