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 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 system for attaching first and second spine fixation elements at a predetermined angle relative to each other to first and second locations of a vertebra, respectively includes first and second guide arms pivotally connected to each other at a first pivot point and configured to pivot around a pivot axis passing through the first pivot point, and first and second guide tubes passing through first and second elongated through-bore openings formed in the first and second guide arms, respectively, and forming an X-structure as they exit the first and second through-bore openings.

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: Methods and devices for static or dynamic spine stabilization include an anterior plating system that allows longitudinal and pivoting motion of the plates and of the stabilized vertebras. In one embodiment a spine fixation assembly for connecting a first vertebra to a second vertebra includes a first plate configured to be attached to one or more locations of the first vertebra and a second plate configured to be attached to one or more locations of the second vertebra. The first plate is pivotally connected to the second plate and may also allow longitudinal and/or horizontal motion of the plates relative to each other.

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 bone screw assembly includes a tulip-shaped seat, a bone fixation device, a ring-shaped washer, a rod and a cap. The tulip-shaped seat comprises a through opening dimensioned to receive the bone fixation device and a horizontal channel dimensioned to receive the rod. The washer is placed into the seat on top of the bone fixation device head and comprises first and second side tabs and a first pair of upward extending projections separated by a first gap and a second pair of upward extending projections separated by a second gap. The side tabs interface with a groove formed in the bottom portion of the seat. The rod is placed within the channel and positioned within a groove formed on the top surface of the washer. The cap includes first and second projections extending downward from its bottom surface and each of the first and second downward projections comprises first and second sidewise extending ridges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking mechanism and method of locking the relative positions of a fixation device like a bone screw and of a stabilization device like a rod. The locking mechanism includes a seat, a washer and a cap. The seat includes a bottom portion configured to receive the fixation device such that a socket of the bottom portion engages part of the fixation device and prevents the fixation device from passing entirely therethrough. The seat further includes a side portion configured to receive the stabilization device, a washer and a cap. When the washer and cap are fully engaged with the seat, the fixation device may be locked independent of the stabilization device. The locking mechanism may also include a locking element for locking the stabilization device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking mechanism and method of fixation, such as the fixation of a fixation device like a bone screw and of a stabilization device like a rod to the spine. The locking mechanism includes a seat and a locking element. The seat includes a bottom portion configured to receive the fixation device such that a socket of the bottom portion engages part of the fixation device and prevents the fixation device from passing entirely therethrough. The seat further includes a side portion configured to receive the stabilization device and a locking element. The locking element, when fully engaged with the side portion of the seat, causes locking of the relative positions of the fixation device and the stabilization device.