Abstract: Temporary spinal fixation apparatuses and methods are disclosed for temporarily fixing the relative position of spinal implant assemblies until a permanent fixation position is determined. The disclosed apparatuses and methods enhance the ease of placement of spinal implant assemblies and facilitates the accuracy of positioning of the spinal vertebrae. The invention can reduce the number of steps needed to perform spinal surgery and can decrease the likelihood of post-operative complications.

Abstract: A lordotic implant has a frusto-conical shape with external threads. Prior to placement of the implant, vertebrae are distracted in a manner to provide a desired lordosis between the vertebrae. The pre-distracted vertebrae are then tapped to provide a tapped bore having a geometry matching the conical geometry of the implant. The threaded implant is then placed within the pre-tapped conical bore.

Abstract: Bone guides for sizing or shaping bone are disclosed. The guides can be configured and sized for placement on a surgery table, instrument table or similar structure in an operating room. The guides provide for real time preparation of a bone graft during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A method of, and surgical instrument for accessing first and second pedicle locations of a spinal column area. The surgical instrument including a blade member slidably positionable along first and second wires. The instrument having a nested arrangement of members, including a portal member having an elongated aperture to access the first and second pedicle locations. The nested arrangement further including a plurality of members configured and sized to incrementally expand the access opening to the spinal column area.

Abstract: A portal for use in a spinal implantation procedure is disclosed herein. The portal includes base and first and second paddles pivotally coupled to the base. The paddles can be pivoted between a distraction orientation and an insertion orientation. In the insertion orientation, the paddles are adapted for insertion between vertebrae that are in need of distraction. In the distraction orientation, the paddles are adapted to hold the vertebrae spaced apart at a distracted spacing. In the distraction orientation, the portal defines a portal window for accessing the disc space between the two distracted vertebrae.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant having an external member and an internal member. The implant includes a locking arrangement having a first interlocking teeth structure formed on the external member and a second interlocking teeth structure formed on the internal member. The interlocking teeth structures of the external and internal members have engagement surfaces arranged in a non-perpendicular orientation relative to the direction of implant expansion. The locking arrangement is configured such that walls of the internal member are pulled or flexed toward the walls of the external member when compressive forces are applied to the implant.

Abstract: Temporary spinal fixation apparatuses and methods are disclosed for temporarily fixing the relative position of spinal implant assemblies until a permanent fixation position is determined. The disclosed apparatuses and methods enhance the ease of placement of spinal implant assemblies and facilitates the accuracy of positioning of the spinal vertebrae. The invention can reduce the number of steps needed to perform spinal surgery and can decrease the likelihood of post-operative complications.

Abstract: A lordotic implant has a frusto-conical shape with external threads. Prior to placement of the implant, vertebrae are distracted in a manner to provide a desired lordosis between the vertebrae. The pre-distracted vertebrae are then tapped to provide a tapped bore having a geometry matching the conical geometry of the implant. The threaded implant is then placed within the pre-tapped conical bore.

Abstract: A surgical instrument suitable for use in an implant procedure is disclosed. A surgical instrument of the invention can be particularly advantageous for use in grasping, holding and placement of implants in an intervertebral disc space. In a typical embodiment, the surgical instrument has a grasping region to hold the implant, and an impact head for receiving a force in order to insert the implant.

Abstract: Spinal fusion implants are inserted into a disc space of disc material separating first and second vertebrae by forming bores between the vertebrae. A distraction spacer is temporarily put in place on one side of the vertebrae while a bore is being formed on an opposite of the vertebrae.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for preparing adjacent bones for fusion, and for inserting implants are disclosed. In one embodiment, the instruments include paddles for spacing the adjacent bones a predetermined distance and a cutting edge to create a channel between the adjacent bones to receive a fusion implant. In another embodiment, the instruments include a bone cutting instrument, a rasp, and an implant inserting tool. The instruments and methods are particularly advantageous for preparing a spinal fusion implant site.

Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for implanting a spinal fusion implant includes a rigid centering guide having a distal end sized to be inserted into the disc space with the guide extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end. The guide includes a first external guide surface which extends at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end. The external guide surface is shaped complimentary to an external guided surface of a drill guide. The external guide surface and the guided surface are nested such that the guided surface slides against the external guide surface along a path of travel parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Bone guides for sizing or shaping bone are disclosed. The guides can be configured and sized for placement on a surgery table, instrument table or similar structure in an operating room. The guides provide for real time preparation of a bone graft during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for insertion of one or more spinal implants into an intervertebral space between opposing vertebral bodies are disclosed. Instruments according to the invention include a guide for preparing a spinal fusion implant site, a guide starter, implant depth gauges, reamers, taps and implant drivers. The instruments and methods disclosed provide improved visualization of the surgical field and enhanced precision of placement of spinal fusion implants between vertebral bodies.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for preparing adjacent bones for fusion are disclosed. In a typical embodiment, the instruments include paddles for spacing the adjacent bones a predetermined distance and a cutting edge to create a channel between the adjacent bones to receive a fusion implant. The instruments and methods are particularly advantageous for preparing a spinal fusion implant site.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for preparing adjacent bones for fusion, and for inserting implants are disclosed. In one embodiment, the instruments include paddles for spacing the adjacent bones a predetermined distance and a cutting edge to create a channel between the adjacent bones to receive a fusion implant. In another embodiment, the instruments include a bone cutting instrument, a rasp, and an implant inserting tool. The instruments and methods are particularly advantageous for preparing a spinal fusion implant site.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for spinal stabilization are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the invention provides greater stabilization of vertebral bodies through methods including combinations of bilateral external fixation systems and intervertebral implants to provide greater fusion stability, greater motion segment stability, faster fusion, reduced pain, reduced chance of migration, reduced chance of subsidence, etc.

Abstract: An alignment guide for placing an intervertebral spinal implant into a disc space includes a body and a pair of parallel pins spaced at a predetermined distance from one another. The body may be x-ray transparent while the pins are made of material that is visible to x-ray, allowing the guide assembly to imaged in the spine using x-ray.

Abstract: A surgical instrument suitable for use in an implant procedure is disclosed. A surgical instrument of the invention can be particularly advantageous for use in grasping, holding and placement of implants in an intervertebral disc space. In a typical embodiment, the surgical instrument has a grasping region to hold the implant, and an impact head for receiving a force in order to insert the implant.

Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for implanting a spinal fusion implant includes a rigid centering guide having a distal end sized to be inserted into the disc space with the guide extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end. The guide includes a first external guide surface which extends at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end. The external guide surface is shaped complimentary to an external guided surface of a drill guide. The external guide surface and the guided surface are nested such that the guided surface slides against the external guide surface along a path of travel parallel to the longitudinal axis.