Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for spinal fixation. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices provide one or more points of fixation located adjacent to a first fixation point at which a bone anchor is implanted in bone. For example, an extension member can be coupled, either directly or indirectly, to a bone anchor, and a fastener can be used to anchor the extension member to bone at a second point of fixation adjacent to the first point of fixation. The second point of fixation can be effective to prevent rotation or other movement of the bone anchor, thereby stabilizing the bone anchor. The methods and devices are particularly useful for unilateral fixation, in which one or more levels of the spine are stabilized along a single lateral side of the spine.

Abstract: A guide device is provided for use with a spinal fixation element that has at least one pair of thru bores formed therein. The guide device generally includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A guide member is coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and it includes at least one pathway extending therethrough, and at least one alignment element that is positioned distal of the guide member. Each alignment element(s) is adapted to interact with a spinal fixation element to position the guide member with respect to the spinal fixation element such that the each pathway in the guide member is aligned with a corresponding thru bore formed in the spinal fixation element. The guide member can then be used to guide tools, devices, and/or implants through each pathway in the spinal fixation element and into bone.

Abstract: A posterior dynamic spinal stabilization device utilizing a spinal rod, a fixed anchor, a mobile anchor adapted for both translation and pivoting, a mobile anchor-limiting stop affixed to the rod and an optional bumper-type, a rod with at least one limiting stop. It allows predetermined and prescribed interpedicular motion. It allows the use of traditional pedicle screw-rod placement techniques in a flexible system possessing many treatment options using familiar components that are familiar to the surgeon, and can be used on multiple levels (especially to top off) and can transition loads by limiting displacements.

Abstract: A Posterior Dynamic Stabilization (PDS) device having a telescopic sub-assembly that allows axial movement but restricts bending, shear and in some configurations torsion, and an outer polymeric sleeve component that primarily resists elongation and axial rotation but also encapsulates the telescopic assembly to prevent tissue ingrowth.

Abstract: A Posterior Dynamic Stabilization device that comprises a dual lead titanium spring, a polymer core component disposed within the spring, and a bone anchor attachment feature, wherein the dual rod comprises an intermediate spring portion comprising first and second springs, each spring having a helical intermediate portion, the helical intermediate portions oriented to form a double helix.

Abstract: A guide device is provided for use with a spinal fixation element that has at least one pair of thru bores formed therein. The guide device generally includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A guide member is coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and it includes at least one pathway extending therethrough, and at least one alignment element that is positioned distal of the guide member. Each alignment element(s) is adapted to interact with a spinal fixation element to position the guide member with respect to the spinal fixation element such that the each pathway in the guide member is aligned with a corresponding thru bore formed in the spinal fixation element. The guide member can then be used to guide tools, devices, and/or implants through each pathway in the spinal fixation element and into bone.

Abstract: An instrument for insertion and placement of dynamic spinal fixation plates is provided. In general, the instrument is a clip that holds the plate at its maximum extension for implantation.

Abstract: A posterior dynamic spinal stabilization system having a sock or sleeve as the ligament to join a split rod so that during flexion, the ligament becomes taut to create an elongation limit, and during extreme extension, the upper and lower bumpers come together, thereby preventing further extension.

Abstract: An instrument for insertion and placement of dynamic spinal fixation plates is provided. In general, the instrument is a clip that holds the plate at its maximum extension for implantation.

Abstract: A spinal pedicle rod comprising an internally reinforced polymeric core that is at least partially encased within at least one polymeric coating.A dynamic stabilization device for bones in which flexible rods are combined with a pair of dynamic anchoring devices comprising i) a shank for anchoring into a bone or a vertebra, ii) a head connected to the shank, iii) a receiving part for the head and iv) a mobile element acting on the head.

Abstract: A flexible rod for use in spinal stabilization having a tube having a helical slit defining a gap and an elastomeric jacket provided in the throughbore of the tube, within the gap, and upon the outer surface of the tube.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for passively locking a bone screw within a bone plate. In particular, the methods and devices allow a bone screw to be locked within a thru-hole in a bone plate without requiring any additional locking steps. In an exemplary embodiment, an annular feature is provided in a thru-hole of a bone plate, or in a bushing that is disposed within a thru-hole of a bone plate, for engaging a bone screw. The annular feature can be configured such that it allows the bone screw to be inserted through the thru-hole at various insertion angles while still being effective to prevent back-out of the bone screw, thereby locking the screw to the plate.

Abstract: A drill guide for use in securing a spinal fixation plate to a spine is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the drill guide generally includes a support member having first and second arms mated thereto. Each arm includes a proximal end and a distal end having at least one barrel coupled thereto and defining a lumen for receiving a tool. One or both arms can be slidably movable along the support member to allow the distance between the arms to be adjusted. In use, the arms can be adjusted to engage a spinal fixation plate and to position the barrels on each arm in alignment with bores formed in the fixation plate. The drill guide can then be used to drill, awl, tap, and insert implants, such as spinal screws, into the vertebral bodies to attach the fixation plate thereto.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for spinal fixation. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices provide one or more points of fixation located adjacent to a first fixation point at which a bone anchor is implanted in bone. For example, an extension member can be coupled, either directly or indirectly, to a bone anchor, and a fastener can be used to anchor the extension member to bone at a second point of fixation adjacent to the first point of fixation. The second point of fixation can be effective to prevent rotation or other movement of the bone anchor, thereby stabilizing the bone anchor. The methods and devices are particularly useful for unilateral fixation, in which one or more levels of the spine are stabilized along a single lateral side of the spine.

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: A bone anchoring device for securing suture or cable within a bone hole of a bone includes an anchor member and a cable. The anchor member includes engagement ribs and an axial cutout. The axial cutout further includes a cutout surface and at least one pin that extends radially outward from the cutout surface. The cable is secured to the anchor member by penetrating the cable with the pins that extend radially from the axial cutout surface, such that the cable distal end aligns with the anchor distal end and that the cable proximal end extends beyond the anchor proximal end. This results in a bone anchoring device in which failure due to low pullout strength of the cable is greatly minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: A tissue retractor and guide device for use in securing a spinal fixation plate to a spine is provided. In general, the device includes an elongate member having a guide member formed thereon or mated thereto with at least one pathway for receiving a tool. The guide member is adapted to be juxtapositioned on a spinal implant, while the distal portion of the elongate member is effective to retract tissue disposed adjacent to the guide member.

Abstract: Bone plates and bone plate systems are provided in which a bone plate includes first and second longitudinally extending rails, with a plurality of bone screw holes formed therein. At least one transverse strut connects the first and second longitudinally extending rails, each of the at least one transverse struts being disposed between adjacent bone screw holes formed on the same longitudinally extending rail. The bone plate system can additionally include a plurality of bone screws adapted for placement within the bone screw holes and a guide device. The guide device can register with at least one bone screw hole of the bone plate by placement of an alignment element upon a portion of the bone plate external to one of the bone screw holes such that one of the bone screws can be installed in one of the bone screw holes of the plate through the guide barrel while the guide device is registered with at least one of the bone screw holes.

Abstract: A surgical drill assembly is provided that includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end adapted to mate to a driver mechanism, and a distal end having a bone preparation element formed thereon. An elongate, hollow sleeve is coupled to, but slidably disposed around at least a portion of the elongate shaft. The hollow sleeve includes a stepped region that is positioned between proximal and distal portions such that the distal portion has an outer diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the stepped region to allow the distal portion to be disposed within a lumen in a drill guide, and the stepped region to abut the drill guide. In use, the elongate, hollow sleeve is effective to longitudinally align the elongate shaft therein during a surgical procedure. The elongate shaft can also optionally include a stop member that is effective to limit penetration depth of the bone preparation element with respect to the hollow sleeve.

Abstract: A bone plate system is provided in which the system comprises an elongate bone plate having a first surface, a second bone-contacting surface opposed to the first surface, a maximum plate width, a minimum plate width, and a plurality of apertures extending from the first surface through to the second surface for receiving bone screws. The system additionally includes a plurality of bone screws capable of insertion into bone, each screw having a major screw diameter and a minor screw diameter. The dimensions of the bone plate and bone screws being such that the ratio of the maximum plate width to the major screw diameter is less than or equal to approximately 2.7.