10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

     þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

OR

     ¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 000-50744

NUVASIVE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	33-0768598
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

7475 Lusk Boulevard

San Diego, CA 92121

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(858) 909-1800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ	Accelerated filer ¨	Non-accelerated filer ¨	Smaller reporting company ¨
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ

As of October 19, 2012, there were 43,527,640 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

NUVASIVE, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

September 30, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2011	3
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011	4
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011	5
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September  30, 2012 and 2011	6
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	31
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	31
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	32
Item 1A. Risk Factors	33
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	34
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities	35
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures	35
Item 5. Other Information	35
Item 6. Exhibits	35
SIGNATURES	36

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

NUVASIVE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except par value)

	September 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	107,731		$	163,492
Short-term marketable securities		134,899			146,228
Accounts receivable, net		78,140			87,736
Inventory		132,958			119,313
Deferred tax assets, current		54,550			54,550
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		7,264			20,518
Total current assets		515,542			591,837
Property and equipment, net		131,158			124,754
Long-term marketable securities		42,416			32,503
Intangible assets, net		105,086			108,140
Goodwill		162,333			159,349
Deferred tax assets		19,857			19,857
Restricted cash and investments		182,067			68,600
Other assets		26,169			18,522
Total assets	$	1,184,628		$	1,123,562
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	63,498		$	51,744
Accrued payroll and related expenses		22,527			22,215
Litigation liability		—			101,200
Acquisition-related liabilities		32,389			32,221
Senior Convertible Notes, current		74,311			—
Total current liabilities		192,725			207,380
Senior Convertible Notes		329,143			394,019
Deferred tax liabilities		4,180			3,952
Litigation liability		101,200			—
Other long-term liabilities		15,581			13,461
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests		10,033			10,705
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000 shares authorized, none outstanding		—			—
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 120,000 shares authorized, 43,505 and 42,455 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively		44			42
Additional paid-in capital		705,931			674,790
Accumulated other comprehensive income		1,166			477
Accumulated deficit		(175,375	)		(181,264	)
Total stockholders’ equity		531,766			494,045
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,184,628		$	1,123,562

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NUVASIVE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Revenue	$	148,391		$	132,880		$	454,501		$	390,312
Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization of purchased technology)		37,746			26,015			111,213			75,049
Gross profit		110,645			106,865			343,288			315,263
Operating expenses:
Sales, marketing and administrative		87,052			85,482			273,669			254,025
Research and development		7,933			10,092			27,932			31,119
Amortization of intangible assets		3,081			1,504			8,830			4,241
Litigation award		—			101,200			—			101,200
Total operating expenses		98,066			198,278			310,431			390,585
Interest and other expense, net:
Interest income		249			257			661			591
Interest expense		(6,885	)		(7,276	)		(20,682	)		(10,962	)
Other income, net		260			1,726			146			2,303
Total interest and other expense, net		(6,376	)		(5,293	)		(19,875	)		(8,068	)
Income (loss) before income tax expense		6,203			(96,706	)		12,982			(83,390	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		4,064			(29,031	)		7,764			(22,715	)
Consolidated net income (loss)	$	2,139		$	(67,675	)	$	5,218		$	(60,675	)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	(215	)	$	(123	)	$	(672	)	$	(862	)
Net income (loss) attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$	2,354		$	(67,552	)	$	5,890		$	(59,813	)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.:
Basic	$	0.05		$	(1.69	)	$	0.14		$	(1.50	)
Diluted	$	0.05		$	(1.69	)	$	0.13		$	(1.50	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		43,488			39,892			43,227			39,766
Diluted		44,735			39,892			44,151			39,766

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NUVASIVE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in thousands)

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011			2012			2011
Consolidated net income (loss)	$	2,139	$	(67,675	)	$	5,218		$	(60,675	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments		102		11			(43	)		36
Translation adjustments		1,029		(1,763	)		732			(707	)
Total consolidated comprehensive income (loss)		3,270		(69,427	)		5,907			(61,346	)
Plus: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		215		123			672			862
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$	3,485	$	(69,304	)	$	6,579		$	(60,484	)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NUVASIVE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011
Operating activities:
Consolidated net income (loss)	$	5,218		$	(60,675	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		38,237			24,847
Amortization of debt discount		9,435			3,076
Amortization of debt issuance costs		1,386			2,588
Stock-based compensation		20,400			23,789
Allowance for excess and obsolete inventory, net of write-offs		2,000			4,642
Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales return reserves		816			1,261
Accretion of contingent consideration		708			587
Gain recognized on change in fair value of derivatives		—			(2,387	)
Deferred income tax expense		—			6,238
Other non-cash adjustments		4,294			3,545
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable		8,421			(3,152	)
Inventory		(14,222	)		(19,933	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		13,582			(1,061	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		4,474			504
Litigation liability		—			101,200
Accrued payroll and related expenses		(269	)		584
Income taxes payable		5,006			(32,237	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		99,486			53,416
Investing activities:
Cash paid for business and asset acquisitions		(9,838	)		(1,100	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(35,706	)		(39,435	)
Purchases of marketable securities		(192,759	)		(244,209	)
Sales of marketable securities		193,035			124,205
Purchases of restricted investments		(113,331	)		(4,535	)
Payment for specific rights in connection with supply agreement, net of refund received		—			(5,000	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(158,599	)		(170,074	)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of warrants		—			47,898
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible debt, net of issuance costs		—			391,334
Purchase of convertible note hedges		—			(80,097	)
Repurchase of 2013 Senior Convertible Notes		—			(118,702	)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock		3,183			4,461
Other assets		132			(349	)
Tax benefits related to stock-based compensation awards		—			638
Net cash provided by financing activities		3,315			245,183
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		37			(179	)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(55,761	)		128,346
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		163,492			92,597
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	107,731		$	220,943
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:
Issuance of common stock in connection with asset acquisitions	$	7,560		$	—

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

NuVasive, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business

NuVasive, Inc. (the Company or NuVasive) was incorporated in Delaware on July 21, 1997, and began commercializing its products in 2001. The Company is focused on developing minimally disruptive surgical products and procedurally integrated solutions for the spine. NuVasive’s principal product offering is based on its Maximum Access Surgery, or MAS^® platform. The MAS platform combines several categories of solutions that collectively minimize soft tissue disruption during spine fusion surgery with maximum visualization and safe, easy reproducibility for the surgeon. The platform includes a proprietary software-driven nerve avoidance system and intra-operative monitoring (IOM) support; MaXcess^®, a unique split-blade retractor system; a wide variety of specialized implants; and several biologic fusion options. MAS significantly reduces surgery time and returns patients to activities of daily living much faster than conventional approaches. The Company continues to focus significant research and development efforts to expand its MAS product platform and advance the applications of its unique technology into procedurally integrated surgical solutions. The Company dedicates significant resources toward training spine surgeons on its unique technology and products.

The Company’s primary business model is to loan its MAS systems to surgeons and hospitals who purchase disposables and implants for use in individual procedures. In addition, for larger customers, the Company’s proprietary nerve monitoring systems, MaXcess and surgical instrument sets are placed with hospitals for an extended period at no up-front cost to them. The Company also offers a range of bone allograft in patented saline packaging, disposables and spine implants, which include its branded CoRoent^® products and fixation devices such as rods, plates and screws. Implants and disposables are shipped from the Company’s inventories. The Company sells an immaterial quantity of MAS instrument sets, MaXcess and nerve monitoring systems to hospitals.

On October 7, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Impulse Monitoring, Inc. (Impulse Monitoring), a company which provides IOM services of the nervous system during spine and other surgeries. The acquisition complements the Company’s existing nerve monitoring systems, which are designed for discreet and directional nerve avoidance and detection, making lateral access to the spine during the eXtreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF^®) procedure safe and reproducible.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Pursuant to these rules and regulations, the Company has condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures it normally includes in its annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary, which are of a normal and recurring nature, for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and of the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Additionally, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and for three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 include the accounts of a variable interest entity, Progentix Orthobiology, B.V. (Progentix), which is consolidated pursuant to existing guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

As a result of the October 2011 acquisition of Impulse Monitoring, the Company maintains a contractual relationship with several physician practices (PCs) whereby the PCs provide the physician oversight service associated with the IOM services. Pursuant to such contractual arrangements, the Company provides management services to the PCs. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the associated PCs are American Neuromonitoring Associates, P.C.; Pacific Neuromonitoring Associates, Inc.; Keystone Neuromonitoring Associates, P.C.; North Pacific Neuromonitoring Associates, P.C.; and Midwest Neuromonitoring Associates, Inc. Under the management services agreements, the Company provides all non-medical services to the PCs in return for a management fee that is settled on a monthly basis. The management services include management reporting, billing and collections of all charges for medical services provided and all administrative support to the PCs. Pursuant to existing guidance issued by the FASB, these represent variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary, and the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the PCs from the date of acquisition.

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These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2011 included in NuVasive’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. The balance sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to conform to the current year presentation.

2. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the FASB’s updated accounting guidance related to annual and interim goodwill impairment tests. The updated accounting guidance allows entities to first assess qualitative factors before performing a quantitative assessment of the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is determined on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more-likely-than-not less than the carrying amount, the existing quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further impairment testing is required. The adoption of this accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Additionally, effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the FASB’s amended requirements for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance requires companies to disclose the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The updated guidance does not affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. The adoption of this authoritative guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

3. Impulse Monitoring, Inc. Acquisition

On October 7, 2011 (the Closing Date), the Company completed the purchase of all of the outstanding shares of Impulse Monitoring pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated September 28, 2011 for an initial payment of approximately $79.7 million consisting of cash totaling approximately $40.5 million and the issuance of 2,336,200 shares of NuVasive common stock to certain stockholders of Impulse Monitoring. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company made an additional cash payment of approximately $1.2 million related to a working capital adjustment, resulting in a total purchase price of approximately $80.9 million and a corresponding adjustment to goodwill. Impulse Monitoring provides IOM services of the nervous system during spine and other surgeries. The acquisition complements the Company’s existing nerve monitoring systems, which are designed for discreet and directional nerve avoidance and detection, making lateral access to the spine during the XLIF procedure safe and reproducible.

Purchase Price

The acquisition of Impulse Monitoring has been recorded using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with the authoritative guidance for business combinations.

The purchase price is as follows (in thousands):

Cash paid to sellers	$	41,700
Market value of NuVasive common stock issued on Closing Date		39,200
Total purchase price	$	80,900

8

The allocation of the purchase price was based on management’s valuation of the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the Closing Date. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price (in thousands):

	Estimated Fair Value			Estimated Useful Life
Cash	$	5,100
Total other current assets		7,300
Property, plant and equipment		1,100
Developed technology		700		4 years
Non-compete agreement		300		1 year
Trade name		500		3 years
Customer relationships		25,100		10 years
Goodwill		57,700
Current liabilities		(8,900	)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net		(8,000	)
Total purchase price allocation	$	80,900

Goodwill totaling $57.7 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and is due primarily to increased market penetration from customers and synergies expected from combining the assembled workforce with the Company’s existing IOM workforce. This acquisition was nontaxable and, as a result, there is no tax basis in goodwill. Accordingly, none of the goodwill associated with the Impulse Monitoring acquisition is deductible for tax purposes.

As a result of the acquisition, the Company maintains a contractual relationship with several PCs whereby the PCs provide the physician oversight service associated with the IOM services. Pursuant to such contractual arrangements, the Company provides management services to the PCs in return for a management fee that is settled on a monthly basis. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company has determined that the PC’s are variable interest entities. Additionally, pursuant to this guidance, the Company is considered the primary beneficiary of the PCs as the Company has both (1) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the PCs and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the PCs. Accordingly, the financial position and results of operations of the PCs have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the Impulse Closing Date. The liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating the PCs, which are not material, do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets. The creditors of the PCs have claims only on the assets of the PCs, which are not material, and the assets of the PCs are not available to the Company.

Results of Operations

The accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 reflect the operating results of Impulse Monitoring since the date of the acquisition. The Company has prepared the following unaudited pro forma financial statement information to compare results of the periods presented assuming the Impulse Monitoring acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2010. These unaudited pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be an indicator of the results of operations that would have actually resulted had the acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2010, or of future results of operations. Assuming the Impulse Monitoring acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2010, the pro forma unaudited results of operations would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2011			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Revenue	$	143,211		$	419,401
Net loss attributable to NuVasive, Inc.		(66,426	)		(57,882	)
Net loss per share — basic and diluted		(1.57	)		(1.37	)

The above pro forma unaudited results of operations do not include pro forma adjustments relating to costs of integration or post-integration cost reductions that may be incurred or realized by the Company in excess of actual amounts incurred or realized through September 30, 2011.

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4. Investment in Progentix Orthobiology, B.V.

In 2009, the Company completed the purchase of forty percent (40%) of the capital stock of Progentix, a company organized under the laws of the Netherlands, from existing shareholders (the Progentix Shareholders) pursuant to a Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement for $10 million in cash (the Initial Investment). Concurrent with the Initial Investment, NuVasive and Progentix also entered into a Senior Secured Facility Agreement, whereby Progentix may borrow up to $5.0 million from NuVasive to fund ongoing clinical and regulatory efforts (the Loan). At September 30, 2012, the Company had advanced Progentix the full $5.0 million in accordance with the Loan Agreement. The Loan accrues interest at a rate of six percent (6%) per year. Other than its obligations under the Loan Agreement, NuVasive is not obligated to provide additional funding, nor has any additional funding been provided, to Progentix.

Also concurrent with the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, NuVasive, Progentix and the Progentix Shareholders entered into an Option Purchase Agreement, as amended (the Option Agreement), whereby NuVasive may be obligated (the Put Option), upon the achievement of an annual sales run rate on Progentix products in excess of a specified amount between June 14, 2011 and June 13, 2013 (the Option Period), to purchase the remaining sixty percent (60%) of capital stock of Progentix from its shareholders (the Remaining Shares) for an amount up to $35.0 million, subject to certain reductions, payable in a combination of cash and NuVasive common stock, at NuVasive’s sole discretion. In accordance with the Option Agreement, NuVasive has the right to purchase the Remaining Shares (the Call Option) during the Option Period for an amount up to $35.0 million, subject to certain reductions, payable in a combination of cash and NuVasive common stock, at NuVasive’s sole discretion. NuVasive and Progentix also entered into a Distribution Agreement, as amended, whereby Progentix appointed NuVasive as its exclusive distributor for certain Progentix products. The Distribution Agreement will be in effect for a term of ten years unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms.

In accordance with authoritative guidance issued by the FASB, the Company has determined that Progentix is a variable interest entity as it does not have the ability to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support and its equity investors will not absorb their proportionate share of expected losses and will be limited in the receipt of the potential residual returns of Progentix. Additionally, pursuant to this guidance, NuVasive is considered its primary beneficiary as NuVasive has both (1) the power to direct the economically significant activities of Progentix and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, Progentix. Accordingly, the financial position and results of operations of Progentix have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of the Initial Investment. The liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating Progentix do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets. The creditors of Progentix have claims only on the assets of Progentix, which are not material, and the assets of Progentix are not available to NuVasive.

Pursuant to authoritative guidance, the equity interests in Progentix not owned by the Company, which includes shares of both common and preferred stock, are reported as noncontrolling interests on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company. The preferred stock represents 18% of the noncontrolling equity interests and provides for a cumulative 8% dividend, if and when declared by Progentix’s Board of Directors. As the rights and conversion features of the preferred stock are substantially the same as those of the common stock, the preferred stock is classified as noncontrolling interest and shares in the allocation of the losses incurred by Progentix. Losses incurred by Progentix are charged to the Company and to the noncontrolling interest holders based on their ownership percentage. The Remaining Shares and the Option Agreement that was entered into between NuVasive, Progentix and the Progentix Shareholders are not considered to be freestanding financial instruments as defined by authoritative guidance. Therefore the Remaining Shares and the Option Agreement are accounted for as a combined unit on the consolidated financial statements as a redeemable noncontrolling interest that was initially recorded at fair value and classified as mezzanine equity.

Pursuant to authoritative guidance, when the embedded Put Option is exercisable and therefore the Remaining Shares considered currently redeemable (i.e., at the option of the holder), the instrument will be adjusted to its maximum redemption amount. If the embedded Put Option is considered not currently exercisable (e.g., because a contingency has not been met), and it is not probable that the embedded Put Option will become exercisable, an adjustment is not necessary until it is probable that the embedded Put Option will become exercisable. At September 30, 2012, the embedded Put Option was not deemed currently exercisable and therefore the Remaining Shares were not redeemable because the milestones referred to previously had not been met. Furthermore, at September 30, 2012, the Company concluded it is not probable that the milestones will be met, therefore the Remaining Shares are not expected to become redeemable. The probability of redemption is reevaluated at each reporting period.

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Total assets and liabilities of Progentix included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2012		December 31, 2011
Total current assets	$	623	$	640
Identifiable intangible assets, net		14,988		15,338
Goodwill		12,654		12,654
Other long-term assets		48		53
Accounts payable & accrued expenses		359		411
Other long-term liabilities		86		—
Deferred tax liabilities, net		3,318		3,318
Noncontrolling interests		10,033		10,705

The following is a reconciliation of equity (net assets) attributable to the noncontrolling interests (in thousands):

	Nine Months  Ended September 30,
	2012			2011
Noncontrolling interests at beginning of period	$	10,705		$	11,877
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests		(672	)		(862	)
Noncontrolling interests at end of period	$	10,033		$	11,015

5. Balance Sheet Reserves

The balances of the reserves for accounts receivable and inventory are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,   2012		December 31,   2011
Reserves for accounts receivable and sales returns	$	4,093	$	3,430
Reserves for excess and obsolete inventory		14,763		12,710

The Company’s inventory consists primarily of purchased finished goods, which includes specialized implants and disposables, and is stated at the lower of cost or market determined by a weighted average cost method. The Company reviews the components of its inventory on a periodic basis for excess, obsolete or impaired inventory, and records a reserve for the identified items.

6. Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements

Marketable securities consist of certificates of deposit, corporate notes, commercial paper, U.S. government treasury securities and securities of government sponsored entities. The Company classifies all securities as available-for-sale, as the sale of such securities may be required prior to maturity to implement management strategies. These securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity until realized. A decline in the market value of any marketable security below cost that is determined to be other-than-temporary will result in a revaluation of its carrying amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. No such impairment charges were recorded for any period presented.

Realized gains and losses from the sale of marketable securities, if any, are determined on a specific identification basis. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included in other income or expense on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains and losses during the periods presented were immaterial. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related security as an adjustment to yield using the straight-line method and are included in interest income on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in interest income on the condensed consolidated statements operations.

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The composition of marketable securities is as follows (in thousands, except years):

	Contractual Maturity (in Years)		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2012:
Classified as current assets:
Certificates of deposit		Less than 1	$	1,299	$	—	$	—		$	1,299
Corporate notes		Less than 1		27,777		7		(1	)		27,783
Commercial paper		Less than 1		14,986		1		—			14,987
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 1		5,009		1		—			5,010
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 1		85,800		21		(1	)		85,820
Short-term marketable securities				134,871		30		(2	)		134,899
Classified as non-current assets:
Certificates of deposit		1 to 2		142		—		—			142
Corporate notes		1 to 2		10,162		3		(6	)		10,159
U.S. government treasury securities		1 to 2		2,547		—		—			2,547
Securities of government-sponsored entities		1 to 2		29,568		3		(3	)		29,568
Long-term marketable securities				42,419		6		(9	)		42,416
Classified as restricted investments:
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 2		49,894		6		(1	)		49,899
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 2		98,684		32		(4	)		98,712
Restricted investments				148,578		38		(5	)		148,611
Total marketable securities at September 30, 2012			$	325,868	$	74	$	(16	)	$	325,926

	Contractual Maturity (in Years)		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
December 31, 2011:
Classified as current assets:
Certificates of deposit		Less than 1	$	526	$	—	$	—		$	526
Corporate notes		Less than 1		21,153		16		(1	)		21,168
Commercial paper		Less than 1		5,000		—		—			5,000
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 1		32,131		11		—			32,142
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 1		87,353		39		—			87,392
Short-term marketable securities				146,163		66		(1	)		146,228
Classified as non-current assets:
Securities of government-sponsored entities		1 to 2		32,502		5		(4	)		32,503
Long-term marketable securities				32,502		5		(4	)		32,503
Classified as restricted investments:
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 2		12,017		9		—			12,026
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 2		50,880		27		(1	)		50,906
Restricted investments				62,897		36		(1	)		62,932
Total marketable securities at December 31, 2011			$	241,562	$	107	$	(6	)	$	241,663

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had no significant investment positions that were in an unrealized loss position. The Company reviews its investments to identify and evaluate investments that have an indication of possible other-than-temporary impairment. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is other-than-temporary include the length of time and extent to which fair value has been less than the cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. The Company maintains an investment portfolio of various holdings, types and maturities. The Company does not hold derivative financial investments. The Company places its cash investments in instruments that meet high credit quality standards, as specified in its investment policy guidelines. These guidelines also limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issue, issuer or type of instrument.

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The Company measures certain assets and liabilities in accordance with authoritative guidance which requires fair value measurements be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available.

Assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classification on a quarterly basis. Changes in the ability to observe valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy. The Company did not have any transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 and no transfers to or from Level 3 of the fair value measurement hierarchy during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, were determined using the following inputs (in thousands):

	Total			Quoted Price in Active Market (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable  Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
September 30, 2012:
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Money market funds	$	71,077		$	71,077	$	—	$	—
Certificates of deposit		1,441			1,441		—		—
Corporate notes		37,942			—		37,942		—
Commercial paper		14,987			—		14,987		—
U.S government treasury securities		57,456			57,456		—		—
Securities of government-sponsored entities		214,100			—		214,100		—
Total cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted investments	$	397,003		$	129,974	$	267,029	$	—
Contingent Consideration:
Acquisition-related liabilities, current	$	(32,389	)	$	—	$	—	$	(32,389	)
Acquisition-related liabilities, non-current		(1,029	)		—		—		(1,029	)
Total contingent consideration	$	(33,418	)	$	—	$	—	$	(33,418	)
December 31, 2011:
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Money market funds	$	121,666		$	121,666	$	—	$	—
Certificates of deposit		526			526		—		—
Corporate notes		21,168			—		21,168		—
Commercial paper		5,000			—		5,000		—
U.S government treasury securities		44,168			44,168		—		—
Securities of government-sponsored entities		170,801			—		170,801		—
Total cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted investments	$	363,329		$	166,360	$	196,969	$	—
Contingent Consideration:
Acquisition-related liabilities	$	(32,221	)	$	—	$	—	$	(32,221	)

The carrying amounts of financial instruments such as cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities approximate the related fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the Company’s capital lease obligations approximated their carrying values as of September 30, 2012. The fair and carrying value of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes is discussed in Note 8.

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Contingent Consideration Liability

In connection with the acquisition of Cervitech^®, Inc. (Cervitech) in May 2009, the Company is required to pay an additional amount not to exceed $33.0 million in the event that the PCM^® cervical total disc replacement device receives U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. The fair value of the contingent consideration is determined using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model, the significant inputs of which are not observable in the market. The key assumptions in applying this approach are the interest rate, the timing of expected approval and the probability assigned to the milestone being achieved. Based on the expected timing of the milestone being achieved, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was $32.4 million and $31.7 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Changes in fair value are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as sales, marketing and administrative expenses.

In connection with an immaterial acquisition during the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company is required to pay an amount not to exceed €2.0 million in the event two specified revenue-based milestones are met. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined using a discounted cash flow model, the significant inputs of which are not observable in the market. The key assumptions in applying this approach are the revenue projections, the interest rate and the probabilities assigned to the milestones being achieved. Based on these assumptions, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration totaled $1.0 million at September 30, 2012 and is included in other long-term liabilities in the September 30, 2012 condensed consolidated balance sheet. Changes in fair value are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as sales, marketing and administrative expenses.

In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company settled approximately $1.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to contingent consideration recorded in connection with an immaterial acquisition which occurred in 2010.

Derivative Financial Instruments

In June 2011, the Company issued $402.5 million principal amount of 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 (the 2017 Notes). Prior to September 28, 2011, the 2017 Notes could only be settled in cash. On September 28, 2011, stockholder approval was obtained to increase the number of the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 70 million to 120 million. Prior to obtaining stockholder approval, in accordance with authoritative guidance, the cash conversion feature of the 2017 Notes (the 2017 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative) required bifurcation from the 2017 Notes and was accounted for as a derivative liability.

In connection with the issuance of the 2017 Notes, the Company entered into convertible note hedge transactions (the 2017 Hedge) entitling the Company to purchase up to 9,553,096 shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial stock price of $42.13 per share, each of which is subject to adjustment. Prior to obtaining the stockholder approval to increase the number of the Company’s authorized shares of common stock discussed above, the 2017 Hedge could only be settled in cash. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the 2017 Hedge was accounted for as a derivative asset.

Prior to their reclassification to stockholders’ equity on September 28, 2011, the 2017 Hedge and the 2017 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative were classified as Level 3 because these assets and liabilities were not actively traded and were valued using significant unobservable inputs. Significant inputs to these models were the Company’s stock price, risk free interest rate, credit rating, bond yield, and expected volatility of the Company’s stock price. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recognized non-cash income of approximately $2.4 million related to the net change in the fair values of the derivative liability and asset. This $2.4 million consists of a $39.5 million gain related to the change in the fair value of the derivative liability and a loss of $37.1 million related to the change in fair value of the derivative asset. Gains and losses were recorded in the statement of operations as other income, net.

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The following table sets forth the changes in the estimated fair value for the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011			2012			2011
Assets:
Fair value measurement at beginning of period	$	—	$	80,098		$	—		$	—
Derivative asset purchased		—		—			—			80,098
Change in fair value measurement included in operating expenses and other income (expense)		—		(37,124	)		—			(37,124	)
Derivative asset reclassified to stockholders’ equity		—		(42,974	)		—			(42,974	)
Fair value measurement at end of period	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—
Liabilities:
Fair value measurement at beginning of period	$	32,290	$	122,855		$	32,221		$	33,041
Derivative liability recorded in connection with 2017 Notes		—		—			—			88,900
Contingent consideration liability recorded upon acquisition		1,019		—			1,019			—
Change in fair value measurement included in operating expenses and other income (expense)		109		(39,837	)		708			(38,923	)
Derivative liability reclassified to stockholders’ equity		—		(49,390	)		—			(49,390	)
Contingent consideration settled		—		(1,800	)		(530	)		(1,800	)
Fair value measurement at end of period	$	33,418	$	31,828		$	33,418		$	31,828

7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets as of September 30, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands, except years):

	Weighted- Average Amortization Period (in years)		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Intangible Assets, net
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization:
Purchased technology:
Developed technology		11	$	38,178	$	(13,594	)	$	24,584
Manufacturing know-how and trade secrets		12		21,685		(7,530	)		14,155
Trade name and trademarks		11		9,450		(2,088	)		7,362
Customer relationships		9		39,321		(8,176	)		31,145
		11	$	108,634	$	(31,388	)	$	77,246
Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization:
In-process research and development									27,840
Goodwill									162,333
Total intangible assets, net								$	267,419

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Goodwill and intangible assets as of December 31, 2011 consisted of the following (in thousands, except years):

	Weighted- Average Amortization Period (in years)		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Intangible Assets, net
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization:
Purchased technology:
Developed technology		11	$	37,535	$	(10,589	)	$	26,946
Manufacturing know-how and trade secrets		12		21,389		(6,007	)		15,382
Trade name and trademarks		12		6,700		(1,449	)		5,251
Customer relationships		9		37,234		(4,513	)		32,721
		11	$	102,858	$	(22,558	)	$	80,300
Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization:
In-process research and development									27,840
Goodwill									159,349
Total intangible assets, net								$	267,489

Total expense related to the amortization of intangible assets was $3.1 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively and $8.8 million and $4.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In-process research and development will be amortized beginning on the regulatory approval date of the respective acquired products and will be amortized over the estimated useful life determined at that time.

Total future amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2012 is set forth in the table below (in thousands):

Remaining 2012	$	3,254
2013		12,974
2014		10,649
2015		10,122
2016		9,730
2017		7,387
Thereafter through 2026		23,130
Total future amortization expense	$	77,246

8. Senior Convertible Notes

The carrying values of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017:
Principal amount	$	402,500		$	402,500
Unamortized debt discount		(73,357	)		(82,792	)
		329,143			319,708
2.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2013		74,311			74,311
Total Senior Convertible Notes	$	403,454		$	394,019

2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017

In June 2011, the Company issued $402.5 million principal amount of the 2017 Notes, which includes the issuance of $52.5 million principal amount for the exercise of the initial purchasers’ option to purchase additional notes. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting initial purchasers’ discounts and costs directly related to the offering, were approximately $359.2 million. The 2017 Notes have a stated interest rate of 2.75% and mature on July 1, 2017. Prior to September 28, 2011, the date on which stockholder approval to increase the number of the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 70 million to 120 million was obtained, the 2017 Notes could only be settled in cash. Subsequent to the receipt of this approval, the 2017 Notes may be settled in cash, stock, or a combination thereof, solely at the Company’s election. It is the Company’s current intent and policy to settle all conversions through combination settlement, which involves repayment of an amount of cash equal to the principal amount and any excess of the conversion value over the principal amount in shares of common stock. The initial conversion rate of the 2017 Notes is 23.7344 shares per $1,000 principal amount, subject to adjustment (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $42.13 per share).

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Interest on the 2017 Notes began accruing in June 2011 and is payable semi-annually each January 1st and July 1st, beginning January 1, 2012. The fair value, based on inputs quoted on active markets, or Level 1 inputs, of the outstanding 2017 Notes at September 30, 2012 is approximately $383.9 million.

Prior to January 1, 2017, holders may convert their notes only under the following conditions: a) During any calendar quarter beginning October 1, 2011, if the reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 days of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; b) During the five business day period in which the trading price of the 2017 Notes falls below 98% of the product of (i) the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and (ii) the conversion rate on that date; and c) Upon the occurrence of specified corporate events, as defined in the 2017 Notes. From January 1, 2017 and until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the July 1, 2017, holders may convert their 2017 Notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. The Company may not redeem the 2017 Notes prior to maturity. As of September 30, 2012, the “if-converted” value of the 2017 Notes did not exceed its principal amount and none of the conditions allowing holders of the 2017 Notes to convert had been met.

Other than restrictions relating to certain fundamental changes and consolidations, mergers or asset sales and customary anti-dilution adjustments, the 2017 Notes do not contain any financial covenants and do not restrict the Company from paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing any of its other securities.

In accordance with authoritative guidance, the 2017 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative required bifurcation from the 2017 Notes and was initially accounted for as a derivative liability. The fair value of the 2017 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative at the time of issuance of the 2017 Notes was $88.9 million, and was recorded as the original debt discount for purposes of accounting for the debt component of the 2017 Notes. On September 28, 2011, upon obtaining stockholder approval of the additional authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with authoritative literature, the derivative liability was marked to fair value and reclassified to stockholders’ equity. The original debt discount is being recognized as interest expense using an effective interest rate of 8.0% over the term of the 2017 Notes. At September 30, 2012, the net carrying value of the equity component is $49.3 million.

The interest expense recognized on the 2017 Notes during the three months ended September 30, 2012 includes $2.8 million and $3.2 million for the contractual coupon interest and the accretion of the debt discount, respectively. The interest expense recognized on the 2017 Notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 includes $8.3 million and $9.4 million for the contractual coupon interest and the accretion of the debt discount, respectively.

In connection with the offering of the 2017 Notes, the Company entered into the 2017 Hedge with the initial purchasers and/or their affiliates (the 2017 Counterparties) entitling the Company to purchase up to 9,553,096 shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial stock price of $42.13 per share, each of which is subject to adjustment. Prior to obtaining the stockholder approval to increase the number of the Company’s authorized common shares discussed above, the 2017 Hedge could only be settled in cash and was accounted for as a derivative asset. The cost of the 2017 Hedge was $80.1 million. On September 28, 2011, upon obtaining stockholder approval of the additional authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with authoritative literature, the derivative asset was marked to fair value and reclassified to stockholders’ equity. The 2017 Hedge expires on July 1, 2017. The 2017 Hedge is expected to reduce the potential equity dilution upon conversion of the 2017 Notes if the daily volume-weighted average price per share of the Company’s common stock exceeds the strike price of the 2017 Hedge.

In addition, the Company sold warrants to the 2017 Counterparties to acquire up to 477,654 shares of the Company’s Series A Participating Preferred Stock (the 2017 Warrants), at an initial strike price of $988.51 per share, subject to adjustment. Each share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock is initially convertible into 20 shares of the Company’s common stock. The 2017 Warrants expire on various dates from September 2017 through January 2018 and may be settled in cash or net shares. The Company received $47.9 million in cash proceeds from the sale of the 2017 Warrants, which has been recorded as an increase in additional paid-in-capital. The 2017 Warrants could have a dilutive effect on the Company’s earnings per share to the extent that the price of the Company’s common stock during a given measurement period (the quarter or year-to-date period) exceeds the strike price of the 2017 Warrants.

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2.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2013

In March 2008, the Company issued $230.0 million principal amount of 2.25% unsecured Senior Convertible Notes due 2013 (the 2013 Notes), which includes the subsequent exercise of the initial purchasers’ option to purchase an additional $30.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2013 Notes. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and costs directly related to the offering, were approximately $208.4 million. At September 30, 2012, approximately $74.3 million of the 2013 Notes’ original aggregate principal amount of $230.0 million remains outstanding.

The Company pays 2.25% interest per annum on the principal amount of the 2013 Notes, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on March 15 and September 15 of each year. Any of the 2013 Notes not converted prior to March 15, 2013, the Maturity Date, will be paid in cash. The fair value, based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data, or Level 2 inputs, of the outstanding 2013 Notes at September 30, 2012 is approximately $74.0 million.

The 2013 Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, based on an initial conversion rate, subject to adjustment, of 22.3515 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the 2013 Notes (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $44.74 per share). Holders may convert their 2013 Notes at their option on any day up to and including the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the Maturity Date. If a fundamental change to the Company’s business occurs, as defined in the 2013 Notes, holders of the 2013 Notes have the right to require that the Company repurchase the 2013 Notes, or a portion thereof, at the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

In connection with the offering of the 2013 Notes, the Company entered into convertible note hedge transactions (the 2013 Hedge) with the initial purchasers and/or their affiliates (the 2013 Counterparties) entitling the Company to purchase up to 5.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial stock price of $44.74 per share, each of which is subject to adjustment. In addition, the Company sold to the 2013 Counterparties warrants to acquire up to 5.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock (the 2013 Warrants), at an initial strike price of $49.13 per share, subject to adjustment. The cost of the 2013 Hedge that was not covered by the proceeds from the sale of the 2013 Warrants was approximately $14.0 million and was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital as of December 31, 2008. The impact of the 2013 Hedge is to raise the effective conversion price of the 2013 Notes to approximately $49.13 per share (or approximately 20.3542 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the 2013 Notes). The 2013 Hedge is expected to reduce the potential equity dilution upon conversion of the 2013 Notes if the daily volume-weighted average price per share of the Company’s common stock exceeds the strike price of the 2013 Hedge. The 2013 Warrants could have a dilutive effect on the Company’s earnings per share to the extent that the price of the Company’s common stock during a given measurement period (the quarter or year to date period) exceeds the strike price of the 2013 Warrants.

9. Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The Company computes basic net income (loss) per share using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share assumes the conversion, exercise or issuance of all potential common stock equivalents, unless the effect of inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For purposes of this calculation, common stock equivalents include the Company’s stock options, unvested restricted stock units (RSUs), unvested performance-based restricted stock units (PRSUs), warrants, and the shares to be issued upon the conversion of the Senior Convertible Notes. No shares related to the assumed conversion of the Senior Convertible Notes were included in the diluted net income (loss) calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 because the inclusion of such shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect. The shares to be issued upon exercise of all outstanding warrants were excluded from the diluted net income (loss) calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 because the inclusion of such shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

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The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011				2012		2011
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$	2,354	$	(67,552	)		$	5,890	$	(59,813	)
Denominator for basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic		43,488		39,892				43,227		39,766
Dilutive potential common stock outstanding:
Stock options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)		317		—				215		—
RSUs and PRSUs		930		—				709		—
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted		44,735		39,892				44,151		39,766
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$	0.05	$	(1.69	)		$	0.14	$	(1.50	)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$	0.05	$	(1.69	)		$	0.13	$	(1.50	)

The following weighted outstanding common stock equivalents were not included in the calculation of net income (loss) per diluted share because their effects were anti-dilutive (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011			2012		2011
Stock options and RSUs		5,921		6,223			6,047		6,076
Warrants		14,694		5,141			14,694		5,141
Senior Convertible Notes		11,214		13,172			11,214		7,917
Total		31,829		24,536			31,955		19,134

10. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options and shares issued to employees under the ESPP using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model on the date of grant. The fair value of RSUs and PRSUs is based on the stock price on the date of grant. The fair value of equity instruments that are expected to vest are recognized and amortized on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period.

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The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted and stock purchase rights under the ESPP are as follows:

	Three Months Ended     September 30,				Nine Months Ended     September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Stock Options
Volatility		—		49%		—		49%
Expected term (years)		—		5.0		—		5.3
Risk free interest rate		—		1.8%		—		2.1%
Expected dividend yield		—		0.0%		—		0.0%
ESPP
Volatility		55%		55%		55%		58%
Expected term (years)		1.6		1.4		1.5		1.2
Risk free interest rate		0.2%		0.3%		0.2%		0.2%
Expected dividend yield		0.0%		0.0%		0.0%		0.0%

The Company did not issue any stock options during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2012.

The Company issued 6,000 and 38,000 shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, and issued 204,000 shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options during the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company issued 58,000 and 308,000 shares of common stock upon the vesting of RSUs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, and issued 158,000 shares of common stock upon the vesting of RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2011.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

In February 2012, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the Compensation Committee) granted PRSUs to certain senior Company executives that are earned based on the achievement of pre-defined Company-specific performance criteria (Performance Conditions) for the year ended December 31, 2012. Each recipient is eligible to receive between zero and 250% of the target number of shares of Company common stock subject to the applicable award based on the Company’s actual performance in 2012 as measured against the Performance Conditions.

In the first quarter of 2013, the Compensation Committee will determine the number of PRSUs, if any, that will be issued to the recipients based on actual performance in 2012. The PRSUs that are issued in the first quarter of 2013 pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreements will vest one-third on March 1, 2013, one-third on March 1, 2014 and one-third on March 1, 2015, so long as the recipient is employed by the Company on each such date.

A summary of the Company’s PRSUs award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is as follows:

	Number of Shares		Maximum Shares Eligible to Be Issued		Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2011		—		—	$	—
Awarded		314,167		785,418		15.61
Outstanding at September 30, 2012		314,167		785,418	$	15.61

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The compensation cost that has been included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for all stock-based compensation arrangements was as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months  Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Sales, marketing and administrative expense	$	4,844	$	7,497	$	18,723	$	21,956
Research and development expense		567		621		1,624		1,833
Cost of goods sold		23		—		53		—
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	5,434	$	8,118	$	20,400	$	23,789

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11. Income Taxes

The Company recorded income tax expense of $4.1 million and an income tax benefit of $29.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and recorded income tax expense of $7.8 million and an income tax benefit of $22.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 60%, which is based on an estimate of the Company’s annual effective income tax rate. The Company updates its annual effective income tax rate each quarter and if the estimated effective income tax rate changes, a cumulative adjustment is made. The annual effective income tax rate for 2012 is expected to be higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit, estimates for certain non-deductible expenses and certain foreign losses expected to be incurred for which no benefit can be recorded.

There was no material change to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits and interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

12. Business Segment and Product Information

The Company’s business operates in one segment based upon the Company’s organizational structure, the way in which the operations are managed and evaluated and the lack of availability of separate financial results. Substantially all of the Company’s assets and sales are in the United States.

The Company’s spine surgery product line offerings, which include thoracolumbar product offerings, cervical offerings, and a set of motion preservation products still under development, are primarily used to enable access to the spine and to perform restorative and fusion procedures in a minimally disruptive fashion. The Company’s biologic product line offerings include allograft (donated human tissue), FormaGraft^®, a collagen synthetic product, Osteocel Plus^®, an allograft cellular matrix containing viable mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, and AttraX^®, a synthetic bone graft material, all used to aid the spinal fusion process. The Company’s monitoring service offering includes IOM services provided. Revenue by product line offerings was as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Spine Surgery Products	$	112,611	$	106,903	$	344,050	$	316,458
Biologics		26,137		25,692		81,168		72,945
Monitoring Service		9,643		285		29,283		909
Total Revenue	$	148,391	$	132,880	$	454,501	$	390,312

13. Legal Proceedings

Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. Litigation

In August 2008, Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. and its related entities (Medtronic) filed suit against NuVasive in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California (the Medtronic Litigation), alleging that certain of NuVasive’s products infringe, or contribute to the infringement of, twelve U.S. patents assigned or licensed to Medtronic. Three of the patents were later withdrawn by Medtronic, leaving nine patents. NuVasive brought counterclaims against Medtronic alleging infringement of certain of NuVasive’s patents. The case has been administratively broken into serial phases. The first phase of the case included three Medtronic patents and one NuVasive patent and on September 20, 2011, a jury from the U.S. District Court delivered an unfavorable verdict against NuVasive with respect to the three Medtronic patents and a favorable verdict with respect to the one NuVasive patent. The jury awarded monetary damages of approximately $101.2 million to Medtronic, which includes lost profits and back royalties. Medtronic’s subsequent motion for a permanent injunction was denied by the District Court on January 26, 2012. The District Court entered judgment on March 2, 2012. Both parties appealed the verdict. Medtronic subsequently filed a motion to dismiss its own appeal and NuVasive’s cross-appeal with the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. On August 2, 2012, the Federal Circuit issued a ruling stating that ongoing royalty rates must be determined by the District Court prior to the appeal going forward. As a result, the appeal in the Federal Circuit is temporarily dismissed while the post-verdict royalty rate is resolved by the District Court. On March 19, 2012, the District Court issued an order granting prejudgment interest, but has not provided a date for determining the post-verdict royalty rate, and no hearings are scheduled at this time. The Company entered into an escrow arrangement in April 2012 and in May 2012, transferred $113.3 million of cash into a restricted escrow account to secure the amount of judgment, plus prejudgment interest, during pendency of the appeal. These funds are included in restricted cash and investments on the Company’s September 30, 2012 condensed consolidated balance sheet.

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In accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of loss contingencies, during the third quarter of 2011, the Company recorded an accrual for the $101.2 million verdict. In addition, the Company is currently accruing ongoing royalties on sales subsequent to the verdict at the royalty rates stated in the judgment, as well as post-judgment interest. With respect to the prejudgment interest award, the Company, based on its own assessment as well as that of outside counsel, believes a reversal of the prejudgment interest award on appeal is probable, and therefore, in accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of contingencies, the Company has not recorded an accrual for this amount, which is estimated to approximate $13 million. Additional damages, interest and potential ongoing royalties may still be awarded, and at September 30, 2012, the Company cannot estimate a range of additional potential loss.

With respect to the favorable verdict delivered regarding the one NuVasive patent, the jury awarded the Company monetary damages of approximately $0.7 million for reasonable royalty damages. In accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of gain contingencies, this amount has not been recorded at September 30, 2012.

The second phase of the case pending in the Southern District of California currently involves one Medtronic Patent, and claim construction is currently scheduled for January 2013. On August 17, 2012, Medtronic filed additional patent claims in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana alleging that various NuVasive spinal implants (including its CoRoent^® XL family of spinal implants) and NuVasive’s Osteocel^® Plus bone graft product infringe two additional Medtronic Patents not asserted in the Southern District of California. On August 28, 2012, Medtronic amended its complaint alleging that NuVasive’s XLIF procedure and use of MaXcess IV retractor during the XLIF procedure infringe methodology claims of yet another Medtronic Patent. The Company denies infringing any valid claims of these additional patents and on September 4, 2012, the Company filed a motion to extend the time to respond to the complaint and transfer the case to the Southern District of California. The Indiana District Court granted the Company’s motion to extend the time to respond, but has not provided a date for determining whether to transfer the case.

At September 30, 2012, the probable outcome of this litigation cannot be determined, nor can the Company estimate a range of potential loss. Accordingly, in accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of contingencies, the Company has not recorded an accrual related to this litigation.

Trademark Infringement Litigation

In September 2009, Neurovision Medical Products, Inc. (NMP) filed suit against NuVasive in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Case No. 2:09-cv-06988-R-JEM) alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition. NMP sought cancellation of NuVasive’s “NeuroVision” trademark registrations, injunctive relief and damages based on NMP’s common law use of the “Neurovision” mark. On November 23, 2009, the Company denied the allegations in NMP’s complaint. After trial of the matter, on October 25, 2010 an unfavorable jury verdict was delivered against the Company relating to its use of the “NeuroVision” trade name. The verdict awarded damages to NMP of $60.0 million. On January 3, 2011, the District Court ordered a judgment be entered in the case in the amount of $60.0 million, and granted a permanent injunction prohibiting the Company’s use of the “NeuroVision” name for marketing purposes. The Company sought emergency relief, and on February 3, 2011, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed enforcement of the injunction, and has consolidated this issue with our appeal of the verdict filed on May 6, 2011. During pendency of the appeal, the Company has been required to escrow funds to secure the amount of the judgment, plus interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. On June 16, 2011, the Company entered into an escrow arrangement and transferred $62.5 million of cash and investments into a restricted escrow account. These funds are included in restricted cash and investments on the Company’s September 30, 2012 condensed consolidated balance sheet and will be released from escrow upon final resolution of any appeals following the District Court judgment. On September 10, 2012, the Court of Appeals reversed and vacated the District Court judgment and ordered the case back to the District Court for a new trial before a different judge. On October 5, 2012, the case was reassigned to a new District Court judge and the Company expects proceedings to commence in the District Court in the coming months. The Company, based on its own assessment, believes that an unfavorable outcome from the re-trial of the case before the District Court is not probable, and at September 30, 2012, in accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of contingencies, has not recorded an accrual related to this litigation. The Company may be required to record an expense related to this damage award in the future.

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Contingencies

The Company is party to certain claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of business. The Company does not expect any such claims and legal actions to have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements May Prove Inaccurate

You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included in this report. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, such as those set forth under heading “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this report, and similar discussions in our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. We do not intend to update these forward looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Overview

We are a medical device company focused on developing minimally disruptive surgical products and procedurally integrated solutions for the spine. Our principal product offering is the Maximum Access Surgery, or MAS^® platform. The MAS platform combines several categories of solutions that collectively minimize soft tissue disruption during spine fusion surgery with maximum visualization and safe, easy reproducibility for the surgeon. The platform includes a proprietary software-driven nerve avoidance system and intra-operative monitoring support; MaXcess^®, a unique split-blade retractor system; a wide variety of specialized implants; and several biologic fusion options. MAS significantly reduces surgery time and returns patients to activities of daily living much faster than conventional approaches. Having redefined spine surgery with the MAS platform’s lateral approach, known as eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion, or XLIF^®, we are both a driver and a key beneficiary of the spine market’s shift toward treating patients with less invasive approaches.

With a foundation as the pioneer of lateral access spine surgery, we went on to build an entire spine franchise and are now the 4^th largest player in the $7.9 billion global spine market. Our currently-marketed portfolio boasts over 75 innovative products that enable surgeons to treat the entire spine and to address almost any spine pathology with either minimally invasive or more traditional open approaches. The breadth and depth of our portfolio has established NuVasive as a key player in the spine market, affording our ability to effectively participate in new vendor negotiations as a top four global spine company. That capability comes at an opportune time when hospitals are limiting vendor relationships to between three to five vendors for their spine product needs.

Our strategy is to continue to take market share within the spine market by being the most creative spine technology company through speed of innovation, superior clinical outcomes, and Absolute Responsiveness^®. As a result, we focus significant research and development efforts on both the strategic development of our MAS product platform and the advancement of the applications of our unique technology into procedurally integrated surgical solutions. We foster a culture similar to that of a startup company, with a dedication to innovative thinking and the cultivation of game changing ideas. As well, we devote significant resources to offering surgeons the highest caliber training programs and venues to drive adoption of our unique technology and broad portfolio. We feel that these facets of our growth strategy are key differentiators in the marketplace and will drive continued industry-leading growth, as well as improved profitability.

On October 7, 2011, we closed the acquisition of Impulse Monitoring, Inc. (Impulse Monitoring), a company which provides intra-operative monitoring (IOM) services for the nervous system during spine and other surgeries. The acquisition complements our existing nerve monitoring systems, which are designed for discreet and directional nerve avoidance and detection, making lateral access to the spine during the XLIF procedure safe and reproducible. As the strategic rationale behind the acquisition plays out, we believe that the penetration of XLIF will increase as the technical superiority of our nerve monitoring systems and the power of integrated neuromonitoring drive surgeon conversion.

We expect monitoring service revenue from our IOM offering to increase. Monitoring service revenue consists of hospital-based revenues and net patient service revenues and is recorded in the period the service is provided. Hospital-based revenues are recorded based upon contracted billing rates. Net patient services are billed to various payers, including Medicare, commercial insurance companies, other directly billed managed healthcare plans, employers, and individuals. We report net patient service revenues based on the amount expected to be collected.

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Substantially all of our operations are located in the United States and substantially all of our sales have been generated in the United States. To date, the majority of our sales are derived from the sale of disposables and implants, and we expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future. We recognize revenue for disposables or implants used upon receiving acknowledgement of a purchase order from the hospital indicating product use or implantation. In addition, we sell an immaterial number of MAS instrument sets, MaXcess devices, and our proprietary software-driven nerve monitoring systems. To date, we have derived less than 5% of our total revenues from these sales.

We are expanding our international sales efforts with the focus on European, Asian and Latin American markets. Our international sales force is comprised of directly-employed sales shareowners as well as exclusive distributors and independent sales agents.

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Results of Operations

Revenue

	September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		$ Change		% Change
Three months ended:
Spine Surgery Products	$	112,611	$	106,903
Biologics		26,137		25,692
Monitoring Service		9,643		285
Total Revenue	$	148,391	$	132,880	$	15,511		12	%
Nine months ended:
Spine Surgery Products	$	344,050	$	316,458
Biologics		81,168		72,945
Monitoring Service		29,283		909
Total Revenue	$	454,501	$	390,312	$	64,189		16	%

Our spine surgery product line offerings, which include products for the thoracolumbar spine and the cervical spine, are primarily used to enable access to the spine and to perform restorative and fusion procedures in a minimally disruptive fashion. Our biologic product line offerings include allograft (donated human tissue), FormaGraft^®, a collagen synthetic product, Osteocel Plus^®, an allograft cellular matrix containing viable mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, and AttraX^®, a synthetic bone graft material, all used to aid the spinal fusion process. Our monitoring service line offering includes hospital-based revenues and net patient service revenues related to IOM services performed.

The continued adoption of minimally invasive procedures for spine has led to the continued expansion of our innovative lateral procedure known as XLIF, in which surgeons access the spine for a fusion procedure from the side of the patient’s body, rather than from the front or back. In addition, increased market acceptance in our international markets contributed to the increase in revenues noted for the periods presented. We expect continued adoption of our XLIF procedure and deeper penetration into existing accounts and our newer international markets as our sales force executes on the strategy of selling the full mix of our products. However, recent changes in payer and hospital behavior in the United States have created less predictability in the lumbar portion of the spine market and impacted the overall spine market’s growth rate. We believe that our growth in revenue in 2012 will come from market share gains related to the market shift toward less invasive spinal surgery, our biologics product line, our fixation systems, and the benefit of an entire fiscal year of revenue from our IOM service business as a result of the Impulse Monitoring acquisition.

Our total revenues increased $15.5 million and $64.2 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, representing total revenue growth of 12% and 16% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011.

Revenue from our Spine Surgery Products increased $5.7 million and $27.6 million, or 5% and 9%, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011. These increases resulted from increases in volume of approximately 6% and 10% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011, offset by small unfavorable changes in price of approximately 1% for the same periods.

Revenue from our Biologics product line increased $0.4 million and $8.2 million, or 2% and 11%, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011. These increases resulted from increases in volume of approximately 3% and 12% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011, offset by small unfavorable changes in price of approximately 1% for the same periods.

Revenue from Monitoring Service increased $9.4 million and $28.4 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011. These increases resulted from the acquisition of Impulse Monitoring in October of 2011.

Our revenue has grown rapidly since our inception, with each quarter typically representing growth over the prior quarter. In the third quarter of 2012 we saw a decline in sequential quarterly revenue driven primarily by unusually high account churn as a result of increased surgeon participation in physician-owned distributorships, or PODs, and the loss of a few large customer accounts. This account churn, although always part of our regular business, was particularly pronounced in a few geographies. We have taken steps in an effort to mitigate the effect of these account losses.

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Cost of Goods Sold, excluding amortization of purchased technology

	September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		$ Change		% Change
Three months ended	$	37,746	$	26,015	$	11,731		45%
% of revenue		25%		20%
Nine months ended	$	111,213	$	75,049	$	36,164		48%
% of revenue		24%		19%

Cost of goods sold consists of costs of purchased goods, inventory-related costs and royalty expense, as well as the cost of providing IOM service, which includes personnel and physician oversight costs.

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011, primarily related to higher costs as a percentage of revenue associated with monitoring service revenues of approximately 3.2% and 3.0% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011, and estimated royalty expense accruals associated with the judgment in the Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. and its related entities (Medtronic) litigation of approximately 1.3% and 1.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011.

We expect cost of goods sold, as a percentage of revenue, to approximate current levels for the remainder of 2012.

Operating Expenses

Sales, Marketing and Administrative

	September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		$ Change		% Change
Three months ended	$	87,052	$	85,482	$	1,570		2%
% of revenue		59%		64%
Nine months ended	$	273,669	$	254,025	$	19,644		8%
% of revenue		60%		65%

Sales, marketing and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation, commission, travel and training costs for personnel engaged in sales, marketing and customer support functions; distributor commissions; depreciation expense for surgical instrument sets; shipping costs; surgeon training costs; shareowner (employee) related expenses for our administrative functions; and third-party professional service fees.

As a percentage of revenue, sales, marketing and administrative expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011, primarily as a result of the addition of Impulse Monitoring, which has a lower sales, marketing and administrative expense profile than the rest of NuVasive, as well as lower legal expenses incurred in connection with the Medtronic litigation and stock-based compensation.

Costs that tend to vary based on revenue, which include commissions, depreciation expense for loaned surgical instrument sets, worldwide sales force headcount, distribution and customer support headcount, and shipping, increased $2.8 million and $15.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011. This increase is less than our increased revenue growth of 12% and 16% in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2011 due to the addition of Impulse Monitoring.

Compensation and other shareowner related expenses for our marketing and administrative support functions increased $1.8 million and $7.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011, resulting from additions to our headcount, including Impulse Monitoring shareowners, and an increase in performance-based compensation.

In addition to the above, we continued to make significant investments in our Japanese operations. This investment, along with increased equipment expenses resulting from our overall headcount growth, represented increases of $1.1 million and $2.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011.

Offsetting the increases discussed above, legal expenses incurred in connection with the Medtronic litigation decreased $1.8 million and $4.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2011. In addition, stock-based compensation decreased $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, primarily attributed to a reversal of approximately $0.9 million in compensation expense previously recorded for performance-based awards in the three months ended September 30, 2012. Stock-based compensation decreased $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, primarily attributed to a reversal of approximately $0.9 million in compensation expense previously recorded for performance-based awards in the three months ended September 30, 2012, as well as the timing of annual grants in the current year as compared to the prior year.

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We currently expect for the remainder of 2012 and on a long-term basis, total sales, marketing and administrative costs, as a percentage of revenue, to continue to decrease moderately.

Research and Development

	September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		$ Change		% Change
Three months ended		$  7,933		$10,092		$(2,159)		(21%)
% of revenue		5%		8%
Nine months ended		$27,932		$31,119		$(3,187)		(10%)
% of revenue		6%		8%

Research and development expense consists primarily of product research and development, clinical trial and study costs, regulatory and clinical functions, and shareowner related expenses.

In the last several years, we have introduced numerous new products and product enhancements that have significantly expanded our MAS platform, enhanced the applications of the XLIF procedure, expanded our offering of cervical products, and moved closer to entering into the growing motion preservation market. We have also acquired complementary and strategic assets and technology, particularly in the area of biologics. We are developing proprietary total disc replacement devices for lateral lumbar spine applications and separately for cervical spine applications, which are currently in different phases of clinical trials and related studies. We anticipate continuing to incur costs related to such clinical trials and studies through at least 2012.

Compensation and other shareowner related expenses, including performance-based compensation, decreased $0.5 million for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to the same periods in 2011. These decreases are primarily due to compensation-related savings. Further, expenses incurred in connection with various clinical trials and studies and other non-shareowner related research activities decreased $1.1 million and $2.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011.

We expect total research and development costs, as a percentage of revenue, to remain at current levels in support of our ongoing development and planned clinical trial and study related activities for the remainder of 2012.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

	September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		$ Change		% Change
Three months ended:		$3,081		$1,504		$1,577		105%
% of revenue		2%		1%
Nine months ended:		$8,830		$4,241		$4,589		108%
% of revenue		2%		1%

Amortization expense increased $1.6 million and $4.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011, primarily due to the acquisition of Impulse Monitoring in October 2011 and intangible assets acquired subsequent to September 30, 2011.

We expect expenses recorded in connection with the amortization of intangible assets to continue to increase in absolute dollars for the foreseeable future as amortization of acquired in-process research and development commences once acquired research and development projects reach technological feasibility.

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Litigation Award

	September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		$ Change		% Change
Three months ended:	$	—	$	101,200		$(101,200)		(100)%
% of revenue		—%		76%
Nine months ended:	$	—	$	101,200		$(101,200)		(100)%
% of revenue		—%		26%

Litigation award expense represents the monetary damages awarded to Medtronic during September 2011 which included lost profits and back royalties, all of which are in the process of being appealed.

Interest and Other Expense, Net

	September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			$ Change			% Change
Three months ended:
Interest income	$	249		$	257
Interest expense		(6,885	)		(7,276	)
Other (expense) income, net		260			1,726
Total interest and other expense, net	$	(6,376	)	$	(5,293	)	$	(1,083	)		20%
% of revenue		4	%		4	%
Nine months ended:
Interest income	$	661		$	591
Interest expense		(20,682	)		(10,962	)
Other (expense) income, net		146			2,303
Total interest and other expense, net	$	(19,875	)	$	(8,068	)	$	(11,807	)		146%
% of revenue		4	%		2	%

Interest and other expense, net, consists principally of interest expense incurred on our outstanding $476.8 million Senior Convertible Notes, offset by income earned on marketable securities and other income items. Interest expense decreased $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to the repurchase of approximately $118.7 million of the 2013 Notes during August 2011. Interest expense increased $9.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, as a result of the additional cash and non-cash interest expense associated with the 2017 Notes offering, which closed in June 2011, slightly offset by reduced interest incurred resulting from the repurchase of the 2013 Notes during August 2011.

Other income, net, decreased $1.5 million and $2.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2011, primarily as a result of the $2.4 million net non-cash gain recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 related to the changes in the fair values of the derivative asset and liability recorded in connection with the 2017 Notes offering, offset by the net loss of approximately $0.7 million related to the write off of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the repurchase of a portion of the 2013 Notes during August 2011.

Interest and other expense, net, is expected to approximate current levels for the remainder of 2012 as a result of the additional cash and non-cash interest expense associated with the 2017 Notes offering.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

	September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		$ Change		% Change
Three months ended:		$4,064		$(29,031)		$33,095		(114%)
Effective income tax (benefit) rate		66%		(30)%
Nine months ended:		$7,764		$(22,715)		$30,479		(134%)
Effective income tax (benefit) rate		60%		(27)%

We recorded income tax expense of $4.1 million and an income tax benefit of $29.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and recorded income tax expense of $7.8 million and an income tax benefit of $22.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 60% compared to an effective income tax benefit rate of 27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, which is based on an estimate of our annual effective income tax rate. We update our annual effective income tax rate each quarter and if the estimated effective income tax rate changes, a cumulative adjustment is made. Our annual effective income tax rate for 2012 is expected to be higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to estimates for certain non-deductible expenses, state income taxes, net of federal benefit, and certain foreign losses expected to be incurred for which no benefit can be recorded.

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Stock-Based Compensation

	September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			$ Change			% Change
Three months ended:
Sales, marketing and administrative expense	$	4,844		$	7,497
Research and development expense		567			621
Cost of goods sold		23			—
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	5,434		$	8,118		$	(2,684	)		(33	)%
% of revenue		4	%		6	%
Nine months ended:
Sales, marketing and administrative expense	$	18,723		$	21,956
Research and development expense		1,624			1,833
Cost of goods sold		53			—
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	20,400		$	23,789		$	(3,389	)		(14	%)
% of revenue		4	%		6	%

Stock-based compensation related to stock awards is recognized and amortized on an accelerated basis in accordance with authoritative guidance. The decrease in stock-based compensation of approximately $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to the same period in 2011, is primarily attributed to a reversal of approximately $0.9 million in compensation expense previously recorded for performance-based awards in the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in stock-based compensation of approximately $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to the same period in 2011, is primarily attributed to a reversal of approximately $0.9 million in compensation expense previously recorded for performance-based awards in the three months ended September 30, 2012, as well as the timing of annual grants in the current year as compared to the prior year.

Liquidity, Cash Flows and Capital Resources

Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, cash generated from operations and proceeds from our convertible debt financings issued in March 2008 and June 2011.

In March 2008, we issued $230.0 million principal amount of 2.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2013 (the 2013 Notes). The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and costs directly related to the offering, were approximately $208.4 million. We pay 2.25% interest per annum on the principal amount of the 2013 Notes, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on March 15 and September 15 of each year. At September 30, 2012, approximately $74.3 million of the 2013 Notes remain outstanding. Any 2013 Notes not converted prior to March 15, 2013, the maturity date, will be paid in cash.

In June 2011, we issued $402.5 million principal amount of the 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 (the 2017 Notes), which includes the issuance of $52.5 million principal amount upon the exercise of the initial purchasers’ option to purchase additional notes. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting initial purchasers’ discounts and costs directly related to the offering, were approximately $359.2 million. We pay 2.75% interest per annum on the principal amount of the 2017 Notes. The 2017 Notes mature on July 1, 2017 and may be settled in cash, stock, or a combination thereof, solely at our election. Interest on the 2017 Notes began accruing in June 2011 and is payable semi-annually on January 1 and July 1 of each year.

As more fully discussed in Note 13 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in June 2011 we escrowed $62.5 million of cash and investments for the judgment against us in connection with the NeuroVision trademark infringement litigation. These funds are included in restricted cash and investments in our September 30, 2012 condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Additionally, in connection with the Medtronic litigation, a jury from the U.S. District Court, delivered an unfavorable verdict to us and awarded monetary damages of approximately $101.2 million to Medtronic. In May 2012, in accordance with an escrow arrangement, we transferred $113.3 million of cash into a restricted escrow account to secure the amount of judgment, plus prejudgment interest, during pendency of our appeal of the judgment. These funds are included in restricted cash and investments in our September 30, 2012 condensed consolidated balance sheet.

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Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities was $285.0 million and $342.2 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for the next 12 months. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors including our rate of revenue growth, the timing and extent of spending to support development efforts, the expansion of sales, marketing and administrative activities, the timing of introductions of new products and enhancements to existing products, the continuing market acceptance of our products, the expenditures associated with possible future acquisitions or other business combination transactions, and the outcome of current and future litigation. At September 30, 2012, we have cash and investments totaling $182.1 million in restricted accounts which are not available to us to meet any ongoing capital requirements if and when needed. This could negatively impact our liquidity and our ability to invest in and run our business on an ongoing basis.

We expect that cash provided by operating activities may fluctuate in future periods as a result of a number of factors, including fluctuations in our operating results and working capital requirements. We have historically invested our cash primarily in U.S. government sponsored entities and U.S. treasuries, corporate debt, and money market funds. Certain of these investments are subject to general credit, liquidity and other market risks. The general condition of the financial markets and the economy has exacerbated those risks and may affect the value of our current investments and restrict our ability to access the capital markets or even our own funds.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes, for the periods indicated, selected items in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):

	Nine months ended
	September 30,
	2012			2011			$ Change
Cash provided by operating activities	$	99,486		$	53,416		$	46,070
Cash used in investing activities		(158,599	)		(170,074	)		11,475
Cash provided by financing activities		3,315			245,183			(241,868	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		37			(179	)		216
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	(55,761	)	$	128,346		$	(184,107	)

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $99.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to $53.4 million for the same period in 2011. The $46.1 million increase in cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 is due to an increase in net income, adjusted for noncash items, a decrease in amounts paid for other current assets, including a refund of $11.2 million relating to an overpayment at December 31, 2011, decreased payments related to accounts payable, accrued liabilities and inventories, and increased collections on outstanding accounts receivable.

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash used in investing activities was $158.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to $170.1 million for the same period in 2011. The $11.5 million decrease in cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 is primarily due to a decrease in investment activity in marketable securities and restricted investments.

Cash flows from financing activities

Cash provided by financing activities was $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to $245.2 million for the same period in 2011. The $241.8 million decrease in cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 is primarily due to net proceeds totaling approximately $359.2 million from the issuance of $402.5 million Senior Convertible Notes in June 2011, offset by the repurchase of $118.7 million of our outstanding 2013 Notes, neither of which were repeated in 2012.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates including those related to bad debts, inventories, valuation of goodwill, intangibles and other long-term assets, income taxes, stock-based compensation, and legal proceedings. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and there have been no material changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 except as follows:

Recently adopted accounting standards

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the FASB’s updated accounting guidance related to annual and interim goodwill impairment tests. The updated accounting guidance allows entities to first assess qualitative factors before performing a quantitative assessment of the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is determined on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more-likely-than-not less than the carrying amount, the existing quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further impairment testing is required. The adoption of this accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Additionally, effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the FASB’s amended requirements for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance requires companies to disclose the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The updated guidance does not affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. The adoption of this authoritative guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not engaged in any off-balance sheet activities.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There has been no material change in the Company’s assessment of its sensitivity to market risk since its presentation set forth in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the timelines specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and in reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a — 15(e) and 15d — 15(e)) as of September 30, 2012. Based on such evaluation, our management has concluded that as of September 30, 2012, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

There have been no changes to the Legal Proceedings discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, except as follows:

Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. Litigation

As reported by us previously, Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. and its related entities (Medtronic) filed a patent infringement lawsuit against NuVasive on August 18, 2008 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, alleging that certain of NuVasive’s products or methods, including the XLIF^® procedure, infringe, or contribute to the infringement of, twelve U.S. patents. Three of the patents were later withdrawn by Medtronic leaving the following nine patents in the lawsuit: Patent Nos. 5,860,973; 5,772,661; 6,936,051; 6,936,050; 6,916,320; 6,945,933; 6,969,390; 6,428,542; 6,592,586 assigned or licensed to Medtronic (Medtronic Patents). Medtronic is seeking monetary damages and a court injunction against future infringement by NuVasive. NuVasive answered the complaint and denied the allegations.

Additionally, NuVasive made counterclaims against Medtronic seeking the following relief: (i) Medtronic being permanently enjoined from charging that NuVasive has infringed or is infringing the Medtronic Patents; (ii) a declaration that the Medtronic Patents are invalid; (iii) a declaration that the 5,860,973 and 5,772,661 patents are unenforceable due to inequitable conduct; and (iv) costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.

NuVasive filed an amended counterclaim on September 4, 2009, alleging that NuVasive’s U.S. Patent Nos. 7,207,949; 7,582,058; and 7,470,236 are infringed by Medtronic’s NIM-Eclipse System and accessories and Quadrant products, and DLIF (Direct Lateral Interbody Fusion) surgical technique. Medtronic, on June 23, 2009, filed a request for inter partes reexamination with the Patent Office on NuVasive’s U.S. Patent No. 7,207,949. On October 14, 2009, Medtronic filed a request for inter partes reexamination on NuVasive’s U.S. Patent No. 7,582,058. Both reexaminations are pending.

Given the number of patents asserted in the litigation, the parties agreed to proceed on a limited number of patents. The District Court determined to proceed only with patents that are not the subject of active reexamination proceedings. As a result, the first phase of the case included three Medtronic patents and one NuVasive patent. Trial on the first phase of the case began in August 2011 and on September 20, 2011, a jury from the District Court, delivered an unfavorable verdict against NuVasive with respect to three Medtronic patents and a favorable verdict with respect to the one NuVasive patent. The jury awarded monetary damages of approximately $101.2 million to Medtronic, which includes lost profits and back royalties. Medtronic’s subsequent motion for a permanent injunction was denied by the District Court on January 26, 2012. The District Court entered judgment on March 2, 2012, and both parties appealed the verdict. Medtronic subsequently filed a motion to dismiss its own appeal and NuVasive’s cross-appeal with the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. On August 2, 2012, the Federal Circuit issued a ruling stating that ongoing royalty rates must be determined by the District Court prior to the appeal going forward. As a result, the appeal in the Federal Circuit is temporarily dismissed while the post-verdict royalty rate is resolved by the District Court. On March 19, 2012, the District Court issued an order granting prejudgment interest, but has not provided a date for determining the post-verdict royalty rate, and no hearings are scheduled at this time. The Company entered into an escrow arrangement on April 27, 2012 and in May 2012, transferred $113.3 million of cash into a restricted escrow account to secure the amount of judgment, plus prejudgment interest, during pendency of the appeal. These funds are included in restricted cash and investments on the Company’s September 30, 2012 condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of loss contingencies, during the third quarter of 2011, the Company recorded an accrual for the $101.2 million verdict. In addition, the Company is currently accruing ongoing royalties on sales subsequent to the verdict at the royalty rates stated in the judgment, as well as post-judgment interest. With respect to the prejudgment interest award, the Company, based on its own assessment as well as that of outside counsel, believes a reversal of the prejudgment interest award on appeal is probable, and therefore, in accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of contingencies, the Company has not recorded an accrual for this amount, which is estimated to approximate $13 million. Additional damages, including interest and potential ongoing royalties may still be awarded, and at September 30, 2012, the Company cannot estimate a range of additional potential loss.

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The second phase of the case pending in the Southern District of California currently involves one Medtronic Patent (6,916,320), and claim construction is currently scheduled for January 2013. On August 17, 2012, Medtronic filed additional patent claims in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana alleging that various NuVasive spinal implants (including its CoRoent^® XL family of spinal implants) infringe U.S. Patent No. 8,021,430, and that NuVasive’s Osteocel^® Plus bone graft product infringes U.S. Patent No. 5,676,146 C2. On August 28, 2012, Medtronic amended its complaint in the Northern District of Indiana alleging that NuVasive’s XLIF^® procedure and use of MaXcess IV retractor during the XLIF procedure infringe methodology claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,251,997.

NuVasive denies infringing any valid claims of these additional patents and on September 4, 2012, NuVasive moved to motion to extend the time to respond to the complaint and transfer the Indiana case to the Southern District of California. The Indiana District Court granted NuVasive’s motion to extend the time to respond, but has not provided a date for determining whether to transfer the case. At September 30, 2012, the probable outcome of this litigation cannot be determined, nor can the Company estimate a range of potential loss. Accordingly, in accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of contingencies, the Company has not recorded an accrual related to this litigation.

Trademark Infringement Litigation

In September 2009, NMP filed suit against NuVasive in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Case No. 2:09-cv-06988-R-JEM) alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition. NMP sought cancellation of NuVasive’s “NeuroVision” trademark registrations, injunctive relief and damages based on NMP’s common law use of the “Neurovision” mark. On November 23, 2009, the Company denied the allegations in NMP’s complaint. After trial of the matter, on October 25, 2010 an unfavorable jury verdict was delivered against the Company relating to its use of the “NeuroVision” trade name. The verdict awarded damages to NMP of $60.0 million. On January 3, 2011, the District Court ordered a judgment be entered in the case in the amount of $60.0 million, and granted a permanent injunction prohibiting the Company’s use of the “NeuroVision” name for marketing purposes. The Company sought emergency relief, and on February 3, 2011, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed enforcement of the injunction, and consolidated this issue with our appeal of the verdict filed on May 6, 2011. During pendency of the appeal, the Company was required to escrow funds to secure the amount of the judgment, plus interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. Accordingly, on June 16, 2011, the Company entered into an escrow arrangement and transferred $62.5 million of cash and investments into a restricted escrow account. On September 10, 2012, the Court of Appeals reversed and vacated the District Court judgment and ordered the case back to the District Court for a new trial before a different judge. On October 5, 2012, the case was reassigned to a new District Court judge and the Company expects proceedings to commence in the District Court in the coming months. As of September 30, 2012, the probability of a favorable outcome on re-trial of the case before the District Court cannot be reasonably determined, nor can the Company reasonably estimate a potential loss, therefore, in accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of contingencies, the Company has not recorded an accrual related to this litigation. The Company may be required to record an expense related to this damage award in the future.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the Risk Factors) together with all other information contained or incorporated by reference in this report before you decide to invest in our common stock. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the Risk Factors. If any of the risks described in this report or in our Annual Report on Form 10-K actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and our future growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected. Under these circumstances, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

The proliferation of physician-owned distributorships, as well as aggressive competitive tactics to attract away key customers, could result in increased pricing pressure on our products and harm our ability to maintain or grow revenues.

In the third quarter of 2012 we saw a decline in sequential quarterly revenue driven primarily by unusually high account churn as a result of increased surgeon participation in physician-owned distributorships, or PODs, and the loss of a few large customer accounts. Physician-owned distributorships, or PODs, are medical device distributors that are owned, directly or indirectly, by physicians. These physicians derive a portion of their revenue from selling or arranging for the sale of medical devices for use in procedures they perform on their own patients at hospitals that agree to purchase from or through the POD, or that otherwise furnish ordering physicians with income that is based directly or indirectly on those orders of medical devices. We do not sell or distribute any of our products through PODs. However, the increasing prevalence of PODs that we have witnessed reduces our market opportunities and may hamper our ability to grow or maintain revenues. In addition, we have seen increasingly aggressive competitive tactics focused on attracting customers away from us. To the extent these tactics are successful our revenues may suffer.

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We are currently involved in patent litigation involving Medtronic, and, if we do not prevail in the litigation and/or on our appeal of the Medtronic verdict in phase one of the litigation, we could be liable for substantial damages and might be prevented from making, using, selling, offering to sell, importing or exporting certain of our products.

On August 18, 2008, Medtronic filed suit against NuVasive in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, alleging that certain of our products infringe, or contribute to the infringement of, U.S. patents owned by Medtronic. Trial in the first phase of the case began on August 20, 2011 and on September 20, 2011 a jury delivered an unfavorable verdict against us with respect to three Medtronic patents and a favorable verdict with respect to a NuVasive patent. Judgment was entered by the District Court on September 29, 2011. The jury awarded monetary damages of approximately $0.7 million to NuVasive which includes back royalty payments. Additionally, the jury awarded monetary damages of approximately $101.2 million to Medtronic which includes lost profits and back royalties. Medtronic sought a permanent injunction against us with respect to the sale of our CoRoent^® XL, MaXcess Retractor and Helix ACP Cervical Plate. The District Court denied the motion; provided, however, Medtronic may continue to seek an injunction and may appeal the District Court’s denial of their request. Additional damages, including interest and potential ongoing royalties may still be awarded. Judgment was entered on March 2, 2012, but the District Court needs to determine the amount of any ongoing royalties before the Company can properly appeal the unfavorable verdict to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. During pendency of our appeal, we have been required to secure the amount of the judgment, plus prejudgment interest, which could result in a material reduction in the liquidity required to run or grow our business. Should the Company lose its appeal or should the District Court ultimately award a much higher ongoing royalty rate, our ability to generate profits and cash flow, and, as a result, to invest in and grow our business, including the investment into new and innovative technologies may suffer.

In addition, on August 17, 2012, Medtronic filed additional patent claims against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana alleging that various NuVasive spinal implants (including its CoRoent^® XL family of spinal implants) infringe U.S. Patent No. 8,021,430, and that NuVasive’s Osteocel^® Plus bone graft product infringes U.S. Patent No. 5,676,146 C2. On August 28, 2012, Medtronic amended its complaint in the Northern District of Indiana alleging that NuVasive’s XLIF^® procedure and use of MaXcess IV retractor during the XLIF procedure infringe methodology claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,251,997. NuVasive denies infringing any valid claims of these additional patents and intends to defend the lawsuit vigorously. However, should we lose this suit, our ability to invest in and grow our business may suffer.

Risks Related to Our Financial Results and Need for Financing

The current adverse global economic conditions may adversely affect our liquidity and the liquidity of our customers.

At September 30, 2012, we had approximately $285.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. In June 2011, we entered into an escrow arrangement in connection with the NeuroVision trademark litigation and have transferred $62.5 million of our cash and investments into a restricted escrow account. In May 2012, we entered into an escrow arrangement in connection with the Medtronic litigation and have transferred $113.3 million of cash into a restricted escrow account to secure the amount of judgment, plus prejudgment interest, during the pendency of our appeal of the judgment. This could result in a material reduction in the liquidity available to run or grow our business.

We have historically invested our cash primarily in U.S. government sponsored entities and U.S. treasuries, corporate debt, and money market funds. Certain of these investments are subject to general credit, liquidity and other market risks. The general condition of the financial markets and the economy has exacerbated those risks and may affect the value of our current investments and restrict our ability to access the capital markets or even our own funds.

The liquidity of our customers and suppliers may also be affected by adverse global economic conditions. If our suppliers experience credit or liquidity problems, important sources of raw materials or manufactured goods may be affected. If our customers’ liquidity and creditworthiness is negatively impacted by the condition of the economy, our ability to collect on our outstanding invoices and our collection cycles may be adversely affected.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Not applicable.

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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No	Description
3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 13, 2004)
3.2	Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 1, 2012)
3.3	Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 6, 2012)
10.1	Letter Agreement by and between NuVasive, Inc. and Jeffrey P. Rydin, dated October 5, 2012 (incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 9, 2012)
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
32 *	Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101**	XBRL Instance Document
101**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

* These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this quarterly report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of NuVasive, Inc., whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

** Pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations, we are deemed to have complied with the reporting obligation relating to the submission of interactive data files in such exhibits and are not subject to liability under any anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws as long as we have made a good faith attempt to comply with the submission requirements and promptly amend the interactive data files after becoming aware that the interactive data files fail to comply with the submission requirements. Users of this data are advised that, pursuant to Rule 406T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed and otherwise are not subject to liability.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

NUVASIVE, INC.
Date: October 24, 2012
	By:	/s/ ALEXIS V. LUKIANOV
		Alexis V. Lukianov
		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Date: October 24, 2012
	By:	/s/ MICHAEL J. LAMBERT
		Michael J. Lambert
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No	Description
3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 13, 2004)
3.2	Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 1, 2012)
3.3	Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 6, 2012)
10.1	Letter Agreement by and between NuVasive, Inc. and Jeffrey P. Rydin, dated October 5, 2012 (incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 9, 2012)
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
32 *	Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101 **	XBRL Instance Document
101 **	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101 **	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101 **	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101 **	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101 **	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

* These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this quarterly report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of NuVasive, Inc., whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

** Pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations, we are deemed to have complied with the reporting obligation relating to the submission of interactive data files in such exhibits and are not subject to liability under any anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws as long as we have made a good faith attempt to comply with the submission requirements and promptly amend the interactive data files after becoming aware that the interactive data files fail to comply with the submission requirements. Users of this data are advised that, pursuant to Rule 406T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed and otherwise are not subject to liability.

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EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Alexis V. Lukianov, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of NuVasive, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: October 24, 2012

/s/ Alexis V. Lukianov

Alexis V. Lukianov

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Michael J. Lambert, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of NuVasive, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: October 24, 2012

/s/ Michael J. Lambert

Michael J. Lambert

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATIONS OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of NuVasive, Inc. (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Quarterly Report), I, Alexis V. Lukianov, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

1. The Quarterly Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. That information contained in the Quarterly Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: October 24, 2012

/s/ Alexis V. Lukianov

Alexis V. Lukianov

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

In connection with the Quarterly Report of NuVasive, Inc. (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Quarterly Report), I, Michael J. Lambert, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

1. The Quarterly Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. That information contained in the Quarterly Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: October 24, 2012

/s/ Michael J. Lambert

Michael J. Lambert

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

XML

Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	$ 397,003	$ 363,329
Contingent Consideration:
Acquisition-related liabilities	(32,389)	(32,221)
Acquisition-related liabilities, non-current	(1,029)
Total contingent consideration	(33,418)
Money Market Funds [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	71,077	121,666
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	1,441	526
Corporate Notes [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	37,942	21,168
Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	14,987	5,000
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	57,456	44,168
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	214,100	170,801
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	129,974	166,360
Contingent Consideration:
Acquisition-related liabilities
Acquisition-related liabilities, non-current
Total contingent consideration
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	71,077	121,666
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	1,441	526
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Corporate Notes [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	57,456	44,168
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	267,029	196,969
Contingent Consideration:
Acquisition-related liabilities
Acquisition-related liabilities, non-current
Total contingent consideration
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Notes [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	37,942	21,168
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	14,987	5,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value	214,100	170,801
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Contingent Consideration:
Acquisition-related liabilities	(32,389)	(32,221)
Acquisition-related liabilities, non-current	(1,029)
Total contingent consideration	(33,418)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Notes [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Investments at Fair Value

XML

Legal Proceedings (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Medtronic Litigation [Member] Patents	Sep. 30, 2012 Trademark Infringement Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of patents assigned or licensed			12
Number of patents withdrawn			3
Number of patents remaining			9
Other Company's Patents in Initial Phase of Litigation			3
Company's Patents in Initial Phase of Litigation			1
Number of Patents Selected for Litigation			3
Litigation award	$ 101,200,000	$ 101,200,000	$ 101,200,000
Transfer of funds not available for withdrawal or use, funds held in escrow			113,300,000	62,500,000
Unrecorded Pre-Judgment Interest			13,000,000
Unrecorded royalty damages			700,000
High end of range estimate of possible loss				$ 60,000,000

XML

Anti Dilutive Common Stock Equivalents Not Included in Calculation of Net Income Per Diluted Share (Detail) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	31,829	24,536	31,955	19,134
Stock Options and RSUs [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	5,921	6,223	6,047	6,076
Warrant [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	14,694	5,141	14,694	5,141
Senior Convertible Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	11,214	13,172	11,214	7,917

XML

Senior Convertible Notes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 2.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2013 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 2.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of senior convertible notes						$ 402,500,000	$ 402,500,000	$ 402,500,000	$ 402,500,000	$ 230,000,000
Principal amount of unsecured senior convertible notes, Percentage								2.75%	2.75%	2.25%
Additional purchase of unsecured senior convertible notes								52,500,000		30,000,000
Net proceeds of unsecured senior convertible notes								359,200,000		208,400,000
Debt instrument, maturity date								Jul. 01, 2017		Mar. 15, 2013
Number of common shares authorized	120,000,000	120,000,000	120,000,000	70,000,000
Initial conversion rate adjustment Shares								23.7344		22.3515
Base principal amount per note								1,000		1,000
Initial conversion price of convertible notes								$ 42.13		$ 44.74
Fair value of outstanding notes						383,900,000	383,900,000				74,000,000
Debt conversion terms								Holders may convert their notes only under the following conditions: a) During any calendar quarter beginning October 1, 2011, if the reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 days of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; b) During the five business day period in which the trading price of the 2017 Notes falls below 98% of the product of (i) the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and (ii) the conversion rate on that date; and c) Upon the occurrence of specified corporate events, as defined in the 2017 Notes. From January 1, 2017 and until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the July 1, 2017, holders may convert their 2017 Notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. The Company may not redeem the 2017 Notes prior to maturity.		Holders may convert their 2013 Notes at their option on any day up to and including the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the Maturity Date. If a fundamental change to the Company’s business occurs, as defined in the 2013 Notes, holders of the 2013 Notes have the right to require that the Company repurchase the 2013 Notes, or a portion thereof, at the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Debt Instrument, convertible carrying amount of equity component						49,300,000	49,300,000
Fair value of embedded derivative at issuance								88,900,000
Debt discount, interest rate								8.00%
Contractual coupon interest expense						2,800,000	8,300,000
Amortization of debt discount	9,435,000	3,076,000				3,200,000	9,400,000
Common stock shares purchased								9,553,096		5,100,000
Common stock par value								$ 42.13		$ 44.74
Cost of hedge transaction								80,100,000
Number of warrants to be acquired								477,654		5,100,000
Initial strike price at which Warrants to be acquired								988.51		49.13
Convertible Preferred Stock Conversion Per Share					20
Cash proceeds from the sale of warrants		47,898,000						47,898,000
Outstanding debt instrument	74,311,000										74,300,000
Cost of hedge not covered by proceeds from sale of warrants										$ 14,000,000
Conversion price Adjustment after the impact of hedge Shares										20.3542

XML

Summary of Unaudited Pro Forma (Detail) (Impulse Monitoring [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Impulse Monitoring [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 143,211	$ 419,401
Net loss attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$ (66,426)	$ (57,882)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted	$ (1.57)	$ (1.37)

XML

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets as of September 30, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands, except years):

	Weighted- Average Amortization Period (in years)		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Intangible Assets, net
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization:
Purchased technology:
Developed technology		11	$	38,178	$	(13,594	)	$	24,584
Manufacturing know-how and trade secrets		12		21,685		(7,530	)		14,155
Trade name and trademarks		11		9,450		(2,088	)		7,362
Customer relationships		9		39,321		(8,176	)		31,145
		11	$	108,634	$	(31,388	)	$	77,246
Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization:
In-process research and development									27,840
Goodwill									162,333
Total intangible assets, net								$	267,419

Goodwill and intangible assets as of December 31, 2011 consisted of the following (in thousands, except years):

	Weighted- Average Amortization Period (in years)		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Intangible Assets, net
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization:
Purchased technology:
Developed technology		11	$	37,535	$	(10,589	)	$	26,946
Manufacturing know-how and trade secrets		12		21,389		(6,007	)		15,382
Trade name and trademarks		12		6,700		(1,449	)		5,251
Customer relationships		9		37,234		(4,513	)		32,721
		11	$	102,858	$	(22,558	)	$	80,300
Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization:
In-process research and development									27,840
Goodwill									159,349
Total intangible assets, net								$	267,489

Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets

Total future amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2012 is set forth in the table below (in thousands):

Remaining 2012	$	3,254
2013		12,974
2014		10,649
2015		10,122
2016		9,730
2017		7,387
Thereafter through 2026		23,130
Total future amortization expense	$	77,246

XML

Stock- Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares of common stock issued upon exercise of stock options	6,000	38,000	204,000
Number of shares of common stock issued upon vesting of RSUs	58,000	308,000	158,000
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
PRSUs eligible to receive, as a percentage of award		Between zero and 250% of the target number of shares
PRSU, terms of award		The PRSUs that are issued in the first quarter of 2013 pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreements will vest one-third on March 1, 2013, one-third on March 1, 2014 and one-third on March 1, 2015, so long as the recipient is employed by the Company on each such date.
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of common stock shares eligible to receive		0.00%
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of common stock shares eligible to receive		250.00%

XML

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period	11 years	11 years
Gross Amount	$ 108,634	$ 102,858
Accumulated Amortization	(31,388)	(22,558)
Intangible Assets, net	77,246	80,300
In-process research and development	27,840	27,840
Goodwill	162,333	159,349
Total intangible assets, net	267,419	267,489
Developed Technology [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period	11 years	11 years
Gross Amount	38,178	37,535
Accumulated Amortization	(13,594)	(10,589)
Intangible Assets, net	24,584	26,946
Manufacturing know-how and trade secrets [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period	12 years	12 years
Gross Amount	21,685	21,389
Accumulated Amortization	(7,530)	(6,007)
Intangible Assets, net	14,155	15,382
Tradename And Trademarks [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period	11 years	12 years
Gross Amount	9,450	6,700
Accumulated Amortization	(2,088)	(1,449)
Intangible Assets, net	7,362	5,251
Customer Relationship [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period	9 years	9 years
Gross Amount	39,321	37,234
Accumulated Amortization	(8,176)	(4,513)
Intangible Assets, net	$ 31,145	$ 32,721

XML

Balances of the Reserves for Accounts Receivable and Inventory (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reserves for accounts receivable and sales returns	$ 4,093	$ 3,430
Reserves for excess and obsolete inventory	$ 14,763	$ 12,710

XML

Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 4,064	$ (29,031)	$ 7,764	$ (22,715)
Effective income tax rate			60.00%
US federal income tax statutory rate			35.00%

XML

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$ 2,354	$ (67,552)	$ 5,890	$ (59,813)
Denominator for basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic	43,488	39,892	43,227	39,766
Dilutive potential common stock outstanding:
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted	44,735	39,892	44,151	39,766
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$ 0.05	$ (1.69)	$ 0.14	$ (1.50)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$ 0.05	$ (1.69)	$ 0.13	$ (1.50)
Stock Options And Espp [Member]
Dilutive potential common stock outstanding:
RSUs and PRSUs	317		215
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Dilutive potential common stock outstanding:
RSUs and PRSUs	930		709

XML

Impulse Monitoring, Inc. Acquisition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Impulse Monitoring, Inc. Acquisition

3. Impulse Monitoring, Inc. Acquisition

On October 7, 2011 (the Closing Date), the Company completed the purchase of all of the outstanding shares of Impulse Monitoring pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated September 28, 2011 for an initial payment of approximately $79.7 million consisting of cash totaling approximately $40.5 million and the issuance of 2,336,200 shares of NuVasive common stock to certain stockholders of Impulse Monitoring. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company made an additional cash payment of approximately $1.2 million related to a working capital adjustment, resulting in a total purchase price of approximately $80.9 million and a corresponding adjustment to goodwill. Impulse Monitoring provides IOM services of the nervous system during spine and other surgeries. The acquisition complements the Company’s existing nerve monitoring systems, which are designed for discreet and directional nerve avoidance and detection, making lateral access to the spine during the XLIF procedure safe and reproducible.

Purchase Price

The acquisition of Impulse Monitoring has been recorded using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with the authoritative guidance for business combinations.

The purchase price is as follows (in thousands):

Cash paid to sellers	$	41,700
Market value of NuVasive common stock issued on Closing Date		39,200
Total purchase price	$	80,900

The allocation of the purchase price was based on management’s valuation of the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the Closing Date. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price (in thousands):

	Estimated Fair Value			Estimated Useful Life
Cash	$	5,100
Total other current assets		7,300
Property, plant and equipment		1,100
Developed technology		700		4 years
Non-compete agreement		300		1 year
Trade name		500		3 years
Customer relationships		25,100		10 years
Goodwill		57,700
Current liabilities		(8,900	)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net		(8,000	)
Total purchase price allocation	$	80,900

Goodwill totaling $57.7 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and is due primarily to increased market penetration from customers and synergies expected from combining the assembled workforce with the Company’s existing IOM workforce. This acquisition was nontaxable and, as a result, there is no tax basis in goodwill. Accordingly, none of the goodwill associated with the Impulse Monitoring acquisition is deductible for tax purposes.

As a result of the acquisition, the Company maintains a contractual relationship with several PCs whereby the PCs provide the physician oversight service associated with the IOM services. Pursuant to such contractual arrangements, the Company provides management services to the PCs in return for a management fee that is settled on a monthly basis. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company has determined that the PC’s are variable interest entities. Additionally, pursuant to this guidance, the Company is considered the primary beneficiary of the PCs as the Company has both (1) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the PCs and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the PCs. Accordingly, the financial position and results of operations of the PCs have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the Impulse Closing Date. The liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating the PCs, which are not material, do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets. The creditors of the PCs have claims only on the assets of the PCs, which are not material, and the assets of the PCs are not available to the Company.

Results of Operations

The accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 reflect the operating results of Impulse Monitoring since the date of the acquisition. The Company has prepared the following unaudited pro forma financial statement information to compare results of the periods presented assuming the Impulse Monitoring acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2010. These unaudited pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be an indicator of the results of operations that would have actually resulted had the acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2010, or of future results of operations. Assuming the Impulse Monitoring acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2010, the pro forma unaudited results of operations would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2011			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Revenue	$	143,211		$	419,401
Net loss attributable to NuVasive, Inc.		(66,426	)		(57,882	)
Net loss per share — basic and diluted		(1.57	)		(1.37	)

The above pro forma unaudited results of operations do not include pro forma adjustments relating to costs of integration or post-integration cost reductions that may be incurred or realized by the Company in excess of actual amounts incurred or realized through September 30, 2011.

XML

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Amortization expense related to intangible assets	$ 3,081	$ 1,504	$ 8,830	$ 4,241

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Business Segment and Product Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Summary of Revenue by Product Line Offerings

Company’s monitoring service offering includes IOM services provided. Revenue by product line offerings was as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Spine Surgery Products	$	112,611	$	106,903	$	344,050	$	316,458
Biologics		26,137		25,692		81,168		72,945
Monitoring Service		9,643		285		29,283		909
Total Revenue	$	148,391	$	132,880	$	454,501	$	390,312

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Stock Options Granted and Stock Purchase Rights Under ESPP

The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted and stock purchase rights under the ESPP are as follows:

	Three Months Ended     September 30,				Nine Months Ended     September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Stock Options
Volatility		—		49%		—		49%
Expected term (years)		—		5.0		—		5.3
Risk free interest rate		—		1.8%		—		2.1%
Expected dividend yield		—		0.0%		—		0.0%
ESPP
Volatility		55%		55%		55%		58%
Expected term (years)		1.6		1.4		1.5		1.2
Risk free interest rate		0.2%		0.3%		0.2%		0.2%
Expected dividend yield		0.0%		0.0%		0.0%		0.0%

Performance Stock Awards

A summary of the Company’s PRSUs award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is as follows:

	Number of Shares		Maximum Shares Eligible to Be Issued		Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2011		—		—	$	—
Awarded		314,167		785,418		15.61
Outstanding at September 30, 2012		314,167		785,418	$	15.61

Compensation Costs Included in Statement of Income for All Stock-Based Compensation Arrangements

The compensation cost that has been included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for all stock-based compensation arrangements was as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months  Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Sales, marketing and administrative expense	$	4,844	$	7,497	$	18,723	$	21,956
Research and development expense		567		621		1,624		1,833
Cost of goods sold		23		—		53		—
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	5,434	$	8,118	$	20,400	$	23,789

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Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Remaining 2012	$ 3,254
2013	12,974
2014	10,649
2015	10,122
2016	9,730
2017	7,387
Thereafter through 2026	23,130
Intangible Assets, net	$ 77,246	$ 80,300

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Impulse Monitoring, Inc. Acquisition - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011 Initial Cash Payment [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Additional Cash Payment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total Purchase Price	$ 80,900,000	$ 80,900,000
Initial payment on purchase of outstanding shares	79,700,000
Cash payment on purchase of outstanding shares			40,500,000	1,200,000
Issuance of shares on purchase of outstanding shares	2,336,200
Purchase price allocated to goodwill	$ 57,700,000	$ 57,700,000

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Purchase Price (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase price	$ 80,900	$ 80,900
Impulse Monitoring [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid to sellers	41,700
Market value of NuVasive common stock issued on Closing Date	39,200
Total purchase price	$ 80,900

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Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

2. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the FASB’s updated accounting guidance related to annual and interim goodwill impairment tests. The updated accounting guidance allows entities to first assess qualitative factors before performing a quantitative assessment of the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is determined on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more-likely-than-not less than the carrying amount, the existing quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further impairment testing is required. The adoption of this accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Additionally, effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the FASB’s amended requirements for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance requires companies to disclose the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The updated guidance does not affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. The adoption of this authoritative guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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Allocation of the Purchase Price (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Developed Technology [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Non-compete agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Trade name [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Customer Relationship [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life			4 years	1 year	3 years	10 years
Cash	$ 5,100
Total other current assets	7,300
Property, plant and equipment	1,100
Intangible Assets			700	300	500	25,100
Goodwill	57,700	57,700
Current liabilities	(8,900)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	(8,000)
Total purchase price allocation	$ 80,900	$ 80,900

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Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Cervitech [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Cervitech [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 Cervitech [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Immaterial Acquisition [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Immaterial Acquisition [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Immaterial Acquisition [Member] EUR (€)
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Maximum additional amount the Company is required to pay in connection with its business acquisition											$ 33,000,000			€ 2,000,000
Acquisition-related liabilities									32,400,000	31,700,000		1,000,000
Payment of contingent consideration	1,800,000	530,000	1,800,000									1,800,000	500,000
Principal amount of senior convertible notes						402,500,000	402,500,000	402,500,000
Percentage on principal amount of senior convertible notes						2.75%		2.75%
Number of common shares authorized	120,000,000	120,000,000	120,000,000	120,000,000	70,000,000
Common stock shares purchased						9,553,096
Common stock par value						$ 42.13
Non-cash income recognized related to the net change in the fair values of the derivative asset and liability	2,400,000		2,400,000
Gain on change in fair value of derivative liability	39,500,000		39,500,000
Loss on change in fair value of derivative assets	$ 37,100,000		$ 37,100,000

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Summary of Revenue by Product Line Offerings (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 148,391	$ 132,880	$ 454,501	$ 390,312
Spine Surgery Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total Revenue	112,611	106,903	344,050	316,458
Biologics [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total Revenue	26,137	25,692	81,168	72,945
Monitoring Service [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 9,643	$ 285	$ 29,283	$ 909

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 107,731	$ 163,492
Short-term marketable securities	134,899	146,228
Accounts receivable, net	78,140	87,736
Inventory	132,958	119,313
Deferred tax assets, current	54,550	54,550
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,264	20,518
Total current assets	515,542	591,837
Property and equipment, net	131,158	124,754
Long-term marketable securities	42,416	32,503
Intangible assets, net	105,086	108,140
Goodwill	162,333	159,349
Deferred tax assets	19,857	19,857
Restricted cash and investments	182,067	68,600
Other assets	26,169	18,522
Total assets	1,184,628	1,123,562
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	63,498	51,744
Accrued payroll and related expenses	22,527	22,215
Litigation liability		101,200
Acquisition-related liabilities	32,389	32,221
Senior Convertible Notes, current	74,311
Total current liabilities	192,725	207,380
Senior Convertible Notes	329,143	394,019
Deferred tax liabilities	4,180	3,952
Litigation liability	101,200
Other long-term liabilities	15,581	13,461
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests	10,033	10,705
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 120,000 shares authorized, 43,505 and 42,455 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	44	42
Additional paid-in capital	705,931	674,790
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,166	477
Accumulated deficit	(175,375)	(181,264)
Total stockholders' equity	531,766	494,045
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,184,628	$ 1,123,562

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Carrying Values of Senior Convertible Notes (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 2.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2013 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 2.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2013 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 2.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount			$ 402,500	$ 402,500	$ 402,500			$ 230,000
Unamortized debt discount			(73,357)	(82,792)
Senior Convertible Notes	$ 403,454	$ 394,019	$ 329,143	$ 319,708		$ 74,311	$ 74,311

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Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Operating activities:
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 5,218	$ (60,675)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	38,237	24,847
Amortization of debt discount	9,435	3,076
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1,386	2,588
Stock-based compensation	20,400	23,789
Allowance for excess and obsolete inventory, net of write-offs	2,000	4,642
Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales return reserves	816	1,261
Accretion of contingent consideration	708	587
Gain recognized on change in fair value of derivatives		(2,387)
Deferred income tax expense		6,238
Other non-cash adjustments	4,294	3,545
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	8,421	(3,152)
Inventory	(14,222)	(19,933)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	13,582	(1,061)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,474	504
Litigation liability		101,200
Accrued payroll and related expenses	(269)	584
Income taxes payable	5,006	(32,237)
Net cash provided by operating activities	99,486	53,416
Investing activities:
Cash paid for business and asset acquisitions	(9,838)	(1,100)
Purchases of property and equipment	(35,706)	(39,435)
Purchases of marketable securities	(192,759)	(244,209)
Sales of marketable securities	193,035	124,205
Purchases of restricted investments	(113,331)	(4,535)
Payment for specific rights in connection with supply agreement, net of refund received		(5,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(158,599)	(170,074)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of warrants		47,898
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible debt, net of issuance costs		391,334
Purchase of convertible note hedges		(80,097)
Repurchase of 2013 Senior Convertible Notes		(118,702)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	3,183	4,461
Other assets	132	(349)
Tax benefits related to stock-based compensation awards		638
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,315	245,183
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	37	(179)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(55,761)	128,346
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	163,492	92,597
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	107,731	220,943
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:
Issuance of common stock in connection with asset acquisitions	$ 7,560

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Summary of Assets and Liabilities of Progentix included in Accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests	$ 10,033	$ 10,705
Progentix Orthobiology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total current assets	623	640
Identifiable intangible assets, net	14,988	15,338
Goodwill	12,654	12,654
Other long-term assets	48	53
Accounts payable & accrued expenses	359	411
Other long-term liabilities	86
Deferred tax liabilities, net	3,318	3,318
Noncontrolling interests	$ 10,033	$ 10,705	$ 11,015	$ 11,877

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Investment in Progentix Orthobiology, B.V. (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Summary of Assets and Liabilities of Progentix included in Accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets

Total assets and liabilities of Progentix included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2012		December 31, 2011
Total current assets	$	623	$	640
Identifiable intangible assets, net		14,988		15,338
Goodwill		12,654		12,654
Other long-term assets		48		53
Accounts payable & accrued expenses		359		411
Other long-term liabilities		86		—
Deferred tax liabilities, net		3,318		3,318
Noncontrolling interests		10,033		10,705

Reconciliation of Equity (Net Assets) Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interests

The following is a reconciliation of equity (net assets) attributable to the noncontrolling interests (in thousands):

	Nine Months  Ended September 30,
	2012			2011
Noncontrolling interests at beginning of period	$	10,705		$	11,877
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests		(672	)		(862	)
Noncontrolling interests at end of period	$	10,033		$	11,015

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Reconciliation of Equity (Net Assets) Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interests (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests at beginning of period			$ 10,705
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	215	123	672	862
Noncontrolling interests at end of period	10,033		10,033
Progentix Orthobiology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests at beginning of period			10,705	11,877
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests			(672)	(862)
Noncontrolling interests at end of period	$ 10,033	$ 11,015	$ 10,033	$ 11,015

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Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Composition of Marketable Securities

The composition of marketable securities is as follows (in thousands, except years):

	Contractual Maturity (in Years)		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2012:
Classified as current assets:
Certificates of deposit		Less than 1	$	1,299	$	—	$	—		$	1,299
Corporate notes		Less than 1		27,777		7		(1	)		27,783
Commercial paper		Less than 1		14,986		1		—			14,987
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 1		5,009		1		—			5,010
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 1		85,800		21		(1	)		85,820
Short-term marketable securities				134,871		30		(2	)		134,899
Classified as non-current assets:
Certificates of deposit		1 to 2		142		—		—			142
Corporate notes		1 to 2		10,162		3		(6	)		10,159
U.S. government treasury securities		1 to 2		2,547		—		—			2,547
Securities of government-sponsored entities		1 to 2		29,568		3		(3	)		29,568
Long-term marketable securities				42,419		6		(9	)		42,416
Classified as restricted investments:
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 2		49,894		6		(1	)		49,899
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 2		98,684		32		(4	)		98,712
Restricted investments				148,578		38		(5	)		148,611
Total marketable securities at September 30, 2012			$	325,868	$	74	$	(16	)	$	325,926

	Contractual Maturity (in Years)		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
December 31, 2011:
Classified as current assets:
Certificates of deposit		Less than 1	$	526	$	—	$	—		$	526
Corporate notes		Less than 1		21,153		16		(1	)		21,168
Commercial paper		Less than 1		5,000		—		—			5,000
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 1		32,131		11		—			32,142
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 1		87,353		39		—			87,392
Short-term marketable securities				146,163		66		(1	)		146,228
Classified as non-current assets:
Securities of government-sponsored entities		1 to 2		32,502		5		(4	)		32,503
Long-term marketable securities				32,502		5		(4	)		32,503
Classified as restricted investments:
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 2		12,017		9		—			12,026
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 2		50,880		27		(1	)		50,906
Restricted investments				62,897		36		(1	)		62,932
Total marketable securities at December 31, 2011			$	241,562	$	107	$	(6	)	$	241,663

Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis

The fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, were determined using the following inputs (in thousands):

	Total			Quoted Price in Active Market (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable  Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
September 30, 2012:
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Money market funds	$	71,077		$	71,077	$	—	$	—
Certificates of deposit		1,441			1,441		—		—
Corporate notes		37,942			—		37,942		—
Commercial paper		14,987			—		14,987		—
U.S government treasury securities		57,456			57,456		—		—
Securities of government-sponsored entities		214,100			—		214,100		—
Total cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted investments	$	397,003		$	129,974	$	267,029	$	—
Contingent Consideration:
Acquisition-related liabilities, current	$	(32,389	)	$	—	$	—	$	(32,389	)
Acquisition-related liabilities, non-current		(1,029	)		—		—		(1,029	)
Total contingent consideration	$	(33,418	)	$	—	$	—	$	(33,418	)
December 31, 2011:
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Money market funds	$	121,666		$	121,666	$	—	$	—
Certificates of deposit		526			526		—		—
Corporate notes		21,168			—		21,168		—
Commercial paper		5,000			—		5,000		—
U.S government treasury securities		44,168			44,168		—		—
Securities of government-sponsored entities		170,801			—		170,801		—
Total cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted investments	$	363,329		$	166,360	$	196,969	$	—
Contingent Consideration:
Acquisition-related liabilities	$	(32,221	)	$	—	$	—	$	(32,221	)

Estimated Fair Value for the Company's Assets and Liabilities Measured Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

The following table sets forth the changes in the estimated fair value for the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011			2012			2011
Assets:
Fair value measurement at beginning of period	$	—	$	80,098		$	—		$	—
Derivative asset purchased		—		—			—			80,098
Change in fair value measurement included in operating expenses and other income (expense)		—		(37,124	)		—			(37,124	)
Derivative asset reclassified to stockholders’ equity		—		(42,974	)		—			(42,974	)
Fair value measurement at end of period	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—
Liabilities:
Fair value measurement at beginning of period	$	32,290	$	122,855		$	32,221		$	33,041
Derivative liability recorded in connection with 2017 Notes		—		—			—			88,900
Contingent consideration liability recorded upon acquisition		1,019		—			1,019			—
Change in fair value measurement included in operating expenses and other income (expense)		109		(39,837	)		708			(38,923	)
Derivative liability reclassified to stockholders’ equity		—		(49,390	)		—			(49,390	)
Contingent consideration settled		—		(1,800	)		(530	)		(1,800	)
Fair value measurement at end of period	$	33,418	$	31,828		$	33,418		$	31,828

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Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business

NuVasive, Inc. (the Company or NuVasive) was incorporated in Delaware on July 21, 1997, and began commercializing its products in 2001. The Company is focused on developing minimally disruptive surgical products and procedurally integrated solutions for the spine. NuVasive’s principal product offering is based on its Maximum Access Surgery, or MAS^® platform. The MAS platform combines several categories of solutions that collectively minimize soft tissue disruption during spine fusion surgery with maximum visualization and safe, easy reproducibility for the surgeon. The platform includes a proprietary software-driven nerve avoidance system and intra-operative monitoring (IOM) support; MaXcess^®, a unique split-blade retractor system; a wide variety of specialized implants; and several biologic fusion options. MAS significantly reduces surgery time and returns patients to activities of daily living much faster than conventional approaches. The Company continues to focus significant research and development efforts to expand its MAS product platform and advance the applications of its unique technology into procedurally integrated surgical solutions. The Company dedicates significant resources toward training spine surgeons on its unique technology and products.

The Company’s primary business model is to loan its MAS systems to surgeons and hospitals who purchase disposables and implants for use in individual procedures. In addition, for larger customers, the Company’s proprietary nerve monitoring systems, MaXcess and surgical instrument sets are placed with hospitals for an extended period at no up-front cost to them. The Company also offers a range of bone allograft in patented saline packaging, disposables and spine implants, which include its branded CoRoent^® products and fixation devices such as rods, plates and screws. Implants and disposables are shipped from the Company’s inventories. The Company sells an immaterial quantity of MAS instrument sets, MaXcess and nerve monitoring systems to hospitals.

On October 7, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Impulse Monitoring, Inc. (Impulse Monitoring), a company which provides IOM services of the nervous system during spine and other surgeries. The acquisition complements the Company’s existing nerve monitoring systems, which are designed for discreet and directional nerve avoidance and detection, making lateral access to the spine during the eXtreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF^®) procedure safe and reproducible.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Pursuant to these rules and regulations, the Company has condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures it normally includes in its annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary, which are of a normal and recurring nature, for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and of the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Additionally, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and for three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 include the accounts of a variable interest entity, Progentix Orthobiology, B.V. (Progentix), which is consolidated pursuant to existing guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

As a result of the October 2011 acquisition of Impulse Monitoring, the Company maintains a contractual relationship with several physician practices (PCs) whereby the PCs provide the physician oversight service associated with the IOM services. Pursuant to such contractual arrangements, the Company provides management services to the PCs. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the associated PCs are American Neuromonitoring Associates, P.C.; Pacific Neuromonitoring Associates, Inc.; Keystone Neuromonitoring Associates, P.C.; North Pacific Neuromonitoring Associates, P.C.; and Midwest Neuromonitoring Associates, Inc. Under the management services agreements, the Company provides all non-medical services to the PCs in return for a management fee that is settled on a monthly basis. The management services include management reporting, billing and collections of all charges for medical services provided and all administrative support to the PCs. Pursuant to existing guidance issued by the FASB, these represent variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary, and the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the PCs from the date of acquisition.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2011 included in NuVasive’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. The balance sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to conform to the current year presentation.

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	120,000	120,000
Common stock, shares issued	43,505	42,455
Common stock, shares outstanding	43,505	42,455

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Income Taxes

11. Income Taxes

The Company recorded income tax expense of $4.1 million and an income tax benefit of $29.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and recorded income tax expense of $7.8 million and an income tax benefit of $22.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 60%, which is based on an estimate of the Company’s annual effective income tax rate. The Company updates its annual effective income tax rate each quarter and if the estimated effective income tax rate changes, a cumulative adjustment is made. The annual effective income tax rate for 2012 is expected to be higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit, estimates for certain non-deductible expenses and certain foreign losses expected to be incurred for which no benefit can be recorded.

There was no material change to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits and interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

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Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 19, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	NUVA
Entity Registrant Name	NUVASIVE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001142596
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		43,527,640

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Business Segment and Product Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Business Segment and Product Information

12. Business Segment and Product Information

The Company’s business operates in one segment based upon the Company’s organizational structure, the way in which the operations are managed and evaluated and the lack of availability of separate financial results. Substantially all of the Company’s assets and sales are in the United States.

The Company’s spine surgery product line offerings, which include thoracolumbar product offerings, cervical offerings, and a set of motion preservation products still under development, are primarily used to enable access to the spine and to perform restorative and fusion procedures in a minimally disruptive fashion. The Company’s biologic product line offerings include allograft (donated human tissue), FormaGraft^®, a collagen synthetic product, Osteocel Plus^®, an allograft cellular matrix containing viable mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, and AttraX^®, a synthetic bone graft material, all used to aid the spinal fusion process. The Company’s monitoring service offering includes IOM services provided. Revenue by product line offerings was as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Spine Surgery Products	$	112,611	$	106,903	$	344,050	$	316,458
Biologics		26,137		25,692		81,168		72,945
Monitoring Service		9,643		285		29,283		909
Total Revenue	$	148,391	$	132,880	$	454,501	$	390,312

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenue	$ 148,391	$ 132,880	$ 454,501	$ 390,312
Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization of purchased technology)	37,746	26,015	111,213	75,049
Gross profit	110,645	106,865	343,288	315,263
Operating expenses:
Sales, marketing and administrative	87,052	85,482	273,669	254,025
Research and development	7,933	10,092	27,932	31,119
Amortization of intangible assets	3,081	1,504	8,830	4,241
Litigation award		101,200		101,200
Total operating expenses	98,066	198,278	310,431	390,585
Interest and other expense, net:
Interest income	249	257	661	591
Interest expense	(6,885)	(7,276)	(20,682)	(10,962)
Other income, net	260	1,726	146	2,303
Total interest and other expense, net	(6,376)	(5,293)	(19,875)	(8,068)
Income (loss) before income tax expense	6,203	(96,706)	12,982	(83,390)
Income tax expense (benefit)	4,064	(29,031)	7,764	(22,715)
Consolidated net income (loss)	2,139	(67,675)	5,218	(60,675)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(215)	(123)	(672)	(862)
Net income (loss) attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$ 2,354	$ (67,552)	$ 5,890	$ (59,813)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.:
Basic	$ 0.05	$ (1.69)	$ 0.14	$ (1.50)
Diluted	$ 0.05	$ (1.69)	$ 0.13	$ (1.50)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	43,488	39,892	43,227	39,766
Diluted	44,735	39,892	44,151	39,766

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Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements

6. Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements

Marketable securities consist of certificates of deposit, corporate notes, commercial paper, U.S. government treasury securities and securities of government sponsored entities. The Company classifies all securities as available-for-sale, as the sale of such securities may be required prior to maturity to implement management strategies. These securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity until realized. A decline in the market value of any marketable security below cost that is determined to be other-than-temporary will result in a revaluation of its carrying amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. No such impairment charges were recorded for any period presented.

Realized gains and losses from the sale of marketable securities, if any, are determined on a specific identification basis. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included in other income or expense on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains and losses during the periods presented were immaterial. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related security as an adjustment to yield using the straight-line method and are included in interest income on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in interest income on the condensed consolidated statements operations.

The composition of marketable securities is as follows (in thousands, except years):

	Contractual Maturity (in Years)		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2012:
Classified as current assets:
Certificates of deposit		Less than 1	$	1,299	$	—	$	—		$	1,299
Corporate notes		Less than 1		27,777		7		(1	)		27,783
Commercial paper		Less than 1		14,986		1		—			14,987
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 1		5,009		1		—			5,010
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 1		85,800		21		(1	)		85,820
Short-term marketable securities				134,871		30		(2	)		134,899
Classified as non-current assets:
Certificates of deposit		1 to 2		142		—		—			142
Corporate notes		1 to 2		10,162		3		(6	)		10,159
U.S. government treasury securities		1 to 2		2,547		—		—			2,547
Securities of government-sponsored entities		1 to 2		29,568		3		(3	)		29,568
Long-term marketable securities				42,419		6		(9	)		42,416
Classified as restricted investments:
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 2		49,894		6		(1	)		49,899
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 2		98,684		32		(4	)		98,712
Restricted investments				148,578		38		(5	)		148,611
Total marketable securities at September 30, 2012			$	325,868	$	74	$	(16	)	$	325,926

	Contractual Maturity (in Years)		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
December 31, 2011:
Classified as current assets:
Certificates of deposit		Less than 1	$	526	$	—	$	—		$	526
Corporate notes		Less than 1		21,153		16		(1	)		21,168
Commercial paper		Less than 1		5,000		—		—			5,000
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 1		32,131		11		—			32,142
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 1		87,353		39		—			87,392
Short-term marketable securities				146,163		66		(1	)		146,228
Classified as non-current assets:
Securities of government-sponsored entities		1 to 2		32,502		5		(4	)		32,503
Long-term marketable securities				32,502		5		(4	)		32,503
Classified as restricted investments:
U.S. government treasury securities		Less than 2		12,017		9		—			12,026
Securities of government-sponsored entities		Less than 2		50,880		27		(1	)		50,906
Restricted investments				62,897		36		(1	)		62,932
Total marketable securities at December 31, 2011			$	241,562	$	107	$	(6	)	$	241,663

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had no significant investment positions that were in an unrealized loss position. The Company reviews its investments to identify and evaluate investments that have an indication of possible other-than-temporary impairment. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is other-than-temporary include the length of time and extent to which fair value has been less than the cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. The Company maintains an investment portfolio of various holdings, types and maturities. The Company does not hold derivative financial investments. The Company places its cash investments in instruments that meet high credit quality standards, as specified in its investment policy guidelines. These guidelines also limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issue, issuer or type of instrument.

The Company measures certain assets and liabilities in accordance with authoritative guidance which requires fair value measurements be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available.

Assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classification on a quarterly basis. Changes in the ability to observe valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy. The Company did not have any transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 and no transfers to or from Level 3 of the fair value measurement hierarchy during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, were determined using the following inputs (in thousands):

	Total			Quoted Price in Active Market (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable  Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
September 30, 2012:
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Money market funds	$	71,077		$	71,077	$	—	$	—
Certificates of deposit		1,441			1,441		—		—
Corporate notes		37,942			—		37,942		—
Commercial paper		14,987			—		14,987		—
U.S government treasury securities		57,456			57,456		—		—
Securities of government-sponsored entities		214,100			—		214,100		—
Total cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted investments	$	397,003		$	129,974	$	267,029	$	—
Contingent Consideration:
Acquisition-related liabilities, current	$	(32,389	)	$	—	$	—	$	(32,389	)
Acquisition-related liabilities, non-current		(1,029	)		—		—		(1,029	)
Total contingent consideration	$	(33,418	)	$	—	$	—	$	(33,418	)
December 31, 2011:
Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments:
Money market funds	$	121,666		$	121,666	$	—	$	—
Certificates of deposit		526			526		—		—
Corporate notes		21,168			—		21,168		—
Commercial paper		5,000			—		5,000		—
U.S government treasury securities		44,168			44,168		—		—
Securities of government-sponsored entities		170,801			—		170,801		—
Total cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted investments	$	363,329		$	166,360	$	196,969	$	—
Contingent Consideration:
Acquisition-related liabilities	$	(32,221	)	$	—	$	—	$	(32,221	)

The carrying amounts of financial instruments such as cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities approximate the related fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the Company’s capital lease obligations approximated their carrying values as of September 30, 2012. The fair and carrying value of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes is discussed in Note 8.

Contingent Consideration Liability

In connection with the acquisition of Cervitech^®, Inc. (Cervitech) in May 2009, the Company is required to pay an additional amount not to exceed $33.0 million in the event that the PCM^® cervical total disc replacement device receives U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. The fair value of the contingent consideration is determined using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model, the significant inputs of which are not observable in the market. The key assumptions in applying this approach are the interest rate, the timing of expected approval and the probability assigned to the milestone being achieved. Based on the expected timing of the milestone being achieved, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was $32.4 million and $31.7 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Changes in fair value are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as sales, marketing and administrative expenses.

In connection with an immaterial acquisition during the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company is required to pay an amount not to exceed €2.0 million in the event two specified revenue-based milestones are met. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined using a discounted cash flow model, the significant inputs of which are not observable in the market. The key assumptions in applying this approach are the revenue projections, the interest rate and the probabilities assigned to the milestones being achieved. Based on these assumptions, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration totaled $1.0 million at September 30, 2012 and is included in other long-term liabilities in the September 30, 2012 condensed consolidated balance sheet. Changes in fair value are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as sales, marketing and administrative expenses.

In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company settled approximately $1.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to contingent consideration recorded in connection with an immaterial acquisition which occurred in 2010.

Derivative Financial Instruments

In June 2011, the Company issued $402.5 million principal amount of 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 (the 2017 Notes). Prior to September 28, 2011, the 2017 Notes could only be settled in cash. On September 28, 2011, stockholder approval was obtained to increase the number of the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 70 million to 120 million. Prior to obtaining stockholder approval, in accordance with authoritative guidance, the cash conversion feature of the 2017 Notes (the 2017 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative) required bifurcation from the 2017 Notes and was accounted for as a derivative liability.

In connection with the issuance of the 2017 Notes, the Company entered into convertible note hedge transactions (the 2017 Hedge) entitling the Company to purchase up to 9,553,096 shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial stock price of $42.13 per share, each of which is subject to adjustment. Prior to obtaining the stockholder approval to increase the number of the Company’s authorized shares of common stock discussed above, the 2017 Hedge could only be settled in cash. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the 2017 Hedge was accounted for as a derivative asset.

Prior to their reclassification to stockholders’ equity on September 28, 2011, the 2017 Hedge and the 2017 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative were classified as Level 3 because these assets and liabilities were not actively traded and were valued using significant unobservable inputs. Significant inputs to these models were the Company’s stock price, risk free interest rate, credit rating, bond yield, and expected volatility of the Company’s stock price. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recognized non-cash income of approximately $2.4 million related to the net change in the fair values of the derivative liability and asset. This $2.4 million consists of a $39.5 million gain related to the change in the fair value of the derivative liability and a loss of $37.1 million related to the change in fair value of the derivative asset. Gains and losses were recorded in the statement of operations as other income, net.

The following table sets forth the changes in the estimated fair value for the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011			2012			2011
Assets:
Fair value measurement at beginning of period	$	—	$	80,098		$	—		$	—
Derivative asset purchased		—		—			—			80,098
Change in fair value measurement included in operating expenses and other income (expense)		—		(37,124	)		—			(37,124	)
Derivative asset reclassified to stockholders’ equity		—		(42,974	)		—			(42,974	)
Fair value measurement at end of period	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—
Liabilities:
Fair value measurement at beginning of period	$	32,290	$	122,855		$	32,221		$	33,041
Derivative liability recorded in connection with 2017 Notes		—		—			—			88,900
Contingent consideration liability recorded upon acquisition		1,019		—			1,019			—
Change in fair value measurement included in operating expenses and other income (expense)		109		(39,837	)		708			(38,923	)
Derivative liability reclassified to stockholders’ equity		—		(49,390	)		—			(49,390	)
Contingent consideration settled		—		(1,800	)		(530	)		(1,800	)
Fair value measurement at end of period	$	33,418	$	31,828		$	33,418		$	31,828

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Balance Sheet Reserves

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Balance Sheet Reserves

5. Balance Sheet Reserves

The balances of the reserves for accounts receivable and inventory are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,   2012		December 31,   2011
Reserves for accounts receivable and sales returns	$	4,093	$	3,430
Reserves for excess and obsolete inventory		14,763		12,710

The Company’s inventory consists primarily of purchased finished goods, which includes specialized implants and disposables, and is stated at the lower of cost or market determined by a weighted average cost method. The Company reviews the components of its inventory on a periodic basis for excess, obsolete or impaired inventory, and records a reserve for the identified items.

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Balance Sheet Reserves (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Balances of the Reserves for Accounts Receivable and Inventory

The balances of the reserves for accounts receivable and inventory are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,   2012		December 31,   2011
Reserves for accounts receivable and sales returns	$	4,093	$	3,430
Reserves for excess and obsolete inventory		14,763		12,710

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Legal Proceedings

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Legal Proceedings

13. Legal Proceedings

Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. Litigation

In August 2008, Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. and its related entities (Medtronic) filed suit against NuVasive in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California (the Medtronic Litigation), alleging that certain of NuVasive’s products infringe, or contribute to the infringement of, twelve U.S. patents assigned or licensed to Medtronic. Three of the patents were later withdrawn by Medtronic, leaving nine patents. NuVasive brought counterclaims against Medtronic alleging infringement of certain of NuVasive’s patents. The case has been administratively broken into serial phases. The first phase of the case included three Medtronic patents and one NuVasive patent and on September 20, 2011, a jury from the U.S. District Court delivered an unfavorable verdict against NuVasive with respect to the three Medtronic patents and a favorable verdict with respect to the one NuVasive patent. The jury awarded monetary damages of approximately $101.2 million to Medtronic, which includes lost profits and back royalties. Medtronic’s subsequent motion for a permanent injunction was denied by the District Court on January 26, 2012. The District Court entered judgment on March 2, 2012. Both parties appealed the verdict. Medtronic subsequently filed a motion to dismiss its own appeal and NuVasive’s cross-appeal with the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. On August 2, 2012, the Federal Circuit issued a ruling stating that ongoing royalty rates must be determined by the District Court prior to the appeal going forward. As a result, the appeal in the Federal Circuit is temporarily dismissed while the post-verdict royalty rate is resolved by the District Court. On March 19, 2012, the District Court issued an order granting prejudgment interest, but has not provided a date for determining the post-verdict royalty rate, and no hearings are scheduled at this time. The Company entered into an escrow arrangement in April 2012 and in May 2012, transferred $113.3 million of cash into a restricted escrow account to secure the amount of judgment, plus prejudgment interest, during pendency of the appeal. These funds are included in restricted cash and investments on the Company’s September 30, 2012 condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of loss contingencies, during the third quarter of 2011, the Company recorded an accrual for the $101.2 million verdict. In addition, the Company is currently accruing ongoing royalties on sales subsequent to the verdict at the royalty rates stated in the judgment, as well as post-judgment interest. With respect to the prejudgment interest award, the Company, based on its own assessment as well as that of outside counsel, believes a reversal of the prejudgment interest award on appeal is probable, and therefore, in accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of contingencies, the Company has not recorded an accrual for this amount, which is estimated to approximate $13 million. Additional damages, interest and potential ongoing royalties may still be awarded, and at September 30, 2012, the Company cannot estimate a range of additional potential loss.

With respect to the favorable verdict delivered regarding the one NuVasive patent, the jury awarded the Company monetary damages of approximately $0.7 million for reasonable royalty damages. In accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of gain contingencies, this amount has not been recorded at September 30, 2012.

The second phase of the case pending in the Southern District of California currently involves one Medtronic Patent, and claim construction is currently scheduled for January 2013. On August 17, 2012, Medtronic filed additional patent claims in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana alleging that various NuVasive spinal implants (including its CoRoent^® XL family of spinal implants) and NuVasive’s Osteocel^® Plus bone graft product infringe two additional Medtronic Patents not asserted in the Southern District of California. On August 28, 2012, Medtronic amended its complaint alleging that NuVasive’s XLIF procedure and use of MaXcess IV retractor during the XLIF procedure infringe methodology claims of yet another Medtronic Patent. The Company denies infringing any valid claims of these additional patents and on September 4, 2012, the Company filed a motion to extend the time to respond to the complaint and transfer the case to the Southern District of California. The Indiana District Court granted the Company’s motion to extend the time to respond, but has not provided a date for determining whether to transfer the case.

At September 30, 2012, the probable outcome of this litigation cannot be determined, nor can the Company estimate a range of potential loss. Accordingly, in accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of contingencies, the Company has not recorded an accrual related to this litigation.

Trademark Infringement Litigation

In September 2009, Neurovision Medical Products, Inc. (NMP) filed suit against NuVasive in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Case No. 2:09-cv-06988-R-JEM) alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition. NMP sought cancellation of NuVasive’s “NeuroVision” trademark registrations, injunctive relief and damages based on NMP’s common law use of the “Neurovision” mark. On November 23, 2009, the Company denied the allegations in NMP’s complaint. After trial of the matter, on October 25, 2010 an unfavorable jury verdict was delivered against the Company relating to its use of the “NeuroVision” trade name. The verdict awarded damages to NMP of $60.0 million. On January 3, 2011, the District Court ordered a judgment be entered in the case in the amount of $60.0 million, and granted a permanent injunction prohibiting the Company’s use of the “NeuroVision” name for marketing purposes. The Company sought emergency relief, and on February 3, 2011, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed enforcement of the injunction, and has consolidated this issue with our appeal of the verdict filed on May 6, 2011. During pendency of the appeal, the Company has been required to escrow funds to secure the amount of the judgment, plus interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. On June 16, 2011, the Company entered into an escrow arrangement and transferred $62.5 million of cash and investments into a restricted escrow account. These funds are included in restricted cash and investments on the Company’s September 30, 2012 condensed consolidated balance sheet and will be released from escrow upon final resolution of any appeals following the District Court judgment. On September 10, 2012, the Court of Appeals reversed and vacated the District Court judgment and ordered the case back to the District Court for a new trial before a different judge. On October 5, 2012, the case was reassigned to a new District Court judge and the Company expects proceedings to commence in the District Court in the coming months. The Company, based on its own assessment, believes that an unfavorable outcome from the re-trial of the case before the District Court is not probable, and at September 30, 2012, in accordance with the authoritative guidance on the evaluation of contingencies, has not recorded an accrual related to this litigation. The Company may be required to record an expense related to this damage award in the future.

Contingencies

The Company is party to certain claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of business. The Company does not expect any such claims and legal actions to have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.

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Net Income (Loss) Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

9. Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The Company computes basic net income (loss) per share using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share assumes the conversion, exercise or issuance of all potential common stock equivalents, unless the effect of inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For purposes of this calculation, common stock equivalents include the Company’s stock options, unvested restricted stock units (RSUs), unvested performance-based restricted stock units (PRSUs), warrants, and the shares to be issued upon the conversion of the Senior Convertible Notes. No shares related to the assumed conversion of the Senior Convertible Notes were included in the diluted net income (loss) calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 because the inclusion of such shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect. The shares to be issued upon exercise of all outstanding warrants were excluded from the diluted net income (loss) calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 because the inclusion of such shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011				2012		2011
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$	2,354	$	(67,552	)		$	5,890	$	(59,813	)
Denominator for basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic		43,488		39,892				43,227		39,766
Dilutive potential common stock outstanding:
Stock options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)		317		—				215		—
RSUs and PRSUs		930		—				709		—
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted		44,735		39,892				44,151		39,766
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$	0.05	$	(1.69	)		$	0.14	$	(1.50	)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$	0.05	$	(1.69	)		$	0.13	$	(1.50	)

The following weighted outstanding common stock equivalents were not included in the calculation of net income (loss) per diluted share because their effects were anti-dilutive (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011			2012		2011
Stock options and RSUs		5,921		6,223			6,047		6,076
Warrants		14,694		5,141			14,694		5,141
Senior Convertible Notes		11,214		13,172			11,214		7,917
Total		31,829		24,536			31,955		19,134

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets as of September 30, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands, except years):

	Weighted- Average Amortization Period (in years)		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Intangible Assets, net
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization:
Purchased technology:
Developed technology		11	$	38,178	$	(13,594	)	$	24,584
Manufacturing know-how and trade secrets		12		21,685		(7,530	)		14,155
Trade name and trademarks		11		9,450		(2,088	)		7,362
Customer relationships		9		39,321		(8,176	)		31,145
		11	$	108,634	$	(31,388	)	$	77,246
Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization:
In-process research and development									27,840
Goodwill									162,333
Total intangible assets, net								$	267,419

Goodwill and intangible assets as of December 31, 2011 consisted of the following (in thousands, except years):

	Weighted- Average Amortization Period (in years)		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Intangible Assets, net
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization:
Purchased technology:
Developed technology		11	$	37,535	$	(10,589	)	$	26,946
Manufacturing know-how and trade secrets		12		21,389		(6,007	)		15,382
Trade name and trademarks		12		6,700		(1,449	)		5,251
Customer relationships		9		37,234		(4,513	)		32,721
		11	$	102,858	$	(22,558	)	$	80,300
Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization:
In-process research and development									27,840
Goodwill									159,349
Total intangible assets, net								$	267,489

Total expense related to the amortization of intangible assets was $3.1 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively and $8.8 million and $4.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In-process research and development will be amortized beginning on the regulatory approval date of the respective acquired products and will be amortized over the estimated useful life determined at that time.

Total future amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2012 is set forth in the table below (in thousands):

Remaining 2012	$	3,254
2013		12,974
2014		10,649
2015		10,122
2016		9,730
2017		7,387
Thereafter through 2026		23,130
Total future amortization expense	$	77,246

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Senior Convertible Notes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Senior Convertible Notes

8. Senior Convertible Notes

The carrying values of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017:
Principal amount	$	402,500		$	402,500
Unamortized debt discount		(73,357	)		(82,792	)
		329,143			319,708
2.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2013		74,311			74,311
Total Senior Convertible Notes	$	403,454		$	394,019

2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017

In June 2011, the Company issued $402.5 million principal amount of the 2017 Notes, which includes the issuance of $52.5 million principal amount for the exercise of the initial purchasers’ option to purchase additional notes. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting initial purchasers’ discounts and costs directly related to the offering, were approximately $359.2 million. The 2017 Notes have a stated interest rate of 2.75% and mature on July 1, 2017. Prior to September 28, 2011, the date on which stockholder approval to increase the number of the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 70 million to 120 million was obtained, the 2017 Notes could only be settled in cash. Subsequent to the receipt of this approval, the 2017 Notes may be settled in cash, stock, or a combination thereof, solely at the Company’s election. It is the Company’s current intent and policy to settle all conversions through combination settlement, which involves repayment of an amount of cash equal to the principal amount and any excess of the conversion value over the principal amount in shares of common stock. The initial conversion rate of the 2017 Notes is 23.7344 shares per $1,000 principal amount, subject to adjustment (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $42.13 per share).

Interest on the 2017 Notes began accruing in June 2011 and is payable semi-annually each January 1st and July 1st, beginning January 1, 2012. The fair value, based on inputs quoted on active markets, or Level 1 inputs, of the outstanding 2017 Notes at September 30, 2012 is approximately $383.9 million.

Prior to January 1, 2017, holders may convert their notes only under the following conditions: a) During any calendar quarter beginning October 1, 2011, if the reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 days of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; b) During the five business day period in which the trading price of the 2017 Notes falls below 98% of the product of (i) the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and (ii) the conversion rate on that date; and c) Upon the occurrence of specified corporate events, as defined in the 2017 Notes. From January 1, 2017 and until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the July 1, 2017, holders may convert their 2017 Notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. The Company may not redeem the 2017 Notes prior to maturity. As of September 30, 2012, the “if-converted” value of the 2017 Notes did not exceed its principal amount and none of the conditions allowing holders of the 2017 Notes to convert had been met.

Other than restrictions relating to certain fundamental changes and consolidations, mergers or asset sales and customary anti-dilution adjustments, the 2017 Notes do not contain any financial covenants and do not restrict the Company from paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing any of its other securities.

In accordance with authoritative guidance, the 2017 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative required bifurcation from the 2017 Notes and was initially accounted for as a derivative liability. The fair value of the 2017 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative at the time of issuance of the 2017 Notes was $88.9 million, and was recorded as the original debt discount for purposes of accounting for the debt component of the 2017 Notes. On September 28, 2011, upon obtaining stockholder approval of the additional authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with authoritative literature, the derivative liability was marked to fair value and reclassified to stockholders’ equity. The original debt discount is being recognized as interest expense using an effective interest rate of 8.0% over the term of the 2017 Notes. At September 30, 2012, the net carrying value of the equity component is $49.3 million.

The interest expense recognized on the 2017 Notes during the three months ended September 30, 2012 includes $2.8 million and $3.2 million for the contractual coupon interest and the accretion of the debt discount, respectively. The interest expense recognized on the 2017 Notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 includes $8.3 million and $9.4 million for the contractual coupon interest and the accretion of the debt discount, respectively.

In connection with the offering of the 2017 Notes, the Company entered into the 2017 Hedge with the initial purchasers and/or their affiliates (the 2017 Counterparties) entitling the Company to purchase up to 9,553,096 shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial stock price of $42.13 per share, each of which is subject to adjustment. Prior to obtaining the stockholder approval to increase the number of the Company’s authorized common shares discussed above, the 2017 Hedge could only be settled in cash and was accounted for as a derivative asset. The cost of the 2017 Hedge was $80.1 million. On September 28, 2011, upon obtaining stockholder approval of the additional authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with authoritative literature, the derivative asset was marked to fair value and reclassified to stockholders’ equity. The 2017 Hedge expires on July 1, 2017. The 2017 Hedge is expected to reduce the potential equity dilution upon conversion of the 2017 Notes if the daily volume-weighted average price per share of the Company’s common stock exceeds the strike price of the 2017 Hedge.

In addition, the Company sold warrants to the 2017 Counterparties to acquire up to 477,654 shares of the Company’s Series A Participating Preferred Stock (the 2017 Warrants), at an initial strike price of $988.51 per share, subject to adjustment. Each share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock is initially convertible into 20 shares of the Company’s common stock. The 2017 Warrants expire on various dates from September 2017 through January 2018 and may be settled in cash or net shares. The Company received $47.9 million in cash proceeds from the sale of the 2017 Warrants, which has been recorded as an increase in additional paid-in-capital. The 2017 Warrants could have a dilutive effect on the Company’s earnings per share to the extent that the price of the Company’s common stock during a given measurement period (the quarter or year-to-date period) exceeds the strike price of the 2017 Warrants.

2.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2013

In March 2008, the Company issued $230.0 million principal amount of 2.25% unsecured Senior Convertible Notes due 2013 (the 2013 Notes), which includes the subsequent exercise of the initial purchasers’ option to purchase an additional $30.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2013 Notes. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and costs directly related to the offering, were approximately $208.4 million. At September 30, 2012, approximately $74.3 million of the 2013 Notes’ original aggregate principal amount of $230.0 million remains outstanding.

The Company pays 2.25% interest per annum on the principal amount of the 2013 Notes, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on March 15 and September 15 of each year. Any of the 2013 Notes not converted prior to March 15, 2013, the Maturity Date, will be paid in cash. The fair value, based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data, or Level 2 inputs, of the outstanding 2013 Notes at September 30, 2012 is approximately $74.0 million.

The 2013 Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, based on an initial conversion rate, subject to adjustment, of 22.3515 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the 2013 Notes (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $44.74 per share). Holders may convert their 2013 Notes at their option on any day up to and including the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the Maturity Date. If a fundamental change to the Company’s business occurs, as defined in the 2013 Notes, holders of the 2013 Notes have the right to require that the Company repurchase the 2013 Notes, or a portion thereof, at the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

In connection with the offering of the 2013 Notes, the Company entered into convertible note hedge transactions (the 2013 Hedge) with the initial purchasers and/or their affiliates (the 2013 Counterparties) entitling the Company to purchase up to 5.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial stock price of $44.74 per share, each of which is subject to adjustment. In addition, the Company sold to the 2013 Counterparties warrants to acquire up to 5.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock (the 2013 Warrants), at an initial strike price of $49.13 per share, subject to adjustment. The cost of the 2013 Hedge that was not covered by the proceeds from the sale of the 2013 Warrants was approximately $14.0 million and was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital as of December 31, 2008. The impact of the 2013 Hedge is to raise the effective conversion price of the 2013 Notes to approximately $49.13 per share (or approximately 20.3542 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the 2013 Notes). The 2013 Hedge is expected to reduce the potential equity dilution upon conversion of the 2013 Notes if the daily volume-weighted average price per share of the Company’s common stock exceeds the strike price of the 2013 Hedge. The 2013 Warrants could have a dilutive effect on the Company’s earnings per share to the extent that the price of the Company’s common stock during a given measurement period (the quarter or year to date period) exceeds the strike price of the 2013 Warrants.

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Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Stock-Based Compensation

10. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options and shares issued to employees under the ESPP using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model on the date of grant. The fair value of RSUs and PRSUs is based on the stock price on the date of grant. The fair value of equity instruments that are expected to vest are recognized and amortized on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period.

The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted and stock purchase rights under the ESPP are as follows:

	Three Months Ended     September 30,				Nine Months Ended     September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Stock Options
Volatility		—		49%		—		49%
Expected term (years)		—		5.0		—		5.3
Risk free interest rate		—		1.8%		—		2.1%
Expected dividend yield		—		0.0%		—		0.0%
ESPP
Volatility		55%		55%		55%		58%
Expected term (years)		1.6		1.4		1.5		1.2
Risk free interest rate		0.2%		0.3%		0.2%		0.2%
Expected dividend yield		0.0%		0.0%		0.0%		0.0%

The Company did not issue any stock options during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2012.

The Company issued 6,000 and 38,000 shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, and issued 204,000 shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options during the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company issued 58,000 and 308,000 shares of common stock upon the vesting of RSUs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, and issued 158,000 shares of common stock upon the vesting of RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2011.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

In February 2012, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the Compensation Committee) granted PRSUs to certain senior Company executives that are earned based on the achievement of pre-defined Company-specific performance criteria (Performance Conditions) for the year ended December 31, 2012. Each recipient is eligible to receive between zero and 250% of the target number of shares of Company common stock subject to the applicable award based on the Company’s actual performance in 2012 as measured against the Performance Conditions.

In the first quarter of 2013, the Compensation Committee will determine the number of PRSUs, if any, that will be issued to the recipients based on actual performance in 2012. The PRSUs that are issued in the first quarter of 2013 pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreements will vest one-third on March 1, 2013, one-third on March 1, 2014 and one-third on March 1, 2015, so long as the recipient is employed by the Company on each such date.

A summary of the Company’s PRSUs award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is as follows:

	Number of Shares		Maximum Shares Eligible to Be Issued		Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2011		—		—	$	—
Awarded		314,167		785,418		15.61
Outstanding at September 30, 2012		314,167		785,418	$	15.61

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The compensation cost that has been included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for all stock-based compensation arrangements was as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months  Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Sales, marketing and administrative expense	$	4,844	$	7,497	$	18,723	$	21,956
Research and development expense		567		621		1,624		1,833
Cost of goods sold		23		—		53		—
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	5,434	$	8,118	$	20,400	$	23,789

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Investment in Progentix Orthobiology, B.V. - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2012
Senior Secured Facility [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Maximum Amount of loan that can be borrowed by Progentix from Nuvasive	$ 5,000,000
Advanced loan according to loan agreement		5,000,000
Accrued interest rate of loan	6.00%
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership Interests acquired	40.00%
Cash paid to sellers	10,000,000
Percentage of minority interest represented by preferred stock	18.00%
Percentage of cumulative dividend	Cumulative 8% dividend
Option Purchase Agreement [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Call option remaining variable interest entity ownership percentage	60.00%
Call Option Maximum Purchase Price of Remaining Shares	35,000,000
Put Option Maximum Purchase Price of Remaining Shares	$ 35,000,000
Term of distribution agreement years	10 years

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Compensation Costs Included in Statement of Income for All Stock-Based Compensation Arrangements (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock Based Compensation	$ 5,434	$ 8,118	$ 20,400	$ 23,789
Sales, marketing and administrative expense [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock Based Compensation	4,844	7,497	18,723	21,956
Research and development expense [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock Based Compensation	567	621	1,624	1,833
Cost of Goods Sold [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock Based Compensation	$ 23		$ 53

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Impulse Monitoring, Inc. Acquisition (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Purchase price

The purchase price is as follows (in thousands):

Cash paid to sellers	$	41,700
Market value of NuVasive common stock issued on Closing Date		39,200
Total purchase price	$	80,900

Allocation of Purchase Price

The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price (in thousands):

	Estimated Fair Value			Estimated Useful Life
Cash	$	5,100
Total other current assets		7,300
Property, plant and equipment		1,100
Developed technology		700		4 years
Non-compete agreement		300		1 year
Trade name		500		3 years
Customer relationships		25,100		10 years
Goodwill		57,700
Current liabilities		(8,900	)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net		(8,000	)
Total purchase price allocation	$	80,900

Summary of Unaudited Pro forma

Assuming the Impulse Monitoring acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2010, the pro forma unaudited results of operations would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2011			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Revenue	$	143,211		$	419,401
Net loss attributable to NuVasive, Inc.		(66,426	)		(57,882	)
Net loss per share — basic and diluted		(1.57	)		(1.37	)

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Senior Convertible Notes (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Net Carrying Values of Senior Convertible Notes

	September 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
2.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017:
Principal amount	$	402,500		$	402,500
Unamortized debt discount		(73,357	)		(82,792	)
		329,143			319,708
2.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2013		74,311			74,311
Total Senior Convertible Notes	$	403,454		$	394,019

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Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Stock Options Granted and Stock Purchase Rights Under ESPP (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Volatility		49.00%		49.00%
Expected term (years)		5 years		5 years 3 months 18 days
Risk free interest rate		1.80%		2.10%
Expected dividend yield		0.00%		0.00%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Volatility	55.00%	55.00%	55.00%	58.00%
Expected term (years)	1 year 7 months 6 days	1 year 4 months 24 days	1 year 6 months	1 year 2 months 12 days
Risk free interest rate	0.20%	0.30%	0.20%	0.20%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

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Estimated Fair Value for the Company's Assets and Liabilities Measured Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Changes in the estimated fair value for the Company's assets on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Fair value measurement at beginning of period		$ 80,098
Derivative asset purchased				80,098
Change in fair value measurement included in operating expenses and other income (expense)		(37,124)		(37,124)
Derivative asset reclassified to stockholders' equity		(42,974)		(42,974)
Fair value measurement at end of period
Changes in the estimated fair value for the Company's liabilities measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Fair value measurement at beginning of period	32,290	122,855	32,221	33,041
Derivative liability recorded in connection with 2017 Notes				88,900
Contingent consideration liability recorded upon acquisition	1,019		1,019
Change in fair value measurement included in operating expenses and other income (expense)	109	(39,837)	708	(38,923)
Derivative liability reclassified to stockholders' equity		(49,390)		(49,390)
Contingent consideration settled		(1,800)	(530)	(1,800)
Fair value measurement at end of period	$ 33,418	$ 31,828	$ 33,418	$ 31,828

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 2,139	$ (67,675)	$ 5,218	$ (60,675)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	102	11	(43)	36
Translation adjustments	1,029	(1,763)	732	(707)
Total consolidated comprehensive income (loss)	3,270	(69,427)	5,907	(61,346)
Plus: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	215	123	672	862
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$ 3,485	$ (69,304)	$ 6,579	$ (60,484)

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Investment in Progentix Orthobiology, B.V.

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Investment in Progentix Orthobiology, B.V.

4. Investment in Progentix Orthobiology, B.V.

In 2009, the Company completed the purchase of forty percent (40%) of the capital stock of Progentix, a company organized under the laws of the Netherlands, from existing shareholders (the Progentix Shareholders) pursuant to a Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement for $10 million in cash (the Initial Investment). Concurrent with the Initial Investment, NuVasive and Progentix also entered into a Senior Secured Facility Agreement, whereby Progentix may borrow up to $5.0 million from NuVasive to fund ongoing clinical and regulatory efforts (the Loan). At September 30, 2012, the Company had advanced Progentix the full $5.0 million in accordance with the Loan Agreement. The Loan accrues interest at a rate of six percent (6%) per year. Other than its obligations under the Loan Agreement, NuVasive is not obligated to provide additional funding, nor has any additional funding been provided, to Progentix.

Also concurrent with the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, NuVasive, Progentix and the Progentix Shareholders entered into an Option Purchase Agreement, as amended (the Option Agreement), whereby NuVasive may be obligated (the Put Option), upon the achievement of an annual sales run rate on Progentix products in excess of a specified amount between June 14, 2011 and June 13, 2013 (the Option Period), to purchase the remaining sixty percent (60%) of capital stock of Progentix from its shareholders (the Remaining Shares) for an amount up to $35.0 million, subject to certain reductions, payable in a combination of cash and NuVasive common stock, at NuVasive’s sole discretion. In accordance with the Option Agreement, NuVasive has the right to purchase the Remaining Shares (the Call Option) during the Option Period for an amount up to $35.0 million, subject to certain reductions, payable in a combination of cash and NuVasive common stock, at NuVasive’s sole discretion. NuVasive and Progentix also entered into a Distribution Agreement, as amended, whereby Progentix appointed NuVasive as its exclusive distributor for certain Progentix products. The Distribution Agreement will be in effect for a term of ten years unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms.

In accordance with authoritative guidance issued by the FASB, the Company has determined that Progentix is a variable interest entity as it does not have the ability to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support and its equity investors will not absorb their proportionate share of expected losses and will be limited in the receipt of the potential residual returns of Progentix. Additionally, pursuant to this guidance, NuVasive is considered its primary beneficiary as NuVasive has both (1) the power to direct the economically significant activities of Progentix and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, Progentix. Accordingly, the financial position and results of operations of Progentix have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of the Initial Investment. The liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating Progentix do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets. The creditors of Progentix have claims only on the assets of Progentix, which are not material, and the assets of Progentix are not available to NuVasive.

Pursuant to authoritative guidance, the equity interests in Progentix not owned by the Company, which includes shares of both common and preferred stock, are reported as noncontrolling interests on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company. The preferred stock represents 18% of the noncontrolling equity interests and provides for a cumulative 8% dividend, if and when declared by Progentix’s Board of Directors. As the rights and conversion features of the preferred stock are substantially the same as those of the common stock, the preferred stock is classified as noncontrolling interest and shares in the allocation of the losses incurred by Progentix. Losses incurred by Progentix are charged to the Company and to the noncontrolling interest holders based on their ownership percentage. The Remaining Shares and the Option Agreement that was entered into between NuVasive, Progentix and the Progentix Shareholders are not considered to be freestanding financial instruments as defined by authoritative guidance. Therefore the Remaining Shares and the Option Agreement are accounted for as a combined unit on the consolidated financial statements as a redeemable noncontrolling interest that was initially recorded at fair value and classified as mezzanine equity.

Pursuant to authoritative guidance, when the embedded Put Option is exercisable and therefore the Remaining Shares considered currently redeemable (i.e., at the option of the holder), the instrument will be adjusted to its maximum redemption amount. If the embedded Put Option is considered not currently exercisable (e.g., because a contingency has not been met), and it is not probable that the embedded Put Option will become exercisable, an adjustment is not necessary until it is probable that the embedded Put Option will become exercisable. At September 30, 2012, the embedded Put Option was not deemed currently exercisable and therefore the Remaining Shares were not redeemable because the milestones referred to previously had not been met. Furthermore, at September 30, 2012, the Company concluded it is not probable that the milestones will be met, therefore the Remaining Shares are not expected to become redeemable. The probability of redemption is reevaluated at each reporting period.

Total assets and liabilities of Progentix included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2012		December 31, 2011
Total current assets	$	623	$	640
Identifiable intangible assets, net		14,988		15,338
Goodwill		12,654		12,654
Other long-term assets		48		53
Accounts payable & accrued expenses		359		411
Other long-term liabilities		86		—
Deferred tax liabilities, net		3,318		3,318
Noncontrolling interests		10,033		10,705

The following is a reconciliation of equity (net assets) attributable to the noncontrolling interests (in thousands):

	Nine Months  Ended September 30,
	2012			2011
Noncontrolling interests at beginning of period	$	10,705		$	11,877
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests		(672	)		(862	)
Noncontrolling interests at end of period	$	10,033		$	11,015

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Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011				2012		2011
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$	2,354	$	(67,552	)		$	5,890	$	(59,813	)
Denominator for basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic		43,488		39,892				43,227		39,766
Dilutive potential common stock outstanding:
Stock options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)		317		—				215		—
RSUs and PRSUs		930		—				709		—
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted		44,735		39,892				44,151		39,766
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$	0.05	$	(1.69	)		$	0.14	$	(1.50	)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$	0.05	$	(1.69	)		$	0.13	$	(1.50	)

Anti Dilutive Common Stock Equivalents not Included in Calculation of Net Income Per Diluted Share

The following weighted outstanding common stock equivalents were not included in the calculation of net income (loss) per diluted share because their effects were anti-dilutive (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011			2012		2011
Stock options and RSUs		5,921		6,223			6,047		6,076
Warrants		14,694		5,141			14,694		5,141
Senior Convertible Notes		11,214		13,172			11,214		7,917
Total		31,829		24,536			31,955		19,134

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Composition of Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	$ 325,868	$ 241,562
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	74	107
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(16)	(6)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	325,926	241,663
Short-term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	134,871	146,163
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	30	66
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	134,899	146,228
Short-term Investments [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Contractual Maturity	Less than 1	Less than 1
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	1,299	526
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,299	526
Short-term Investments [Member] | Corporate Notes [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Contractual Maturity	Less than 1	Less than 1
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	27,777	21,153
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	7	16
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	27,783	21,168
Short-term Investments [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Contractual Maturity	Less than 1	Less than 1
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	14,986	5,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	14,987	5,000
Short-term Investments [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Contractual Maturity	Less than 1	Less than 1
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	5,009	32,131
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1	11
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	5,010	32,142
Short-term Investments [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Contractual Maturity	Less than 1	Less than 1
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	85,800	87,353
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	21	39
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	85,820	87,392
Long-term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	42,419	32,502
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	6	5
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(9)	(4)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	42,416	32,503
Long-term Investments [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Contractual Maturity	1 to 2
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	142
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	142
Long-term Investments [Member] | Corporate Notes [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Contractual Maturity	1 to 2
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	10,162
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(6)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	10,159
Long-term Investments [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Contractual Maturity	1 to 2
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	2,547
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	2,547
Long-term Investments [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Contractual Maturity	1 to 2	1 to 2
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	29,568	32,502
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3	5
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3)	(4)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	29,568	32,503
Restricted Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	148,578	62,897
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	38	36
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(5)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	148,611	62,932
Restricted Investments [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Contractual Maturity	Less than 2	Less than 2
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	49,894	12,017
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	6	9
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	49,899	12,026
Restricted Investments [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Contractual Maturity	Less than 2	Less than 2
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	98,684	50,880
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	32	27
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(4)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 98,712	$ 50,906

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Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Pursuant to these rules and regulations, the Company has condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures it normally includes in its annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary, which are of a normal and recurring nature, for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and of the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Additionally, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and for three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 include the accounts of a variable interest entity, Progentix Orthobiology, B.V. (Progentix), which is consolidated pursuant to existing guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

As a result of the October 2011 acquisition of Impulse Monitoring, the Company maintains a contractual relationship with several physician practices (PCs) whereby the PCs provide the physician oversight service associated with the IOM services. Pursuant to such contractual arrangements, the Company provides management services to the PCs. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the associated PCs are American Neuromonitoring Associates, P.C.; Pacific Neuromonitoring Associates, Inc.; Keystone Neuromonitoring Associates, P.C.; North Pacific Neuromonitoring Associates, P.C.; and Midwest Neuromonitoring Associates, Inc. Under the management services agreements, the Company provides all non-medical services to the PCs in return for a management fee that is settled on a monthly basis. The management services include management reporting, billing and collections of all charges for medical services provided and all administrative support to the PCs. Pursuant to existing guidance issued by the FASB, these represent variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary, and the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the PCs from the date of acquisition.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2011 included in NuVasive’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. The balance sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to conform to the current year presentation.

Goodwill Impairment

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the FASB’s updated accounting guidance related to annual and interim goodwill impairment tests. The updated accounting guidance allows entities to first assess qualitative factors before performing a quantitative assessment of the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is determined on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more-likely-than-not less than the carrying amount, the existing quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further impairment testing is required. The adoption of this accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Comprehensive Income

Additionally, effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the FASB’s amended requirements for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance requires companies to disclose the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The updated guidance does not affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. The adoption of this authoritative guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.