Abstract: A sterile holder for sterile surgical implants. The implant holder is an ergonomically shaped body of deformable material having an implant-receiving cavity similar in size and shape to the implant. To remove the implant from the holder, the surgeon mates a sterile tool to the implant and gently pries the implant out of the holder by deforming the body. Preferably the tool used to pry the implant out of the body is an insertion tool mated to the implant which is also used to insert the implant in a patient. In this way the surgeon retrieves the implant from its container without touching the container and directly inserts the implant in the patient without risking contamination: sterility is maintained for both the surgeon and the implant. In a preferred embodiment, the implant holder is configured to hold two pedicle screws and their set-screws.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral spacer system having a cage formed by a top plate and a bottom plate which are held apart a changeable distance. An expansion mechanism within the cavity is configured to force the top plate apart from the bottom plate a desired distance. One expansion mechanism is an expansion spring that is held in a compressed state with a removable trigger wire that temporarily secures the top and bottom plates together. Once the spacer is implanted in a patient, the trigger wire is removed permitting the expansion spring to relax, in a single motion, to the farthest extent possible in an intervertebral space. The top plate and the bottom plate are locked apart using a locking mechanism made of two saw-toothed posts that cooperate to lock the top plate a desired distance from the bottom plate. The saw-tooth posts are biased against each other with a spring.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral spacer system having a cage formed by a top plate and a bottom plate which are held apart a changeable distance. An expansion mechanism within the cavity is configured to force the top plate apart from the bottom plate a desired distance. One expansion mechanism is an expansion spring that is held in a compressed state with a removable trigger wire that temporarily secures the top and bottom plates together. Once the spacer is implanted in a patient, the trigger wire is removed permitting the expansion spring to relax, in a single motion, to the farthest extent possible in an intervertebral space. The top plate and the bottom plate are locked apart using a locking mechanism made of two saw-toothed posts that cooperate to lock the top plate a desired distance from the bottom plate. The saw-tooth posts are biased against each other with a spring.

Abstract: Expandable intervertebral spacer system having a top plate and a bottom plate which are separated and held apart a changeable distance forming a cage. The plates are held apart by four locking mechanisms in the cage at or near the corners or the periphery of the plates, leaving the cavity of the cage substantially unobstructed. Each locking mechanism is made of two saw-toothed posts that cooperate to lock the top plate a desired distance from the bottom plate. The saw-tooth posts are biased against each other with a spring. Once the spacer is implanted in a patient with a removable insertion tool, the top and bottom plates are forced apart incrementally, one saw tooth at a time, in a ratchet-like motion, using a removable expansion mechanism. Optionally, each stanchion is surrounded by a sheath to prevent bone particles and other debris from interfering with the mating of the saw teeth.

Abstract: A sterile holder for sterile surgical implants. The implant holder is an ergonomically shaped body of deformable material having an implant-receiving cavity similar in size and shape to the implant. To remove the implant from the holder, the surgeon mates a sterile tool to the implant and gently pries the implant out of the holder by deforming the body. Preferably the tool used to pry the implant out of the body is an insertion tool mated to the implant which is also used to insert the implant in a patient. In this way the surgeon retrieves the implant from its container without touching the container and directly inserts the implant in the patient without risking contamination: sterility is maintained for both the surgeon and the implant. In a preferred embodiment, the implant holder is configured to hold two pedicle screws and their set-screws.

Abstract: Expandable intervertebral spacer system having a top plate and a bottom plate which are separated and held apart a changeable distance forming a cage. The plates are held apart by four locking mechanisms in the cage at or near the corners or the periphery of the plates, leaving the cavity of the cage substantially unobstructed. Each locking mechanism is made of two saw-toothed posts that cooperate to lock the top plate a desired distance from the bottom plate. The saw-tooth posts are biased against each other with a spring. Once the spacer is implanted in a patient with a removable insertion tool, the top and bottom plates are forced apart incrementally, one saw tooth at a time, in a ratchet-like motion, using a removable expansion mechanism. Optionally, each stanchion is surrounded by a sheath to prevent bone particles and other debris from interfering with the mating of the saw teeth.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral spacer system having a top plate and a bottom plate forming a cage. The top, bottom, and sides of the cage have openings to receive bone graft material. At least one ramp extends into the cage from the top plate or bottom plate. The top plate and bottom plate are connected together at the proximal end of the cage at a hinge. The cage is expanded by inserting a pushrod into the proximal end of the cage against the ramp and forcing the top and bottom plates apart at a desired angle. A locking mechanism at the distal end of the cage locks the plates apart using a ratchet-like mechanism in which a torsion spring biases a movable post against a stationary post, such that the saw teeth of the movable post and stationary post cooperate to lock the top and bottom plates apart.

Abstract: An anterior lumbar interbody fusion device having a plurality of anchor apertures shaped and arranged in ways that provide options as to the number and locations of fixation points that anchor the device securely to the vertebrae. The anchor apertures may be angled towards or away from the cage vertical midline and cage horizontal midline, as well as angled differently relative to each other. In addition, the proximal opening of the anchor aperture is slightly wider than the distal opening, which permits the anchor to be positioned at a desired pitch within the opening, as opposed to being limited to a single entry angle. In a preferred embodiment, the proximal and distal opening of the anchor aperture are obround and each anchor aperture is sized to receive two anchors. In a given placement, anchors may be placed in some or all of the anchor apertures in each cage.

Abstract: An anterior lumbar interbody fusion device having a plurality of anchor apertures shaped and arranged in ways that provide options as to the number and locations of fixation points that anchor the device securely to the vertebrae. The anchor apertures may be angled towards or away from the cage vertical midline and cage horizontal midline, as well as angled differently relative to each other. In addition, the proximal opening of the anchor aperture is slightly wider than the distal opening, which permits the anchor to be positioned at a desired pitch within the opening, as opposed to being limited to a single entry angle. In a preferred embodiment, the proximal and distal opening of the anchor aperture are obround and each anchor aperture is sized to receive two anchors. In a given placement, anchors may be placed in some or all of the anchor apertures in each cage.