A device for performing intervertebral body fusion between at a vertebral joint, and associated systems and methods for manufacturing the device are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the device includes an expandable main body configured to be locked in a desired configuration between a superior and an inferior vertebrae at the vertebral joint to facilitate the intervertebral body fusion at the vertebral joint. A first endplate is connected to the main body. The first endplate can include a superior surface having one or more patient-specific features configured to engage and mate with an inferior surface of the superior vertebra. A second endplate is connected to the main body. The second endplate can include an inferior surface having one or more patient-specific features configured to engage and mate with a superior surface of the inferior vertebra.

Expandable fusion devices 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. An access cannula may be introduced over the first dilator tube. A drill may be inserted through the access cannula and used to perform a foraminoplasty. Surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

An expandable, adjustable inter-body fusion device is presented. The inter-body fusion device can have a first plate, a second plate, and an insert positioned substantially there between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate, the second plate, and the insert define an interior cavity. Moving the insert longitudinally with respect to the first and second plates increases or decreases the distance of the first plate with respect to the second plate, effectively expanding the inter-body fusion device and increasing the volume of the interior cavity. The angle between the first plate and the second plate is selectively adjustable.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectively detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. In one embodiment, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage. In another embodiment, the bone graft material is loaded into a breech area in the hollow tube.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine, and methods for using same. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectively detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. In one embodiment, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage. In another embodiment, the bone graft material is loaded into a breech area in the hollow tube.

A stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient includes an inner tube comprising a positive Poisson's ratio (PPR) material and defining a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis of the stent; and an outer tube comprising a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) foam material and disposed around an entirety of the inner tube, the outer tube extending along the longitudinal axis of the stent. The stent is configured to exhibit an auxetic behavior in response to a deformation of the stent. An outer surface of the second portion is configured to apply a pressure to an inner surface of the vessel when the stent is implanted into the vessel and the deformation is removed.

A bone fusion device provides stability to bones during a bone fusion period. The bones include, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs attached to the bone fusion device by associated rotating means. The bone fusion device is preferably inserted by using an arthroscopic surgical procedure. During arthroscopic insertion of the device, the tabs are pre-configured for compactness. In this compact configuration, the tabs are preferably deposed along and/or within an exterior surface of the bone fusion device. After the bone fusion device has been positioned between the bones, one or more tab(s) are extended. In the preferred embodiment, the position of each tab is related to a positioning element and extending blocks. Typically, the tabs advantageously position and brace the bone fusion device in the confined space between the bones until the bones have fused.

An expandable interbody implant is expandable from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration by moving opposing first and second vertebral-engaging surfaces apart from one another. The implant includes a locking system for restraining contraction of the implant. The locking system may have a locked configuration, in which the first and second surfaces are prevented from moving back towards the contracted configuration, and the locking system may have an unlocked configuration, in which the first and second surfaces are permitted to move back towards the contracted configuration. The locking system may be controlled by rotation of one or more pinions. The pinions may, in turn, be controlled by linear movement of a rack. The rack may be configured so as to bias the locking system towards the locked configuration. The implant may also include a stop for constraining the maximum expansion of the implant.

An expandable interbody spacer includes a first endplate surface located on a first side of the spacer and adapted to contact a vertebral endplate surface of a first vertebral body, a second endplate surface located on a second, opposed, side of the spacer and adapted to contact a vertebral endplate surface of a second, opposed, vertebral body and an expansion mechanism adapted to selectively apply a distracting force between the first endplate surface and the second endplate surface, whereby actuation of the expansion mechanism causes the spacer to transition between a compressed insertion configuration to an expanded fusion configuration. The spacer also includes one or more of a deformable surface, a porosity to promote bone on-growth or through-growth, a stiffness substantially equivalent to cortical bone, and structure distributing loads through the spacer substantially without transferring the loads through higher-stiffness structures.