Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for bone screw fixation. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices provide a bone fixation device that includes a receiving head having a recess adapted to seat a spinal rod therein and a shank extending distally from the receiving head. An anti-rotation mechanism can be located distal of a distal end of the receiving head and around a proximal portion of the shank, and it can be configured to interact with bone to prevent rotation of at least a portion of the bone fixation device relative to the bone.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of the spinal canal through an incision formed in the patient's back. A pathway is created from the incision to the disc space between adjacent vertebrae. Portions of the posterolateral annulus, and posterior lip of the vertebral body may be removed to access the disc space, leaving the remaining annulus and the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments in tact. The disc implant can be at least partially introduced using a posterolateral approach, yet it has a size that is sufficient to restore height to the adjacent vertebrae, and that is sufficient to maximize contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of the spinal canal through an incision formed in the patient's back. A pathway is created from the incision to the disc space between adjacent vertebrae. Portions of the posterolateral annulus, and posterior lip of the vertebral body may be removed to access the disc space, leaving the remaining annulus and the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments in tact. The disc implant can be at least partially introduced using a posterolateral approach, yet it has a size that is sufficient to restore height to the adjacent vertebrae, and that is sufficient to maximize contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.

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: Various methods and devices are provided for implanting a motion segment repair system. In particular, exemplary methods and devices are provided for implanting a spinal disc implant and/or a PDS device using a posterior surgical approach, including methods and devices for distracting adjacent vertebrae using a posterior surgical approach, methods and devices for posteriorly introducing a spinal implant into a disc space between adjacent vertebrae, and methods and devices for coupling a PDS device to the adjacent vertebrae to provide a complete motion segment repair system that is implanted using a posterior surgical approach.

Abstract: The present invention includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc, a method for installing a plate into an intervertebral space, and a method for installing a prosthetic disc into an intervertebral space. The intervertebral prosthetic disc can include a superior endplate and an inferior endplate, wherein at least one of the superior endplate and the inferior endplate is adapted to receive a guidewire. In the methods for installing a plate into an intervertebral space and for installing a prosthetic disc into an intervertebral space, a guidewire is used to facilitate installing plates onto vertebral bone endplates.

Abstract: The present invention includes intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods for installing intervertebral prosthetic devices into an intervertebral space. In one embodiment, an intervertebral prosthetic disc includes a superior endplate; an inferior endplate; and at least one protrusion element, wherein at least one of the superior endplate and the inferior endplate is adapted to receive the protrusion element. In another embodiment, the invention includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc having a superior endplate including a core retaining member; an inferior endplate including a core retaining member; and an asymmetric core positioned between the superior endplate and the inferior endplate, wherein the superior endplate and the inferior endplate are adapted to accommodate the core. The present invention also includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc system that includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc and at least one spring element.

Abstract: A prosthetic is provided for replacing a vertebral disc. The prosthesis can comprise first and second endplates formed of a ceramic material, each including an articulating contact surface and a bone facing surface. The contact surface of the first endplate can have a shape complementary to the contact surface of the second endplate, thereby facilitating articulation of the first and second endplates while in contact with one another. The device can further include at least one non-ceramic bone attachment element mated with at least one of the bone facing surfaces, such that the bone attachment element covers less than a full area of the bone facing surface.

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: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.