A system for implanting an inter-body device between adjacent vertebrae comprises an inter-body device having a plurality of cans secured to a flexible bridge and having a relief portion therebetween. An inserter tube and complementary bullnoses are advantageously secured to the vertebrae by an extension arm for securing the assembly precisely in place. A plurality of articulating trial implants are provided to test fit a disc space for the proper sized inter-body device.

Intervertebral implants for implanting into an intervertebral space are provided. The implants can comprise one or more layers that are operably attached to one another. An implant can comprise a first layer having a first mating surface that mates with a second mating surface of a second layer. The first mating surface and the second mating surface can have features that allow them to complement each other. The implants can include one or more bore holes for receiving a fixation member. The bore holes can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. In some cases, the bore holes will be blind bore holes.

A vertebral facet distractor intended to be positioned between first and second articular facets in an articular facet joint to provide distraction between the first and second articular facets includes an elongated generally cylindrical contour including opposed top and bottom surfaces, an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a central lumen that defines an opening in the bottom surface. The outer sidewall is provided with a surface irregularity to promote bone fusion when the vertebral facet distractor is positioned between the first and second articular facets in the articular facet joint.

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.

A device for treatment of spondylotic disease includes a distractor for distracting vertebral facets of first and second vertebrae located adjacent each other. The distractor includes a first abutment surface for interfacing with an inferior articular facet of the first vertebra. The distractor also includes a second abutment surface for interfacing with the superior articular facet of the second vertebra corresponding to the inferior articular facet of the first vertebra. The first and second abutment surfaces of the distractor engage with each other and are separated by a predetermined distance.

A composite interbody device for use with spinal fusion surgery is described herein. The composite interbody device comprises a central body made from a radiolucent biocompatible polymer (e.g., PEEK or UHMWPE) and metallic plates, which are placed at the superior and inferior surfaces of the central body. The metallic plates are comprised of an end plate that is adjacent to a vertebral body and an intermediate plate that is adjacent to the central body. The end plates may have one or more arrays of apertures to facilitate bone growth into the end plates to secure the interbody device within the intervertebral space. The intermediate plates may also have one or more arrays of apertures to allow the central body to bond to the end plates through compression molding, injection molding, and/or heat molding. The arrays of apertures in the end plates are not aligned with the arrays of apertures in the intermediate plates so that polymer material of the central body will not penetrate into the end plate, where bone growth is encouraged, and vice versa.

A device for treatment of spondylotic disease includes a distractor for distracting vertebral facets of first and second vertebrae located adjacent each other. The distractor includes a first abutment surface for interfacing with an inferior articular facet of the first vertebra. The distractor also includes a second abutment surface for interfacing with the superior articular facet of the second vertebra corresponding to the inferior articular facet of the first vertebra. The first and second abutment surfaces of the distractor engage with each other and are separated by a predetermined distance.

Intervertebral implants for implanting into an intervertebral space are provided. The implants can comprise one or more layers that are operably attached to one another. An implant can comprise a first layer having a first mating surface that mates with a second mating surface of a second layer. The first mating surface and the second mating surface can have features that allow them to complement each other. The implants can include one or more bore holes for receiving a fixation member. The bore holes can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. In some cases, the bore holes will be blind bore holes.

An instrument for attachment to and insertion of an implant device is provided. The instrument has a handle and a pair of retaining posts extending longitudinally from a distal end of the handle. Each of the pair of retaining posts have an end dimensioned to engaged a respective threaded bore of the implant device. Also, a post drive mounted to the handle and mechanically connected to each of the retaining posts so as to engage the retaining posts simultaneously is provided.

A prosthesis, in particular a shoulder prosthesis, includes a socket part receiving a joint head; an anchoring part anchoring the prosthesis in a bone; and a connecting arrangement securely connecting the socket part to the anchoring part. The socket part is assigned at least one pin and the anchoring part has at least one guide. The guide is designed in such a way that the pin can be held substantially safe from tilting in the guide.