An expandable, intervertebral spacer includes a top component and a base component in engagement with the top component, the base component defining at least one channel for receiving a hardening material, and placement of the hardening material within the channel causes the top component to move between a first position in which the top component is a first distance from the base component and a second position in which the top component is a second distance from the base component, the second distance being greater than the first distance. The hardening material can be removed from the channel by a flexible coring tool, and the top component forced toward the base component to collapse the spacer.

Growing rod systems and methods for correcting spinal deformities include at least one growing rod assembly and at least one fluid delivery assembly. Each growing rod assembly includes a fluid actuator that is operable to extend first and second rod segments in opposite directions along the spine. The fluid actuator can be provided by, for example, a piston-cylinder actuator. Each fluid delivery assembly includes a fluid pump operably connectable to a fluid line, which in turn is connected to the fluid actuator. In one embodiment, the fluid actuator is of a linear design. In another embodiment, two linear or curvilinear fluid actuators are provided back-to-back and connected by a connecting rod that mounts to the mid-spine and is contourable. In another embodiment, the fluid actuator is of a curvilinear design to generally conform the normal spine. And in another embodiment, the fluid actuator includes a fluid-over-fluid shock absorber.

A system for moving a portion of a patient's body including a housing having a first cavity extending along a longitudinal axis, a first distraction rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the first distraction rod and the housing being telescopically displaceable with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis, the first distraction rod having a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis, a second distraction rod having a proximal end and a distal end and configured to be telescopically displaceable from within the second cavity along the longitudinal axis, and a drive system configured to move the first distraction rod in relation to the housing and to move the second distraction rod in relation to the first distraction rod.

A growing rod adapted to be secured along a length of a spine for treating deformities of the spine. The growing rod comprises a base rod, an extendible rod having a proximal portion that is slidably coupled to the base rod and arranged with a gear rack, and a distraction unit. The distraction unit includes a housing attached to the base rod, a rotatable drive interface accessible by an external driver from outside of the housing, and a drive gear mechanism housed within the housing and coupled to the rotatable drive interface and the gear rack such that rotation of the rotatable drive interface causes linear movement of the extendible rod through the gear rack.

Embodiments herein are generally directed to extendable rods for use in orthopedic assemblies. In some embodiments, these implants may be used in conjunction with procedures to treat spinal deformities, including, but not limited to, early onset scoliosis.

A method of changing a bone angle includes creating an osteotomy between a first portion and a second portion of a tibia of a patient; creating a cavity in the tibia by removing bone material along an axis extending in a substantially longitudinal direction from a first point at the tibial plateau to a second point; placing a non-invasively adjustable implant into the cavity, the non-invasively adjustable implant comprising an adjustable actuator having an outer housing and an inner shaft, telescopically disposed in the outer housing, and a driving element configured to be remotely operable to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing; coupling one of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the first portion of the tibia; coupling the other of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the second portion of the tibia; and remotely operating the driving element to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing, thus changing an angle between the first portion and second portion of the tibia.

A method of changing a bone angle includes creating an osteotomy between a first portion and a second portion of a tibia of a patient; creating a cavity in the tibia by removing bone material along an axis extending in a substantially longitudinal direction from a first point at the tibial plateau to a second point; placing a non-invasively adjustable implant into the cavity, the non-invasively adjustable implant comprising an adjustable actuator having an outer housing and an inner shaft, telescopically disposed in the outer housing, and a driving element configured to be remotely operable to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing; coupling one of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the first portion of the tibia; coupling the other of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the second portion of the tibia; and remotely operating the driving element to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing, thus changing an angle between the first portion and second portion of the tibia.

A device for bone adjustment in a mammal. The device comprising two or more anchoring devices adapted to implanted intramedullary and attached to a bone in said mammal and an adjustment device for exerting force on said anchoring devices, said adjustment device being adapted to postoperatively adjust at least one of the distance between or orientation of, at least two of said anchoring devices. The operation device further comprises a motor and said operation device is adapted to operate said adjustment device. The operation device further comprises a gearbox connected to the motor, wherein an outgoing speed from the gear box is lower than the speed by the motor alone, accomplished by the gearbox, and wherein the outgoing speed of the gearbox is less than 10 turn per second during normal operation. The device also comprises a control device adapted to control the operation device, wherein the control device is: programmed to control the device according to a pre-programmed time-schedule, and programmed to control the device based on input from a sensor or measuring device sensing any possible physical parameter of the patient or any functional parameter of the system.

Hydraulically expandable spinal rods and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The spinal rod may include a piston rod, a static rod, and a hydraulic pressure chamber for accepting hydraulic fluid and causing the piston rod to move in an expansion direction relative to the static rod. Upon connection of the piston and static rods to a patient's spinal column, the hydraulic spinal rod may be expanded to aid in correction of an underlying spinal deformity.

A spinal adjustment system including at least one thermally actuated pump element.