Abstract: The present disclosure relates to expandable interbodies that include superior and inferior shells and a control assembly positioned between and inside of the shells, the control assembly including nested cages operably connected to each other with an adjustment screw. Rotation of the adjustment screw translates the cages relative to each other, which in turn causes the shells to open or expand.

Abstract: An implant insertion instrument, and an implant are provided. The instrument includes a handle, a sleeve mounted to a distal end of the handle, and an implant rod disposed within the sleeve. The implant rod includes a gripper disposed on a distal end of the implant rod. The gripper has a first prong spaced apart from a second prong, the second prong being longer than the first prong. The implant includes an implant body, the implant body having a convex surface opposite a concave surface wherein an outer surface of the implant is continuous so as to prevent bone growth within the implant. Accordingly, the instrument facilitates the engagement of the implant by a simple push of the sleeve. Further, the implant has a continuous surface so as to inhibit bone growth and facilitate removal of the implant from the surgical site.

Abstract: A tool for delivery and/or compaction of bone graft material includes a cannula with an inner lumen extending along a longitudinal axis from a hopper end of the cannula to a delivery tip of the cannula. A hopper with an internal volume for storing bone graft material is connected to the hopper end of the cannula with the internal volume of the hopper in communication with the inner lumen of the cannula for delivery of bone graft material from the hopper to the delivery tip of the cannula. An output shaft within the inner lumen extends along the longitudinal axis. The output shaft includes a helical screw thread extending radially outward from the output shaft toward an inner surface of the cannula. An actuator is connected to the hopper and to the output shaft to drive the output shaft rotationally relative to the hopper and to the cannula.

Abstract: A surgical screw configured to expand and prevent or minimize bone growth inside of the surgical screw is provided. Accordingly, the surgical screw is configured to increase the purchase of the surgical screw with respect to the bone, but also to be withdrawn from the bone without damaging the bone as a result of bone ingrowth. The surgical screw includes a center post with an inner bore and an outer sleeve concentric to the center post. An outer surface of the outer sleeve includes a thread to engage bone. The outer sleeve includes a cut pattern defining an expandable region configurable between a first state with a first radius measured from a longitudinal axis of the surgical screw to the outer surface and a second state having a second radius measured from the longitudinal axis to the outer surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are surgical retractors and methods of using such surgical retractors where the surgical retractors include a base portion and two retractor blades. The base portion has (a) two extensions, each extension having a receiving area, and (b) and one or more engagement portions. Each retractor blade includes both a blade portion with proximal and distal ends and an arm portion extending from the proximal end of the blade portion. Each arm portion is received by a respective receiving area.

Abstract: A tool for delivery and/or compaction of bone graft material includes a cannula with an inner lumen extending along a longitudinal axis from a hopper end of the cannula to a delivery tip of the cannula. A hopper with an internal volume for storing bone graft material is connected to the hopper end of the cannula with the internal volume of the hopper in communication with the inner lumen of the cannula for delivery of bone graft material from the hopper to the delivery tip of the cannula. An output shaft within the inner lumen extends along the longitudinal axis. The output shaft includes a helical screw thread extending radially outward from the output shaft toward an inner surface of the cannula. An actuator is connected to the hopper and to the output shaft to drive the output shaft rotationally relative to the hopper and to the cannula.

Abstract: A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a body member with upright arms defining a channel for receiving a fixation rod, an axial bore having a bottom opening, a lower interior surface disposed about the bottom opening, and a downwardly facing recessed surface above the lower interior surface. The assembly also includes a shank comprising a partial spherical head positionable into the axial bore and an anchor portion for attachment to the bone. The assembly further includes a bushing insertable into the axial bore having an outer surface configured to resiliently snap under the downwardly facing surface so as to inhibit the bushing from moving upward in the axial bore, and a lower surface configured for biased engagement with the partial spherical head of the bone anchor, with the biased engagement providing a pre-lock press fitment about the partial spherical head so that the bone anchor and body member do not move freely with respect to each other prior to insert and securement of the fixation rod.

Abstract: A system for interchangeable retractor blades includes a shell, a first retractor blade, and a second retractor blade. The shell includes a rigid proximal end configured to attach to a surgical retractor and an opening, a distal closed end, and a pliable portion including a pocket in communication with the opening and extending along a length of the shell to the distal closed end. The first retractor blade includes a first geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shell in a first configuration. The second retractor blade includes a second geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shell in a second configuration.

Abstract: An instrument with an implant holder disposed between a pair of tongs is provided. The implant holder may include a sleeve mechanically coupled to a distal end of a drive shaft and a pair of arms pivotably disposed within the sleeve. Movement of the sleeve in the distal direction pivots the pair of arms towards each other to grip the implant and movement of the sleeve in the proximal direction pivots the arms away from each other to automatically release the implant from the implant holder. The instrument may also include a dual mode drive shaft advancement mechanism that allows the implant holder to be advanced via an impact on the drive shaft from a tool such as a hammer or by rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A spinal screw assembly includes a bone screw having a head with a rounded outer surface and an anchor portion for fixation to the bone. The assembly also includes a body member defining an internal cavity communicating with a bottom surface of the body member through a lower opening, with an interior surface adjacent the lower opening configured to engage the rounded outer surface of the head of the screw, and an upper portion defining a channel for receiving a fixation rod. The screw head is configured for uploading into the cavity of the body member through the bottom opening until the rounded outer surface enters into pivotal engagement with the interior surface of the internal cavity, with the screw extending downwardly through the lower opening, so as to allow for variable angular movement of the bone screw relative to the body member prior to locking the spinal screw assembly with a closure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are retractor blade devices, such as blade extenders and tissue shims, as well as drivers and kits for utilizing such retractor blade devices. Exemplary retractor blade devices include a retractor blade engagement portion having a body portion configured to sit at least partially in a channel of a retractor blade. The body portion has a first retention component extending therefrom. Exemplary retractor blade devices also include an extension portion extending from the body portion of the retractor blade engagement portion.

Abstract: A system for interchangeable retractor blades includes a shell, a first retractor blade, and a second retractor blade. The shell includes a rigid proximal end configured to attach to a surgical retractor and an opening, a distal closed end, and a pliable portion including a pocket in communication with the opening and extending along a length of the shell to the distal closed end. The first retractor blade includes a first geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shell in a first configuration. The second retractor blade includes a second geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shell in a second configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are occipital plates that include a fixation plate portion and at least two extensions integrally connected to the fixation plate portion and extending away from the fixation plate portion. The fixation plate portion has a plurality of through-holes for receiving bone screws that secure the occipital plate to a patient's skull or, specifically, the occiput. Each extension includes a slot for removably receiving a rod connector or a rod-to-rod connector, the slots having an entry area or portion for receiving a connector and a holding area or portion for maintaining the connector in the slot.

Abstract: A surgical system may include a conductive stylet with a distal end advanceable into bone material and a proximal end coupled to a stylet hub. A handle is non-removably attached to the stylet hub, and removably attachable to an insulative cannula hub. The cannula hub is non-removably attached to a conductive cannula that surrounds the stylet when the handle is attached to the proximal end of the insulative cannula hub. An outer insulative sheath is slideably engaged to insulative cannula hub, and has a radiopaque distal tip. An electrical signal source may be applied to the stylet hub to conduct a pedicle integrity assessment. The handle and stylet may be removed from the cannula assembly, leaving the cannula assembly in place at the surgical site.

Abstract: A fastener retention system for retaining fasteners within apertures of an orthopedic plate includes a first pocket disposed between two of the apertures in the plate, a blocking member disposed between the two apertures and including a second pocket that forms a cavity with the first pocket, and a spring that expands from a compressed configuration within the first pocket to a decompressed configuration within the cavity.

Abstract: A system and a bone fixation plate for preventing a fastener from rotating so as to prevent the fastener from backing out is provided. The system includes a plate having an opening. A retention member having an arm extending into the opening is configured to engage the head of the fastener so as to prevent the fastener from rotating after the fastener is seated within a vertebral body or implant. In one embodiment, the retention member engages a top surface of the head of the fastener. In another embodiment, the retention member engages a side wall of the head of the fastener.

Abstract: A tissue retractor device within the scope of the present invention generally includes a frame, an actuating mechanism, and a plurality of blades. The actuating mechanism generally includes at least one cam that encourages automatic toe-out of the blades. The tissue retractor eliminates the need for bulky secondary blade mechanisms to prevent undesired blade deformation at the surgical site. The toe-out motion occurs simultaneously along with the opening of the blades. The present invention further provides for depth adjustment of the blades by means of an adjustable screw assembly.

Abstract: A system and a bone fixation plate for preventing a fastener from rotating so as to prevent the fastener from backing out is provided. The system includes a plate having an opening. A retention member having an arm extending into the opening is configured to engage the head of the fastener so as to prevent the fastener from rotating after the fastener is seated within a vertebral body or implant. In one embodiment, the retention member engages a top surface of the head of the fastener. In another embodiment, the retention member engages a side wall of the head of the fastener.

Abstract: A spinal screw assembly providing an adjustable securement of a fixation rod across at least two vertebrae. The assembly includes a pedicle screw having a spherical head portion, a threaded shaft portion and a tool engagement surface in the head portion for use in driving the screw into a vertebrae. The head portion of the screw is positioned in a body member adjacent a curvilinear surface disposed about an aperture in the end of the body member such that the shaft portion of the screw extends therethrough and the curvilinear inner surface abuts and mates with the head portion of the screw so as to define a ball joint therewith. The body member additionally defines a pair of opposed parallel slots therein adapted to receive a portion of the fixation rod and a locking cap bears against the fixation rod to releasably secure the rod within the assembly.

Abstract: A tissue retractor device within the scope of the present invention generally includes a frame, an actuating mechanism, and a plurality of blades. The actuating mechanism generally includes at least one cam that encourages automatic toe-out of the blades. The tissue retractor eliminates the need for bulky secondary blade mechanisms to prevent undesired blade deformation at the surgical site. The toe-out motion occurs simultaneously along with the opening of the blades. The present invention further provides for depth adjustment of the blades by means of an adjustable screw assembly.