An expandable implant system is configured to increase the height of a target bone, for instance that has been subjected to a compression fracture. The expandable implant system includes an implant assembly that can be inserted into the target bone, and subsequently expanded so as to increase the height of the target bone. The expandable implant system further includes an and insertion assembly that is configured to create an insertion channel into the target bone, such that the implant assembly can be inserted in a collapsed configuration into the target bone along the insertion channel, and subsequently expanded.

A nuclear disc implant includes an inner fillable enclosure and an outer fillable enclosure. After insertion into a enucleated disc cavity, the inner enclosure is filled with a fluid and the outer fillable enclosure is filled with a curable material. The curable material is allowed to cure and the fluid is removed from the inner enclosure to leave an inner enclosure surrounded by an cured outer enclosure. A reinforcing band may be provided around the nuclear disc implant. An inflation tool to fill the nuclear disc implant is provided.

An inflatable and implantable balloon for treatment of degenerative disc disease, bones, lesions, spinal deformities and spinal motion segment instabilities. The balloon is comprised of adjustable and expandable volumes. Further disclosed are methods of forming, inserting, expanding, and implanting the multi-volume balloon for proper placement and stabilization of the spinal lesion or disease. Still further disclosed are kits for aligning and stabilizing elements of the spine.

Spinal tissue distraction devices that include a member which has a pre-deployed configuration for insertion between tissue layers and a deployed configuration in which the member, by change of configuration, forms a support structure for separating and supporting layers of spinal tissue.

The present invention describes methods, devices and instruments for resurfacing or replacing facet joints, uncovertebral joints and costovertebral joints. The joints can be prepared by smoothing the articular surface on one side, by distracting the joint and by implant insertion. Implants can be stabilized against a first articular surface by creating a high level of conformance with said first articular surface, while smoothing the second articular surface with a surgical instrument with a smooth mating implant surface.

A tunable implant, system, and method enables a tunable implant to be adjusted within a patient. The tunable implant includes a securing mechanism to secure the implant in the patient, a actuation portion that enables the implant to move and an adjustment portion that permits adjustment of the implant after the implant has been positioned within the patient. The method of adjusting the tunable implant includes analyzing the operation of the implant, determining if any adjustments are necessary and adjusting the implant to improve implant performance. The implant system includes both the tunable implant and a telemetric system that is operable to telemetrically receive data from the tunable implant where the data is used to determine if adjustment of the tunable implant is necessary. The system also includes an instrument assembly that is used for performing spinal surgery where the instrument assembly includes a mounting platform and a jig.

A bone fusion device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises at least one extendable tab and one or more tab extension assemblies. Each tab extension assembly is able to be adjusted in order to individually control the extension or contraction of a side of the tab thereby enabling adjustment of the height and/or angle of the tab with respect to the body of the bone fusion device. Each tab extension assembly is able to be individually adjusted such that the side controlled by each assembly is raised or lowered until the desired tab angle is achieved. The tab is advantageously positioned and angled to correspond to the vertebrae to help brace the device until the bone has fused.

A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized cross section in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Expanding selectively (anteriorly, along the vertical axis of the spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage shape intends to rest proximate to the anterior column cortices securing the desired spread and fixation, allowing for bone graft in, around, and through the implant for arthrodesis whereas for arthroplasty it fixes to endpoints but cushions the spine naturally.

Methods and systems are disclosed for accessing and treating the interior of the facet joint for vertebral distraction and immobilization. The systems include a number of tools that facilitate access to the facet joint, distraction of the articulating decortication of the articulating surfaces, and delivery of implants and agents into the facet joint for fusion.

Implants and methods for augmentation of the disc space between two vertebral bodies to treat disease or abnormal pathology conditions in spinal applications. The implant includes a chain of biocompatible material suitable for insertion into a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies in a patient's spinal column, wherein the spinal disc space has a transverse plane. The chain comprises a plurality of adjacent bodies having a height configured to reside within the disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies and a length configured to reside in the disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies when the chain is curved in an orientation substantially along the transverse plane of the spinal disc space.