Abstract: A posterior spine fixation assembly includes a first elongated plate having first and second ends and a second elongated plate having first and second ends. The first and second elongated plates are arranged in an X-shaped configuration and are attached to each other via a first screw. The assembly also includes a first elongated rod having a first end configured to be removable attached to the second end of the first elongated plate and a second elongated rod having a first end configured to be removable attached to the second end of the second elongate plate. The assembly is attached to a first spine location with the first screw. The first and second plates are configured to rotate around an axis passing through the first screw and the distance between the first elongated rod and the second elongated rod is adjusted via this rotation.

Abstract: A system for attaching first and second fixation elements at a predetermined angle relative to each other to first and second locations of a vertebra, respectively includes a first guide wire configured to be inserted into the first location of the vertebra, an angular guide system comprising first and second guide arms configured to be set at the predetermined angle relative to each other and the first guide arm is configured to be inserted over the first guide wire and a second guide wire configured to be inserted through the second guide arm into the second location of the vertebra. The second guide wire includes first and second members configured to pivot relative to each other.

Abstract: A multi-axial screw assembly with a spherical landing surface is disclosed. The multi-axial screw assembly 100 includes a bone anchor 150, a head 130 with a spherical outer surface and an extension member 160 extending from the top of the head 130. The multi-axial screw is designed to attach a planar or semispherical end member of a plate to a vertebra. The plate is part of a spine fixation or stabilization assembly. The multi-axial screw provides multi-axial pivoting of the screw relative to the plate.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing minimally invasive access to the spine of a patient and implanting spinal stabilization devices. The system utilizes one or more post-type access devices. The post-type access device includes a cage with an aperture and two or more posts extending from the cage and being removably attached to the cage. The posts are supported at the top of the access device by a support ring structure. A pedicle screw is inserted into the access device and through the cage aperture and the screw-access device assembly is inserted into an opening of the patient's body. The base aperture is dimensioned to securely support the head of the screw. Side openings between the posts allow the insertion and placement of stabilization devices, such as rods, wires, or plates from almost any direction.

Abstract: An implantable spinous process stabilization assembly includes a body, a bent arm and a straight arm. The body includes first and second crosspieces arranged parallel to each other, a first plate extending in a direction at right angle to first ends of the first and second crosspieces, first and second rings extending from second ends of the first and second crosspieces, respectively and a second plate extending from a base of the first and second rings, at right angle to the first and second crosspieces and in an opposite direction to the first plate's direction. The bent arm and the straight arm are configured to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the first and second rings and to set first and second pivot angles with the first and second plates, respectively, thereby defining first and second spaces configured to receive and lock onto first and second spinous processes, respectively.

Abstract: An improved interbody spinal fusion assembly for fusing a first vertebra to a second vertebra includes an interbody cage, a first plate and a second plate. The interbody cage is configured to be implanted between the first and second vertebras and comprises through-apertures configured to be filled with bone fusing material. The first plate comprises an L-shaped body having a first end configured to be attached to a first location of the interbody cage, a second end configured to be attached to a first location of the first vertebra and a corner formed between the first and second ends and configured to be attached to a second location of the first vertebra or a third location of the interbody cage. The second plate comprises a first end configured to be attached to a second location of the interbody cage and a second end configured to be attached to a first location of the second vertebra.

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 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 system for attaching first and second fixation elements at a predetermined angle relative to each other to first and second locations of a vertebra, respectively includes a first guide wire configured to be inserted into the first location of the vertebra, an angular guide system comprising first and second guide arms configured to be set at the predetermined angle relative to each other and the first guide arm is configured to be inserted over the first guide wire and a second guide wire configured to be inserted through the second guide arm into the second location of the vertebra. The second guide wire includes first and second members configured to pivot relative to each other.

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: An orthopedic implantable device articulately connecting a first spinal vertebra to an adjacent second spinal vertebra includes a pair of first components adapted to be attached to locations left and right of a midline of the first vertebra, respectively and a pair of second components adapted to be attached to locations left and right of a midline of the second vertebra, respectively. Each of the first components includes a body and a male articulation member attached to the first component body and each of the second components includes a body and a female articulation member attached to the second component body. The first components are articulately connected to the second components by engaging the male articulation members to the female articulation members, thereby articulately connecting the first vertebra to said second vertebra along lines left and right of the midlines and without crossing the midlines, respectively.

Abstract: An implantable spinous process stabilization assembly includes a body, a bent arm and a straight arm. The body includes first and second crosspieces arranged parallel to each other, a first plate extending in a direction at right angle to first ends of the first and second crosspieces, first and second rings extending from second ends of the first and second crosspieces, respectively and a second plate extending from a base of the first and second rings, at right angle to the first and second crosspieces and in an opposite direction to the first plate's direction. The bent arm and the straight arm are configured to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the first and second rings and to set first and second pivot angles with the first and second plates, respectively, thereby defining first and second spaces configured to receive and lock onto first and second spinous processes, 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 orthopedic implantable device articulately connecting a first spinal vertebra to an adjacent second spinal vertebra includes a pair of first components adapted to be attached to locations left and right of a midline of the first vertebra, respectively; and a pair of second components adapted to be attached to locations left and right of a midline of the second vertebra, respectively. Each of the first components includes a body and a male articulation member attached to the first component body and each of the second components includes a body and a female articulation member attached to the second component body. The first components are articulately connected to the second components by engaging the male articulation members to the female articulation members, thereby articulately connecting the first vertebra to said second vertebra along lines left and right of the midlines, respectively.

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 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: An implantable spinous processes fixation device including a first S-shaped plate having a first surface configured to engage a first lateral surface of a first spinous process and a second surface configured to engage a second lateral surface of a second spinous process and a second S-shaped plate having a first surface configured to engage a second lateral surface of the first spinous process and a second surface configured to engage a first lateral surface of the second spinous process. The first and second S-shaped plates are configured to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the center portions of the first and second S-shaped plates.

Abstract: A posterior spine fixation assembly includes a first elongated plate having first and second ends and a second elongated plate having first and second ends. The first and second elongated plates are arranged in an X-shaped configuration and are attached to each other via a first screw. The assembly also includes a first elongated rod having a first end configured to be removable attached to the second end of the first elongated plate and a second elongated rod having a first end configured to be removable attached to the second end of the second elongate plate. The assembly is attached to a first spine location with the first screw.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing minimally invasive access to the spine of a patient and implanting spinal stabilization devices. The system utilizes one or more post-type access devices. The post-type access device includes a cage with an aperture and two or more posts extending from the cage and being removably attached to the cage. The posts are supported at the top of the access device by a support ring structure. A pedicle screw is inserted into the access device and through the cage aperture and the screw-access device assembly is inserted into an opening of the patient's body. The base aperture is dimensioned to securely support the head of the screw. Side openings between the posts allow the insertion and placement of stabilization devices, such as rods, wires, or plates from almost any direction.