Abstract: A bone access instrument comprising a shaft having a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The first shaft portion has a first diameter, a distal end, and at least one cutting edge formed on the distal end. The second shaft portion has a second diameter and a tapered distal end. The second diameter is less than the first diameter, and the second shaft portion extends axially from the distal end of the first shaft portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid bone fixation element including a threaded proximal cortical bone contacting portion for threadably engaging the cortical portion of a human bone and a non-threaded expandable distal cancellous portion for engaging the cancellous portion of the human bone. The hybrid bone fixation element can be used, for example, as a pedicle screw, a bone screw or in any other type of bone fixation application.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure provide a fastener including a tip portion, a proximal portion, an advancement mechanism and an expandable member. The tip portion has a first surface. The proximal portion is configured for coupling to the tip portion and has a second surface. The mechanism advances the first surface toward the second surface. The expandable member includes a first end abutting the first surface of the tip portion and a second end abutting the second surface of the proximal portion. Advancement of the two surfaces toward each other advances the first end of the expandable member toward the second end of the expandable member. The expandable member is configured to expand in response to the advancement. At least one of the ends of the expandable member is a free end extending under and configured to rotate with respect to an abutting one of the first or second surfaces.

Abstract: A fracture mobility testing system is provided for use in surgical procedures for augmenting vertebral bodies having collapsed due to compression fractures. The testing system is utilized to determine if the cortical shell of the vertebral body has begun to heal over the fracture lines to the point at which height restoration is not possible. Depending on the feedback provided by the testing system, the surgeon may elect to proceed with any of a variety of known height restoration techniques if the fractured portions of the vertebral body are still mobile, or may elect for a simple vertebroplasty procedure without height restoration if the feedback from the testing system determines that the cortical outer portions of the fractured vertebral body have fused to one another to the point at which height restoration is no longer an option.

Abstract: An interspinous process spacer for implantation in an interspinous space between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process includes a balloon-like body, a first deployable protrusion and a second deployable protrusion. The body has a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. The spacer is arrangeable in an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The first deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the proximal end and the second deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the distal end. The first and second deployable protrusions are oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis in the unexpanded configuration and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An interspinous process spacer for implantation in an interspinous space between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process includes a balloon-like body, a first deployable protrusion and a second deployable protrusion. The body has a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. The spacer is arrangeable in an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The first deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the proximal end and the second deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the distal end. The first and second deployable protrusions are oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis in the unexpanded configuration and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An expandable implant system is configured to increase the height of a target bone, for instance that has been subjected to a compression fracture. The expandable implant system includes an implant assembly that can be inserted into the target bone, and subsequently expanded so as to increase the height of the target bone. The expandable implant system further includes an and insertion assembly that is configured to create an insertion channel into the target bone, such that the implant assembly can be inserted in a collapsed configuration into the target bone along the insertion channel, and subsequently expanded.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid bone fixation element including a threaded proximal cortical bone contacting portion for threadably engaging the cortical portion of a human bone and a non-threaded expandable distal cancellous portion for engaging the cancellous portion of the human bone. The hybrid bone fixation element can be used, for example, as a pedicle screw, a bone screw or in any other type of bone fixation application.

Abstract: A polymer vapor deposition process is used to form a flexible thin-walled endoluminal graft membrane. The endoluminal graft membrane is easily radially compressed in an organized manner in combination with a stent. The endoluminal graft membrane is formed with a plurality of semi-collapsed legs and each semi-collapsed leg includes a plurality of preformed folds.