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.

An implant includes a body, a cavity extending into the body and defined by a first interior lateral wall, a second interior lateral wall opposite the first interior lateral wall, a first interior end wall, and a second interior end wall, a blade guide positioned in the cavity, a blade configured to translate along the blade guide between a first position and a second position, wherein the blade is positioned between the first interior lateral wall, the second interior lateral wall, the first interior end wall, and the second interior end wall in the first position, and an opening extending into the cavity, the opening configured to receive a portion of a rod such that movement of the rod into the opening causes the blade to translate from the first position to the second position.

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.

Medical devices in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention employ one or more coaxial screw gear sleeve mechanisms. In various embodiments, coaxial screw gear sleeve mechanisms include a post with a threaded exterior surface and a corresponding sleeve configured to surround the post, the corresponding sleeve having a threaded interior surface configured to interface with the threaded exterior surface of the post and a geared exterior surface. A drive mechanism can be configured to interface with the geared exterior surface of the sleeve, causing the device to expand.

A joint spacer for therapeutically maintains separation of bones of a joint. A frame defines a longitudinal axis extending between distal and proximal ends. A carriage is slideably retained within the frame and has at least one ramped surface and a threaded portion. An actuator screw is threadably engaged with the threaded portion, and bears against said frame to cause the carriage to slideably move within the frame when the actuator screw is rotated. A first endplate engages a bone of the joint, and has at least one ramped surface that is mateable with the ramped surface of the carriage.

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.

A method of making an implantable device includes directing a projection of laser energy having a plurality of adjacent energy pixels on a build surface atop a bed of powder, thereby forming a layer of the implantable device. The directing step is repeated a plurality of times, in a layer-by-layer manner, such that a totality of the formed layers define at least a portion of the implantable device.

Exemplary embodiments of apparatuses and methods of an expandable fusion device are provided. In one embodiment, an intervertebral implant can be provided, having a first endplate having an upper surface and a lower surface, a second endplate having an upper surface and a lower surface. A first side wall extends from the first endplate and a second side wall extends from the second endplate and are configured to engage one another to provide a selective variable height between the first endplate and the second endplate. The first side wall and the second side wall form a substantially hollow portion substantially enclosed by the first endplate, second endplate and the side walls. The substantially hollow portion is configured to receive bone growth inducing material.