Abstract: A modular head-to-head cross connector or construct extension system comprising a fastener element driven into a bone in a first orientation, a first U-shaped body operable to receive the fastener element and operable to receive a first rod in a first rod receiving channel, and a first compression element driven adjacent to and against the first rod in the first rod receiving channel, thereby engaging the first rod against the fastener element in a second orientation independent of the first orientation of the fastener element. The system further comprises a second U-shaped body operable to receive first compression element and operable to receive a second rod in a second rod receiving channel, and a second compression element driven adjacent to and against the second rod in the second rod receiving channel, thereby engaging the second rod against the first compression element in a third orientation independent of the second orientation.

Abstract: An expandable implant device (100) for insertion between two vertebrae (400) is disclosed. The device (100) has an upper body (20), a lower body (40) and an external retainer band (60). The external retainer band (60) holds the upper body (20) and lower body (40) and has an inner surface having a plurality or set of upper ratchet teeth (80U) sloped for allowing upward movement and a plurality or set of lower ratchet teeth (80L) for allowing downward movement. The ratchet teeth (80) of the upper body (20) are mated or fitted to the upper teeth (80) of the retainer band (60) and the ratchet teeth (82) of the lower body (40) are mated or fitted to the lower ratchet teeth (82) of the retainer band (60). The height of the device (100) is increased by upward movement of the upper body (20) and downward movement of the lower body (40).

Abstract: An improved joint fusion screw for transiliac fixation has a screw head and extending therefrom an elongate hollow shaft. The hollow shaft has an externally threaded end portion extending to a tip end and a non-externally threaded shank portion having a plurality of window openings. At or near the tip end is a start of a thread with a bone cutting flute. The bone cutting flute has a cutting edge on a circumferential exterior of the threaded tip to cut bone and directs the cut bone internally into a bone receiving opening in the hollow shaft directly in front of the cutting flute. The cutting edge lies at the start of the thread extending radially above the bone receiving opening at least partially overhanging the opening configured to cut bone.

Abstract: A lateral plate assembly has an elongated lateral plate for attachment to adjacent vertebrae having a first end portion and a second end portion and a pair of apertures for receiving a first and a second bone screw. The pair of apertures includes a first aperture which is an opening positioned in the first end portion for receiving the first bone screw and a second aperture which is a slotted opening to receive the second bone screw. The second end portion of the lateral plate has an open end with channelled internal sides for receiving and holding a moveable washer on top of the slotted opening. The washer is configured to move along a length of the slotted aperture. The moveable washer has an opening for holding a head of the second bone screw. Movement of the washer relative to the slotted opening increases or decreases the distance between locations of the respective screw heads.

Abstract: A device and method for biologic vertebral reconstruction utilizes a biologically active jacket inserted into a cavity formed in a vertebra to be reconstructed. An artificial bone material is inserted into the biologically active jacket and allowed to set. The structure and method described herein provide for effective biologic vertebral reconstruction. The use of a biological material and artificial bone enables the host bone to replace the artificial bone over a period of time. Additionally, the structure of the biologically active jacket minimizes any impact into the spinal canal and the paravertebral spaces. Moreover, because of its biomechanical characteristics, which approximate the host bone, there is relative protection of the neighboring vertebra against fracture. Still further, the materials of the biologically active jacket may be impregnated with various substances to achieve various advantageous tasks.

Abstract: An improved artificial disc has a superior and inferior member. The superior member has an upper body portion and a flange portion for positioning and attachment to an upper vertebral body. The inferior member has a lower body portion and a flange portion for positioning and attachment to a lower vertebral body. The upper body portion and the lower body portions, when positioned in a disc space between the upper and lower vertebral bodies and affixed to a respective vertebral body at the flange portion, are independently movable relative to the other along complimentary bearing surfaces on each of the superior and inferior members. The complimentary bearing surfaces are self-aligned by a magnetic attraction force generated by at least one first permanent magnet in either the inferior or superior member.

Abstract: A Pedicle Drill Guide is a radiolucent device which allows preliminary positioning of a needle/trochar near the pedicle in the AP view and adjusting the final position of the lateral view without changing the initial position of the AP position. This guide allows simultaneous alignment of both AP and Lateral views for ultimate ideal or perfect pathway for the pedicle cannulization.

Abstract: A modular head pedicle screw assembly has a bone screw, a tulip, a locking split ring and a saddle. The locking split ring is internal of the tulip positioned in a recess of an inner surface of the tulip. The saddle has a proximal end for engaging a rod and a distal end for receiving the bone screw. The saddle has an exterior surface positioned between the ends. The outer surface is sized to move axially inside the tulip. The saddle expands the locking split ring in an initial pre-loaded position and upon insertion of the tulip over the bone screw, the saddle moves proximally disengaging the locking split ring simultaneously causing the locking split ring to relax to an unexpanded condition while providing tactile and audible feedback to the surgeon and locking the bone screw into the tulip.

Abstract: An interbody distractor and geometry trial instrument to measure a height and an angle for an associated implant includes a height handle and an expansion head coupled to the height handle that is adapted to be positioned in a vertebral body. A wedge sleeve is coupled to the expansion head, to control an angle of a first surface plate and a second surface plate of the expansion head when the wedge sleeve interacts with the expansion head. A wedge sleeve knob is adapted to drive the wedge sleeve linearly towards the vertebral body when the wedge sleeve knob is actuated. A height of the expansion head and an angle of the first and the second surface plate are measured to determine the height and the angle of the associated implant when the height handle and the wedge sleeve knob are actuated.

Abstract: A retractor device has a first arm rotatable arcuately about a first pivot; a second arm rotatable arcuately about a second pivot; and a third arm interposed between the first and second arm. The third arm has a linearly movable blade holding end translatable inwardly and outwardly between the first and second arms. The third arm is connected to the first arm at the first pivot and the second arm at the second pivot. The first arm and said second arm are rotatably movable about their respective pivot independent of the other arm.

Abstract: A dilator delivered nerve shield assembly is presented. The dilator delivered nerve shield assembly has an elongate dilator shaft with a distal end and a proximal end. The dilator delivered nerve shield assembly also has an elongate nerve shield that is configured for simultaneous insertion with the elongate dilator shaft.

Abstract: A device for creating endoscopic operating space includes an external cannula, an internal cannula disposed in the external cannula, and an expandable retractor disposed at a distal end of the device and cooperable with the external cannula and the internal cannula. The expandable retractor is displaceable between an unexpanded position and an expanded position. An actuator is cooperable with the expandable retractor to displace the expandable retractor between the unexpanded position and the expanded position.

Abstract: An expandable implant device (100) for insertion between two vertebrae (400) is disclosed. The device (100) has an upper body (20), a lower body (40) and an external retainer band (60). The external retainer band (60) holds the upper body (20) and lower body (40) and has an inner surface having a plurality or set of upper ratchet teeth (80U) sloped for allowing upward movement and a plurality or set of lower ratchet teeth (80L) for allowing downward movement. The ratchet teeth (80) of the upper body (20) are mated or fitted to the upper teeth (80) of the retainer band (60) and the ratchet teeth (82) of the lower body (40) are mated or fitted to the lower ratchet teeth (82) of the retainer band (60). The height of the device (100) is increased by upward movement of the upper body (20) and downward movement of the lower body (40).

Abstract: An improved joint fusion screw for transiliac fixation has an elongate hollow shaft. The hollow shaft has an externally threaded end portion extending to a tip end and a non-externally threaded shank portion having openings. The tip end has at least two bone cutting flutes at the bottom of the shaft. Each bone cutting flute has a cutting edge on a circumferential exterior of the threaded tip to cut bone and direct the cut bone internally into the hollow shaft toward the shank.

Abstract: A tunneling device (10) for introduction into a body via a linearly extending guide (100) is formed as an elongated tunneling device (10) having an end portion (10E) bent to a predefined curvature. The elongated tunneling device (10) when confined in the linearly extending guide (100) is confined lengthwise in the guide (100). Upon movement of the tunneling device, advancing past the guide (100) into the body, the end portion (10E) of the tunneling device (10) returns to the predefined curvature without requiring any external physical resistance of load forces to initiate the bending.

Abstract: A device for removing tissue from a patient may include an elongate flexible body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the elongate body having opposed first and second major surfaces with a lateral orientation across the axis, and a plurality of blades distributed laterally across the first major surface. Each blade may have a first end adjacent the first surface and extending to a cantilevered second end, a first edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the distal end of the elongate body, a second edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the proximal end of the elongate body, a height of the blade between its first and second ends, and an axial length of the blade between its first and second edges.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for modifying tissue in a spine of a patient to treat or alleviate spinal stenosis. In one embodiment, a method may include: advancing at least a distal portion of an elongate tissue modification device into an epidural space and between target tissue and non-target tissue in the spine; positioning the tissue modification device so that at least one abrasive surface of the device faces target tissue and at least one non-abrasive surface faces non-target tissue; applying tensioning force at or near separate distal and proximal portions of the tissue modification device; and translating the tissue modification device back and forth while maintaining at least some tensioning force to abrade at least a portion of the target tissue with the at least one abrasive surface. Unwanted damage to the non-target tissue may be prevented via the at least one non-abrasive surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures, such as impinged lateral recesses and pathologically narrowed neural foramen. In some embodiments, a surgical tissue removal device includes a flexible elongate body that is adapted to conform with the target anatomy and a guidewire connector at the distal end region of the flexible elongate body configured to removably connect to the end of a guidewire so that the guidewire and flexible elongate body can be pulled distally. The body may have at least one blade edge, and the flexible elongate body may be a thin, flat, ribbon shaped flexible body that comprises a profile having a width that is substantially greater than a height.

Abstract: An instrument for selectively decorticating a bony surface is described. The instrument may have a decorticating implement having a truncated scoop on its medial face and an inclined blade disposed on its opposing lateral face. The blade edge may be coincident with the linear distal edge of the truncated scoop. Also described is a method for using such an instrument to selectively decorticate a bony surface in order to prepare it for service as a bone graft bed.

Abstract: A biologic artificial bone includes an artificial fiber material formed from a synthetic polymer with mechanical properties similar to type I collagen. A biocompatible liquid substance is impregnated in the fiber material that hardens and stiffens the fiber material. A bone substitute is impregnated in the hardened and stiffened fiber material forming an artificial bone composite. Vascular channels are formed in the artificial bone composite to facilitate in-growth of vessels and bone forming cells. The construction and methods achieve an artificial composite structure that is similar to natural bone with comparable properties.