Abstract: A system for stabilizing a vertebral joint comprises a connection element adapted to extend through a first vertebral body, through a vertebral endplate of the first vertebral body, through a vertebral endplate of a second vertebral body, and through the second vertebral body.

Abstract: A system for augmenting a spinal joint comprises a first flexible stabilizing device adapted to extend through a pedicle of a first vertebra, at least a portion of a vertebral body of the first vertebra, at least a portion of a vertebral body of a second vertebra, and a pedicle of the second vertebra.

Abstract: An inter-transverse process spacer system comprises a first spacer device. The first spacer device comprises opposing end portions. The first spacer device is adapted for insertion between a first pair of adjacent transverse processes, and the opposing end portions of the first spacer device are adapted to engage the first pair of adjacent transverse processes. The inter-transverse process spacer system further comprises a first connection device connected to the first spacer device and adapted to engage at least one of the first pair of adjacent transverse processes.

Abstract: A surgical implant containing two opposing shells, a central body disposed between the shells, and a flexible sheath extending between edges of the opposing shells. The sheath is formed from a composite structure comprising a flexible material and a resistant material that provides for resisting at least one predetermined type of relative directional motion.

Abstract: A surgical implant containing two opposing shells, a central body disposed between the shells, and a flexible sheath extending between edges of the opposing shells. The sheath provides for resisting at least one predetermined type of relative directional motion.

Abstract: Methods for forming a shaped surface, for example, a shaped end plate between adjacent vertebral bodies, and a bone removal device for use in such methods. The device includes a contour having a predetermined profile corresponding at least in part to an implant, and a cutting element following the contour and having a cutting edge having a profile corresponding to the contour profile.

Abstract: A intervertebral fusion device and method according to which an artificial disc is removed from an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae and an intervertebral fusion device is inserted in the intervertebral space to fuse the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for inserting and expanding interbody spinal fusion implants having an expandable height.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically identifying the contents of an instrument tray by use of a radio-frequency tag (RFID) is disclosed. The method, apparatus, and system enable the instrument tray to receive an interrogation signal from a reader and to respond to the interrogation signal with a code comprised of its identifying information as well as its contents of radio frequency tagged instruments. Both the instrument tray and/or the reader may be coupled by a proximity electromagnetic field, an inductive coupling, or may be units of a wireless LAN system such as a wireless fidelity local area network. The interrogation signal interrogates the tray to ascertain its contents, and the tray in turn transmits a signal to the reader to inform the reader of its contents. The method, apparatus, and system can track, inspect, and verify inbound and outbound surgical instrument trays and kits, to assess, for example, the surgical instruments' and trays' duty life cycle usage.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plating system includes moveable plate segments to vary the overall length of the plate and allow and/or cause intersegmental compression of vertebral bodies. The plating system is capable of both passive and active dynamization and has the ability to produce the former from the latter.

Abstract: An at least in part cylindrical push-in interbody spinal fusion implant having an expandable height.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthetic device for spinal stabilization and a method of using same according to which a body member is implanted between two adjacent vertebrae so that a spinous processes of a vertebrae extends into a notch formed in the body member. A groove is also formed in the body member that engages one of the vertebrae.

Abstract: The present invention is a specialized orthopedic implant having an exterior surface for engaging bone. The surface comprises arrayed projections having at least one forward facing facet directed at least in part toward the leading end of the implant and at least one rearward portion directed at least in part toward the opposite trailing end of the implant. Each of the forward facet and rearward portion has a length and a slope. The length of the forward facet is longer than the length of the rearward facet. The slope of the rearward facet is steeper than the slope of the forward facet. The surface projections also have opposed side facets directed generally toward the sides of the implant. The side facets are located between the forward facet and rearward facet and converge toward each other in a direction away from the base of the surface projections. The surface may also include projections having left and right forward side facets and a rearward facet.

Abstract: An artificial spinal implant is disclosed which when placed between two adjacent vertebrae directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. Instrumentation and procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing an intervertebral disc space between a pair of vertebral bodies to receive an implant comprises engaging a portion of a surgical instrument with at least one of the vertebral bodies. The surgical instrument has a passage therethrough. The method further comprises generating one or more images of the surgical instrument in the surgical field and visualizing the passage through the surgical instrument on the one or more images. The method further comprises aligning the surgical instrument with a surgical plane through the intervertebral disc space by maintaining visualization of the through passage on the one or more images while adjusting the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Interspinous device for impeding the movements of two successive vertebrae (8, 9) of the spinal column, characterized in that it comprises: two pads (2a, 2b; 11a, 11b; 20a, 20b) whose internal faces (3a, 3b; 12a, 12b) are intended to be pressed against the lateral faces of the spinous processes (6, 7) of the said vertebrae (8, 9), and ligaments (4, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d; 17a, 17b, 18, 19; 23, 24) which connect the said pads (2a, 2b; 11a, 11b; 20a, 20b) to each other and to the said spinous processes (6, 7), so that, during flexion and extension movements of the spinal column with respect to its normal position, the pressures exerted against the lateral faces of the spinous processes (6, 7) by the said pads (2a, 2b; 11a, 11b; 20a, 20b) increase as the spinal column moves away from the said normal position. Method for making a pad designed for such a device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal implant for promoting fusion of adjacent vertebrae and restoration of normal disc height. The spinal implant includes an upper and lower surface adapted to engage cancellous bone tissue in the vertebral bodies. The spinal implant also includes at least two opposing bearing surfaces adapted to bear against cortical bone tissue in the endplates of adjacent vertebrae. This invention also provides an instrumentation to prepare the intervertebral space to receive the spinal implant and techniques for treating patents in need of corrective spinal surgery.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plating system having moveable plate segments to vary the overall length of the plate, moveable to allow and/or cause intersegmental compression of vertebral bodies, and coupled together by a non-detachable fastener. The plating system includes locking elements for locking only one bone screw to the plate, instrumentation, and method for installation thereof. The plating system is capable of both passive and active dynamization and the ability to produce the former from the latter.

Abstract: An instrument for tensioning a flexible elongate member in a surgical procedure includes a tensioning mechanism engageable to a portion of the flexible elongate member and operable to apply a tensioning force to the elongate member. The instrument includes a distal end portion at a distal end of the tensioning mechanism that is adapted to allow orientation of the elongate member in a first direction for implantation and to allow the instrument to extend transversely to the implantation orientation during application of a tensioning force. The distal end portion can also include a receptacle to receive a structure at the surgical site to facilitate positioning of the distal end portion at the desired location.

Abstract: A screw formed of cortical bone for use in the human body with an implant having a screw hole for receiving at least a portion of a screw therethrough, includes a shaft with a thread along at least a portion of its length. The thread has an outer diameter dimensioned to pass through the screw hole in the implant. The trailing end of the screw is configured to cooperatively engage at least a portion of the screw hole of the implant so as to prevent the screw from linear motion along the mid-longitudinal axis of the shaft in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion when the screw is threaded through the screw hole to attach the implant to a bone portion of the human body. The screw is formed substantially of cortical bone of a single cortical thickness.