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 bone plate that is inserted into a vertebral column includes a hole, an eccentrically-shaped annulus, and a channel. The hole includes an eccentrically-shaped sidewall and the annulus includes an aperture positioned on an upper surface of the annulus. The hole is configured to receive a bone screw. The channel is positioned adjacent to the sidewall and adapted to hold the annulus. The channel may permit the annulus to rotate with respect to the sidewall. The channel may include a notch and the annulus may include a flared end. The flared end may be adapted to fit into the notch of the channel. A portion of the annulus may be adapted to cover a portion of the bone screw. As the annulus rotates with respect to the sidewall, the portion of the annulus may cover the portion of the bone screw.

Abstract: A modular lateral expansion device to be inserted into an intervertebral space. The modular lateral expansion device includes a first member and a second member. The first end and the second end comprise a first extension and a second extension respectively. The first extension and second extension outwardly protrude from the first member in a same direction and are positioned at an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the first member. The second member comprises a first end and a second end. The first end comprises a plurality of outwardly extended arms and a first passage positioned between the plurality of outwardly extended arms. The first end of the second member is dimensioned and configured to couple to the first end of the first member. The second end comprises a second passage dimensioned and configured to accommodate the second extension of the first member.

Abstract: A cervical retractor includes a bi-folded body; a pair of primary pegs extending outward from the bi-folded body and in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bi-folded body; and a secondary peg extending outward from the bi-folded body in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction and substantially linear with the pair of primary pegs. The bi-folded body includes a middle panel and a pair of side flanking panels, and each flanking panel includes a tab extending from a bottom portion of the flanking panel; and a pair of slots flanking the tab. The pair of slots aligns with the pair of primary pegs when the side flanking panels fold onto the middle panel, and the slots permit the primary pegs to outwardly extend there through.

Abstract: A transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) implant to be placed in an intervertebral space includes a front member and a back member. The front member includes a first end having a hinge, a second end, a pair of lateral portions, a top wall and a bottom wall, an opening configured through the pair of lateral portions and a plurality of openings in each of the top wall and the bottom wall. The back member includes a first end having an arcuately-shaped attachment head comprising a receptor dimensioned and configured to accommodate the hinge of the front member, a second end, a pair of lateral portions, a top wall, a bottom wall and an opening configured through the pair of lateral portions. The top wall and the bottom wall of the back member further comprise a plurality of openings.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw connection assembly includes a first longitudinal member comprising a bored fastener channel and a first bulbous body; a second longitudinal member comprising a cylindrical body to fit within the fastener channel, and a second bulbous body; a fastener with a bored cylindrical channel, connected to the first longitudinal member and the cylindrical body and securely couples the first longitudinal member to the second longitudinal member; a first fixation component directly connected to the first bulbous body; a second fixation component directly connected to the second bulbous body; a first pin engaged within the first longitudinal member via a bored first channel and contacting the first bulbous body causing the first bulbous body to outwardly expand; and a second pin engaged within the second longitudinal member via a bored second channel and contacting the second bulbous body causing the second bulbous body to outwardly expand.

Abstract: A surgical tool for inserting an implant in a vertebral body. The surgical tool includes a shaft with a shaft thread adapted to engage the implant, a piston coupled to the shaft thread to articulate the implant from a starting linear position to a final curvilinear position, an actuator coupled to the piston to adjust a position of the implant, and an annular structure surrounding the shaft to increase a stability of an end part of the implant on an impact of insertion. A screw attached to the piston may lock the end part of the implant. A lock lever may lock the position of the piston in at least one position, and a knob may disengage the implant from the surgical tool.

Abstract: A method comprising attaching a screw head to a bone fixator component, wherein the screw head comprises a first portion comprising a slot and an inwardly curved bottom portion; and a second portion comprising an outwardly protruding and expandable bulbous end extending from the inwardly curved bottom portion; and wherein the bone fixator component comprises a concave socket adapted to receive the screw head; securing the bone fixator component in a bone; securing a locking pin in the screw head; engaging the locking pin with the bone fixator component; inserting a longitudinal member in the screw head; and inserting a blocker in the screw head.

Abstract: A medical device includes an implant portion; an inserter portion detachably connected to the implant portion; and a device manipulation portion operatively connected to the inserter portion. In one embodiment, the implant portion includes a longitudinal member. The device may further include a breakaway component in between the implant portion and the inserter portion. The device may further include a notch configured between the implant portion and the inserter portion. The implant portion and the inserter portion are detachable upon applying a sufficient force to the device manipulation portion to cause detachment of the implant portion from the inserter portion. The detachment of the implant portion from the inserter portion occurs after the implant portion is seated in a construct assembly that is attached to a bone inside a patient.

Abstract: A cervical retractor includes a bi-folded body; a pair of primary pegs extending outward from the bi-folded body and in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bi-folded body; and a secondary peg extending outward from the bi-folded body in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction and substantially linear with the pair of primary pegs. The bi-folded body includes a middle panel and a pair of side flanking panels, and each flanking panel includes a tab extending from a bottom portion of the flanking panel; and a pair of slots flanking the tab. The pair of slots aligns with the pair of primary pegs when the side flanking panels fold onto the middle panel, and the slots permit the primary pegs to outwardly extend there through.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a load sharing mechanism in between a screw head and a bone fixator component; attaching the screw head to the bone fixator component such that the load sharing mechanism provides tensile resistance to the screw head; securing the bone fixator component in a bone; securing a locking pin in the screw head; engaging the locking pin with the bone fixator component; inserting a longitudinal member in the screw head; and inserting a blocker in the screw head. The method may further comprise positioning a longitudinal member in a slot configured in the screw head.

Abstract: A surgical implant insertion device including an inner shaft; shaft threading coupled to the inner shaft; a rotating knob including a channel bored therethrough and internal threading lining the channel, where the internal threading configured to mate with the shaft threading; an actuator including an actuator body and a translation cavity cut through the actuator body and an inner shaft cavity cut through the actuator body, where the inner shaft cavity wraps around the inner shaft; an outer sleeve covering the inner shaft and coupled to the rotating knob; and a base connector wrapping around the outer sleeve, the base connector comprising a pair of connecting arms configured to loosely mate with the translation cavity of the actuator and pivoting and translating the actuator in response to a linear force.

Abstract: A facet screw system and method includes an implant assembly having a screw with a removable head, a locking nut, and a collet. An insertion instrument is used to insert the screw, compress the facet joint, locks the implant, and breaks off the head of the screw providing a lower profile implant.

Abstract: A pivoting insertion apparatus and method includes a main body comprising a shaft including a longitudinal channel cavity and a forked end coupled to the shaft; an actuator seated within the channel cavity; a hinge joint including a hinge joint main body coupled to the main body and a pair of arms coupled to the hinge joint main body; an outer sleeve including an outer shell surrounding a cavity that loosely contains the main body, actuator, and a portion of the hinge joint; a member housing including a member housing body that includes a main cavity housing the longitudinal member and a pair of arms coupled to the member housing body; and a linkage component including a first end coupled to the forked end of the actuator and a second end coupled to at least one of the member housing arms.

Abstract: A percutaneous tube assembly is provided for performing minimally invasive surgery, the system comprising a percutaneous tube comprising a translucent main body; an external attachment fixture attached to the main body; an access channel longitudinally bored through the main body; an internal attachment channel longitudinally bored through the main body, wherein the internal attachment channel comprises a partially smooth inner surface adjacent to a partially rough inner surface; and an internal attachment, mating with the internal attachment channel.

Abstract: A pivoting insertion apparatus and method includes a main body comprising a shaft including a longitudinal channel cavity and a forked end coupled to the shaft; an actuator seated within the channel cavity; a hinge joint including a hinge joint main body coupled to the main body and a pair of arms coupled to the hinge joint main body; an outer sleeve including an outer shell surrounding a cavity that loosely contains the main body, actuator, and a portion of the hinge joint; a member housing including a member housing body that includes a main cavity housing the longitudinal member and a pair of arms coupled to the member housing body; and a linkage component including a first end coupled to the forked end of the actuator and a second end coupled to at least one of the member housing arms.

Abstract: A method includes a first member that connects to an intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. The first member includes a pair of curved side walls connected to each of a front wall, an upper curved wall, and a lower curved wall, wherein a length of a first curved side wall is less than a length of each of a second curved side wall, the upper curved wall, and the lower curved wall, and wherein an edge of the second curved side wall is offset from an edge of the front wall. A second member is slidably attached to the first member, and includes a top and bottom curved wall each connected to an inclined side wall and a guide wall, wherein the guide wall includes grooves, wherein the second curved side wall of the first member slides in the grooves of the guide wall.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plate and method includes a plurality of retaining slots comprising a first and second hole each adapted to permit bone retaining members to pass partially therethrough; and a platform separating the first hole from the second hole. The plate further comprises a pair of locking slides matingly adjacent to one another and adapted to rest on the platform and retain the bone retaining members in the plurality of retaining slots, wherein each the locking slide comprises a deflectable flange; and a lip positioned on an opposite side of the deflectable flange, wherein a first locking slide of the pair of locking slides is positioned in an opposite orientation relative to a second locking slide of the pair of locking slides. The deflectable flange of the first locking slide is aligned adjacent to the deflectable flange of the second locking slide.

Abstract: An orthopedic damper system and method to control the degree of flexion and/or extension motion of the mobile vertebral segment while providing additional stability to the spine. The damper system includes an anchor having a spring hitch, a spring coupled to the spring hitch, and a cap coupled to the spring. The anchor is adapted to connect to a spinous process. The spring includes an inner hollow area adapted to accommodate the spring hitch. The cap includes an opening connected to an inner cavity that is adapted to accommodate the spring and the spring hitch.

Abstract: A method includes loading a longitudinal member comprising holes located at distal ends of the longitudinal member into a holder, the holder comprising a tip end comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein any of the first portion and the second portion comprise a prong tip; a handle end located distally away from the tip end, wherein the handle end comprises a first gripping arm and a second gripping arm; and an engaging member operatively connecting the first gripping arm to the second gripping arm, wherein the engaging member comprises tooth-like features. The method further comprises engaging the tooth-like features of the engaging member with the second gripping arm; and fitting the prong tip of any of the first and second portions of the tip end of the holder into a hole of the longitudinal member.