Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an improved apparatus and packaging system to more expeditiously hydrate or reconstitute medical grafts and to effectively and uniformly seed the medical grafts with biological components and cultured cells. The systems generally comprise a container comprising entry port, at least one substrate cavity, and top, side and bottom walls defining an inner surface. The entry port is configured to receive the biological solution. The cavity is in communication with the entry port and includes the porous substrate maintained under negative pressure. The container volume is substantially the same as a volume of the porous substrate. The side and bottom walls are configured to promote a laminar flow of the biological solution received through the entry port.

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 bone anchoring device includes a bone anchoring element provided with a head for receiving a threaded shaft on which a clamping means is to be screwed. A spherical articulation is provided between the bone anchoring element and the threaded shaft to provide the threaded shaft with multiple orientations, and a rotational linkage is also provided between the bone anchoring element and the threaded shaft.

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. The anterior alignment boss and posterior alignment boss being rotatably coupled to each other and with a first opening and a second opening in the annular side wall opposite the first opening.

Abstract: A limited angulation bone screw assembly adapted to couple a spinal rod with a vertebra including a bone screw, a bushing and a housing. The pedicle screw having a shaft and an upper head portion, the upper head portion comprising a spherical surface with flats disposed on opposite sides of the upper head portion. The bushing comprising a lower rounded surface for mating with the spherical surface and flats of the upper head portion to restrict the angular movement of the bone screw. The coupled bone screw and bushing are inserted into the housing in a first orientation and then rotated to a second orientation to secure the coupled bone screw and bushing to complete the housing.

Abstract: A surgical screwdriver having two drive modes of operation, an axial mode and a ratcheting mode. The screwdriver includes a handle having a base, a shaft rotatably coupled to the handle proximate the base, the shaft having one or more grooves along a length, an outer sleeve having a ratchet mechanism and an internal bore configured to receive the shaft, and a distal shaft having a proximal end coupled with the outer sleeve and a distal working end configured to couple with a screw. When the screwdriver is in the axial mode of operation, the shaft is moved in axial translation with the outer sleeve and the ratchet mechanism engages the grooves to rotate the working end. When the screwdriver is in the ratcheting mode of operation, the handle base is coupled to outer sleeve and rotation of the handle activates the ratchet mechanism to rotate the working end.

Abstract: A vertebral replacement implant includes two longitudinal elements slidably mounted with respect to each other, and locking elements. These locking elements include, on one of the longitudinal elements, an anchor surface, and on the other of the longitudinal elements, an anchor shoe guided in translation to take up a first position in which the elements slide freely with respect to each other, and a second position in which the anchor shoe cooperates with the anchor surface to lock the elements together, with a system converting a rotational movement into a translational movement transmitted to the anchor shoe.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to bone alignment rod connectors, and more particularly to traverse rod connectors. In one embodiment, the connector includes a housing having an opening configured to accommodate at least one rod, a setscrew assembly configured to secure the at least one rod when the at least one rod is placed in the opening. The setscrew assembly includes a setscrew and at least one circular/spherical object configured to interact with the setscrew when the setscrew is inserted in the housing. Upon insertion of the setscrew, the at least one spherical object is configured to laterally move towards the at least one rod to secure the at least one rod inside the housing.

Abstract: A retractor is disclosed. The retractor includes a housing, at least one blade holder slidably coupled to the housing, and an actuator handle to control sliding movement of the blade holder. The blade holder and the actuator handle hold at least one blade.

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 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 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 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: Apparatus and method of using a screw assembly. The screw assembly includes a pedicle screw having a head portion and a shaft portion adapted to be secured to a vertebrae, and a body having pivotally coupled side portions configured to pivot from a first configuration for receiving the head portion of the screw into the body to a second configuration for engaging the head portion of the screw in a locking arrangement with the body.

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: 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: Apparatus and method for an instrument for use in an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedure for distraction of adjacent vertebrae and insertion of a vertebral body replacement (VBR) implant. The instrument includes a hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end, an inserter shaft positioned within the body configured to removably engage a VBR implant near the distal end of the body, an actuatable handle coupled to the body, the handle being configured to engage the inserter shaft to advance the VBR implant in a distal direction during handle actuation, and a pair of opposed distraction arms removably coupled to the distal end of the body, the distraction arms having paddle tips configured to fit between adjacent vertebrae, the distraction arms being movable from a closed position to an open position during distal advancement of the VBR implant between the distraction arms.

Abstract: Apparatus and method if using a modular spinal implant system for use between adjacent vertebrae near vascular anatomy. The system includes an implant configured the fit between adjacent vertebrae, the implant having annular side walls with upper and lower surfaces configured to enclose a hollow interior, and an attachment plate rotatably coupled to the implant and configured to rotate to variable orientations relative to the implant to avoid the vascular anatomy, the attachment plate having a superior portion that is narrower than an inferior portion, the attachment plate having at least one vertebra attachment hole configured for attaching to at least one adjacent vertebrae using one or more bone screws.

Abstract: A cage assembly adapted to be implanted in a spinal column for treating degenerative or ruptured discs and replacing damaged vertebral bodies. The assembly includes one or more rigid cages formed in an annular configuration and having opposed upper and lower perimeter surfaces, an annular side wall extending between said surfaces, a transverse inner wall extending across said cage, a plurality of raised ridges projecting outwardly from each of said perimeter surfaces for engaging the spinal column and securing the assembly therein. Apertures are provided in the side wall for use in positioning said cage in the spinal column and a pair of aligned openings extend axially through the cage for packing the cage with bone graft material. At least one spacing element having the same annular configuration as the cages can be provided to effect the stacked attachment of one cage with another in rigid axial alignment.

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 a mating feature in the surgical screw implant.