Abstract: An endplate for an intervertebral prosthesis includes a generally planar base plate, a first elevated region, or dome, within the base plate periphery, and a second elevated region, or dome, within the boundary of the first elevated region. The antero-posterior and side-to-side (medial-lateral) dimensions of the first elevated region are made to be unequal in order to provide resistance to torsional stresses, and the laterally opposite sidewalls of the first elevated region are defined by arcs that terminate in sagittal planes of the endplate, and are symmetrical with respect to a coronal plane of the endplate. A bone rasp and a groove cutter for use in implanting the prosthesis are also provided.

Abstract: A growing spinal rod system is configured to grow in response to the growth of a patient. The growing spinal rod system includes a housing, a spacer, and a sliding spinal rod. The housing includes a stepped passage therethrough. The spacer is disposed within the stepped passage and defines a through hole. The spacer includes a plurality of ribs biased inwards and into the through hole. The sliding spinal rod is slidably inserted through the through hole of the spacer. The sliding spinal rod moves the plurality of ribs outwards. The plurality of ribs permits the sliding spinal rod to extend from the housing and inhibit the sliding spinal rod from retracting into the housing.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a fastener affixable to a vertebral body and an attachment member. The attachment member is adapted for receiving the fastener and engaging a portion of the vertebral body. The fastener includes a shank and a collet. The collet includes a channel for receiving a spinal rod and a locking member.

Abstract: An occipital fixation assembly is provided. The occipital fixation assembly includes a first mounting plate configured for placement within a sinus cavity adjacent a rear portion of a skull of a patient. A threaded post extends from the first mounting plate. A coupling member includes an aperture configured to receive the threaded post therethrough. The coupling member includes an offset extension configured to support a surgical rod thereon. A fixation nut configured to threadably engage the threaded post of the first mounting plate is rotatable about the threaded post and translatable therealong. The fixation nut is rotatable with respect to the first mounting plate and the coupling member such that rotation of the fixation nut in a predetermined direction brings the first mounting plate and the coupling member toward one another and into secured engagement with the skull of a patient.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper body, a lower body, a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of bone screws. The upper body and lower body are pivotably affixed at a first end and are capable of movement relative to each other. The ratchet mechanism is slidably disposed on one of the upper and lower body and is capable of engaging the opposite one of the upper and lower body thereby permitting movement of the upper and lower body relative to each other in a first direction, but not in a second direction. An insertion instrument capable of being attached to the expandable spinal instrument and a method of performing spinal surgery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bone plate that is configured to operatively attach to bone includes a first segment, a second segment, and a locking mechanism. The first segment includes a compression notch. The first and second segments are positioned along a longitudinal axis and are movable relative to one another. The locking mechanism inhibits relative axial movement of the first and second segments along the longitudinal axis away from one another. The locking mechanism includes first and second grooves disposed on the second segment. The first and second grooves and the compression slot are configured to receive an instrument to move the first segment towards the second segment along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An implant includes an implantable portion and a housing. The implantable portion has a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank has a solid outer surface and defines a radius of curvature. The housing is pivotally and rotatably coupled to the head and is configured to secure a rod to the implantable portion. The housing is fixed relative to the implantable portion when a rod is secured within the housing.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a body, plate, and bone screws. The body includes a first wall having second and third walls joined thereto to define legs. In an embodiment, the body and plate are of unitary construction. In alternative embodiments, the body is formed from a first material and is configured for positioning between vertebral bodies. In other embodiments, the body is separate from the plate. The plate has a main portion and a flange. The main portion has a first screw hole oriented towards the first vertebral body at an oblique angle relative to the horizontal axis of the body. The flange has a second screw hole oriented towards the second vertebral body and substantially parallel to the horizontal axis. The flange is coupled to the main portion and extends past the main portion. Each bone screw is insertable through a screw hole of the plate for attachment to bone. A kit including a body, bone screws, and a plurality of different plates is also provided.

Abstract: A system provides for lateral translational corrective force(s) and/or derotational corrective force(s) on a spinal column and includes highly adaptive hardware for connecting the system to the spinal column, where the hardware facilitates a more natural range of motion within pre-selected limits and application of such lateral translational and/or derotational corrective force(s). The upper and lower vertebral segments retain freedom of movement while an apical or restricted segment is restricted from relative vertebral movement. A central segment controls primary rod roll while the rod is free to change in pitch, yaw and roll at the upper (superior) and lower (inferior) segments.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper body, a lower body, and first and second pins. The lower body is adapted to slidably receive the upper body. Grooves are disposed on opposing side surfaces of the upper body, and grooves are disposed on an inner surface of a bore defined through the lower body. Corresponding first and second apertures are defined through an end surface of the lower body thereby permitting advancement of the first and second pins within the first and second apertures, grooves of the lower body, and a corresponding pair of grooves of the upper body to secure the position of the upper body relative to the lower body. A method of performing spinal surgery is also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: A universal rod holder including a drive member and an elongated shaft member. The drive member has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and may include a handle disposed on the proximal portion, external threads disposed on the proximal portion of the drive member, and a tip disposed on a distal end of the distal portion of the drive member. The elongated shaft member includes a through hole, the through hole configured to receive the drive member, internal threads disposed on an inner surface of the through hole and configured to engage the external threads, and a hook member disposed on a distal end of the shaft member. The through hole extends into an opening of the hook member. The distal portion of the drive member is configured to slide through the through hole and into the opening of the hook member to secure a rod positioned therein.

Abstract: An apparatus supports the spine between vertebrae and promotes spinal fusion. The apparatus generally includes a first supporting member, a second support member, and an expansion member. The first support member has a first longitudinal passage extending therethrough, a first supporting end configured to engage tissue, and a rack configured to engage a tool. The second supporting member contains a second longitudinal passage extending therethrough and a second supporting end configured to engage tissue. The second longitudinal passage is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the first supporting member. The first and second supporting members are configured to move with respect to each other. The expansion member is removably positioned between the first and second supporting members and is adapted to maintain the first and second supporting members in a fixed relative position.

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 instrument for selectively coupling with a pedicle screw is disclosed. The instrument includes an inner shaft, wherein the distal tip is configured to engage a pedicle screw and the proximal end configured to be selectively engaged with a knob, and a knob assembly configured to advance over the inner shaft, wherein the distal end is configured to engage the tulip of the pedicle screw and the proximal end is configured to selectively engage the inner shaft. A method for selectively coupling the instrument to a pedicle screw is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pedicle screw locking system includes a reduction tube and a locking driver. The reduction tube includes an inner shaft, a pair of grips, a reduction sleeve, and a rotatable tube. The inner shaft has a threaded end and reduction arms distally extending from the threaded end. Each grip of the pair of grips has a finger configured to engage the receiver of a pedicle screw. The reduction sleeve and the rotatable tube are disposed over and coaxially aligned with the inner shaft. The rotatable tube is coupled to the reduction sleeve. The rotatable tube moves the reduction sleeve relative to the reduction arms. The locking driver includes a threaded portion and a blunt tip. The threaded portion is configured to thread into threads in the receiver of the pedicle screw until the blunt tip locks the receiver of the pedicle screw.

Abstract: Growth directed correction of a spine via apical vertebral control includes securing a correction system to a first vertebra and a second vertebra of the spine, the correction system defining a correction axis extending between the first and second vertebra and securing the correction system to a third vertebra intermediate the first and second vertebra, the correction system securing the third vertebra at a fixed distance from the correction axis. The correction system is secured to the first and second vertebra such that the first and second vertebra are able to grow away from one another in a direction substantially parallel to the correction axis.

Abstract: A device, system and method for orthopedic spine surgery using a novel screw-based retractor, disclosed herein, that allows for access to the spine through a minimally or less invasive approach. The retractor device is designed to be coupled to a pedicle screw and then to have opposed arms of the retractor spread apart to open the wound proximally. The retractor is removed by pulling it out of the wound whereby the retractor is deformed to pass over the pedicle screw head. The retractor is intended to be made of a stiff plastic material, sterile packaged and disposable after one use. A system and method for using the retractor and performing a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is an iliosacral polyaxial screw system. A multiple part insert member is provided to secure the screw to the housing of the assembly to accommodate screws in which the shank diameter of the screw is greater than the bottom opening of the screw housing or greater than the opening of a ring member designed to capture the head of the screw in the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transverse connector having first and second spinal rod connecting members disposed on opposing ends of a cross member. Each spinal rod connecting member is configured to connect to a spinal rod. The first and second spinal rod connecting members are configured for multidirectional articulation relative to the cross member.