Abstract: A spinal disc prosthesis to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column (16) of a human, includes a body (10) having an upper surface (52) engageable with the upper vertebra (12) and a lower surface (152) engageable with the lower vertebra (14). The body (10) includes a crescent-shaped projection (62, 162) extending from one of the upper and lower surfaces (52, 152) of the body for receipt in a cavity in the adjacent vertebra (12, 14).

Abstract: A spinal disc prosthesis to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column (16) of a human, includes a body (10) having an upper surface (52) engageable with the upper vertebra (12) and a lower surface (152) engageable with the lower vertebra (14). The body (10) includes a crescent-shaped projection (62, 162) extending from one of the upper and lower surfaces (52, 152) of the body for receipt in a cavity in the adjacent vertebra (12, 14).

Abstract: A spinal implant for use in distracting and maintaining spinal disc height while promoting fusion of adjacent vertebrae of a spinal column includes first and second side surfaces extending substantially parallel to each other. Upper and lower surfaces for engaging the adjacent vertebrae extend between the first and second side surfaces and extend from a first end portion to a second end portion of the spinal implant. The spinal implant includes recesses located in the first and second side surfaces for receiving an instrument to rotate the spinal implant. A method of fusing together the adjacent vertebrae using the spinal implant includes removing at least a portion of the spinal disc between the adjacent vertebrae. The spinal implant is inserted between the adjacent vertebrae with the first and second parallel side surfaces facing the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A method of fusing together the adjacent vertebrae using the spinal implant includes removing at least a portion of the spinal disc between the adjacent vertebrae. The spinal implant is inserted between the adjacent vertebrae with the first and second parallel side surfaces facing the adjacent vertebrae. The spinal implant is rotated into a position in which the parallel side surfaces extend from one of the adjacent vertebrae to the other adjacent vertebrae and the upper and lower surfaces engage the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for connecting a spinal column corrective device to a vertebra. The apparatus comprises a screw threadably engageable with the vertebra. An elongate flexible member extends through an opening in the screw and around at least a portion of the corrective device to connect the corrective device to the vertebra.

Abstract: A bone screw for use with a connecting member for connecting a bone portion with the connecting member. The bone screw includes an elongate shank having a longitudinal central axis. A first externally threaded portion receives a nut for attaching the connecting member to the bone screw. A second externally threaded portion engages a surface defining an opening in the bone portion to attach the bone screw to the bone portion. A cylindrical body portion is located on the shank intermediate the first and second externally threaded portions. The body portion engages a portion of the surface defining the opening in the bone portion to restrict movement of the bone screw relative to the bone portion in a direction transverse to the longitudinal cental axis of the shank. The body portion blocks effluent from the opening in the one bone portion.

Abstract: A fastener for securing bone graft between a pair of bone portions. The fastener includes a curved elongated member having a shank for extending into the bone graft and pair of bone portions. The shank has an end portion which receives a force for driving the shank into the pair of bone portions and the bone graft. The shank has a plurality barbs projecting therefrom for resisting movement of the shank relative to the bone graft and the bone portions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving a vertebra to a desired relationship with other vertebrae and for maintaining the desired relationship. Mounting blocks are attached to the vertebrae. Pivot members are threaded onto a rod. The pivot members are received in the mounting blocks with the rod extending between two mounting blocks. The rod is rotated to move a vertebra relative to the other vertebrae. The mounting blocks are then tightened around the pivot members to maintain the vertebrae in the desired relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to maintain vertebrae in a desired relationship. The apparatus includes a rod, a plurality of clamps, and a plurality of fastener assemblies. The method invovles inserting threaded members into openings in a displaced vertebra and at least one vertebra on each side of the displaced vertebra. A clamp is placed on each fastener. The rod is bent to correspond to a desired spinal curvature and inserted into the clamps. A nut is tightened on each threaded member to hold the clamp to each vertebra and to press the clamp against the rod to hold the rod against axial and rotational movement.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is provided to reduce the extent of displacement between adjacent vertebrae in a person's spinal column and to subsequently maintain the vertebrae in a reduced displacement relationship. When the apparatus is to be installed, holes are formed in the displaced vertebra and in vertebrae on opposite sides of the displaced vertebra. Force transmitting members are mounted in the holes in the vertebrae. A spinal plate is then positioned on the spinal column with the force transmitting members extending outwardly through slots in the spinal plate. Nuts are tightened on the force transmitting members connected with vertebrae on opposite sides of the displaced vertebra to anchor the spinal plate in place. A nut on the force transmitting member connected with the displaced vertebra is then tightened to pull the displaced vertebra to a desired position.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a desired spatial relationship between adjacent vertebrae and the sacrum includes a spinal plate which engages both the sacrum and vertebrae. The spinal plate is connected with the vetebrae and the sacrum by fastener assemblies. In order to enable a fastener assembly to engage the relatively thin sacrum, a fixture is connected with the spinal plate to enable the fastener which engages the sacrum to be skewed at an acute angle. The fixture has a mounting end portion which is slidably received in a slot in the spinal plate and a head end portion through which the fastener assembly extends.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to maintain vertebrae in a desired relationship. The apparatus includes a rod, a plurality of clamps, and a plurality of fastener assemblies. The method involves inserting threaded members into openings in a displaced vertebra and at least one vertebra on each side of the displaced vertebra. A clamp is placed on each fastener. The rod is bent to correspond to a desired spinal curvature and inserted into the clamps. A nut is tightened on each threaded member to hold the clamp to each vertebra and to press the clamp against the rod to hold the rod against axial and rotational movement.

Abstract: An implantable joint for replacing a human toe joint. The joint includes a one-piece tack member implantable into the distal end of a metatarsal, and a one-piece socket member implantable into the proximal end of a phalanx. The tack member has an enlarged head defining a smooth part-spherical convex bearing surface which engages a smooth part-spherical concave bearing surface on an enlarged head of the socket member. The head of the socket member is elliptical in cross section so that the concave bearing surface extends through about 90.degree. in the vertical direction. The convex bearing surface of the tack member is nonsymmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis and extends through an angle which closely approximates 180.degree., with this bearing surface projecting downwardly from the horizontal longitudinal axis through an extent greater than 90.degree..

Abstract: An improved apparatus is provided to reduce the extent of displacement between adjacent vertebrae in a person's spinal column and to subsequently maintain the vertebrae in a reduced displacement relationship. When the apparatus is to be installed, holes are formed in the displaced vertebra and in vetebrae on opposite sides of the displaced vertebra. Force transmitting members are mounted in the holes in the vertebrae. A spinal plate is then positioned on the spinal column with the force transmitting members extending outwardly through slots in the spinal plate. Nuts are tightened on the force transmitting members connected with vertebrae on opposite sides of the displaced vertebra to anchor the spinal plate in place. A nut on the force transmitting member connected with the displaced vertebra is then tightened to pull the displaced vertebra to a desired position.

Abstract: Endoprosthetic joint particularly one permitting no appreciable adduction or abduction. There is provided an endoprosthesis for ginglymus joints comprising a first part made from a metal inert to the human body and having a substantially cylindrical head. A second part is provided of molded plastics material having a socket of substantially cylindrical shape for receiving said head. A ridge is provided around the entire perimeter of the aperture through which access to said socket is obtained, which ridge is of dimension to permit the parts to be snapped together manually but to provide substantial resistance against their becoming unsnapped. Further, the cylindrical head is only a clearance distance shorter than the corresponding dimension of the socket whereby swing motion of said head within said socket is substantially prevented.