Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for securing at least one elongate fastener to an implant. At least one adhesive capsule is inserted in a recess preferably located along a longitudinal axis of the implant. The at least one adhesive capsule may be inserted in the recess and held in place therein by a holder. A plurality of adhesive capsules and holders may be inserted in one or more recesses located substantially along the longitudinal axis of the implant. The at least one adhesive capsule preferably has a casing housing an adhesive material configured to be pierced by the at least one fastener to secure the at least one fastener to an aperture of the implant. The casing of the adhesive capsule may form an annular passageway to receive a guide wire for aiding the insertion of the capsule in an implant having a longitudinal bore along at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure including a space truss. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes and the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes accessing an intersomatic space and inserting an implant into the intersomatic space. The implant includes a web structure including a space truss. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes and the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue.

Abstract: A fixator system includes an active strut that that can be gradually or acutely adjusted. Adjustments can be made in six degrees of freedom. Embodiments of the active strut can provide for two of the six degrees of freedom being about a first common point of rotation, and another two of the six degrees of freedom being about a second common point of rotation. Embodiments of the fixator can include one or more active struts in combination with one or more passive struts. The passive struts can be rigidly locked or can be unlocked so as to be freely and acutely adjustable while gradual or acute adjustments are made using the one or more active struts.

Abstract: The system and method for intramedullary plate fixation of the preferred embodiments include a first intramedullary plate of a first geometry with a plurality of bores, a second intramedullary plate of a second geometry with a plurality of bores, a plurality of fasteners that fasten the first and second intramedullary plates to bone, and an alignment fixture held outside of the body that indicate the location of the bores of the first and second intramedullary plates and through which the fasteners are aligned with the bores of the first and second intramedullary plates, allowing the surgeon to make incisions in the patients body in known locations of the bores, and thus allowing for a minimally invasive intramedullary plate installation and fixation procedure.

Abstract: A flexible keel is provided for use as a bone anchoring element for use with a range of orthopedic implants having portions configured for anchoring into boney tissue. The flexible keel includes two wings terminating proximally in a pair of outward flares, the wings further spaced from a bone contacting implant surface by a void. The flexibility of the keel wings increases the ease of revision or explantation procedures.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate improving visualization associated with intubation. A dynamical articulating laryngoscope can include a handle assembly and a blade assembly. The blade assembly can further include a main blade assembly, a proximal blade assembly, and a distal blade assembly. A medium control articulation point can couple the main blade assembly and the proximal blade assembly, and a fine control articulation point can couple the distal blade assembly and the proximal blade assembly. Further, the proximal blade assembly can pivot relative to the main blade assembly around the medium control articulation point and/or the distal blade assembly can pivot relative to the proximal blade assembly around the fine control articulation point. Pivoting about the medium control articulation point and/or the fine control articulation point can be effectuated by one or more blade control components.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: An interbody cage system includes an interbody cage having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior. The interbody cage system also includes an insertion tool. A portion of the insertion tool extends into the proximal end and the interior.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system includes a rod and anchor devices that include a bone engaging fastener having a head defining a spherical socket. A ball insert is placed within the socket and rotated so that the ball insert is juxtaposed with the socket. The anchor device further includes a yoke defining a yoke channel for receiving the rod and a stem engaged to the ball insert captured within the socket. A sleeve disposed between the yoke channel and the fastener head supports the rod. A set screw is operable to clamp the rod against the sleeve and draw the insert into engagement within the socket. A releasable detent defined between the yoke and the fastener head is configured to releasably retain the yoke in at least one discrete position relative to the fastener. Portions of the releasable detent may also exert a frictional retention force against the fastener head.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for spinal stabilization with flexible elements and other elements engaged to the vertebrae. Also provided are instruments and methods for insertion of the flexible stabilization elements and other elements and for reduction of displacement between adjacent vertebrae in a minimally invasive surgical approach.

Abstract: A percutaneous tube assembly is provided for performing minimally invasive surgery, the system comprising a percutaneous tube comprising a translucent main body; an external attachment fixture attached to the main body; an access channel longitudinally bored through the main body; an internal attachment channel longitudinally bored through the main body, wherein the internal attachment channel comprises a partially smooth inner surface adjacent to a partially rough inner surface; and an internal attachment, mating with the internal attachment channel.

Abstract: A composite interbody device includes superior and inferior endplates with a plastic core molded therebetween. The core includes one or more features for permitting bone growth through the core. Each endplate includes a bone interface side coated with hydroxyapatite, for promoting bone on-growth. Pores in the bone interface sides permit bone in-growth. Core interface sides of the endplates include relatively larger pores for accepting molten material from the core, for example during injection molding, to enhance bonding of the endplates with the core. Each endplate has a central barrier layer for preventing the molten core material from extruding through the core interface pores into the bone interface pores, reserving the bone interface pores for bone in-growth. A method of manufacturing the composite interbody device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fixation device for an intramedullary nail for proximal femoral fractures, including a main intramedullary nail, a combined locking nail, and cortical bone screws. The main intramedullary nail has a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end with a tip. The proximal end includes a through hole for assembling the combined locking nail. The distal end includes an oblong through hole and a circular through hole, both for receiving the cortical bone screws. The combined locking nail includes a head, a distal end of the locking nail, a sleeve, a connecting block, and a cover cap. The connecting block includes a left-handed external thread. The cover cap includes a left-handed internal thread matching with the external thread of the connecting block, a symmetrical sliding plane, and a protrusion block disposed at the end of the symmetrical sliding plane.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant comprising a deformable, expandable implant body configured for treating abnormalities in bones, such as compression fractures of vertebra, necrosis of femurs and the like. An exemplary implant body comprises a small cross-section threaded element that is introduced into a bone region and thereafter is expanded into a larger cross-section, monolithic assembly to provide a bone support. In one embodiment, the implant body is at least partly fabricated of a magnesium alloy that is biodegradable to allow for later tissue ingrowth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for customizing an intervertebral implant includes the initial step of obtaining a 3D anatomy of a series of vertebrae including an abnormal vertebra in a computer. The 3D anatomy of the series is then repositioned in the computer to eliminate the deformity caused by the abnormal vertebra. It is next determined whether a superior or inferior surface of the abnormal vertebra is an abnormal surface which causes the deformity, whereby an approximate gap between the abnormal surface and a desired normal surface is determined. Using that gap determination, a custom implant is constructed to engage the abnormal surface and fill the determined gap. Thus, when the implant is implanted between the abnormal surface and an adjacent surface of an adjacent vertebrae, the deformity is substantially compensated for. The implant may have articulation between the endplates to allow relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. Hydraulic extension of extendable members permit the cage to conformably engage between vertebral bodies to effectively distract the disc space and rigidly fix the spine.

Abstract: A cement-directing structure for use in cement-injection bone therapy includes a collapsible, self-restoring braided structure with regions of differential permeability to the bone cement. The regions of differential permeability may be provided by areas where the braided mesh density is greater or lesser than surrounding areas and/or by means of a baffle. After the structure is placed in a void within a bony structure, cement is injected into the interior of the structure then oozes out in preferred directions according to the locations of the regions of differential permeability.

Abstract: A connector of a sensor probe and its receptacle on a console have security mechanisms that ensure that the connector and the receptacle are properly connected and mated. The connector and receptacle can have physical security features that block insertion of the connector into the receptacle if they are not aligned in a proper orientation. The console can also include a software security feature that allows optical measurements from the sensor probe only if the connector of the sensor probe and receptacle on the console are connected properly. An adapter can also be used to convert a conventional receptacle mounted on a console into a receptacle with security features.

Abstract: A fixator system includes an active strut that that can be gradually or acutely adjusted. Adjustments can be made in six degrees of freedom. Embodiments of the active strut can provide for two of the six degrees of freedom being about a first common point of rotation, and another two of the six degrees of freedom being about a second common point of rotation. Embodiments of the fixator can include one or more active struts in combination with one or more passive struts. The passive struts can be rigidly locked or can be unlocked so as to be freely and acutely adjustable while gradual or acute adjustments are made using the one or more active struts.

Abstract: Multi-level interspinous implants and methods of using the implants with the implants generally include a first member for placement in a first interspinous space and a second member for placement in a second interspinous space. An elongated connector extends from one of the members and is sized to fit in a slot in the other member. Each of the first and second members may include a distal wing, a body, and a proximal wing. The members may also be positioned in a closed orientation for insertion into the patient and a deployed orientation with the distal and proximal wings extending outward along lateral sides of respective spinous processes. The connector may extend outward from the proximal wing of one of the members and away from the other member when that member is in the closed orientation. The connector may be rotated and inserted into the slot where it is secured when that member from which is extends is moved to the deployed orientation.