Abstract: A vertebral defect device, for insertion between a pair of adjacent lumbar or thoracic vertebrae, includes a frame comprised of a generally rigid first material for structural support strength and rapid fixation. The frame has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper and lower portions are partially convex, spaced from each other and joined together by distal and proximal supports. A housing is comprised of a second material for minimizing interference with imaging. The housing has a convexly tapered distal end and two generally parallel side walls spaced from each other and extending from the tapered distal end. The housing is coupled to the frame by cooperatively surrounding at least a portion of the frame and oriented such that the side walls are generally perpendicular to the upper and lower portions of the frame when assembled.

Abstract: A multi-blade curette tool for use in spinal surgery. The curette tool includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A handle is disposed at the first end. A curette head is disposed at the second end. The curette head is generally tapered toward the first end and the second end. The curette head includes a convexly-shaped and generally tapered nose portion, a base portion, and a plurality of blades. Each blade extends between the base portion and the nose portion, and each of the plurality of blades is provided with at least one cutting element. A drive stem connects the handle and the curette head. At least one cutting element of each blade is adapted to remove spinal disk material upon rotation of the curette tool in at least one direction.

Abstract: A working channel for separating paraspinal muscles and minimizing muscle trauma during spinal surgery includes a flared upper section having a distal end, a proximal end and an interior lumen traversing through the flared upper section. The proximal end of the flared upper section having a larger cross-sectional area than the distal end of the flared upper section. A lower elongate body section extends fixedly from the distal end of the flared upper section. The lower elongate body section has a distal end for inserting into a patient, a proximal end connected to the flared upper section and an interior lumen traversing through the lower section. The flared upper section and the lower elongate body section each have an inner surface and an outer surface. A thickness between the inner and outer surfaces of the lower elongate body section is the same at each point along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An insertion tool for a vertebral defect device having upper and lower openings includes a first finger sized and shaped to cooperatively engage the upper opening. A second finger is sized and shaped to cooperatively engage the lower opening. An outer surface of each finger is shaped to match a contoured shape of the vertebral defect device proximate to the respective finger to allow a smooth insertion of the vertebral defect device between a pair of adjacent vertebrae. A driving member is sized and shaped to engage a body of the vertebral defect device, such that during insertion the driving member is driven to push the vertebral defect device between the pair of adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A vertebral defect device for insertion into an intervertebral space between a pair of adjacent vertebrae and for assisting in fusion between the adjacent vertebrae includes a rigid body having an distal end, a proximal end, a top, a bottom and a pair of lateral sides. The distal end is tapered in a general direction that extends between the top and the bottom of the body in order to facilitate insertion of the body into the intervertebral space. At least a first arch is proximate the top of the body and extends from the proximal end of the body toward the distal end of the body. The first arch is spaced from both lateral sides of the body. At least a second arch is proximate the bottom of the body and extends from the proximal end toward the distal end. The second arch is spaced from both lateral sides and is generally laterally aligned with the first arch for providing a rigid, generally vertical support.

Abstract: A cervical fixation device, for insertion between a pair of adjacent cervical vertebrae, includes a frame comprised of a first material. The frame has a generally rectangular proximal end and a generally rectangular distal end. The distal end is connected to the proximal end by at least one upper arch and at least one lower arch. The upper and lower arches are spaced apart from each other. The frame has a generally hollow interior, substantially open lateral sides between the upper and lower arches and a substantially open proximal end.

Abstract: A method of using an intervertebral disk prosthesis includes the step of ensuring that the intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae of a patient is substantially free of nuclear matter. The method also includes the step of inserting a distal end of the disk prosthesis into a gap between the first and second vertebrae. The disk prosthesis includes a first part with a convexly-shaped and rounded outer surface and an inner surface having a concavely-shaped socket. The disk prosthesis also includes a second part that has a convexly-shaped and rounded outer surface and an inner surface that has a convexly-shaped portion that at least partially engages with the socket thereby allowing at least two-degrees of freedom of movement of the first part with respect to the second part. The method further includes the step of permitting the top of the first part to contact the first vertebra and the bottom of the second part to contact the second vertebra.

Abstract: An insertion tool for a vertebral defect device having upper and lower openings includes a first finger sized and shaped to cooperatively engage the upper opening. A second finger is sized and shaped to cooperatively engage the lower opening. An outer surface of each finger is shaped to match a contoured shape of the vertebral defect device proximate to the respective finger to allow a smooth insertion of the vertebral defect device between a pair of adjacent vertebrae. A driving member is sized and shaped to engage a body of the vertebral defect device, such that during insertion the driving member is driven to push the vertebral defect device between the pair of adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A diskectomy instrument includes a blade housing assembly having a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The second portion is fixedly attached to a probe body, and the first portion is releasably connectable to the second portion. At least one blade opening is provided, and at least one blade is movably mounted at least partially within the blade housing for movement through the at least one blade opening between an extended position and a retracted position. A drive stem is movably mounted for linear movement within the probe body and is operatively connected to an actuator. The drive stem engages the at least one blade to move the blade between the extended position and the retracted position. A removal tool is provided to permit the first housing portion to be removed from the second housing portion.

Abstract: A working channel for separating paraspinal muscles and minimizing muscle trauma during spinal surgery includes a flared upper section having a distal end, a proximal end and an interior lumen traversing through the flared upper section. The proximal end of the flared upper section having a larger cross-sectional area than the distal end of the flared upper section. A lower elongate body section extends fixedly from the distal end of the flared upper section. The lower elongate body section has a distal end for inserting into a patient, a proximal end connected to the flared upper section and an interior lumen traversing through the lower section. The flared upper section and the lower elongate body section each have an inner surface and an outer surface. A thickness between the inner and outer surfaces of the lower elongate body section is the same at each point along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A vertebral defect device includes a housing having a convexly tapered distal end, a convexly tapered proximal end, a top, a bottom, an anterior side, a posterior side and an outer surface having generally rounded edges thereby facilitating insertion into an intervertebral space between a pair of adjacent vertebrae. The length of the housing as measured from the distal end to the proximal end is greater than the width of the housing as measured between the anterior and posterior sides and is greater than the height of the housing as measured between the top and bottom.

Abstract: A working channel for spinal surgery includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end and an interior lumen traversing through the elongate body. The elongate body generally has a parallelogram-shaped cross-section. Another working channel for spinal surgery includes a flared upper section having a distal end, a proximal end and an interior lumen traversing through the flared upper section. The proximal end of the flared upper section is wider than the distal end of the flared upper section. The working channel also includes a lower section extending from the distal end of the flared upper section. The lower section has a distal end, a proximal end and an interior lumen traversing through the lower section. The lower section generally has a parallelogram-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A vertebral defect device for insertion into an intervertebral space between a pair of adjacent vertebrae and for assisting in fusion between the adjacent vertebrae includes a rigid body having an distal end, a proximal end, a top, a bottom and a pair of lateral sides. The distal end is tapered in a general direction that extends between the top and the bottom of the body in order to facilitate insertion of the body into the intervertebral space. At least a first arch is proximate the top of the body and extends from the proximal end of the body toward the distal end of the body. The first arch is spaced from both lateral sides of the body. At least a second arch is proximate the bottom of the body and extends from the proximal end toward the distal end. The second arch is spaced from both lateral sides and is generally laterally aligned with the first arch for providing a rigid, generally vertical support.

Abstract: A vertebral defect device, for insertion between a pair of adjacent lumbar or thoracic vertebrae, includes a frame comprised of a generally rigid first material for structural support strength and rapid fixation. The frame has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper and lower portions are partially convex, spaced from each other and joined together by distal and proximal supports. A housing is comprised of a second material for minimizing interference with imaging. The housing has a convexly tapered distal end and two generally parallel side walls spaced from each other and extending from the tapered distal end. The housing is coupled to the frame by cooperatively surrounding at least a portion of the frame and oriented such that the side walls are generally perpendicular to the upper and lower portions of the frame when assembled.

Abstract: A cervical fixation device, for insertion between a pair of adjacent cervical vertebrae, includes a frame comprised of a first material. The frame has a generally rectangular proximal end and a generally rectangular distal end. The distal end is connected to the proximal end by at least one upper arch and at least one lower arch. The upper and lower arches are spaced apart from each other. The frame has a generally hollow interior, substantially open lateral sides between the upper and lower arches and a substantially open proximal end.