A spinal jack adapted for installation between first and second vertebral processes, including a central body supporting first and second inter-expandable jack halves between retracted and expanded positions. Each of the jack halves further includes gripping portions adapted for engaging the vertebral processes. A geared mechanism provides for expanding or retracting the jack halves in order to establish a corrected adjusted orientation between the processes.

An apparatus or a system employs a fixation assembly to stabilize and prevent migration of an interbody fusion device placed between adjacent vertebral bodies, and/or provide supplemental fixation of adjacent vertebral bodies. The fixation assembly may include modular fixation plates insertable and attachable to the interbody fusion device in situ. In certain embodiments, the fixation assembly may include a single fixation plate insertable and/or attachable to the interbody fusion device in situ. In certain embodiments, fixation plates are integrally formed with the interbody fusion device.

An interbody spinal cage when implanted can be manipulated non-invasively to change dimensions conforming to contours of adjacent vertebral bones. The interbody spinal cage includes a flexible shell that encases multiple variable-length rods. Each of the multiple variable-length rods includes telescoping tubes and an actuator for increasing and decreasing the length of the telescoping tubes. Each of the variable-length rods includes a retention member to limit movements of the telescoping tubes, wherein the retention member can be engaged and disengaged. Both the retention member and the actuator can be operated from outside the body in which the interbody spinal cage is implanted.

A surgical instrument includes a chassis, a first driving shaft, a first measuring mechanism, a second measuring mechanism, and a first handle. The chassis defines a first channel and a second channel each extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The first measuring mechanism corresponds to rotation in the first channel. The second measuring mechanism corresponds to rotation in the second channel. The first driving shaft is operable to be inserted into the first channel, engaging with the first measuring mechanism. The first driving shaft has an end portion configured to engage and drive a first adjustable feature and/or a second adjustable feature on a work-piece. The handle is operable to be releasably attached to the first driving shaft for applying torque or operable to remove the first driving shaft from the first channel.

Intervertebral disc prostheses and methods of use. An intervertebral disc prosthesis for installation in a spinal column may include a first intervertebral plate, a second intervertebral plate, and a removable insert core. The first intervertebral plate may engage one or both of the inferior vertebral endplate and the inferior ring apophysis of a superior vertebral body. The second intervertebral plate may engage one or both of the superior vertebral endplate and the superior ring apophysis of an inferior vertebral body. The removable insert core is located between and engages the intervertebral plates. A projection projects from one of the intervertebral plates toward the other intervertebral plate. The removable insert core at least partially surrounds the projection when installed. The removable insert core is removable from between the intervertebral plates and from around the projection while the intervertebral plates and projection remain installed.

An improved flexible component used for dynamic stabilization of spinal segments for the treatment of vertebrae deformities and injuries and for the replacement of a complete or segment of the body of a vertebra in the spine is described. The flexible component is comprised of a solid, suitable implant material with a longitudinal bore the entire length and an appropriately formed slot which extends spirally around the shaft either continuously or segmentally. The flexible component may be encapsulated, fully or partially, in a suitable implant grade elastomeric resilient material. When used for a dynamic stabilization device, the component is attached to the vertebral bodies by pedicle screws know to those in the art. When used as a vertebral replacement device, attached to the component's opposite ends are members for attachment to the adjacent vertebra that allow for height and angular adjustment.

A hip prosthesis device including a femoral stem, the femoral stem including an elongate stem sleeve having a blind hole extending in a longitudinal direction and a hole opening at an upper frontal end of the stem sleeve; a stem core having an elongate stem shaft inserted in the blind hole and slidable in the longitudinal direction, a neck having a lower neck portion and an upper neck portion, a lower end of a lower neck portion attached to an upper end of the stem shaft, the upper neck portion attachable to a femoral head; a shock absorber mechanism operatively provided between the stem shaft and the stem sleeve to act against a downwardly directed longitudinal sliding motion of the stem shaft relative to the stem sleeve; and a closure cap positioned to close the hole opening with a through hole which the neck extends with its lower neck portion.

An expandable interbody implant is expandable from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration by moving opposing first and second vertebral-engaging surfaces apart from one another. The implant includes a locking system for restraining contraction of the implant. The locking system may have a locked configuration, in which the first and second surfaces are prevented from moving back towards the contracted configuration, and the locking system may have an unlocked configuration, in which the first and second surfaces are permitted to move back towards the contracted configuration. The locking system may be controlled by rotation of one or more pinions. The pinions may, in turn, be controlled by linear movement of a rack. The rack may be configured so as to bias the locking system towards the locked configuration. The implant may also include a stop for constraining the maximum expansion of the implant.

A plating system is described that uses various configurations of bone fixation implants that are configured to attach to one or more portions of a bone. An exemplary bone fixation implant includes a two-dimensional structure comprising a bone-engaging surface and a tissue-engaging surface. A plurality of openings is defined in the two-dimensional structure, and arranged across a length and a width of the bone fixation implant. At least some of openings are configured to receive an attachment member for securing the bone fixation implant to an underlying bone structure. The tissue-engaging surface is configured to engage an overlying tissue structure for encouraging incorporation of the tissue structure into the bone fixation implant to promote stabilization of the underlying bone structure during healing. In certain embodiments, at least 50% of the area defined by and/or between the length and the width of the two-dimensional structure is an opening.

A method for implanting a medical device for implantation in a mammal joint. The method comprising the steps of creating an opening reaching from outside of the human body into the joint, providing said artificial contacting surface to said joint, fixating the artificial contacting surface to the joint, implanting said reservoir in the human body, and lubricating the artificial contacting surface with use of a lubricating fluid contained in said reservoir.