Abstract: A rod connector for joining a first rod and a second rod includes bore holes that are offset and/or non-parallel to each other. The rod connector provides an offset or non-parallel connection between the rods that allows for the rods to match the contour of a patient's body without requiring bending of the rods. The rod connector may include a first bore hole for receiving the first spinal rod and a second bore hole for receiving the second spinal rod that is adjustable relative to the first bore hole to adjust the position and/or orientation of the second spinal rod relative to the first spinal rod. The rod connector may comprise a first housing component defining the first bore hole and a second housing component that is movable relative to the first housing component and defining the second bore hole.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device is provided having first and second elongate members that are angularly adjustable relative to one another. Each elongate member can include a connecting feature formed on a terminal end thereof, and each connecting feature can be coupled to one another to allow angular movement of the first and second elongate members. The device can also include a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the connecting feature on each of the first and second elongate members to lock the elongate members in a fixed position relative to one another.

Abstract: A rod connector for joining a first rod and a second rod includes bore holes that are offset and/or non-parallel to each other. The rod connector provides an offset or non-parallel connection between the rods that allows for the rods to match the contour of a patient's body without requiring bending of the rods. The rod connector may include a first bore hole for receiving the first spinal rod and a second bore hole for receiving the second spinal rod that is adjustable relative to the first bore hole to adjust the position and/or orientation of the second spinal rod relative to the first spinal rod. The rod connector may comprise a first housing component defining the first bore hole and a second housing component that is movable relative to the first housing component and defining the second bore hole.

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 bidirectional attachment to one another.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device is provided having first and second elongate members that are angularly adjustable relative to one another. Each elongate member can include a connecting feature formed on a terminal end thereof, and each connecting feature can be coupled to one another to allow angular movement of the first and second elongate members. The device can also include a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the connecting feature on each of the first and second elongate members to lock the elongate members in a fixed position relative to one another.

Abstract: A spinal fixation element fixation reduction system is provided herein. In general, the system can include a cap element with a bore having a central axis extending therethrough wherein the cap element is configured to releasably engage any type of surgical device (e.g., an access sleeve, a vertebral body rotator, etc.). Further, the system can include a driver configured to be slidably and removably positioned through the cap element. The system can also include an actuator configured to apply a force to the driver substantially along the central axis of the cap element thereby moving the driver in a distal direction so as to effect reduction of a spinal fixation element into a bone anchor. Additionally, a method of reducing a spinal fixation element into a bone anchor is also provided wherein the method can be performed as a minimally invasive surgical procedure or as an open procedure.

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 bidirectional attachment to one another.

Abstract: A spinal fixation plate that is adapted to be implanted in a variety of positions in the occiput is provided. In general, the plate has a substantially planar configuration and it includes a mid-line or central portion having several thru-bores formed therein, and first and second opposed branch portions that extend from the central portion and that also include at least one thru-bore formed therein. The configuration of the branch portions relative to the central portion, as well as the position of the mid-line thru-bores formed in the central portion in relation to the thru-bore(s) formed in each branch portion, allow the spinal fixation plate to be implanted in a variety of positions in the occiput, thus allowing the optimal implant site to be selected.

Abstract: An artificial disc replacement implant is provided that includes an implantable body having a superior surface adapted to be positioned adjacent to an endplate of a superior vertebra, and an opposite inferior surface adapted to be positioned adjacent to an endplate of an adjacent inferior vertebrae. The implantable body includes at least one wall formed therein and extending between the superior and inferior surfaces. The wall(s) can be adapted such that, when the implantable body is disposed between the endplates of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae, the wall(s) will buckle by moving laterally and shorting in height under a load applied thereto by movement of the adjacent vertebrae. The implantable body can also include at least one opening formed adjacent to the wall(s) and extending between the superior and inferior surfaces of the implantable body.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy posterior elements, such as the facet joints, the lamina, the posterior ligaments, and/or other features of a patient's spinal column, are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices are effective to mimic the natural function of the spine by allowing flexion, extension, and lateral bending of the spine, while substantially restricting posterior-anterior shear and rotation of the spine.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for passively locking a bone screw within a bone plate. In particular, the methods and devices allow a bone screw to be locked within a thru-hole in a bone plate without requiring any additional locking steps. In an exemplary embodiment, an annular feature is provided in a thru-hole of a bone plate, or in a bushing that is disposed within a thru-hole of a bone plate, for engaging a bone screw. The annular feature can be configured such that it allows the bone screw to be inserted through the thru-hole at various insertion angles while still being effective to prevent back-out of the bone screw, thereby locking the screw to the plate.

Abstract: Spinal implants, spinal rod approximators for seating a stabilizing rod in a rod-receiving portion of a spinal implant, and methods for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, a spinal rod approximator is provided including an elongate member having a grasping member formed on a distal end thereof, and a rod pusher member slidably mated to or mounted on the elongate member. The grasping member is effective to grasp a portion of a spinal implant, and the pusher member is effective to grasp and engage a stabilizing rod and push the rod into a rod-receiving portion of the spinal implant being grasped by the grasping member.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal rod reduction device is provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. The spinal rod reduction device can include a fastener engaging member for engaging at least a portion a spinal implant element, a reduction member for engaging at least a portion of a spinal fixation element, and a handle assembly mated to the reduction member. The handle assembly can be designed in such a way that actuation of the handle assembly causes movement of the reduction member relative to the fastener engaging member and the movement of the reduction member reduces the spinal fixation element into the spinal implant element. Two different styles of spinal rod reduction devices are discussed in detail. Various techniques are also provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element.

Abstract: Implantable vertebral staples and tools for use with the same are provided. In general, an exemplary vertebral staple according to the present invention includes a staple body having at least one long spike formed thereon for allowing rotation of the body when the long spike is partially inserted in bone. The staple body can also include one or more short spikes formed thereon and adapted to prevent rotation of the body when the long and short spikes are fully inserted into bone. The present invention also provides an inserter tool that can be used to implant the vertebral staple, and also a drill guide that can be used, preferably in combination with the inserter tool, to drill holes through the bone in alignment with one or more holes formed in the vertebral staple.

Abstract: A percutaneous access device includes an inner tube and an outer tube disposed about at least a portion of the inner tube. The outer tube may be sized to span from a skin incision in a patient to a site proximate the spine of the patient. The distal end of the outer tube may be adapted to releasably engage a bone anchor. The inner tube may be adjustable relative to the outer tube between a first position and a second position in which the distal end of the inner tube contacts the bone anchor. A bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor having a distal bone engaging portion and a receiving member having a recess for receiving a spinal fixation element. The proximal end of the receiving member may have an arcuate groove formed on an exterior surface thereof to facilitate connection of an instrument to the receiving member.

Abstract: Bone implantable devices and methodologies permit careful application of biologically active substances and management of bone growth processes. The device includes a body defining a carrier receiving area for locating adjacent bone. Carrier material is located in the carrier receiving area. Substance is delivered onto carrier material through a port. A pathway delivers substance from the carrier receiving area to the bone surface. The body may be in the form of a spinal fusion cage, facet fusion screw, artificial joint, bone fixation plate, interbody graft, IM nail, hip stem, or other bone-to-bone appliances or bone-to-device appliances. In use, carrier is installed in the carrier receiving area of the device. The device is then implanted adjacent a bone. The substance is applied to the carrier for subsequent delivery to the bone. By doping carrier material after device implantation, inadvertent contact of the substance with non-target bone is more easily eliminated.

Abstract: Exemplary spinal fixation devices, systems, and method are provided for stabilizing vertebrae in a patient's spine. In one exemplary embodiment, methods and devices are provided for coupling one or more bone anchors, such as hooks, screws, etc., and/or one or more spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, cables, plates, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, a cross connector is provided for connecting and stabilizing two bone anchors, a bone anchor and a spinal fixation element, or a bone anchor and bone.

Abstract: A dilator retractor and the dilators that are used for minimally invasive spinal surgery or other surgery are configured to accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient as by configuring the cross sectional area in an elliptical shape, or by forming a funnel configuration with the wider end at the proximate end. In some embodiments the distal end is contoured to also accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient so that a cylindrically shaped, funnel shaped, ovoid shaped dilator retractor can be sloped or tunneled to accommodate the bone structure of the patient or provide access for implants. The dilator retractor is made with different lengths to accommodate the depth of the cavity formed by the dilators.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for retracting tissue. In one exemplary embodiment, a retractor is provided that includes a base and a plurality of blades configured to removably and replaceably mate to the base. One or more of the plurality of blades can be configured to mate to the base in one of a plurality of available positions. In use, one or more adjustment mechanisms can be actuated to move one or more of the blades, thereby forming a pathway through tissue. The retractor can be formed from one or more radiolucent materials.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for retracting tissue. In one exemplary embodiment, a retractor is provided that includes a base, a plurality of blades extending from the base, and an actuator coupled to the base and operatively connected to the blades. The actuator can be configured to be actuated to move the blades relative to the base, thereby allowing the blades to retract tissue. The actuator can be self-locking so as to allow the blades to be freely movable within their entire range of motion relative to the base through actuation of the actuator without using another mechanism to lock the blades in a fixed position and to unlock the blades from the fixed position. The retractor can be formed from one or more radiolucent materials.