Abstract: A system for mounting a retractor tube to a spine without a guidewire is disclosed. The system includes an awl, a first dilator configured to be advanced over the awl, a retractor tube configured to be advanced over the first dilator, wherein an outer surface of the retractor tube defines a plurality of channels, and a plurality of pins adapted to be received within the plurality of channels, wherein the plurality of pins secure the retractor tube to the at least one vertebral body of the spine. A method for selectively mounting a retractor tube to a spine without a guidewire is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fixation device includes an outer member, a retaining member, and an inner member. The outer member includes an elongated body portion defining a central bore through at least a portion thereof that extends along a central longitudinal axis. The elongated body portion includes a slot defined therethrough. The retaining member is disposed within the outer member when in an initial position and extends through the slot of the outer member when in a deployed position. The inner member includes a cam shaft body disposed within the central bore of the outer member. The cam shaft body is coupled to the retaining member such that rotation of the inner member moves the retaining member between the initial and deployed positions.

Abstract: A surgical implant assembly includes a surgical implant, a bone plate, and fixation devices. The surgical implant includes a top surface, a bottom surface disposed in opposed relation relative to the top surface, first and second surfaces interconnecting the top and bottom surfaces, and a front surface. First ends of the first and second side surfaces define a back surface extending across a first end of the surgical implant, and the front surface extends across a second end of the surgical implant and interconnects second ends of the first and second side surfaces. At least one cavity is defined in the surgical implant. The bone plate includes an elongate body extending between first and second end portions. The elongate body is positionable adjacent the front surface of the surgical implant. The fixation devices are configured to secure the surgical implant or the bone plate to osseous tissue.

Abstract: A spinal surgery modeling system includes a spine model and a spine movement device. The spinal surgery modeling system provides a three-dimensional hands-on model that can be configured to have any desired variation of spinal alignment of the spine model by hydraulic actuation of the spine movement device to simulate the biomechanical feel and behavior of a patient's spine. The spine model may include various vertebral body or disc conditions and allows a clinician to examine and/or adjust the model and observe the three-dimensional outcome of such adjustments.

Abstract: A screw insertion instrument includes a housing, a knob, a drive shaft, and a screw alignment post. The housing includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the proximal portion includes a proximal body portion defining a channel extending longitudinally therethrough along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The knob is coupled to the proximal portion of the housing and defines an aperture therethrough that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing. The drive shaft extends through the aperture of the knob and the proximal portion of the housing. The screw alignment post is coupled to the distal portion of the housing and is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A swivel distractor includes a blade portion, a flange, and a distraction portion. The flange extends at an angle from a first end of the blade portion. The distraction portion is pivotally coupled to a second end of the blade portion opposite the first end. The distraction portion may include a first foot that is configured to be received in a head of a first pedicle screw and a second foot that is configured to be received in a head of a second pedicle screw. The second foot may be movable relative to the first foot.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal implant includes a fixed segment that slidably supports a locking segment and pivotally supports an upper segment and a lower segment relative to one another. The locking segment translates within a channel defined by the fixed segment between locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position, the upper and lower segments are fixed relative to one another and to the fixed segment. In the unlocked position, the upper and lower segments are pivotal relative to one another and to the fixed segment. The adjustable spinal implant includes a locking mechanism including a locking screw to translate the locking segment between locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: An insertion instrument for expandable spinal implants includes an elongate member, a shuttle, and a worm gear. The elongate member includes a handle portion of a proximal end and an end effector on a distal end, wherein the end effector is configured to be releasably engaged to an expandable spinal implant. The shuttle is slidably disposed within a cavity defined within the end effector and includes a wedged shaped distal end configured to engage an expandable spinal implant. The worm gear is rotatably disposed within the cavity defined in the end effector and is in mechanical communication with the shuttle, such that rotation of the worm gear effectuates movement of the shuttle. Distal movement of the shuttle effectuates articulation of an expandable spinal implant. A method of performing surgery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of repairing a pars fracture includes docking a needle guide on a lamina of the pars, inserting a needle at least partially through the needle guide, inserting a stylet at least partially through the needle, inserting a guidewire at least partially through the needle, removing the needle from the needle guide, removing the needle guide, positioning a screw assembly in contact with the lamina and co-axially with the guidewire, rotating an elongated portion of the screw assembly with respect to the lamina to move the screw assembly distally with respect to the lamina such that a distal end of the elongated portion of the screw assembly travels through an interior portion of the pars and into a superior portion of the pars, and approximating the distal end of the elongated portion of the screw assembly and a collar of the screw assembly to approximate the interior portion of the pars and the superior portion of the pars.

Abstract: A spinal fixation construct for aligning vertebral bodies includes a bone screw, a spinal rod, a flexible member, and a fixation member. The spinal rod is disposed within a saddle portion of a housing of the bone screw, and includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The spinal rod is formed from a first material having a first modulus of elasticity. The flexible member is coupled to the spinal rod, and includes an elongated body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The flexible member is formed from a second material having a second modulus of elasticity that is different from the first modulus of elasticity. The fixation member includes a threaded body portion and a head portion defining a hole therethrough. A portion of the flexible member extends through the hole of the head portion.

Abstract: A screw insertion instrument includes a handle, a driving assembly, and a stylet. The driving assembly extends distally from the handle and includes a knob, a tubular body extending distally from the knob, and a driver including an elongated body extending through the knob and the tubular body. The elongated body has a proximal region operably coupled to the handle and a distal region extending distally beyond the tubular body and engageable with a pedicle screw. The stylet includes an elongated body positionable through first and second longitudinal bores defined through the handle and the driver, respectively. A proximal portion of the stylet is positionable adjacent the handle and a distal portion of the stylet extends distally beyond the driver and is positionable through a third longitudinal bore defined through the pedicle screw such that the distal portion of the stylet extends distally beyond the pedicle screw.

Abstract: A surgical access system includes a connector including an arm, a coupling element, a rod, and a ridged slider. The arm includes first and second notched sections disposed in opposed lateral sides thereof. The coupling element includes a body section defining an opening therethrough, and opposed tabs protruding therefrom that are configured to receive the second notched section therebetween such that the arm is pivotably coupled to the coupling element. The rod includes a shaft having a plurality of angled grooves defined partially along a length thereof. The rod extends through the opening of the coupling element and the first notched section of the arm. The ridged slider includes a first surface having a plurality of ridges extending along a partial length thereof. The ridged slider extends through the coupling element with the plurality of ridges operably engaged with the plurality of angled grooves of the rod.

Abstract: An interbody spacer is provided including a body portion defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, opposed side surfaces that extend between the distal and proximal end portions, and top and bottom surfaces configured and adapted to engage vertebral bodies. The interbody spacer includes first orifices defined through the top surface. The first orifices include orifices having first and second cross-sectional configurations and the first orifices are arranged in rows extending along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A screw insertion instrument includes a housing, a knob, a drive shaft, and a screw alignment post. The housing includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the proximal portion includes a proximal body portion defining a channel extending longitudinally therethrough along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The knob is coupled to the proximal portion of the housing and defines an aperture therethrough that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing. The drive shaft extends through the aperture of the knob and the proximal portion of the housing. The screw alignment post is coupled to the distal portion of the housing and is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A spinal rod locking holder includes an outer body, a handle assembly at a proximal end of the outer body, a locking assembly within a distal portion of the outer body, and a sprocket assembly at the distal end of the outer body. The handle assembly includes a moveable handle operatively associated with the sprocket assembly to selectively engage and release an end of a spinal rod. The locking assembly including a bearing operatively associated with a pawl such that when the moveable handle is compressed the bearing extends the pawl into contact with an outer surface of the sprocket assembly. The sprocket assembly including sprocket sections configured to compress against the end of the spinal rod when the pawl engages the outer surface of the sprocket assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a novel rod reducing device including a screw jack mechanism that is moveably engaged with an elongated grasping fork assembly, the screw jack mechanism having an elongated threaded portion, the elongated threaded portion being connected at its most distal end to a rod contact member, which is positioned in sliding circumferential contact with each of the two opposing elongated grasping members and the most proximal end of the elongated threaded portion terminating in a controlling member, which can be activated in a measured and controlled manner. A method of using the device is also provided.

Abstract: An insertion instrument for expandable spinal implants includes an elongate member, a shuttle, and a worm gear. The elongate member includes a handle portion of a proximal end and an end effector on a distal end, wherein the end effector is configured to be releasably engaged to an expandable spinal implant. The shuttle is slidably disposed within a cavity defined within the end effector and includes a wedged shaped distal end configured to engage an expandable spinal implant. The worm gear is rotatably disposed within the cavity defined in the end effector and is in mechanical communication with the shuttle, such that rotation of the worm gear effectuates movement of the shuttle. Distal movement of the shuttle effectuates articulation of an expandable spinal implant. A method of performing surgery is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a novel rod reducing device including a screw jack mechanism that is moveably engaged with an elongated grasping fork assembly, the screw jack mechanism having an elongated threaded portion, the elongated threaded portion being connected at its most distal end to a rod contact member, which is positioned in sliding circumferential contact with each of the two opposing elongated grasping members and the most proximal end of the elongated threaded portion terminating in a controlling member, which can be activated in a measured and controlled manner. A method of using the device is also provided.

Abstract: A dilator includes a main body and a cross brace assembly. The main body includes a pair of body members movable in parallel relationship with respect to each other between a closed position and an open position. The cross brace assembly includes two linkage assemblies, with each linkage assembly having a pair of arms arranged in an X configuration. Each arm includes at least one slidable connection point with the respective body member to which the arm is coupled to facilitate movement of the body members relative to each other.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant configured for positioning within the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies is disclosed. The spinal implant includes a first body, a second body, a ratchet, and a locking mechanism. The first and second bodies are pivotably affixed to each other on respective first ends thereof and are capable of movement relative to each other in a medial-lateral direction with respect to the adjacent vertebral bodies. The ratchet is pivotably supported within a slot defined in the first body and is capable of engaging the second body thereby permitting movement of the first and second body relative to each other in a first direction, but not in a second direction that is different than the first direction. A method of performing spinal surgery is also disclosed.