Abstract: An expandable screw includes generally a shaft, a head, and a cut pattern. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis, an outer surface including a thread to engage bone, and an expandable region configurable between a first state with a first radius measured from the longitudinal axis to the outer surface and a second state having a second radius measured from the longitudinal axis to the outer surface. The head coupled with the shaft at a neck is configured to receive a driving instrument to insert and drive the shaft into the bone when the expandable region is in the first state. The cut pattern on the shaft permits at least partial nesting of a first portion of the expandable region within a second portion of the expandable region in the second state.

Abstract: An interbody fusion implant system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a base member, a first guide, a second guide, and a closure member with a first thru-bore and a second thru-bore. The base member includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and an end wall to define an open trailing end and an interior bounded by the side walls and the end wall. Each guide includes length and has a first portion attached to the proximal end of the first side wall and a second portion extending freely away from the first portion. The closure member includes a first thru-bore configured to be received by the first guide to align the closure member with the first side wall and a second thru-bore configured to be received by the second guide to align the closure member with the second side wall.

Abstract: A surgical implant insertion system for deployment and removal of an implant into a vertebral body. The system includes an actuation rod, an actuator handle coupled to the actuation rod, and an inserter locking tube disposed over the actuation rod and coupled to an inserter handle. Upon insertion of the implant into the vertebral body using the inserter handle, the actuator handle is turned causing the actuation rod to expand or compress the implant disposed at a distal end of the inserter locking tube.

Abstract: A spine screw assembly is adapted to be loaded from a bottom of a receiver member. The spine screw assembly includes a bone fastener with a head having a groove that removably accepts a clip. The clip acts to retain the head of the bone fastener in the receiver member.

Abstract: An interbody spacer system for insertion between a first vertebra and a second vertebra according to the principles of the present disclosure includes and interbody spacer and a first curved blade. The interbody spacer includes an outer wall and a first surface for engaging an endplate of the first vertebra and a second surface for engaging an endplate of the second vertebra. A first entry aperture in the outer wall and a first exit aperture on the first surface communicate with a first curved path extending therebetween. The first curved blade enters the first entry aperture and exits through the first exit aperture to secure the spacer to the first vertebra.

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 hook for attaching a surgical rod to a vertebra includes a rod-receiving portion, a base portion, and a tip portion. The rod-receiving portion includes a pair of side walls that form a channel for receiving the surgical rod. The base portion extends distally from the rod-receiving portion and includes a first flow path extending therethrough. The tip portion extends away from the rod-receiving portion to form a hook portion for attaching to the vertebrae. In other features, the hook includes a second flow path extending through the tip portion.

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: A lumbar plate assembly for use between at least two vertebral bodies is disclosed. The assembly includes a lumbar plate having at least one opening for each vertebral body, a screw configured to secure the lumbar plate to a vertebra through the at least one opening, and a rotatable locking mechanism proximate the least one opening configured to rotate from a first configuration to a second configuration, the first configuration allowing the screw to pass into the opening and the second configuration engaging the screw to prevent withdrawal of the screw from the opening.

Abstract: A conical interspinous apparatus includes a distractor comprising an insertion portion and a central engagement groove, the insertion portion having a conical shape which tapers to a tip and is adapted to enable passage of the distractor between two spinous processes of vertebrae, and the central engagement groove is adapted to secure the distractor between the two spinous processes such that the two spinous processes rest in the central engagement groove. The conical interspinous apparatus includes a stabilizer which is adapted to be deployed from within the distractor to secure the two spinous processes within the central engagement groove and an insertion driver detachably coupled to a rear portion of the distractor. A guide wire, having a pointed tip, aids in the insertion of the distractor between the two spinous processes and is configured to guide the insertion of the distractor.

Abstract: A bone stabilizer assembly includes a fixation element, a coupling element, and a compression nut. The fixation element is adapted to engage a bone and having a head portion and shank portion. The coupling element has an internal bore sized to receive the shank portion of the fixation element and a pyramid-shaped seat for supporting the head portion of the fixation element. The coupling element is adapted to receive a stabilizer rod. The compression nut is engagable with the coupling element and is adapted to rotatingly move distally into the coupling element to translate a force to the head portion through the rod and the saddle such that the head portion is forced against the seat of the coupling element to prevent relative movement between the fixation element and the coupling element.

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 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: A surgical instrument for inserting an implant includes a first shaft having an axial bore and including a distal end configured to actuate a first feature of a spinal implant and a second shaft extending through the axial bore of the first shaft and including a distal end configured to actuate a second feature of the spinal implant. Rotation of the first shaft in a first direction actuates the first feature and causes rotation of the second shaft in a second direction to actuate the second feature.

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: An interbody spacer is provided. The spacer includes a housing having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of side portions disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion, a midline portion configured to be disposed across at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion of the housing, an opening disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion, and a grooved channel disposed in at least one of the plurality of side portions. The top and bottom portions are configured to include a plurality of projections configured to protrude away from the top and bottom portions.

Abstract: A curvilinear spinal access device having an expandable working portal. The device includes a slide having a channel with an open top and a movable top sized to cover the open top of the channel forming an expandable working portal with a proximal end and a distal end. The movable top can be moved between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the movable top blocks direct visualization between the proximal end and the distal end of the expandable working portal and in the open position movement of the movable top results in direct visualization from the proximal end to the distal end of the expandable working portal.

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: An apparatus for sterilizing a medical instrument in a container by applying thermal energy to the container includes a first base member coupled to the container and an elongated member with a first end that couples to the first base member and a second end extending into an interior portion of the medical instrument. The first base member transfers a portion of the thermal energy to the elongated member to heat the interior portion.

Abstract: An instrument for grasping and articulating a surgical implant includes a first arm having a distal end with a proximal-facing surface and a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm and having a distal end with a distal-facing surface. The proximal-facing surface and the distal-facing surface grasp the implant at a first angle in a first position and a second angle in a second position.