A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space includes accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies. The method includes securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body, using the first and second pins for distracting the disc space, and providing an inserter holding the intervertebral disc implant. The method also desirably includes engaging the inserter with the first and second pins, and advancing the inserter toward the disc space for inserting the intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, whereby the first and second pins align and guide the inserter toward the disc space.

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.

An intervertebral implant component of an intervertebral implant includes an outer surface for engaging an adjacent vertebra and an inner surface. A keel extends from the outer surface and is designed to be disposed in a slot provided in the adjacent vertebra. This keel extends in a plane which is non-perpendicular to the outer surface; and preferably there are two of the keels extending from the outer surface which are preferably offset laterally from one another. In another embodiment, an anterior shelf is provided at an anterior end of the outer surface, and this anterior shelf extends vertically away from the inner surface in order to help prevent bone growth from the adjacent vertebra towards the inner surface. Further in accordance with disclosed embodiments, various materials, shapes and forms of construction of the component and/or keel provide various benefits.

An intervertebral implant is disclosed. The implant can be made of Titanium or alloys thereof. A kit of intervertebral implants can be included having different lordotic profiles or having no lordotic profile. The intervertebral implants of the kit have endplates with thicknesses suitable to prevent the titanium endplates from being too stiff. The intervertebral implants can have apertures that extend through the endplates, but sufficient surface area at the outer surfaces of the endplates to avoid subsidence into the respective vertebral body.

A system for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet joint includes a fixation member implantable in a vertebra, an inferior facet articular surface and an inferior strut which may be formed separately from the inferior articular surface. The inferior strut has a first end securable to the fixation member and a second end which may comprise a sphere with a hemispherical surface. An attachment mechanism may include a capture feature shaped to receive the second end of the inferior strut, and the mechanism may provide an adjustable configuration, allowing polyaxial adjustment between the inferior articular surface and the second end. A locking member may be actuated to exert force on the second end to provide a locked configuration. The system may further include a superior facet joint implant with a superior articular surface shaped to articulate with the inferior articular surface.

A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space includes accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies. The method includes securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body, using the first and second pins for distracting the disc space, and providing an inserter holding the intervertebral disc implant. The method also desirably includes engaging the inserter with the first and second pins, and advancing the inserter toward the disc space for inserting the intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, whereby the first and second pins align and guide the inserter toward the disc space.

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 spacer member is provided that is configured to be implanted adjacent an anatomical structure. The spacer member defines a curved bore, a first opening in a side wall of the spacer member and a second opening in one of a top wall and a bottom wall of the spacer member. Each of the first opening and the second opening are in fluid communication with the curved bore. A flexible anchoring member is configured to be inserted through the side opening and through the curved bore of the spacer member such that a distal end portion of the flexible anchoring member extends out of the second opening at an angle relative to the one of the top wall and the bottom wall of the spacer member.

Improved bone plate systems are described herein. In some instances, a bone plate system can include a base plate, at least one retainer plate, and at least one spacer. The at least one retainer plate is configured to reside on the base plate in a free floating manner and can receive at least one fastener to secure the retainer plate to the at least one spacer, thereby providing a plate system that attaches to a spacer. In other instances, a bone plate system can include a base plate having one or more push plates that can engage at least one spacer.

A spinal implant assembly comprising an intervertebral device configured to be installed in a spinal disc space, the intervertebral device having a head component and a body component, the spinal implant assembly further comprising a coupling body for coupling the head component of the intervertebral device and an elongate member, the coupling body and head component each having a longitudinal axis, wherein the head component can be received by the coupling body with its longitudinal axis at a selected angle within a predetermined range of angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling body.