Abstract: A rod reduction device is provided having a reduction nut adapted to mate to the rod-receiving portion of a spinal implant, and a driver tool that is effective to engage the reduction nut such that rotation of the driver tool rotates the reduction nut to reduce a rod positioned between the reduction nut and within the rod-receiving head of a spinal implant into the rod-seating portion of the head of the spinal implant. The driver tool can include a support 32 formed on a distal end thereof that is adapted to be disposed within the rod-receiving head of a spinal implant to prevent the rod-receiving head of the implant from collapsing during use of the rod reduction device.

Abstract: Disclosed are bilayer matrices of a polysaccharide such as collagen (COL) and another polysaccharide such as hyaluronic acid (HA) with various COL/HA ratios. Each layer has a porous structure. These materials are useful for tissue regeneration, particularly when used with orthopedic implants and drug delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed are bilayer matrices of a polysaccharide such as collagen (COL) and another polysaccharide such as hyaluronic acid (HA) with various COL/HA ratios. Each layer has a porous structure. These materials are useful for tissue regeneration, particularly when used with orthopedic implants and drug delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed are bilayer matrices of a polysaccharide such as collagen (COL) and another polysaccharide such as hyaluronic acid (HA) with various COL/HA ratios. Each layer has a porous structure. These materials are useful for tissue regeneration, particularly when used with orthopedic implants and drug delivery.

Abstract: A force applying surgical system is provided for use to assist in the insertion and/or removal of a surgical tool or a device attached thereto from an orthopedic structure. This surgical system comprises a medical impacting device that mates with a surgical tool such that the impacting device can be manually reciprocated along an axis of the tool to forcefully impact the impacting device on a portion of the tool. The impacting device can generate a distally directed force for inserting the tool (and/or an attached device) into an orthopedic structure, or it can generate a proximally directed force to remove the tool (and/or attached device) from an orthopedic structure.

Abstract: A porous three-dimensional tissue repair matrix is provided which is biodegradable. The matrix is preferably formed from mineralized collagen where the mineral comprises particulate calcium phosphate immobilized in the matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed is an orthopedic implant suitable for arthroplasty procedures. The orthopedic implant includes a first plate, a second plate, an axial support between the first plate and the second plate and one or more torsional supports connecting the first plate and the second plate. The axial support may be, for example, one or more flexible struts, such as cables, or a ball and socket joint. The torsional supports connect the first and second plates and may be, for example, curved around the axial support. The torsional supports may be integrally formed with the first and second plates as a single unitary device, by, for example, a Laser Engineered Net Shape (LENS) process.

Abstract: A remotely-activated injection device for use in vertebroplasty is provided to inject a flourescent probe material into a patient. The injection device includes a pump defining an injection chamber having an exit opening; an actuator; and a cable having a first end coupled to the actuator, and a second end remotely engaging the pump. The actuator remotely controls the pump by responsive movement of the cable to thereby cause injection of a flourescent probe material from the injection chamber of the pump through the exit opening to the patient.

Abstract: A spinal fixation assembly is provided including a fusion cage with posterior, anterior, superior, and inferior faces, and a plate having at least one aperture for receiving a bone screw and having a mating element adapted to slidably engage and mate to the anterior face of the fusion cage. The cage is adapted to be positioned between adjacent vertebrae, and the plate is effective to mate to the cage and to receive one or more bone screws to fasten the plate and secure the fusion cage to the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An articulating motion disc having a core member that expands laterally in response to an axial load to mimic the shock absorbing function of a natural intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A bone growth-promoting composition is provided comprising hyaluronic acid and a growth factor. The composition has a viscosity and biodegradability sufficient to persist at an intra-articular site of desired bone growth for a period of time sufficient to promote the bone growth. Preferably hyaluronic acid is used in a composition range of 0.1-4% by weight and preferred growth factor is bFGF, present in a concentration range of about 10-6 to 100 mg/ml.

Abstract: A spacer assembly is provided for use in spinal surgeries. The spacer assembly includes a spacer having opposite ends and a side wall extending between the opposite ends and at least one end cap coupled to at least one of the opposite ends of the spacer. Each end cap includes an inner end facing the spacer, an outer end having a serrated surface, and a side wall extending between the inner and outer ends. The side wall of each end cap is formed for engagement with the side wall of the spacer to provide a mechanical connection between the end cap and the spacer.

Abstract: Disclosed are bilayer matrices of a polysaccharide such as collagen (COL) and another polysaccharide such as hyaluronic acid (HA) with various COL/HA ratios. Each layer has a porous structure. These materials are useful for tissue regeneration, particularly when used with orthopedic implants and drug delivery.

Abstract: A medical implant device for use in spinal surgery, and more preferably for use in laminoplasty surgery is provided. The implant is a cage-like member having a generally hollow, elongate body with open ends. The implant is formed from a generally hollow, elongate body having four sides: opposed cephalad and caudal sides, and opposed posterior and anterior sides adjacent to the cephalad and caudal sides. The four sides extend along a longitudinal axis, and define an inner lumen extending between opposed first and second open ends.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis for implantation between adjacent vertebrae of the human spine is shown. The prosthesis is formed as a unitary cage body configured and sized to be inserted between adjacent vertebrae in a single step implantation procedure. The cage body is banana shaped as viewed from above, the body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining an internal recess for receiving cancellous bone material during an implantation procedure. The cage body can be formed as an interlinked mesh.

Abstract: A porous three-dimensional tissue repair matrix is provided which is biodegradable. The matrix is preferably formed from mineralized collagen where the mineral comprises particulate calcium phosphate immobilized in the matrix.

Abstract: A transverse connector for a spinal column corrective device for interconnecting two components connectable with vertebrae of a spinal column includes a first member having a body portion and a connector portion extending from the body portion, the connector portion including an opening for receiving the first component, a second member having a body portion and a connector portion extending from the body portion, the connector portion including an opening for receiving the second component, and a clamp extending between the first and second member body portions, the clamp being movable into a tightened position to lock the first and second members into position relative to one another, and a loosened position to permit adjustment of the position of the first and second members relative to one another. The first and second member body portions having mating retaining surfaces to prevent relative movement between the first and second members when the clamp is in the tightened position.

Abstract: An installation tool that is useful for the efficient and effective placement of an article, such as an artificial disc, between adjacent vertebral bodies is provided. The installation tool can be provided as a kit having modular components which allow the surgeon to select from among a variety of components to assemble an installation tool that is optimized for its intended use. The installation tool of the invention generally includes a pair of opposed levers, each of which has a proximal handle portion and a distal portion. A fulcrum is disposed between the two levers to enable proper operation of the tool. The tool further includes a pusher block that is positioned between the two levers and is selectively movable between an initial location distal of the fulcrum and a final location adjacent the distal end of the levers. The pusher block includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a bore extending at least partially therethrough.

Abstract: An assembly such as an anchor screw, bone plate, offset hook, post, transverse connector or other spinal anchor for anchoring to bone and clamping a linkage such as a rod, wire cable or the like. The assembly has a top member with an open slot to receive the linkage, and a twist-lock closure cap to close the open end, capturing the linkage in the slot. One closure cap fits over and around the top member, with a set of segmented protrusions that extend through a corresponding set of protruding flange segments spaced about the circumference of the top member. The cap is configured to rotate and lock against the top member like a flange-locking bayonet mount when turned through a limited degree of rotation.

Abstract: There is provided a device for therapeutically treating back or leg pain, comprising: a) a probe having a proximal portion and a distal portion, b) first and second treatment sources, each source located in the distal portion of the probe, wherein the first treatment source is adapted to therapeutically treat a first tissue site, the second treatment source is adapted to therapeutically treat a second different tissue site, and wherein the first and second different tissue sites are selected from the group consisting of: i) a first intervertebral disc, ii) a first vertebra, iii) a first spinal ligament, and iv) a first spinal facet joint capsule, v) a second intervertebral disc, vi) a second vertebra, vii) a second spinal ligament, and viii) a second spinal facet joint capsule.