An implant may include a body having a first blade having a first retracted position in the body and a first extended position where the first blade extends outwardly from the body, a second extendable blade, and a blade actuating member configured to translate through the body in directions parallel to the lateral axis. When the blade actuating member is moved in a first direction along the lateral axis, the first blade moves towards the first extended position; and in the first extended position, the first blade extends from the superior surface at a first non-zero angle with respect to the superior-inferior axis; and the second blade moves towards a second extended position in which the second blade extends from the inferior surface at a second non-zero angle with respect to the superior-inferior axis.

A methodology for grafting together adjacent bony structures is provided using an implant device having an endplate with an inner disc portion and outer ring portion spaced from the inner disc portion by a connecting wall disposed therebetween. An endplate interior surface includes a retaining structure for securing the endplate to one of the bony structures, and endplate an exterior surface has an integrally formed socket. A ball-joint rod has a longitudinally extending body and an end, and at least a portion of the ball-joint rod end is curvilinear in shape. The curvilinear ball-joint rod end is rotatably disposed in the endplate socket to fixedly interconnect the bony structures.

An apparatus and method is provided relating to artificial discs. An artificial disc is provided that facilitates simultaneous and independent articulation of flexion/extension, lateral bending, anterior/posterior translation, and axial rotation. The artificial disc provides these four simultaneous and independent articulations by independently addressing each type of articulation in the design of the artificial disc. In one example, an artificial disc is comprised of a bearing disposed between first and second end plates. The bearing is movable relative to each end plate, independent of the other end plate. The end plates are affixed to adjacent vertebrae.

An implant is described for use in the spine, including two blades attached to a blade actuating member. Each blade includes a protruding portion that engages a corresponding channel in the blade actuating member. The blade or blades are extended or retracted when the blade actuating member is translated along a first axis. Each blade is retained in channels within the blade actuating member, and channels within the body of the implant, that constrain each blade to move in a direction near perpendicular to the direction of motion of the blade actuating member.

A spinal facet fusion implant comprising: an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body being characterized by a superior body surface and an inferior body surface; a superior stabilizer extending outwardly from the superior body surface, the superior stabilizer being characterized by a superior stabilizer surface; and an inferior stabilizer extending outwardly from the inferior body surface, the inferior stabilizer being characterized by an inferior stabilizer surface; wherein (i) the superior body surface and the inferior body surface are tapered relative to one another, and/or (ii) the superior stabilizer surface and the inferior stabilizer surface are tapered relative to one another.

A methodology for grafting together adjacent bony structures is provided using an implant device having an endplate with an inner disc portion and outer ring portion spaced from the inner disc portion by a connecting wall disposed therebetween. An endplate interior surface includes a retaining structure for securing the endplate to one of the bony structures, and endplate an exterior surface has an integrally formed socket. A ball-joint rod has a longitudinally extending body and an end, and at least a portion of the ball-joint rod end is curvilinear in shape. The curvilinear ball-joint rod end is rotatably disposed in the endplate socket to fixedly interconnect the bony structures.

The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region is generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.

A bone cage may include first and second spaced apart frames defining a bone ingrowth cavity therebetween, a plurality of first protrusions each having a proximal end coupled to the first frame and a distal end extending into the cavity toward the second frame but not contacting the second frame, and a plurality of second protrusions each having a proximal end coupled to the second frame and a distal end extending into the cavity toward the first frame but not contacting the first frame. Furthermore, the distal ends of the first protrusions may be laterally offset from the distal ends of the second protrusions.

Systems and tools for inserting and securing an implant within the intervertebral space. An intervertebral disc implant with upper and lower bearing members with an articulation interface between the members for providing relative motion therebetween. The implant may be provided with various securing members for fixing the implant within the intervertebral space. A tool may be used to insert the implant, which includes a plurality of shiftable implant engaging members that are shiftable between non-engaging and engaging configurations to alternatively release or hold the implant.

Systems for distracting a facet joint and positioning a permanent implant in the joint are disclosed. The implants serve to retain a distracted position of the facet joint which is achieved with positioning of the leading end of a distraction tool in the facet joint and then distracting or enlarging the joint a desired amount. The permanent implant could be part of the distraction mechanism which can be separated from the delivery tool once the joint has been distracted or an auxiliary implant may be positioned before the distraction mechanism is removed from the distracted joint. The permanent implants can be solid, mechanical devices that may have fixation means thereon to hold them in place or injected fluids such as hydrogels or fluids confined within balloons.