Abstract: An improved milling block for use in shaping endplates of opposing vertebral bodies, the block having upper and lower vertical slots for anchoring pins that allow free movement of the adjacent vertebral bodies and a laterally-moving vibratory cutting element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal facet joint ligament.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a polyaxial fixation device having a shank with a spherical head formed on a proximal end thereof, and a receiver member having an axial passage formed therein that is adapted to polyaxially seat the spherical head of the shank. The polyaxial bone screw further includes an engagement member that is adapted to provide sufficient friction between the spherical head and the receiver member to enable the shank to be maintained in a desired angular orientation before locking the spherical head within the receiver member.

Abstract: An assembly such as an anchor screw, bone plate, offset hook, post, transverse connector or other spinal anchor for anchoring to bone and clamping a linkage such as a rod, wire cable or the like. The assembly has a top member with an open slot to receive the linkage, and a twist-lock closure cap to close the open end, capturing the linkage in the slot. One closure cap fits over and around the top member, with a set of segmented protrusions that extend through a corresponding set of protruding flange segments spaced about the circumference of the top member. The cap is configured to rotate and lock against the top member like a flange-locking bayonet mount when turned through a limited degree of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic probe adapted to aid in the insertion and navigation of the probe into delicate tissue structures, and to provide protection of adjacent tissue structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel pivoted tensiometer adapted for use in measuring tension in an intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: An intervertebral motion disc comprising core material surrounded by a non-resorbable outer shell having a sidewall surrounding the core, wherein the sidewall of the outer shell has a hardness of more than 80 Shore A.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mixing and delivery device suitable for delivering injectable biomaterials, and to preferred bone cement formulations.

Abstract: An annular nucleus pulposus replacement device having a large central cavity.

Abstract: A modular drill guide for use in securing a spinal fixation plate to a spine is provided. The drill guide generally includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end adapted to engage a spinal fixation plate, and at least one guide member removably and replaceably matable to the shaft. The guide member can have a connector member with at least one bore extending therethrough for receiving at least a portion of the shaft, and at least one barrel formed thereon and defining a lumen for receiving a tool, such as an awl, a drill bit, a fastener, or a driver device. The shaft can optionally be coupled to an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The barrel(s) include a bore formed therethrough for receiving a tool.

Abstract: Disclosed are bilayer matrices of a polysaccharide such as collagen (COL) and another polysaccharide such as hyaluronic acid (HA) with various COL/HA ratios. Each layer has a porous structure. These materials are useful for tissue regeneration, particularly when used with orthopedic implants and drug delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed are bilayer matrices of a polysaccharide such as collagen (COL) and another polysaccharide such as hyaluronic acid (HA) with various COL/HA ratios. Each layer has a porous structure. These materials are useful for tissue regeneration, particularly when used with orthopedic implants and drug delivery.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device includes a body having a proximal portion along a major axis of the body and a distal portion along the major axis, and supporting means at the distal portion. The supporting means supports vertebrae in a distracted position while the vertebrae fuse. At least one of the body and the supporting means has a height distinct from a width, whereby the body or supporting means can distract vertebrae, between which the body or the supporting means has been placed, by rotation of the body or the supporting means about the major axis. A method of fusing vertebrae includes the steps of inserting between two vertebrae an intervertebral fusion device and rotating the body or the supporting means, whereby the vertebrae are supported in a distracted position while the vertebrae fuse.

Abstract: A polyaxial pedicle screw assembly incorporates a concave portion on a receiver which mates with a convex surface on a head of the screw to form a ball joint. The radius of at least a portion of the concave surface is less than a radius of the mating convex portion whereby to create an interference fit.

Abstract: A spinal rod approximator that is effective to approximate a spinal rod into the rod-receiving member of a spinal implant is provided. In general, the device includes first and second components that are slidably coupled to one another. The first component, hereinafter referred to as the implant-gripping member, has an implant-gripping portion that is adapted to engage the rod-receiving member of a spinal implant, and a second component, hereinafter referred to as the rod-engaging member, has rod-engaging portion that is slidably coupled to the implant-gripping member. A pusher member can be coupled to one of the implant-gripping member and the rod-engaging member, and it can be threadably mated to the other one of the implant-gripping member and the rod-engaging member. In use, the pusher member is effective to move the implant-gripping member and the rod-engaging member with respect to one another to move a spinal rod into the rod-receiving member of a spinal implant.

Abstract: A device and method, which can be used for insertion of surgical implants, are provided in which the device includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one moveable element. In a particular embodiment, the moveable element is disposed within a conduit defined by the shaft. The moveable element includes a leg extending through the conduit and a foot at an end of the leg proximal to the distal end of the shaft. The element is moveable relative to the shaft between a first position, wherein the foot extends beyond the distal end, and a second position, wherein the foot is substantially adjacent to the distal end. The device can further include a surgical implant that can be removably attached to the distal end.

Abstract: A simple, safe implantable bone screw, and a method for distracting two bone segments, is provided. In general, the bone screw includes a shank having a threaded proximal portion and a distal portion with a major diameter that is less than a minor diameter of the threaded proximal portion. A transitional region of decreasing diameter can be disposed between the threaded proximal portion and the distal portion, and a driver receiving element is preferably disposed on a proximal end of the bone screw. In use, the proximal and distal portions of the bone screw are adapted to engage two segments of bone, and to create a distraction force between the two segments of bone.

Abstract: A locking cap assembly for locking a spinal fixation element to a spinal fixation element receiving body includes an outer and inner locking element. The outer locking element has a proximal mating element, and a engagement element formed on the inner surface adjacent the distal end for engaging a spinal fixation element receiving body so as to close the spinal fixation element to the spinal fixation element receiving body upon tightening. The inner locking element has a deformable spinal fixation element contacting ring disposed on its distal end and a proximal mating element on its proximal end rotatably mated to the outer locking element proximal mating element so that the inner locking element is rotatably mounted within the outer locking element.

Abstract: A vertebral endplate chisel having upper and lower shaving portions, and a non-cutting guide integrally connected to and extending between the shaving portions and adapted to center the chisel within the disc space so that equal amounts of bone are removed from each endplate by the shaving portions as the chisel moves through the disc space.

Abstract: The invention is generally related to an intervertebral implant for replacing an intervertebral disc of the human spine. The intervertebral implant includes a first conformable endplate, the first conformable endplate being conformable to a boney vertebral endplate under an anatomical load, a second endplate and a core between the endplates, wherein the first conformable endplate partitions the core from the boney vertebral endplate, whereby the core does not contact the boney vertebral endplate. The invention is also directed to a method of replacing an intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A carbon-based adsorbent comprising active carbon provided with electron-donative surface functional groups which are bonded directly and chemically to graphite constructing the surface of the active carbon and are coordinated with metallic ions to form chelate structures, which has adsorbing power similar to that of common active carbon and additionally the ability to remove specific harmful gas molecules and smelling gas molecules from air, thus being especially effective for gas filters.