Abstract: A method for fusing two adjacent stacked bones includes the following. First, inserting first and second pins into first and second locations of a first surface of one of the two adjacent stacked bones, respectively. Next, inserting a dilator over each of the first and second pins to dilate tissue around the first and second pins. Next, inserting a tissue protector over the dilator and removing the dilator. Next, inserting a cannulated drill through the tissue protector over each of the first and second pins and drilling first and second openings in the first and second locations, respectively, wherein the first and second opening extend through the two adjacent stacked bones. Next, tapping threads in the first opening and inserting a first bone fusing implant in the first opening, wherein the first bone fusing implant comprises threads configured to engage the threads of the first opening.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant includes a base body, a top endplate and a center component. The top endplate is configured to be placed onto an open top of the base body and to expand upward. The top endplate includes a plate, first and second side protrusions extending vertically downward from first and second sides of the plate, respectively, first and second protrusions including inclined surfaces and extending obliquely downward from a first end of the plate and third and fourth protrusions having a triangular shape with at least one inclined surface and extending downward from a second end of the plate. The center component is configured to be placed within the base body and to interface with the top endplate and to move longitudinally forward or backward within the base body, thereby causing the top endplate to expand upwards or move downward, respectively.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for providing percutaneous access in minimally invasive spinal surgeries, includes an outer cannula, a nerve probe dilator and a multistage dilator system comprising a first dilator, a second dilator, a third dilator and a fourth dilator. The outer cannula and the dilators are slidable relative to each other and are arranged sequentially so that the fourth dilator surrounds the nerve probe dilator, the third dilator slides over a surface of the fourth dilator, the second dilator slides over a surface of the third dilator, the first dilator slides over a surface of the second dilator, and the outer cannula surrounds the first dilator.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization implant assembly includes a first cervical stabilization plate comprising an elongated body having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a second cervical stabilization plate comprising an elongated body having a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of the first cervical stabilization plate is attached to a first vertebra and the top portion of the second stabilization plate is stacked end-to-end below the bottom portion of the first cervical stabilization plate and is attached to the same first vertebra. The top portion of the first cervical stabilization plate is attached to a second vertebra, and the bottom portion of the second stabilization plate is attached to a third vertebra. The second vertebra is superior to the first vertebra, and the third vertebra is inferior to the first vertebra.

Abstract: An implantable spinous process fixation device includes a k-shaped component comprising an elongated plate and top and bottom deformable plates extending at first and second angles from a first surface of the elongated plate, respectively, thereby defining first and second spaces between the elongated plate and the top and bottom deformable plates and a compression element configured to compress and move the first and second deformable plates toward the elongated plate and to change the first and the second angles, respectively. The first and second spaces are configured to receive first and second spinous processes, respectively. Compressing and moving the first and second deformable plates toward the elongated plate results in engaging the first surface of the elongated plate and first surfaces of the top and bottom deformable plates with lateral surfaces of the first and second spinous processes, respectively.

Abstract: A connector assembly for translateral linking of bilateral spinal fixation rods includes first and second components. The first component has an elongated body having first and second ends, and the first end of the first component is configured to connect to a first spinal fixation rod. The second component has an elongated body having first and second ends, and the first end of the second component is configured to connect to a second spinal fixation rod. The second end of the first component is configured to be slidably connected to the second end of the second component.

Abstract: A spinal screw assembly includes a bone-anchoring member, a washer, and a seat. The bone-anchoring member includes a main shaft, a washer head, and a spherical head. The spherical head extends upward from the top end of the main shaft and the washer head extends laterally from a location of the main shaft between the main shaft's top end and bottom end. The washer is polyaxially rotatable and positionable around the washer head and is configured to be placed at a first angle relative to the main shaft. The seat is polyaxially rotatable and positionable around the spherical head independent from the washer and is configured to be placed at a second angle relative to the main shaft, wherein the second angle is independent from the first angle.

Abstract: A spinal fixation element includes a screw and a washer. The screw comprises an elongated body of a first diameter and the body includes a threaded portion at a distal end and a semispherical head of a second diameter at a proximal end. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter. The washer comprises a semispherical through opening of a third diameter at the top, of a fourth diameter in the middle and of a fifth diameter at the bottom. The third diameter is slightly smaller than the second diameter, the fourth diameter is slightly larger than the second diameter and the fifth diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The washer surrounds the semispherical head, is non-removably attached to the semispherical head and is rotatable and positionable at an angle relative to the elongated body.

Abstract: A system for a dynamic facet replacement includes first and second inferior facets, first and second pars and first and second superior facets. The first and second inferior facets are configured to replace left and right natural inferior facets and each facet comprises an articulating surface. The first and second superior facets are configured to replace left and right natural superior facets and each facet comprises an articulating surface. Each of the first and second pars includes first and second articulating surfaces and is configured to articulately connect the first and second articulating surfaces with the first articulating surfaces of the inferior and superior facets, respectively.

Abstract: A spine fixation assembly connecting a first vertebra to a second vertebra includes first and second mounting assemblies and a first spinal stabilization component. The first mounting assembly is configured to be attached to a first location of the first vertebra and includes a first bone anchor housing and first and second spinal stabilization component housings extending from the first bone anchor housing. The second mounting assembly is configured to be attached to a first location of the second vertebra and includes a second bone anchor housing and third and fourth spinal stabilization component housings extending from the second housing. The first spinal stabilization component includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end and is configured to connect the first mounting assembly to the second mounting assembly.

Abstract: An implantable spinous process fixation device includes a first plate component having an elongated plate and front and back cross plates extending at right angle to the front and back of the elongated plate, respectively, a top pivoting plate and a bottom pivoting plate. The top and bottom pivoting plates are configured to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the front and back cross plates and the elongate plate has an inner surface facing an inner surface of the top pivoting plate and an inner surface of the bottom pivoting plate.

Abstract: An implantable spinous process fixation device includes an elongated component, top and bottom pivoting wing components, arranged opposite and parallel to the elongated component and separated from it by a spacer. First and second spinous processes of first and second adjacent vertebras are clamped between a top portion of the elongated component and the top pivoting wing and between a bottom portion of the elongated component and the bottom pivoting wing, respectively, by pivoting the top and bottom pivoting wings toward the top and bottom portions of the elongated component. The clamping of the spinous processes stabilizes the positions of the adjacent vertebras and prevents them from moving relative to each other.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes first and second K-wire components that are configured to pivot relative to each other and their relative position can be securely locked. The locking mechanism may be a sleeve, a retention ring or a collet.

Abstract: A method for spinal rod insertion includes providing a U-shaped hook tool comprising first and second legs, and inserting the first leg into a first location of a first vertebra and then pushing the hook tool along an arc-shaped path until the first leg exits through a second location of an adjacent second vertebra. Next, providing a spinal stabilization rod and a folded flexible wire comprising first and second open ends at the front end and a closed loop end. The closed loop end is attached to a first end of the spinal stabilization rod and the first and second open ends of the folded flexible wire are inserted into an open end of the second leg of the hook, and the folded flexible wire is threaded through the U-shaped hook and the first and second open ends of the flexible wire exit through an open end of the first leg.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for providing percutaneous access in minimally invasive spinal surgeries, includes an outer cannula, a nerve probe dilator and a multistage dilator system comprising a first dilator, a second dilator, a third dilator and a fourth dilator. The outer cannula and the dilators are slidable relative to each other and are arranged sequentially so that the fourth dilator surrounds the nerve probe dilator, the third dilator slides over a surface of the fourth dilator, the second dilator slides over a surface of the third dilator, the first dilator slides over a surface of the second dilator, and the outer cannula surrounds the first dilator.

Abstract: An improved spinous process fixation implant assembly 50 includes a spinous process fixation implant 100 and an interspinous spacer implant 200. The spinous process fixation implant 100 includes elongated first and second components 110, 120, that are arranged opposite and parallel to each other. First and second spinous processes 90a, 90b of first and second adjacent vertebrae 80a, 80b are clamped between the first and second components 110, 120, respectively, and are separated by the interspinous spacer implant 200. The interspinous spacer implant 200 may be inserted between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae from two different directions.

Abstract: A spinal fixation element includes a screw and a washer. The screw comprises an elongated body of a first diameter and the body includes a threaded portion at a distal end and a semispherical head of a second diameter at a proximal end. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter. The washer comprises a semispherical through opening of a third diameter at the top, of a fourth diameter in the middle and of a fifth diameter at the bottom. The third diameter is slightly smaller than the second diameter, the fourth diameter is slightly larger than the second diameter and the fifth diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The washer surrounds the semispherical head, is non-removably attached to the semispherical head and is rotatable and positionable at an angle relative to the elongated body.

Abstract: A spinal fixation element includes a screw and a washer. The screw comprises an elongated body of a first diameter and the body includes a threaded portion at a distal end and a semispherical head of a second diameter at a proximal end. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter. The washer comprises a semispherical through opening of a third diameter at the top, of a fourth diameter in the middle and of a fifth diameter at the bottom. The third diameter is slightly smaller than the second diameter, the fourth diameter is slightly larger than the second diameter and the fifth diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The washer surrounds the semispherical head, is non-removably attached to the semispherical head and is rotatable and positionable at an angle relative to the elongated body.

Abstract: An implantable assembly for stabilization of two adjacent spinous processes in a spinal column includes an elongated first component extending along a first axis, an elongated second component extending along a second axis, a hub spacer, means for inserting and securing the hub spacer transversely through the interspinous ligament separating the first and second spinous processes and means for clamping and securing first and second spinous processes of first and second adjacent vertebras, respectively, between the first and second components. The first and second components are arranged opposite and parallel to each other and are separated by the hub spacer.