Abstract: A cross-connector assembly construct and a method of locking comprises a flexible clip contacting a longitudinal member; a housing component contacting the flexible clip, wherein the housing component comprises a conical ramp towards a bottom end of the housing component; a locking mechanism contacting the housing component and adapted to engage the flexible clip; and a connecting member contacting the housing component. The flexible clip comprises a flexible bias member adapted to retain the longitudinal member. The flexible clip comprises a non-symmetrical socket portion; and a clip portion attached to the non-symmetrical socket portion, the clip portion being adapted to retain the longitudinal member. The locking mechanism comprises a camming pin adapted to be housed within the housing component and engage the flexible clip causing the longitudinal member to become affixed to the flexible clip; and a blocker mechanism operatively connected to the housing component and the connecting member.

Abstract: A tissue retraction apparatus comprising a first body including a first body lower surface with a plurality of tracks embedded therein; a second body coupled to the first body that allows rotational movement of the first body relative to the second body, the second body including a second body upper surface comprising a plurality of tracks embedded therein; and a plurality of dilation components axially spaced around a dynamic opening, each dilation component comprising an arm including a top and a bottom, where the arm is coupled to an arm track of the second body and allows translational movement of the arm along the arm track; a pin fixedly coupled to the top of the arm, wherein the pin is coupled to a track of the first body and allows translational movement of the pin along the track; and a leg fixedly coupled to the bottom of the arm.

Abstract: A mechanism for fixing a spinal support to vertebrae includes a support member and a pedicle screw component. The support member comprises an elongated end comprising a longitudinal axis. A hook connects to the elongated end and receives the vertebrae. The hook is angled in three different planes with respect to the longitudinal axis. A connector section connects the elongated end to the hook and is angled with respect to the elongated end and comprises a thickness less than a thickness of the elongated end. The pedicle screw component comprises a fixation component anchored in the vertebrae. The fixation component comprises a socket; a screw head comprising a bulbous end that fits into the socket; and a channel that receives the elongated end. A pin causes outward expansion of the bulbous end; and a blocking mechanism is attached to the screw head and adjacent to the elongated end.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly and method of assembly comprises a longitudinal member; a bendable ball ring adapted to receive the longitudinal member; a poly stem comprising a bendable male bulbous end; and a connector comprising a pair of first apertures adapted to receive the poly stem; and a second aperture adapted to receive the ball ring and the longitudinal member, wherein the second aperture is transverse to the first aperture. The assembly further comprises a bone fixator component comprising a female socket adapted to receive the poly stem; and a blocker pin adapted to engage the poly stem and to secure the longitudinal member.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc and method of attaching the disc to vertebral bodies includes a plurality of separate structural members arranged in a stacked configuration, wherein each structural member comprises a female cavity having a unique size compared with the female cavities of the other structural members, wherein a top and middle structural member comprise male bodies defined by outer edges of the respective female cavities of the top and middle structural members, wherein the male body of the top structural member is dimensioned and configured to sit in the female body of the middle structural member, wherein the male body of the middle structural member is dimensioned and configured to sit in the female body of a bottom structural member, and wherein each of the top and bottom structural member comprise at least one projecting member outwardly extending therefrom.

Abstract: An assembly and a method of locking a longitudinal member to a cross-connector assembly construct, wherein the assembly comprises a longitudinal member; a flexible clip contacting the longitudinal member; a housing component contacting the flexible clip; a locking mechanism contacting the housing component; and a connecting member contacting the housing component. The flexible clip comprises a flexible bias member adapted to retain the longitudinal member. The flexible clip comprises a socket portion; and a clip portion attached to the socket portion, the clip portion being adapted to retain the longitudinal member, wherein the flexible bias member extends from the clip portion to a bottom region of the socket portion.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly and method of assembly comprises a longitudinal member; a screw head comprising a bulbous end, wherein the screw head has a slot adapted to receive the longitudinal member; a bone fixator component comprising a concave socket having a biased angled top and a rounded bottom adapted to receive the screw head; a locking pin adapted to engage the screw head, the bone fixator component, and the longitudinal member; and a blocker adapted to engage the screw head and to secure the longitudinal member. Additionally, the bone fixator component may be configured as any of a bone screw and a hook.

Abstract: A dynamic screw assembly includes a fixation component that connects to a vertebral body, the fixation component includes at least one inlet to allow a lubricant to pass inside the fixation component, a ring member coupled to the fixation component, a stopper sealing at least one inlet, a coupling member includes an inwardly curved bottom portion and a bulbous end extending from the inwardly curved bottom portion, a bumper mechanism coupled to the fixation component and the coupling member, a longitudinal member coupled to the coupling member, and a blocker that retains the longitudinal member in the coupling member. The bulbous end includes at least one groove that houses the lubricant, and at least one slot to allow the bulbous end to fit into the fixation component and to limit a range of angulation of the coupling member with respect to the fixation component.

Abstract: A dynamic screw assembly includes a screw head having a pair of diametrically opposed arms, a slot between the arms, an inwardly curved bottom portion, an outwardly protruding and expandable bulbous end extending from the inwardly curved bottom portion and an opening positioned through the bulbous end, a bumper mechanism adjacent to the screw head that adjusts an angle of the screw head to a desired location in the dynamic screw assembly, a fixation component coupled to the bumper mechanism, a saddle connection positioned in the opening and engaging the screw head and the fixation component, a longitudinal member positioned in the slot and a blocker coupled to the screw head and the longitudinal member.

Abstract: A multiple-state geometry artificial disc assembly attached to vertebrae includes a compliant load bearing spacer element having an upper curved portion and a lower curved portion, a first plate coupled on the upper curved portion of the compliant load bearing spacer element and a second plate coupled on the lower curved portion of the compliant load bearing spacer element. The first plate and the second plate preferably are of a flexible material. The first plate and the second plate transitions from a convex configuration to a concave configuration in-situ in a vertebral disc space. The upper curved portion and the lower curved portion of the compliant load bearing spacer element may include a plurality of openings. The compliant load bearing spacer element may further include a middle cylindrical portion dimensioned and configured to match a gap between the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: An interbody fusion implant with deployable bone anchors includes a support member, a monolithic body that accommodates the support member, and a longitudinal hole along a vertical length of the support member. The support member includes a first end and a second end. The second end includes two flanges. The flanges are configured to dig into an endplate of a vertebral body. The flanges of the support member provide a location fixation on an implantation of the interbody fusion implant into the vertebral body. The support member may also include at least one of a clip shaped support member and an I-shaped support member. The I-shaped support member may allow a rigidity and a support in flexion-extension through a living-hinge positioned in a middle of the I-shaped support member. The longitudinal hole sustains loads imported on the interbody fusion implant and allows the interbody fusion implant to flex freely.

Abstract: A polyaxial occipital plate assembly and method comprises a longitudinal member; a polyaxial connector head; a socket portion adapted to retain the connector head; a flexible clip operatively connected to the socket portion and adapted to receive the longitudinal member; an occipital plate comprising clips operatively connected to the connector head; and a locking mechanism operatively connected to the connector head and the clips, wherein engagement of the locking mechanism to the connector head causes the clips to lock into the connector head and outwardly expand the connector head thereby causing the flexible clip to squeeze against the longitudinal member. The plate comprises a pair of opposed legs comprising the clips attached to ends of the legs; a body portion operatively connected to the pair of opposed legs, wherein the body portion is positioned at any of an obtuse and an acute angle relative to the pair of opposed legs.

Abstract: A cervical intra-laminar fusion implant to be placed in cervical lamina includes a first lateral surface including a first arched edge, a second lateral surface positioned opposite to the first lateral surface, the second lateral surface including a plurality of posterior windows and a second arched edge, a top wall attached to the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface, the top wall having a plurality of teeth, a bottom wall positioned opposite to the top wall and attached to the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface, the bottom wall having a plurality of bottom teeth, a plurality of internal voids configured through the top wall and the bottom wall, and a connection mechanism connected to the top wall. The connection mechanism is positioned superior over the cervical lamina.

Abstract: A medical device and apparatus comprising a primary anchor component comprising a circular end comprising a first opening; a primary shaft extending from the circular end and comprising a second opening; a primary tip end positioned opposite to the circular end; and an angled passageway connecting the first opening to the second opening. The angled passageway comprises means for engaging the notch causing the secondary shaft to bend at the notch. The apparatus further comprises a secondary anchor component insertable through the primary anchor component, wherein the secondary anchor component comprises a threaded end; a secondary shaft extending from the threaded end and comprising a notch that permits the secondary shaft to bend; and a secondary tip end positioned below the notch. The secondary tip end extends out of the second opening when the secondary anchor component is inserted into the primary anchor component.

Abstract: A method of operating a rod reducer includes connecting a cam coupling rod reducer to a screw head of a pedicle screw assembly, wherein spaces in between prongs at a second end of an inner tube of the rod reducer are positioned parallel to a rod of the pedicle screw assembly, and wherein the connection of the cam coupling rod reducer to the screw head indicates a first position of operation; rotating a lever cam of the cam coupling rod reducer until an indication line marked on an outer body of the cam coupling rod reducer moves to a second position of operation; and rotating the lever cam to a third position of operation, wherein the third position of operation indicates that the rod is optimally seated in the pedicle screw assembly, and that the pedicle screw assembly is ready to accept a blocker screw.

Abstract: An artificial ligament assembly for spinal stabilization includes an outer hollow elastic longitudinal member, a rigid inner member, a bone anchor mechanism, a bone anchor, and a buffered space. The artificial ligament assembly further includes a clamp that controls a torsional motion of the outer hollow elastic longitudinal member with respect to the bone anchor mechanism. The outer hollow elastic longitudinal member is at least as long as the inner rigid member. The rigid inner member is configured in a substantially same shape as the outer hollow elastic longitudinal member. The bone anchor mechanism is coupled to the outer hollow elastic longitudinal member. The bone anchor connector may further include an insert end. The bone anchor is coupled to the bone anchor mechanism. The buffered space allows any of a compression and an extension of the bone anchor mechanism inside the outer hollow elastic longitudinal member.

Abstract: A cam coupling rod reducer and method of operation comprises an inner tube comprising a first end having a hole and a second end having a plurality of prongs extending therefrom. The rod reducer further includes a lever cam connected to the first end, wherein the lever cam comprises a base and a pair of semicircular arms extending from the base, wherein each of the arms comprise a hole configured to align with the hole of the first end of the inner tube. The rod reducer also includes an outer extension tube connected to the inner tube, wherein the outer extension tube comprises positional markings on the body of the outer extension tube; a top end having a concave opening; and a bottom end comprising an opening configured to permit the prongs of the inner tube to extend therethrough; and a pair of pegs extending from the bottom end.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a fixator component, a clamping mechanism, a screw head, a load sharing mechanism, and a blocker. The fixator component further includes a bulbous end, a neck portion, and a threaded end. The clamping mechanism is positioned around the neck portion of the fixator component. The load sharing mechanism is positioned in between the screw head and the bone fixator component. The screw head further includes a pair of diametrically opposed arms, a socket and a slot. The socket is positioned between the pair of arms and the slot is positioned above the socket. The socket is dimensioned and configured to house the bulbous end of the fixator component. The load sharing mechanism provides tensile resistance to the screw head and the blocker is adapted to engage the screw head.

Abstract: An interbody implant including a first lateral portion, a second lateral portion positioned opposite to the first lateral portion, a top wall having a plurality of holes, a bottom wall positioned opposite to the top wall, and teeth positioned on the top wall and the bottom wall. The top wall and the bottom wall are attached to the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion. The first lateral portion further includes at least one flange surface and the second lateral portion further includes an opening. The at least one flange surface may be configured to couple to a peripheral wall of the vertebral body and may be adapted to provide at least one of a torsional property, an axial property, and a shear property to the implant. The teeth may be adapted to provide a mechanical interlock between the implant and vertebral endplates of the vertebral body.

Abstract: A modular lateral expansion device to be inserted into a vertebral body. The modular lateral expansion device comprises a pair of complementary lateral members. Each of the lateral members includes a first end, a second end, a first lateral portion, a second lateral portion, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a cavity configured through the top wall and the bottom wall. The top wall includes a top ridge and a top contour surface and the bottom wall includes a bottom ridge and a bottom contour surface. The top ridge and the bottom ridge are inwardly angled into the second lateral portion. The first lateral portion includes a plurality of cuts. The second lateral portion includes a first slot positioned at an edge of the second lateral portion and a second slot positioned in a substantially central area of the second lateral portion.