Abstract: A spinal stabilization system, method, and a surgical kit having a surgical extender apparatus for implanting a surgical screw are disclosed. The extender includes a housing having a distal end and a proximal end, a hollow interior passageway disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, a channel disposed along an exterior surface of the housing at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end and configured to at least partially expose the hollow interior passageway, an interior locking mechanism disposed on an interior surface of the housing and substantially adjacent the proximal end, wherein the interior locking mechanism is configured to allow attachment of at least one surgical tool, and at least one flexible member disposed substantially adjacent the distal end. The housing is configured to accommodate placement of a surgical screw implant. The surgical screw implant is secured to the housing using a mating feature in the surgical screw implant.

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: 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 implant for performing interbody fusion within a human spine, inserters for such an implant, and associated methodology. The implant is preferably formed in situ from at least two separate but lockable members (a base member and a closure member). The base member may be implanted into an interbody space first, after which the end plates may be finally prepared and the base member packed with fusion promoting substances before engaging and locking the closure member. The closure member provides structural support for the adjacent vertebral bodies (along with the base member) and may be selected after implantation of the base member having a specific length, width, height, taper, etc. . . . to ensure an optimal sizing of the implant for desired restoration of disc height, coronal taper, sagittal taper, etc. . . . .

Abstract: An instrument for removing material from within the body includes a distal portion that includes an adjustable length relative to a proximal portion and a flexible member that circulates through the distal portion. The exposed portion of the flexible member extends from the distal portion to remove the material.

Abstract: An interspinous process spacer includes a main body, a first wing, and a screw. The main body includes a first securing member extending from a top portion of the main body that engages a first vertebra and a bottom portion of the main body that engages a second vertebra. The first wing pivotably couples to a distal portion of the main body and includes a second securing member extending parallel to the first securing member to form a first clamp. The screw is positionable within the main body and includes a distal end that positions the first wing between a first position and a second position. The first clamp includes a first diameter in the first position and a second diameter in the second position.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for connecting surgical rods according the principles of the present disclosure includes an elongate first arm, an elongate second arm, and a clamping assembly. The elongate first arm includes a first end that couples with a first rod and a second end with a first engagement portion. The elongate second arm includes a first end that couples with a second rod and a second end terminating in a second engagement portion. The clamping assembly includes a passageway that slidably receives the first engagement portion and that retains the second engagement portion and an adjustment member offset from the passageway that adjusts a clamping force to restrict positioning of the second engagement portion relative to the first engagement portion.

Abstract: An interbody spacer system includes a cage and at least one first fixation blade. The cage includes an anterior wall and a posterior wall connected by a pair of side walls. The at least one first fixation blade partially extends around an outer surface of a first of the pair of side walls and is positionable between a first configuration for insertion into a disk space between two vertebrae and a second configuration for attachment to a first of the vertebrae.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for bone fixation, and in particular, systems and methods for fusion of human cervical spine from the anterior aspect. To that end, some of the embodiments of the invention are directed to plate systems for aligning and maintaining adjacent cervical vertebrae in a selected spatial relationship during spinal fusion of such vertebrae.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system, method, and a surgical kit having a surgical extender apparatus for implanting a surgical screw are disclosed. The extender includes a housing having a distal end and a proximal end, a hollow interior passageway disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, a channel disposed along an exterior surface of the housing at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end and configured to at least partially expose the hollow interior passageway, an interior locking mechanism disposed on an interior surface of the housing and substantially adjacent the proximal end, wherein the interior locking mechanism is configured to allow attachment of at least one surgical tool, and at least one flexible member disposed substantially adjacent the distal end. The housing is configured to accommodate placement of a surgical screw implant. The surgical screw implant is secured to the housing using a mating feature in the surgical screw implant.

Abstract: A bushing for a bone screw assembly includes a distal portion, a receiver portion, and a proximal portion. The distal portion includes a distal engagement surface that engages with a head of a bone screw. The receiver portion receives a fixation rod. The proximal portion includes a proximal engagement surface that engages with a locking member and a deformable portion that deforms from a first configuration to a second configuration based on a force applied by the locking member.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a housing and a plurality of blades. Each blade includes a body having a central opening configured to rotate on a shaft within the housing. Control openings on opposing sides of the central opening are sized to engage prongs of a rotating tool. At least one cutting extension with a sharp leading edge extends from the body in an orientation about an axis of the shaft. Upon rotation of the blade by the rotating tool about the shaft in a direction in which the at least one cutting extension is oriented, the at least one cutting extension will break an endplate of a vertebra and hook into the vertebra.

Abstract: An apparatus for provisionally locking a polyaxial head on a fixed head of a bone screw using a locking bushing includes an elongated housing with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having couplers for releasably coupling with the polyaxial head; an inner shaft slidably engaged within the housing and including a distal portion, a middle portion, and a proximal portion; and an actuator that selectively positions the inner shaft within the housing to engage at least one of the distal portion, the middle portion, and the proximal portion with at least one of the couplers and the bushing disposed between the distal portion and the fixed head of the bone screw.

Abstract: A spinal spacer assembly is provided. The spinal spacer assembly includes a spinal spacer having a wall configured to enclose a hollow interior, wherein the wall is further configured to have a top portion and a bottom portion. The top and bottom portions are configured to include a plurality of protrusions configured to protrude away from the top and bottom portions. The wall is further configured to have a variable degree curvature and include a plurality of grooves and an opening.

Abstract: A stand-alone interbody fixation system having a cage, anterior fixation blade and posterior fixation blade. The cage includes an annular side wall with an open interior and upper and lower surfaces, the cage being configured to fit between end plates of adjacent vertebrae. The anterior fixation blade includes an anterior alignment boss with two opposing outward extending anterior blades with end plate penetrating tips configured to fit within the open interior of the cage. The posterior fixation blade includes a posterior alignment boss with two opposing outward extending posterior blades with end plate penetrating tips configured to fit within the open interior of the cage.

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: Expandable support devices for tissue repair are disclosed. The devices can be used to repair hard or soft tissue, such as bone or vertebral discs. A method of repairing tissue is also disclosed. Surgical devices and methods for adjusting (e.g., removing, repositioning, resizing) deployed orthopedic expandable support devices are also disclosed. The expandable support devices can be engaged and surgically implanted by an engagement device and affixed to bone to provide stability and support for the devices. The expandable support devices are attachable to spinal fixation devices such as screws or plates, and may be used to support such devices when placed in weakened or damaged areas of bone.

Abstract: An instrument for attachment and insertion of a screw assembly into a surgical site includes a housing, an attachment shaft, and a drive shaft. The housing including a movable hub. The attachment shaft includes a proximal end for coupling to the housing and a distal end with a flexible portion for selectively attaching to a receiver of the screw assembly. The drive shaft within the attachment shaft includes a proximal end for selectively engaging the hub and a distal end with a driving feature for driving a head of the screw assembly.

Abstract: An instrument for compression and distraction of a vertebral segment and reducing a surgical rod includes a first arm, a second arm, a coupler, and a reducer. The first arm includes a first aperture for receiving a first screw extender that attaches to a first vertebra. The second arm pivotably couples to the first arm and includes a second aperture for receiving a second screw extender that attaches to a second vertebra. The coupler links the first arm to the second arm to position the first arm relative to the second arm for compression and distraction of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra. The reducer is received within the second aperture for reducing a surgical rod within the second screw extender.

Abstract: A system for surgically coupling the spinous processes includes a first plate, a second plate, a pair of semi-rigid guide members, and a coupler. The first plate engages with a first lateral side of the spinous processes. The pair of semi-rigid guide members attaches to the first plate for inserting the first plate between the spinous processes. The second plate includes a pair of apertures that slide over the pair of semi-rigid guide members engage a second lateral side of the spinous processes. The coupler couples the first plate and the second plate together.