A push-in interbody spinal fusion (100) implant having an expandable height. The implant (100) comprises upper and lower members (102 and 106) with an expander in between (122). When the expander (122) is changed from one position to another, for example as in the first embodiment where it is rotated in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the upper and lower members (102 and 106), the height of the implant (100) is increased.

An interbody spinal implant comprising cortical bone having a width less than one-half the width of the disc space into which it is adapted to be inserted. The implant has a leading end that is asymmetrical from side to side and/or includes a straight portion adapted to be used in side-by-side pairs.

An interbody spinal implant made of a material other than bone adapted for placement across an intervertebral space formed across the height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has a leading end that includes at least a portion of an arc of a circle from side to side, and sides that are at least in part straight or a trailing end having a radius of curvature of another circle from side to side.

An interbody spinal implant made of cortical bone or a bone composite adapted for placement across an intervertebral space formed across the height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has a leading end that includes at least a portion of an arc of a circle from side to side, and sides that are at least in part straight or a trailing end having a radius of curvature of another circle from side to side.

A spinal fixation device for stabilizing one or more segments of the human spine and for preventing the dislodgement of intervertebral spinal fusion implants, which remains permanently fixated once applied. The spinal fixation device of the present invention comprises of a staple member made of material appropriate for human surgical implantation which is of sufficient length to span the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and to engage, via essentially perpendicular extending projections, the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. A portion of the staple of the spinal fixation device interdigitates with an already implanted intervertebral spinal fusion implant which itself spans the disc space to engage the adjacent vertebrae, and the spinal fixation device is bound to the spinal fusion implant by a locking means. The spinal fixation device of the present invention is of great utility in restraining the vertebrae adjacent to the spinal fusion implant from moving apart as the spine is extended and also serves as an anchor for a multi-segmental spinal alignment means for aligning more that one segment of the spine.

Interbody spinal fusion implants being at least in part radially expandable at one of the leading or trailing ends to expand both the height and at least a portion of the width of the implant, and instruments and methods for inserting the implants into an implantation space in the spine are disclosed.

An improved method and instrumentation for performing spinal surgery, including discectomy, interbody fusion and rigid internal fixation of the spine, from the lateral aspect of the spine is disclosed. The surgical procedure can be performed through a very small incision. The instrumentation of the present invention, all of which is inserted from a lateral position into the spine in the preferred embodiment, comprises a guide pin, a distractor, an extended outer sleeve, an inner sleeve an adjustable drill and an implant driver. The distractor of the present invention is driven into the disc for spacing apart and realigning the adjacent vertebrae. It further functions as an alignment rod for inserting the extended outer sleeve which is a hollow tubular member capable of maintaining said spacing and alignment of two adjacent vertebrae and defines a protected space through which subsequent instruments which may include, but are not limited to, a drill and a diameter reducing inner sleeve may be passed, as well as a spinal implant. The remainder of the surgical procedure consisting of the removal of spinal material across the disc, fusion, and rigid internal stabilization via the implant may all be performed via the closed space within the extended outer sleeve.

An interbody spinal fusion implant for surgical implantation within a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies in a segment of a human spine includes multiple bone growth promoting materials. The implant includes upper and lower portions for contacting each of the adjacent vertebral bodies when positioned therein. Each of the upper and lower portions have at least one opening adapted to communicate with one of the adjacent vertebral bodies. The openings are in communication with one another and adapted for permitting for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through the implant. The implant includes a hollow interior for holding bone growth promoting material. In one embodiment, the bone growth promoting material includes a liquid fusion promoting material and a solid fusion promoting material other than bone provided in at least a portion of the hollow interior to promote bone growth from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through the implant.

The present invention is directed to a segmentable plating system which can be made to a selected length by the surgeon.

An implant cap is disclosed for preventing the over-expansion of an expandable spinal implant and method for use therewith. An implant cap also is disclosed for moving an expandable spinal implant from a collapsed position to an expanded position with less than one full turn of the implant cap and a method for use therewith. A screw lock is disclosed for locking a bone screw to the trailing end of an expandable spinal implant and a method for use therewith.

A lordotic guard and method for guiding a bone removal device to form an implantation space in the human spine and, if desired, for inserting a spinal implant into the implantation space. The guard has a body having a first portion and a second portion in pivotal relationship to one another proximate the leading end between an open position and a closed position. The first and second portions define an opening for providing a protected pathway to the disc space and the adjacent vertebral bodies. At least one disc space penetrating extension extends from the leading end of the body adapted for insertion at least in part into the disc space. First and second portions of the extension are in pivotal relationship to one another about an axis that passes through at least a portion of the pathway.

A lordotic guard and method for guiding a bone removal device to form an implantation space in the human spine and, if desired, for inserting a spinal implant into the implantation space.

A lordotic guard and method for guiding a bone removal device to form an implantation space in the human spine and, if desired, for inserting a spinal implant into the implantation space.

An apparatus and method for placing adjacent vertebrae at a fixed distance and angular relationship relative to each other, fixing said vertebrae in said position by use of a milling block engaging each of said adjacent vertebrae and then using a milling means, the depth, length and excursion of which from side to side are controlled by said apparatus to machine out a defined thickness of bone and a space of defined length, height, width and shape in preparation for receiving an interbody spinal implant or graft of known size and configuration are disclosed.

Instruments and methods for inserting and expanding interbody spinal fusion implants having an expandable height.

An interbody spinal fusion implant for implantation at least in part within and across the generally restored height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine having an external housing and a substantially hollow internal rotatable member having bone engaging projections that are deployable through the housing to penetrably engage the adjacent vertebral bodies.

A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant having an expandable height.

An improved lifting assembly for removing contents from containers consistent with mechanized containerizing operations are disclosed. The lifting assembly of the present invention comprises a support plate for lifting contents coupled to the top of a container by a connector.