Abstract: This invention relates to a musculoskeletogenic MSG graft composite made from whole bone marrow aspirate BMA having native levels of musculoskeletal progenitor cells MSPCs, comprising: a) a suspension of fractionated BMA comprising: i) MSPCs present at a level greater than their native level in whole BMA, and ii) red blood cells RBCs present at a level less than their native level in whole BMA, and b) a porous sterile matrix having an average pore size of at least 20 ?m.

Abstract: A guide device is provided for use with a spinal plate that has at least one pair of screw bores formed therein. The guide device generally includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A guide member is coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and it includes at least one lumen extending therethrough, and at least one alignment element that is positioned distal of the guide member. Each alignment element(s) is adapted to interact with a spinal plate to position the guide member with respect to the spinal plate such that the each lumen in the guide member is aligned with a corresponding screw bore formed in the spinal plate. The guide member can then be used to guide a tool or implant through each lumen in the spinal plate and into bone.

Abstract: A device for injecting bone cement is provided. The device has a flexible delivery tube and a flexible plunger.

Abstract: A minimally invasive spinal disc defect repair method is disclosed. The method relates to insertion of disc defect repair materials that are substantially two-dimensionally shaped and which allow for insertion and preferably self retention within the disc defect with plugging of the annulus fibrosis.

Abstract: Bone screws and bone plates are provided that offer the surgeon the ability to either assemble the screws to the plate, or the plate to the screws, depending on the surgeon's preference and the patient's circumstances. The bone screws and bone plates of the present invention include a combination of geometric configurations that allow the screws and plates to fit together from different assembly directions. Additionally, the bone screws and bone plates can include material resilience features to allow expansion/contraction during assembly to allow bi-directional attachment to one another.

Abstract: A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an intervertebral motion disc having two motion surfaces and an open channel.

Abstract: A banana shaped intevertebral fusion cage having a domed profile, an internal planar wall defining first and second graft chambers, asymmetrically disposed leading and trailing insertion, and an anterior wall recess.

Abstract: A drill guide for use in securing a spinal fixation plate to a spine is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the drill guide generally includes a support member having first and second arms mated thereto. Each arm includes a proximal end and a distal end having at least one barrel coupled thereto and defining a lumen for receiving a tool. One or both arms can be slidably movable along the support member to allow the distance between the arms to be adjusted. In use, the arms can be adjusted to engage a spinal fixation plate and to position the barrels on each arm in alignment with bores formed in the fixation plate. The drill guide can then be used to drill, awl, tap, and insert implants, such as spinal screws, into the vertebral bodies to attach the fixation plate thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of hyperconductive fluids to coagulate tissue within the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: An intervertebral connection system having a fabric-based conformable ligament is disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for incrementally advancing functional probes through tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for distracting two vertebral bodies and delivering a flowable material into the disc space, comprising a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a shape adapted to distract, the body also having a longitudinal bore defining a first outlet port in the distal portion, and a first injection port in the proximal portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and compositions for treating pathological intervertebral discs comprising the step of delivering an agent that causes chemical crosslinking of the native molecular components of the disc. Supplemental materials which are susceptible to crosslinking by the aforementioned agent are optionally delivered to the disc in order to increase and maintain disc height.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic implant for forming a rigid structure between adjoining vertebrae in a spinal column. The prosthetic implant includes a cage having a top, bottom, front end, back end, first side and second side walls. The first side wall has an arcuate surface. The top and bottom wall include one or more ridges to engage a surface of an adjacent vertebrae. The top and bottom wall also include an opening to receive packing material such as medicine, human tissue and the like. The top and bottom walls also incline simultaneously in two directions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a trackable medical tool for use in image guided surgery in which the drive shaft rotates about the tracking post.

Abstract: A bone marrow sampling device is provided, including an outer cannula having a sidewall with a plurality of openings and a distal tissue penetrating tip. An inner cannula is positioned within the outer cannula, and includes a sidewall with at least one opening. Selective relative movement of the inner cannula and the outer cannula enables the device to be configured in multiple bone marrow sampling modes in which the at least one opening in the sidewall of the inner cannula is aligned with different openings in the sidewall of the outer cannula such that bone marrow can be drawn into the inner lumen of the inner cannula from different radial and longitudinal positions external to the sidewall of the outer cannula without the need to reposition the outer cannula.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manifold for mixing biomedical fluids having superior stability and minimal susceptibility to clotting.

Abstract: A motion disc having an intermediate portion including a central articulating core component adapted to maintain the proper intervertebral spacing and a peripheral shock-absorbing component.