Expandable spinal prosthetic devices and associated methods

1. A prosthetic device for insertion into an intervertebral space defined by adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

a first articulation member having a first articulating surface and a first attachment surface;

a second articulation member having a second articulating surface and a second attachment surface, the second articulating surface being configured to cooperate with the first articulating surface to permit articulating motion;

a connection means extending between the first and second articulation members for rigidly securing the first and second articulation members to one another, the connection means sized and shaped to allow insertion of the first and second articulating members within the intervertebral space with the connection means extending between and securing the first and second articulation members in a fixed orientation with respect to each other, the connection means removable to permit articulating motion between the first and second articulation members;

an expandable member connected to the first articulation member and configured to support and position the first articulation member within the intervertebral space, the expandable member having a cavity for receiving a filling material;

a plurality of tacks separate from the expandable member, each of the plurality of tacks sized and shaped for introduction into the cavity of the expandable member and through a wall of the expandable member defining the cavity into one of the adjacent vertebrae to secure the expandable member to the vertebra; and

a substance injector associated with at least one of the first and second articulation members and being sized and shaped to introduce a filling material into the expandable member to expand the expandable member, the filling material exerting a pressure on the plurality of tacks to secure the tacks into one of the adjacent vertebrae.

2. The prosthetic device of claim 1 , wherein the substance injector is integral with the expandable member.

3. The prosthetic device of claim 1 , wherein the substance injector is removably secured to the expandable member.

4. The prosthetic device of claim 1 , wherein the substance injector sized and shaped to position the first and second articulating members within the intervertebral space after the connection means is removed.

5. A kit for a prosthetic device for insertion into an intervertebral space defined by adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

a first articulation member having a first articulating surface and a first attachment surface;

a first expandable member connected to the first articulation member and configured to support and position the first articulation member within the intervertebral space, the first expandable member having a cavity for receiving a filling material;

a second articulation member having a second articulating surface and a second attachment surface, the second articulating surface being configured to cooperate with the first articulating surface to permit articulating motion between the first and second articulation members;

a second expandable member connected to the second articulation member and configured to support and position the second articulation member within the intervertebral space;

a plurality of tacks separate from the first and second expandable members, each of the plurality of tacks sized and shaped for introduction into and through the cavity of the first expandable member and into the adjacent vertebra to secure the first expandable member to the adjacent vertebra;

a filling material for introduction into the first and second expandable members;

a cannula for introducing the filling material into the first and second expandable members; and

an insertion tool for inserting the plurality of tacks into and through the cavity of the first expandable member, the insertion tool comprising a distal portion for securely holding at least one of the plurality of tacks and a rotation means for selectively rotating the distal portion within the cavity 90 degrees between an insertion configuration for introducing the at least one of the plurality of tacks into the first expandable member and an anchoring configuration for introducing the at least one of the plurality of tacks through the first expandable member and into the adjacent vertebra.

6. The kit of claim 5 , wherein the rotation means for selectively rotating the distal portion between the insertion configuration and the anchoring configuration comprises a hinge joint.

7. The kit of claim 5 , further comprising a removable connecting means for securing the first and second articulation members relative to one other, the removable connecting means sized and shaped for securing the first and second articulation members in a fixed position relative to each other within the intervertebral space during inflation of the expandable member.

8. The kit of claim 7 , wherein the removable connecting means comprises a clip removably attached to each of the first and second articulation members.

9. The kit of claim 7 , wherein the removable connecting means comprises a first instrument configured to connect to the first articulation member and a second instrument configured to connect to the second articulation member, wherein the first and second instruments are attachable to one another in order to position the first articulation member relative to the second articulation member in a desired orientation.

10. A system for relieving back pain comprising:

a prosthetic device for insertion into an intervertebral space defined by adjacent vertebrae, including:

a first articulation member having a first articulating surface and a first attachment surface;

a second articulation member having a second articulating surface and a second attachment surface, the second articulating surface being configured to cooperate with the first articulating surface to permit articulating motion; and

an expandable member having a cavity and connected to the first articulation member and configured to support and position the first articulation member within the intervertebral space;

a substance injector associated with at least one of the first and second articulation members and being sized and shaped to introduce a flowable media into the expandable member to expand the expandable member;

a plurality of tacks separate from the expandable member, each of the plurality of tacks sized and shaped for introduction through the substance injector and into the cavity of the expandable member such that the flowable media exerts a pressure on the plurality of tacks into one of the adjacent vertebrae to secure the expandable member to the vertebra; and

connecting means sized and shaped to selectively secure and position the first articulation member relative to the second articulation member, thereby selectively limiting the articulating motion permitted between the first and second articulation members within the intervertebral space.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the connecting means is a clip removably connected to each of the first and second articulation members.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the connecting means includes a first and a second instrument.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first instrument is configured to connect to the first articulation member and the second instrument is configured to connect to the second articulation member.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the first and second instruments are configured to attach together to locate the first articulation member relative to the second articulation member.