Abstract: An expandable intervertebral spacer includes a body, a proximal end, and a distal end. The body includes quadrants that form a substantially cylindrical shape in a first configuration and a substantially cuboidal shape in a second configuration. Each quadrant includes a ramp portion with a ramp and a landing and a sliding portion with a sliding side and a foot. The ramp portion of a first quadrant engages the sliding portion of a second quadrant. The proximal end and the distal end couple with the plurality of quadrants and transfer an actuating force to expand the body from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: An instrument for multilevel compression and distraction of vertebrae in a spinal column includes a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, a linking member, and a coupler. The first arm includes a distal end with a first aperture for receiving a first screw extender that attaches to a first vertebra. The second arm includes a distal end with a second aperture for receiving a second screw extender that attaches to a second vertebra. The third arm includes a distal end with a third aperture for receiving a third screw extender that attaches to a third vertebra. The linking member pivotally links proximal ends of the first, second, and third arms. The coupler positions the distal ends of the first arm and the second arm relative to the third arm to compress and distract the first vertebra and the second vertebra relative to the third vertebra.

Abstract: The invention relates to spinal fusion implants or grafts and to apparatus for the installation thereof. More specifically, the invention is a serrated cutting or abrading tool designed to be pushed into an intervertebral space and thereby remove and partially penetrate the cortical bone layer that defines the endplates of the respective mutually adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A driver including a handle, lever, swivel cap, shaft, and a tip mechanically connected to the lever configured to engage a screw. Engaging the lever causes the tip to either compress or expand so as to lock the screw to the driver. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cap can be translated releasing the lever, thereby releasing the screw from the tip. According to one embodiment, the cap is a swivel cap allowing for jeweler style use. Advantages of the present system and method, according to various embodiments, include a tip compressing a feature that is within an outer diameter of the screw allowing a driver, or a portion thereof, to have a maximum diameter equal to or smaller than the maximum diameter of a screw.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a pair of bone screws of a vertebral level includes a first end member, a second end member, and a transverse member. The first end member includes a track for removably attaching to a head of a first one of the bone screws. The second end member includes a track for removably attaching to a head of a second one of the bone screws. The transverse member connects the first and second end members.

Abstract: A system for performing a procedure on a spine of a patient includes a curved tissue distractor, a curved housing, and an exterior channel. The curved tissue distractor includes a first distractor ramp and a second distractor ramp. The curved housing is configured to slide between the first and second distractor ramps. The curved housing includes a distal end, a proximal end, and an interior channel disposed between the distal end and the proximate end. The exterior channel is disposed on an outside surface of the curved housing and between the distal end and the proximal end. The curved housing is configured to slide between the first and second distractor ramps to provide access through the interior channel to the spine.

Abstract: An instrument for adjusting a fixation rod within a head member of a screw assembly includes a distal portion, a first arm, a first recess, and an actuation member. The distal portion includes a rod engagement surface that engages the fixation rod. The first arm extends from the distal portion towards the head member at a first angle. The first recess is disposed along the first arm at a first distance from the rod engagement surface. The actuation member extends proximally from the distal portion and positions the first recess relative to a first projection on the head member.

Abstract: A semi-rigid head for a bone screw comprising includes a first rigid portion, a second rigid portion, and a semi-rigid portion. The first rigid portion is configured to receive a fixation rod. The second rigid portion is configured for coupling with a bone screw. The semi-rigid portion links the first rigid portion with the second rigid portion.

Abstract: An exemplary system for correcting a spinal deformity includes a plurality of transverse rods, a longitudinal rod, and at least one node. The plurality of transverse rods each includes a first end for coupling with an extension member of a spinal fixation system and a second end. The longitudinal rod extends transverse to the transverse rods. The at least one node receives the second ends of first and second transverse rods and the longitudinal rod within a receiving portion and an adjustment member selectively secures the second ends.

Abstract: A material delivery apparatus for a bone screw includes an attachment member having a lumen disposed therethrough and adapted to removably attach to the bone screw. The apparatus further includes a delivery cannula fixedly disposed through the lumen and adapted to extend into a central bore of the bone screw for the delivery of material thereinto.

Abstract: A bone fixation plate includes a first opening formed in a plate that is configured to receive a first fastener; a second opening formed in the plate that is configured to receives a second fastener, and a retention member that extends into a third opening formed in the plate between the first opening and the second opening, wherein the retention member is elastically deformable between at least three positions.

Abstract: An exemplary facet screw for joining a first facet of a first vertebra with a second facet of a second vertebra includes proximal and distal ends. The proximal end includes a threaded region for attachment to the first facet. The distal end includes a non-threaded region with a first configuration that freely inserts into a bore of the second facet and a second configuration that partially interferes with the bore to retain the distal end within the second facet.

Abstract: A spinous process device and method are disclosed. The device includes a first plate having a first part slidably coupled to a second part, a second plate having a third part slidably coupled to a fourth part, and first and second connector devices configured to be placed through openings created in spinous processes and rotatably couple respective first and second parts to third and fourth parts of the first and second plates together allowing angular displacement of the second plate with respect to the first plate and secure the spinous processes between the first and second plates.

Abstract: A conical interspinous apparatus comprising: an insertion portion with a proximal end, a distal end, and conical screw-shaped grooves configured to distract two adjacent spinous processes; a shaft portion, coupled to the distal end of the insertion portion, and having a smaller cross-section than a cross-section at the distal end of the insertion portion, such that the two spinous processes rest on the shaft portion; and a clamp portion being movable and securable along the shaft, and being configured to secure the two spinous processes between the clamp portion and the distal end of the insertion portion.

Abstract: A spinal instrument with a set screw loading and retention mechanism includes a first tube, a screw slot, and a retention mechanism. The first tube includes an inner lumen disposed concentric and proximate to a head portion of a bone screw. The screw slot is disposed along a portion of the first tube at a distance from the head portion of the bone screw and is configured for loading of a set screw for locking a spinal rod within the head portion of the bone screw. The retention mechanism is disposed along at least a portion of the inner tube configured to selectively retain the set screw. In other features, the first tube includes either an internal rod reduction tube or a screw extender tube.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw includes a shaft, a body member, and a toroidal member. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis and a proximal end with a head having a generally rounded surface. The body member has a bore disposed longitudinally therethrough and a groove defined by a luminal surface of the bore. The toroidal member has an elliptical cross-section with a major axis and disposed within the groove to engage the generally rounded surface of the head at a point of contact.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw body includes a side wall defining a lumen having a first end and a second end. An opening disposed at the first end of the lumen, includes an interior surface disposed in the side wall thereabout. The interior surface is adapted to accommodate a head portion of a pedicle screw. A transverse channel extends from a first aperture through the side wall to a second aperture and is adapted to accommodate a portion of a fixation rod therebetween. A lateral connector extending integrally from the side wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of use for a tissue retractor having a first retractor with a first main frame with a first distal blade and a second retractor having a second main frame with a second distal blade, the first distal blade and second distal blade being configured to engage each other on opposite sides of a spinal implant creating an expandable passageway p between the first main frame and second main frame.

Abstract: A distal loading receiver for a polyaxial bone screw includes a body member having a circumferential wall defining a bore disposed longitudinally through the body member. A skirt depends from a distal end of the body member. The skirt defines one or more distally opening slots and an abluminal surface of the skirt includes one or more transverse ribs proximate to a distal end of the skirt. A retaining ring includes a luminal surface having one or more transverse recesses proximate to a distal end of the luminal surface and one or more walls extending inwardly from the luminal surface. The slots accommodate the walls and the recesses accommodate the ribs to attach the body member to the retaining ring when the distal end of the skirt is inserted into a proximal end of the retaining ring.

Abstract: A driver including a handle, lever, swivel cap, shaft, and a tip mechanically connected to the lever configured to engage a screw. Engaging the lever causes the tip to either compress or expand so as to lock the screw to the driver. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cap can be translated releasing the lever, thereby releasing the screw from the tip. According to one embodiment, the cap is a swivel cap allowing for jeweler style use. Advantages of the present system and method, according to various embodiments, include a tip compressing a feature that is within an outer diameter of the screw allowing a driver, or a portion thereof, to have a maximum diameter equal to or smaller than the maximum diameter of a screw.