Abstract: An intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an anterior side; a posterior side; a first lateral side; a second lateral side; an upper endplate having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the upper endplate is adapted for contacting a first vertebra; a lower endplate having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the lower endplate is adapted for contacting a second vertebra; and an elastic membrane extending from the inner surface of the upper endplate to the inner surface of the lower endplate and defining an inner volume that is at least partially filled with a fluid, wherein the elastic membrane is affixed to the inner surface of the upper endplate and to the inner surface of the lower endplate.

Abstract: A reduction tool for use in posterior spinal fixation to facilitate insertion of a longitudinal spinal rod into a rod-receiving channel formed in a bone fixation element. The reduction tool preferably includes an outer tube sized and configured to transversely receive the spinal rod therethrough, the outer tube being operatively coupled to the bone fixation element, an inner tube operatively coupled to a locking cap and slidably disposed within the outer tube, and a rotatable sleeve for rotatably advancing the inner tube with respect to the outer tube to advance the spinal rod into the rod-receiving channel formed in the bone fixation element and to couple the locking cap to the bone fixation element to thereby secure the rod within the bone fixation element.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an anterior side; a posterior side; a first lateral side; a second lateral side; an upper endplate having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the upper endplate is adapted for contacting a first vertebra; a lower endplate having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the lower endplate is adapted for contacting a second vertebra; and an elastic membrane extending from the inner surface of the upper endplate to the inner surface of the lower endplate and defining an inner volume that is at least partially filled with a fluid, wherein the elastic membrane is affixed to the inner surface of the upper endplate and to the inner surface of the lower endplate.

Abstract: A drill guide has a handle for holding and is configured to actuate a plate-engaging mechanism. An elongated member extends between proximal and distal portions with the proximal portion associated with the handle portion and the distal portion associated with the plate-engaging mechanism. The plate-engaging mechanism is actuated by an actuating member actuated by the second handle portion. The drill guide includes at least one guide sleeve rotatably coupled to the elongated member by a proximal and distal coupler. Furthermore, the plate-engaging mechanism includes a bone plate-engaging portion configured to couple with a bone plate when the second handle portion is moved in a first direction with respect to said first handle portion.

Abstract: A reduction tool for use in posterior spinal fixation to facilitate insertion of a longitudinal spinal rod into a rod-receiving channel formed in a bone fixation element. The reduction tool preferably includes an outer tube sized and configured to transversely receive the spinal rod therethrough, the outer tube being operatively coupled to the bone fixation element, an inner tube operatively coupled to a locking cap and slidably disposed within the outer tube, and a rotatable sleeve for rotatably advancing the inner tube with respect to the outer tube to advance the spinal rod into the rod-receiving channel formed in the bone fixation element and to couple the locking cap to the bone fixation element to thereby secure the rod within the bone fixation element.

Abstract: A bone fixation element for use in posterior spinal fixation including a pair of spaced apart arms defining a rod-receiving channel and a pair of reduction tabs integrally formed and extending from the arms to facilitate insertion of a rod into the channel. The reduction tabs also preferably include a break-off region so that after the rod has been inserted in the channel, the reduction tabs can be removed leaving behind the bone fixation element and rod. The reduction tabs may also include a cap for coupling a proximal end of the reduction tabs.

Abstract: A bone fixation system including a bone plate and surgical drill guide is provided. The drill guide assembly includes one or more alignment drill tubes that are remotely aligned with corresponding fastener holes in the bone plate, and a plate holder to engage a hole in the bone plate. The surgical drill guide is releasably lockable to the plate holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae. The artificial intervertebral disc is preferably designed to restore disc height and natural disc curvature, allow for a natural range of motion, absorb shock and provide resistance to motion and axial compression. Furthermore, the intervertebral disc may be used in the cervical, the thoracic, or the lumbar regions of the spine. The artificial intervertebral disc may include either singularly or in combination: an interior including at least one spring member preferably incorporating an arcuate surface member, a flexible core, the flexible core preferably being a slotted core, a ring spring, a winged leaf spring, a leaf spring, or the articulating member preferably being attached to one of the endplate by an intermediate shock absorbing element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae. The artificial intervertebral disc is preferably designed to restore disc height and natural disc curvature, allow for a natural range of motion, absorb shock and provide resistance to motion and axial compression. Furthermore, the intervertebral disc may be used in the cervical, the thoracic, or the lumbar regions of the spine. The artificial intervertebral disc may include either singularly or in combination: an interior including at least one spring member preferably incorporating a arcuate surface member, a flexible core, the flexible core preferably being a slotted core, a ring spring, a winged leaf spring, or a leaf spring, or The articulating member preferably being attached to one of the endplate by an intermediate shock absorbing element.

Abstract: A drill guide has a handle for holding and is configured to actuate a plate-engaging mechanism. An elongated member extends between proximal and distal portions with the proximal portion associated with the handle portion and the distal portion associated with the plate-engaging mechanism. The plate-engaging mechanism is actuated by an actuating member actuated by the second handle portion. The drill guide includes at least one guide sleeve rotatably coupled to the elongated member by a proximal and distal coupler. Furthermore, the plate-engaging mechanism includes a bone plate-engaging portion configured to couple with a bone plate when the second handle portion is moved in a first direction with respect to said first handle portion.

Abstract: A drill guide has a handle for holding and is configured to actuate a plate-engaging mechanism. An elongated member extends between proximal and distal portions with the proximal portion associated with the handle portion and the distal portion associated with the plate-engaging mechanism. The plate-engaging mechanism is actuated by an actuating member actuated by the second handle portion. The drill guide includes at least one guide sleeve rotatably coupled to the elongated member by a proximal and distal coupler. Furthermore, the plate-engaging mechanism includes a bone plate-engaging portion configured to couple with a bone plate when the second handle portion is moved in a first direction with respect to said first handle portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae. The artificial intervertebral disc is preferably designed to restore disc height and natural disc curvature, allow for a natural range of motion, absorb shock and provide resistance to motion and axial compression. Furthermore, the intervertebral disc may be used in the cervical, the thoracic, or the lumbar regions of the spine. The artificial intervertebral disc may include either singularly or in combination: an interior including at least one spring member preferably incorporating a arcuate surface member, a flexible core, the flexible core preferably being a slotted core, a ring spring, a winged leaf spring, or a leaf spring, or The articulating member preferably being attached to one of the endplate by an intermediate shock absorbing element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical drill-guide assembly that can be releasably attached to a part of a bone-fixation system, for example, a plate. The surgical drill-guide assembly of the present invention is used for example, to guide a drill, screw, bone fastener, or other instrument or fastener into bone.

Abstract: A drill guide has a handle for holding and is configured to actuate a plate-engaging mechanism. An elongated member extends between proximal and distal portions with the proximal portion associated with the handle portion and the distal portion associated with the plate-engaging mechanism. The plate-engaging mechanism is actuated by an actuating member actuated by the second handle portion. The drill guide includes at least one guide sleeve rotatably coupled to the elongated member by a proximal and distal coupler. Furthermore, the plate-engaging mechanism includes a bone plate-engaging portion configured to couple with a bone plate when the second handle portion is moved in a first direction with respect to said first handle portion.

Abstract: A bone fixation system including a bone plate and surgical drill guide is provided. The drill guide assembly includes one or more alignment drill tubes that are remotely aligned with corresponding fastener holes in the bone plate, and a plate holder to engage a hole in the bone plate. The surgical drill guide is releasably lockable to the plate holder.

Abstract: A drill guide, drill guide system and method of use is disclosed. The drill guide assembly includes one or more alignment drill tubes that are remotely alignable with corresponding fastener holes of a bone plate to which the drill guide is releasably lockable. The drill guide is configured to allow a bone hole to be drilled slightly off-center with respect to the fastener holes of the plate so that fasteners inserted in those holes may be used to compress the underlying bone segments together when the fasteners are tightened in the bone and plate. In one embodiment, the drill guide is disclosed for use in compressing and fixing adjacent vertebra as part of a spinal fusion procedure.