Abstract: A spinal alignment correction system (1) has a posted lumbar pedicle screw called a MAC Pin (10) which has an elongated shaft (11) and a rod coupler assembly (20) and a cannulated tower (40). The elongated shaft (11) has an inner pedicle screw portion (12) with pedicle threads (12A), an outer second thread portion (14) with second threads (14A) and a transition or intermediate portion (16) disposed between the pedicle screw portion (12) and the second thread portion (14). The cannulated tower (40) when mounted over said elongated shaft (11) abuts said coupler (20) along an outer cam surface and further tightening rotation of the cannulated tower (40) causes outward movement of the elongated shaft (11). The system (1) allows for a controlled alignment correction of malaligned vertebral bodies using a number of methods used to correct a variety of indications.

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 method of accessing target tissue adjacent to a spinal nerve of a patient includes the steps of accessing a spine location of the patient by entering the patient through the skin at an access location, inserting a flexible tissue modification device through the access location to the spine location, advancing a distal portion of the first flexible tissue modification device from the spine location to a first exit location, passing through the first exit location and out of the patient, advancing the first or a second flexible tissue modification device through the same access location to the spine location and to a second exit location, and passing through the second exit location and out of the patient.

Abstract: A transverse crosslink device is presented. The transverse crosslink device has a connecting member, a first rod gripping assembly, and a second rod gripping assembly. The rod gripping assemblies can be pivotly connected to an end of the connecting member, such that the rod gripping assembly can selectively pivot in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connecting member. The rod gripping assemblies can also be configured to selectively grip a portion of a stabilizer rod.

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 method and system for percutaneous fusion to correct disc compression is presented. The method has several steps, for instance, inserting a percutaneous lumbar interbody implant; positioning guide wires for each facet screw to be implanted; performing facet arthrodesis in preparation for the facet screws; fixating the plurality of facet screws; and optionally performing foramen nerve root or central decompression. The system includes an implant, an elongate cannulated insertion tool, and an elongate lockshaft positioned within the insertion tool.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating target tissue in a patient's spine. In general, the methods include the steps of advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen using the wire; modifying target tissue in the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the target tissue; and delivering an agent to modified target tissue, wherein the agent is configured to inhibit blood flow from the modified target tissue. In some embodiments, the step of modifying target tissue comprises removing target tissue located ventral to the superior articular process while avoiding non-target tissue located lateral to the superior articular process.

Abstract: An orthopedic fastener (10) has a head (50) and a shank (20). The shank (20) extends from the head (50) to a distal tip (11). The shank (20) has a leading end (1) adjacent the distal tip (11) and a trailing end (3) adjacent the head (50). An intermediate transition (2) is positioned between the leading (1) and trailing ends (3). The leading end (1) has first threads (40) with one or more self-tapping cutting grooves (41) extending adjacent the distal tip (11) and through a plurality of the first threads (40). The trailing end (3) has a second thread (60) extending toward the head (50) from the intermediate transition (2). The intermediate transition (2) has one or more second cutting grooves (61) extending from at least a first thread (40) in the intermediate transition (2) through at least one of said second threads (60) to initiate tapping of the second threads (60) into cortical bone.

Abstract: An orthopedic fastener has a head and a shank. The shank has a leading end portion adjacent a distal tip and a trailing end portion adjacent a head. An intermediate portion is positioned between the leading and trailing end portions. At the intermediate portion, the shank increases in diameter. The leading end portion has a first thread which includes one or more self-tapping cutting grooves extending adjacent the distal tip and through a plurality of the first threads. The intermediate portion has second threads extending toward the head from the leading end portion. The second threads of the intermediate portion are larger in outer diameter than the first threads in the leading end portion. The intermediate portion has one or more cutting grooves traversing at each of a leading transition at the leading end portion and at a trailing transition.

Abstract: A spinal alignment correction system (1) has a posted lumbar pedicle screw called a MAC Pin (10) which has an elongated shaft (11) and a rod coupler assembly (20) and a cannulated tower (40). The elongated shaft (11) has an inner pedicle screw portion (12) with pedicle threads (12A), an outer second thread portion (14) with second threads (14A) and a transition or intermediate portion (16) disposed between the pedicle screw portion (12) and the second thread portion (14). The cannulated tower (40) when mounted over said elongated shaft (11) abuts said coupler (20) along an outer cam surface and further tightening rotation of the cannulated tower (40) causes outward movement of the elongated shaft (11). The system (1) allows for a controlled alignment correction of malaligned vertebral bodies using a number of methods used to correct a variety of indications.

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: 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: An expandable implant device (100, 300, 600) for insertion between two vertebrae (400) is disclosed. The device (100, 300, 600) has a center body (10) one or more lift bodies (20, 40) and an external retaining band (60). The external retaining band (60) holds the sides (22, 42) of the one or more lift bodies (20, 40). The center body (10) has ramp surfaces (11) having a plurality or sets of ramps (11) sloped for allowing upward movement of the one or more lift bodies (20, 40). The sides (22, 42) have complimentary ramp surfaces that fit onto the ramps (11) of the center body (10). The height of the device (100, 300, 600) is increased by upward movement or downward movement or both of the one or more lift bodies (20, 40) driven by the lengthwise movement of the center body (10).

Abstract: An orthopedic fastener has a head and a shank. The shank has a leading end portion adjacent a distal tip and a trailing end portion adjacent a head. An intermediate transition is positioned between the leading and trailing end portions. At the intermediate transition, the shank increases in diameter. The leading end portion has a first thread which optionally may include one or more self-tapping cutting grooves extending adjacent the distal tip and through a plurality of the first threads. The trailing end portion has second threads extending toward the head from the intermediate transition. The second threads of the trailing end portion are larger in outer diameter than the first threads in the leading end portion. The intermediate transition has one or more cutting grooves traversing the increasing diameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique way to provide a self-locking screw opening that has no separate parts. The self-locking feature (20) is formed in the wall (11) of the screw receiver opening (12) and automatically locks a screw (100) from backing out. During insertion of the screw (100) into bone, the screw head (110) passes one or more, preferably two nubs (20) or one or more projections (20) formed into the surface wall (11) of the receiver opening (12), and as the screw (100) is threaded into the bone, the screw head (110) contacts the nubs (20) or projection (20) and the screw (100) is deflected slightly in a direction opposite the nubs (20) or projection (20) allowing the screw head (110) to pass by the nubs (20) or projection (20) locking the screw (100) from backing out.

Abstract: A cervical fixation system and method for repairing odontoid fractures includes securing an anterior plate to caudal portion of C2 body below the odontoid neck. The anterior plate houses lag screw within a posterior shaft. A cannulated fixation device crosses the fracture site with fixation into the cephalad fragment. The lag screw can be pulled caudally into the plate with a compression screw to apply a compression force across the fracture site.

Abstract: A bone screw system is presented. The bone screw system has a fixation element, a receiving element, coupling element, and a compression element. In one aspect, the fixation element is adapted to engage a bone and has a head portion and a threaded shank portion.

Abstract: A tool kit for performing biologic vertebral reconstruction has a drilling tool including a drill bit for forming a cavity in a vertebra to be reconstructed, a biologically active jacket sized for insertion into the cavity, an artificial bone injector attachable to the biologically active jacket, and an artificial bone material injectable into the biologically active jacket by the artificial bone injector. The biologically active jacket is inserted into a cavity formed in a vertebra to be reconstructed. The artificial bone material is inserted into the biologically active jacket and allowed to set.

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: A bone screw system is presented. The bone screw system has a fixation element, a receiving element, coupling element, and a compression element. In one aspect, the system also has a pair of leg extensions extending upwardly therefrom the receiving element.