Abstract: An assembly for securing an electrode lead within a burr hole formed in a patient's skull and couples it to a coupling lead which extends to a remote signal generator. The securing assembly has three separate components. The first is a bone port which seats within a preformed burr hole in the skull. The bone port is a cylindrical shaped short tube with central axial hole having electrical contacts formed on the inner surface. These electrical contacts are connected to corresponding contacts in a circumferential groove formed in the upper surface of the port for receiving the proximal end of the stimulation electrode. The second component is a docking element which seats in the port. The docking element has corresponding electrical contacts on the exterior surface thereof, which connect to terminal pads in an axial bore formed therein. The coupling lead is inserted into the bore and is thereby connected to the stimulation electrode by virtue of the contacts made between the port and the docking element.

Abstract: A combined deep brain stimulation electrode and microelectrode recording probe are provided to reduce the tedium and difficulty associated with the localization of electrical stimulation leads, thereby promoting neurosurgeons to use the most sophisticated methods of electrode placement. The invention includes a deep brain stimulator having an elongate elastomeric sheath which encases a series of individually wound wires extending from one end of the electrode to the other, and terminating in a corresponding series of electrically isolated contact pads. The interior of the elongate sheath is a central channel which is open at both ends. The microelectrode probe is advanced through the central channel and provides one pole of an electrical stimulator tip. One of the deep brain stimulator contact pads serves as the other pole for the microelectrode recording process.

Abstract: A spinal electrode for use in spinal cord stimulation having portions which are specifically provided for coupling the electrode to the adjacent spinal tissue so that displacement of the electrode cannot easily occur by normal bodily motion as is a failure mechanism of prior electrode designs. The distal end of the electrode which includes the electrical contacts also includes at least one laterally extending non-electrical portion. The extending portions are provided for receiving a suture or wire therethrough. The laterally extending portions may include a readily identifiable distinguishing feature, such as a color dye or a textural difference, so that it can be readily seen as a safe region through which a suture may be passed. Alternatively (or in addition), the laterally extending portions may include a through hole so that the tip of the electrode may be tied to the spinous process (or other spinal bone) by a wire.

Abstract: A method for treating psychological disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder, Tourette's syndrome, depression, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, schizophrenia, and attention deficit disorder by stimulation of the thalamus, and in particular regions within the anterior and intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus. The method includes the steps of determining a common group of patients, each suffering from a common specific diagnosis for a psychological disorder; determining which common region of the patients' thalami are involved in carrying the pathological electrical signals which may otherwise be generated in dissimilar and disparate regions of the brains of the patients; surgically implanting an electrode and electrical signal generating device such that the electrode is positioned within the region of the thalamus identified as the common nexus; and selectively adjusting the level of electrical stimulation in accordance with the specific effect of the stimulation of the patient.

Abstract: A spinal electrode for use in spinal cord stimulation included in a laminar hook so that displacement of the electrode cannot easily occur by normal bodily motion as is a failure mechanism of prior electrode designs. The electrical contacts of the electrode are disposed on the underside of the blade portion of the hook. The head of the hook, which seats above the lamina, is coupled either to the spinous process, or to the head of a hook which is positioned in an opposing orientation. The head of the hook in one embodiment includes a hole through which a wire may be passed to tie the hook to the spinous process, or to the other hook. In a second embodiment, the head of the hook has a notch formed in it so that it may receive an elastomeric band which is used to couple the head of the hook to the spinous process, or to another hook.

Abstract: A polyaxial pedicle screw for use with rod implant apparatus includes a rod receiving body, a screw having a curvate head, a compression element, and a means for loosely and reversibly maintaining a coupled relationship between the compression element and the screw head during angulation thereof relative to the rod receiving body, while still permitting compressive locking of the assembly in a specific orientation by means of a compressive force applied by a rod onto the compression element and the head of the screw.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer device having a pair of opposing plates for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by at least one spring mechanism. The preferred spring mechanism is a belleville washer. In a first embodiment there are two belleville washers which are oriented in opposite directions such that the narrow ends thereof are in contact with each other and the wider ends are in contact with the respective end plates. In a second embodiment there is a single belleville washer which is modified to mount onto a ball-shaped head. The lower plate of this embodiment includes a post extending upwardly from the inner surface of the plate, the post including a ball-shaped head. The modified belleville washer is lockably mounted to the head such that the wider portion of the washer seats against the upper plate.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided which is formed of a semiconductor substrate material having at least one anisotropically etched sharpened edge and a heating circuit disposed on the substrate. The heating circuits generate heat by means of resistive elements interposed along the circuit path. The substrate material itself may serve as the resistive elements, or resistive layers may be used in the alternative. The resistive heating may be used to heat the sharpened edge directly, or the heating may be thermally isolated from the sharpened edge. The heating circuit may also include a thermal sensor which may be used to control the generation of heat and/or detect damage to the instrument itself. The conformation of the instrument may include a variety of different shapes, including central recesses and windows. The recesses may further include ribs or support members. The substrate may further a suction mechanism for removing fluid which may build up in the vicinity of the surgery.

Abstract: A rod, screw, and staple assembly for use in conjunction with anterior or lateral spinal rod implant apparatus includes a vertebral body screw which has a shaft which is insertable into a vertebral bone, a tapered neck, and a head portion which includes a rod receiving channel and an annular recess. The vertebral body staple includes a flat portion which has a hole through it. The hole has a slotted rim which is downwardly sloped so that it may permit the expansion of the hole when a force is applied to it. The screw is advanced into the hole in the staple until the tapered neck thereof snaps through the hole and the rim seats in the annular recess of the screw. This permits the screw and staple to rotate relative to one another, but not to translate axially relative to one another. The staple also includes several barbs which independently hold the staple to the bone surface to which it is to be affixed.

Abstract: A cross-linking member for rigidly coupling interbody fusion devices such that they have reduced tendencies to dislocate subsequent to implantation as well as an interbody fusion assembly which includes at least two interbody fusion devices rigidly coupled together by a cross-linking member.

Abstract: A rod, screw, and staple assembly for use in conjunction with anterior or lateral spinal rod implant apparatus includes a screw having a vertebral body screw which has a shaft which is insertable into a vertebral bone and a head portion which includes a rod receiving channel and a radially extending flange. The vertebral body staple includes a flat portion which has a hole through it. The hole has a rim which is upwardly extending and a concave recess formed in the underside of the flat portion around the hole. The staple also includes several barbs which independently hold the staple to the bone surface to which it is to be affixed. The screw is first inserted into the vertebral bone, and then the staple is mounted over the head portion of the screw, such that the head extends above the annular rim. The rod is then inserted into the rod receiving channel and seats against the uppermost surface of the annular rim.

Abstract: A polyaxial pedicle screw device for use with rod implant apparatus, which utilizes a rod mounted ferrule, includes a screw having a curvate head and a rod receiving body. The body has a rod receiving channel and an axial bore into which the head of the screw is inserted. The interior surface of the bore is inwardly curvate at the lower end thereof to form a socket for polyaxially retaining the curvate head of the screw. In an initial position the screw head remains polyaxially free with respect to the body. The rod mounted ferrule seats into a small curvate recess in the upper portion of the screw head such that the rod may enter the body at a variety of angles while maintaining a secure seating against the head of the screw. The insertion of a top set screw compresses down on the ferrule, locking the rod in position, and onto the screw head, locking it and the body in position, thus completely securing the assembly.

Abstract: A tubular interbody fusion device having flat upper and lower surfaces including multiple parallel ratcheted blade ridges having opposing orientations, concave exterior side walls, an interior axial bore having inwardly directed ratcheted ridges, and a plurality of through holes extending from the upper and lower surfaces into the interior bore, from the sides into the interior bore, and from the upper and lower surfaces through the side walls.

Abstract: A rod, screw, rod receiving member, and staple assembly for use in conjunction with anterior or lateral spinal rod implant apparatus includes a vertebral body screw, staple, and rod receiving member which are initially loosely coupled together such that they may each rotate about a common axis. They are held together by virtue of the head of the screw being held within a tapered axial bore of the rod receiving member and the staple being loosely mounted around the rod receiving member. The lower portion of the rod coupling member is expandable by virtue of a series of slots formed in its lower portion. The screw seats within the axial bore of the rod receiving member such that a rod inserted in the channel of the member seats on the head of the screw. With the rod coupling element and staple combination mounted to the screw, it is driven into the vertebral bone. The member is then rotated into position to receive the rod, which seats on the head of the screw.

Abstract: A rod, screw, rod securing member, and staple assembly for use in conjunction with anterior or lateral spinal rod implant apparatus includes a vertebral body screw and rod coupling member which are loosely coupled by virtue of the head of the screw being held within a contractible volume in the base of the rod coupling member. The volume of the rod coupling member is contractible by virtue of a series of slots formed in the base, which also has a tapered exterior surface. The staple includes a flat portion which has a hole through it and several barbs extending downward from it for gripping the surface of the vertebral bone. The hole in the staple has a rim which is upwardly extending and a tapered interior side wall designed to engage the tapered exterior wall of the rod coupling member such that advancement of the staple relative to the coupling member causes the interior volume to compression lock to the head of the screw.

Abstract: The present invention is an acetabular cup having at least one polyaxial locking screw for anchoring the cup in the desired bone site. The assembly includes an acetabular cup having at least one through hole having both threaded and tapered portions, into which holes a two-piece interlocking coupling element and a bone screw having a semi-spherical head may be inserted. The two-piece coupling element, including slideably joined socket and cap portions, is mounted about the semi-spherical head of the bone screw, which is inserted into the through hole and into the bone. The head of the screw is polyaxially mounted in the socket portions and as such may be inserted into the bone at a variety of angles. The socket portion of the coupling element has slots which permits crush locking of the head of the screw once the socket seats and is forceably driven into the tapered portion of the hole.

Abstract: A polyaxial orthopedic device for use with rod implant apparatus includes a screw having a curvate head, a two-piece interlocking coupling element which mounts about the curvate head, and a rod receiving cylindrical body member having a tapered socket into which both the screw and the interlocking coupling element are securely nested. The interlocking coupling element includes a socket portion which is slotted and tapered so that when it is radially compressed by being driven downwardly into the tapered socket in the cylindrical body it crush locks to the screw. The securing of the rod in the body member provides the necessary downward force onto the socket portion through a contact force on the top of the cap portion. Prior to the rod being inserted, therefore, the screw head remains polyaxially free with respect to the coupling element and the body.

Abstract: A curette having a variably angled handle includes a curette member which has a disc shaped end. The disc shaped end has a hole through its center and a series of discrete angular graduations on its edge. The disc shaped end is retained via a pin in a recess in the proximal end of a handle. The handle includes an axial bore through which a shaft extends into selective contact with the graduations on the disc shaped end of the curette member. The curette may be angularly positioned relative to the handle if the shaft is selectively disengaged from its contact with the graduations of the disc shaped end of the curette member, but not once the shaft has engaged the graduations. The shaft may be selectively engaged by a variety of different ways, including spring biasing, threading and having a selectively extendable handle.

Abstract: A polyaxial orthopedic device for use with rod implant apparatus includes a screw having a curvate head, a locking collar disposed therearound, and a coupling element having a tapered socket into which both the screw and the collar are securely nested. The locking collar is slotted and tapered, and has a semi-spherical interior volume into which the screw head is initially polyaxially held. The coupling element has an axial bore through which the screw and locking collar may be inserted, and a tapered bottom which provides a radially inward force on the locking collar when forces thereinto. This radially inward force causes the locking collar to crush lock against the head of the screw, therein locking the two at the instant angulation. In an initial disposition, however, the screw head remains polyaxially free with respect to the locking collar, and with the coupling element. The coupling element includes a transverse channel in which a rod may be disposed.

Abstract: A hook device for use with support rod implantation apparatus is disclosed which is positionable along the central axis of the posterior surface of the spine and has independently rotationally positionable blade and head portions. The head portion is engageable with a deflecting top cylindrical portion which sits above the lamina. The insertion, and subsequent locking of a rod in the rod receiving channel of the head portion causes the blade portion and the head portions to be compression locked together by virtue of an interference fit.