Abstract: An intervertebral implant for insertion between adjacent vertebral bodies is provided. The intervertebral implant can include a first component. The first component can have a first articulating surface, which can be generally convex. The intervertebral implant can include a second component, which can be generally in the shape of a toroid. The second component can have a second articulating surface. The second articulating surface can be generally concave and articulable with the first articulating surface for retaining motion between the first and second vertebra. The second articulating surface can have a larger radius of curvature than the first articulating surface such that a portion of the first articulating surface extends into an aperture defined by the generally toroid shape.

Abstract: An interspinous implant. The interspinous implant includes a resilient S-shaped body having first and second saddle-shaped portions. First and second stirrup-shaped brackets extend in opposite directions from the first and second saddle-shaped portions for engaging first and second spinous processes.

Abstract: The present teachings provide one or more surgical instruments for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a vertebral compression fracture. The present teachings can provide a bone cement system. The system can include a housing, which can define at least a throughbore that can extend from a proximal end to a distal end of the housing. The system can also include a dispenser housing received in the throughbore of the housing that is adapted to receive a bone cement. The system can include a plunger, which can be releasably coupled to the proximal end of the housing and received into the dispenser housing so that movement of the plunger can dispense the bone cement. The system can also include a pressure release system, which can be coupled to the housing and can be movable to release pressure within the dispenser housing without moving the plunger.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant device for supporting vertebral bodies can include first and second body members and first and second expansion mechanisms. The body members can each have a first end positionable toward one of the vertebral bodies and can each define a hollow interior. The expansion mechanisms can be spaced apart from each other and can include a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft, respectively. The first and second drive shafts can each have a gear member fixedly coupled thereto. Each drive shaft can be threadably engaged at a first side to the first body member and at a second side to the second body member. The expansion mechanisms can be operable to effect axial displacement of the first body member relative to the second body member by rotationally driving the gear members of the first and second drive shafts.

Abstract: The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a spinal fixation procedure. A bone anchor is provided. The anchor can include a bone fastener. The bone fastener can include a head and a second end adapted to engage an anatomy. The bone fastener can extend along a longitudinal axis. The anchor can also include a coupling arrangement coupled to the head of the bone fastener so that the bone fastener is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to define a first plane of motion. The anchor can further include a saddle, which can be coupled to the coupling arrangement. The saddle can be movable relative to at least one of the bone fastener and the coupling arrangement to define a second plane of motion.

Abstract: The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a spinal fixation procedure. A bone anchor is provided. The anchor can include a bone fastener. The bone fastener can include a head and a second end adapted to engage an anatomy. The bone fastener can extend along a longitudinal axis. The anchor can also include a coupling arrangement coupled to the head of the bone fastener so that the bone fastener is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to define a first plane of motion. The anchor can further include a saddle, which can be coupled to the coupling arrangement. The saddle can be movable relative to at least one of the bone fastener and the coupling arrangement to define a second plane of motion.

Abstract: The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a spinal fixation procedure. A uniplanar bone anchor system for a fixation procedure is provided. The system can include a bone fastener including a head with a bearing surface and a shaft adapted to engage an anatomy. The system can also include a saddle, which can include a first bore formed about a longitudinal axis that receives the bone fastener and a coupling bore defined transverse to the longitudinal axis. The system can also include a coupling system, which can have a second bearing surface. The coupling system can be received through the coupling bore such that the second bearing surface of the coupling system can contact the bearing surface to permit the bone fastener to move in only one plane.

Abstract: A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. The rod coercer can be pivoted in a first direction to fixedly grip an implant, and pivoted in a second direction to reduce a rod into the implant. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes first and second articulating handle branches, first and second rod contacting arms extending from the first and second handle branches, first and second implant gripping arms pivotally interconnected with the first and second handle branches, and means for releasably locking the handle branches and the implant gripping arms in a closed and locked position. In another embodiment, the implant gripping arms of the rod coercer can be secured to each other by a flexible retainer.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a distance between first and second implanted bone anchors includes a caliper body and first and second caliper arms. The caliper body has a first longitudinal axis. The first caliper arm is slidably coupled to the caliper body and has a second longitudinal axis. The second caliper arm is rotatably coupled to the caliper body and has a third longitudinal axis. The first, second and third longitudinal axes define a plane. The second caliper arm is rotatable within the plane between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant screw driver includes drive shaft. A first gear is operably coupled to the drive shaft and in meshing engagement with a hollow gear which rotates in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The hollow gear includes a passage defining an inwardly facing screw engagement periphery configured to receive and drivingly rotate a threaded portion of the screw. A method of securing an orthopedic implant to a bone includes positioning a screw within the passage which is configured to drivingly engage a threaded portion of the screw and rotating a drive shaft in driving engagement with the gear causing the gear to engage the screw along the threaded portion of the screw and rotatably drive the screw via the threaded portion.

Abstract: A drive train includes a torque multiplier assembly and a torque limiter device. An output of the torque multiplying assembly is drivingly coupled to an input of the torque limiter device. An input of the drive train is configured to be driven by a driver handle and an output of the drive train is configured to rotate a driver. A counter-torque connector that is configured to engage a spinal fixation construct is coupled to a counter-torque handle to prevent rotation of the spinal fixation construct. A coupling between a component of the torque multiplier assembly and the counter-torque handle prevents rotation of the component. Torque input by the single user through the driving handle is simultaneously multiplied by the torque multiplier assembly and limited by the torque limiter device, while the single user simultaneously prevents the spinal fixation construct from rotating through the counter-torque handle.

Abstract: A magazine supporting multiple bone grafts in chambers is coupled to a housing including a barrel. A plunger selectively passes through one of the chambers and along the barrel. A trigger mechanism advances the plunger along the barrel. A selector knob is movable into a plurality of positions, wherein each position employs one of a plurality of stops. One stop prevents the end of plunger from advancing past a predetermined ready position short of the end of the barrel when selected. Another stop prevents the plunger from advancing past a predetermined dispensing position substantially aligned with the end of the barrel when selected. Another stop prevents the plunger from advancing past a predetermined manipulating position beyond the end of the barrel when selected. In the manipulating position, the distal end of the plunger can be used to reposition the bone graft within the spinal disc cavity. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus may include a bone fixation plate having a fixation hole and a fastener shaft received in the fixation hole. The fastener shaft may include a first portion having an outer surface defining a first cam and a second bone-engaging portion. An annular member may be received in the fixation hole and may include an inner surface defining a second cam for cooperating with the first cam to selectively move the annular member in a radial direction between an unexpanded position permitting movement of the fastener shaft and annular member relative to the fixation hole and an expanded position restricting movement of the fastener shaft and annular member relative to the fixation hole. The annular member may be moved between the expanded position and the unexpanded position by rotation of the annular member relative to the fastener shaft following insertion of the fastener shaft into a bone.

Abstract: An enclosure device connecting a pedicle fixation device with an elongated spinal fixation member. The enclosure device can include an enclosure member and an elongated guide member affixed to the enclosure member and defining a fracture region for breaking off the guide member from the enclosure member. The enclosure member can have a spherical outer surface rotatably received within a receiver portion of the pedicle fixation device. The enclosure member can include an internal bore capable of slidably receiving the fixation member.

Abstract: An adjustable drill depth guide includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve and a stop member. The first sleeve includes a longitudinal axis and defines a helical slot disposed about the longitudinal axis. The second sleeve is concentrically arranged relative to the first sleeve and is axially adjustable relative to the first sleeve for adjusting a length of the adjustable drill depth guide. The stop member extends radially from the second sleeve and is disposed in the helical slot. The stop member is selectively received at various positions along the helical slot to positively locate the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve in the axial direction.

Abstract: The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a spinal fixation procedure. A uniplanar bone anchor system for a fixation procedure is provided. The system can include a bone fastener including a head with a bearing surface and a shaft adapted to engage an anatomy. The system can also include a saddle, which can include a first bore formed about a longitudinal axis that receives the bone fastener and a coupling bore defined transverse to the longitudinal axis. The system can also include a coupling system, which can have a second bearing surface. The coupling system can be received through the coupling bore such that the second bearing surface of the coupling system can contact the bearing surface to permit the bone fastener to move in only one plane.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant and associated method. The intervertebral implant can include a first component having a first articulating surface and a first bone engagement surface for engaging a first vertebra, and a second component having a second articulating surface and a second bone engagement surface for engaging a second vertebra adjacent to the first vertebra. The first and second articulating surfaces articulate with each other for substantially replicating a natural spinal movement. The first and second bone engagement surfaces define an outer surface substantially shaped as an envelope of five cylinders.

Abstract: The present teachings provide an implant. The implant can include an implant body partially defining at least one threaded aperture. The implant can also include a bone fastener including a threaded portion threadably engaged with the at least one threaded aperture. The threaded aperture can circumferentially surround no more than 180° of the bone fastener.

Abstract: The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a spinal fixation procedure. A uniplanar bone anchor system for a fixation procedure is provided. The system can include a bone fastener including a head with a bearing surface and an engagement surface, and a shaft adapted to engage an anatomy. The system can include a saddle, which can include a first bore that receives the bone fastener and a coupling bore defined transverse to the longitudinal axis. The system can include a pressure cap received within the first bore having an engagement surface in contact with the engagement surface of the bone fastener. The system can further include a coupling system that can be received through the at least one coupling bore and can cooperate with the pressure cap to permit the bone fastener to move in only one plane.

Abstract: Implantable pliable bone blocks comprising a solid block of cortical bone characterized by a length, width and thickness, having a first and a second face on opposite sides of the block. The first and second faces have a plurality slot features. The angle of incidence of the slot features of the first face and the x-axis and the angle of incidence of the slot features of the second face and the x-axis (a2) are such that the slots would intersect if they were in the same plane. Methods are provided for making implantable pliable bone blocks.