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 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.

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 therebetween 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.

An expandable implant is disclosed in which the implant includes top and bottom plates having angled inner surfaces that interact with expansion members. The expansion members may be situated on an actuator, and may include at least one vertical projection. In some instances, rotation of the actuator in opposing directions about a longitudinal axis may cause the expansion members to move toward or away from one another, thereby resulting in separation of the top and bottom plates. During such expansion of the implant, the at least one vertical projection of the expansion members may be guided at least partially within a recess formed in the first or second plate. Pins may also be included with the expansion members that ride along respective slots in the plates during expansion. An insertion instrument for implanting the aforementioned implant, and methods of using the same, are also disclosed.

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.

Systems for and methods of fusing a sacroiliac joint are provided which may include an implant adapted to be inserted into the joint space defined by the bones of a sacrum and an ilium and a delivery tool for inserting the implant into the sacroiliac joint. The method may include delivering the implant into the SI joint in a first position and transitioning the implant from the first position to a second position in situ. The implant may be configured such that in the second position the implant generally mimics a shape of the joint space of the sacroiliac joint. The implant may further include an actuation mechanism configured to cause the implant to transition from the first position to the second position. The actuation mechanism may include a hydraulic, pneumatic, geared or screwed mechanical arrangement.

A device and methods for intervertebral spinal fusion of adjacent intervertebral bodies. An intervertebral spacer is positioned within a narrow disc space between adjacent intervertebral bodies of a patient. The spacer is arranged with upper and lower guides. The guides are adapted to simultaneously guide the deployment of upper and lower anchors of an anchoring device into their respective intervertebral bodies. The spacer is also adapted to lock the upper and lower anchors to the spacer in the deployed position.

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.

A bodiless bone fusion method, apparatus and device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together and/or in place of one or more of the bones, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bodiless bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable plates, one or more extending blocks in communication with the extendable plates, one or more positioning elements for adjusting the extendable plates by manipulating the extending blocks, and one or more support panels for holding the positioning elements and guiding the extendable plates. The plates are able to be advantageously positioned in the confined space between the vertebrae to help brace the device until the bone has fused.

An intervertebral fusion implant for fusion of adjacent vertebrae, includes a main body having a first leg, a second leg, and an intermediate articulated joint, a pivoting blade is rotatably attached to the first leg, a guiding trough that includes two lateral side walls and two end-faces, one being stationary and one being movable and formed by a traveller movable along the guiding trough to vary its distance to the stationary end-face, the traveller being rotatably attached to the other end of the pivoting blade, wherein an attachment device is provided at the stationary end-face, and a second attachment device is provided at the traveller, which includes an aperture for passage of the holding instrument, wherein a lifting mechanism includes a lifting plate adjustable between retracted and raised states, the lifting plate being spaced from a top surface of the legs and forming a bearing for an adjacent vertebrae end-plate.