Abstract: A prosthetic implant apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebral portions, includes an implant member dimensioned to be at least partially positioned within an intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebral portions. The implant member includes a bioabsorbable material and has a support structure associated therewith. The support structure is sufficiently rigid to support and maintain the adjacent vertebral portions in spaced relation during healing.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into at least one bore formed between opposing vertebrae of a spine where the vertebrae are separated by a space and each vertebrae has end plates. The implant is in the shape of a solid generally cylindrical body having a first and a second end, an outer surface, opposing sides and a longitudinal axis. The body has threads on a portion of the outer surface between the first and second ends with the threads being configured for threading into bone. The body includes at least two indentations on its outer surface with the indentations having a surface with each indentation containing a bone attachment material for the attachment of bone to the bone attachment material within the indentations. Each of the indentations are positioned on generally opposing sides of the body so as to provide contact with the end plates of the opposing vertebrae when the implant is inserted into at least one bore formed between the opposing vertebrae.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for securing a spinal rod to the spine comprising a fastener having a curvate head portion, a securement body having an interior cavity including a first portion having a first axis and configured to accommodate the curvate head portion of the fastener and a second portion having a second axis and configured to accommodate a spinal rod in such a manner so that the spinal rod and the curvate head portion are in contact with one another, and a locking member configured to linearly engage the second portion of the interior cavity of the securement body along the axis thereof in such a manner so as to secure the relative position of the spinal rod and the head portion of the fastener.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing an anastomosis includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end; a shaft extending from the housing distal end; and a disposable loading unit configured and dimensioned to retain a plurality of surgical fasteners, the disposable loading unit extending from the shaft and forming a juncture with the shaft, the disposable loading unit including: i) opposed split-sections pivotably connected to facilitate movement of the opposed split-sections between open and closed configurations, the opposed split sections being movable through a firing stroke from a first position to a second position and back to the first position to form a plurality of surgical fasteners; and ii) a pivot lockout member including a latch portion which extends between the opposed split-sections, the latch portion including a contact surface which interacts with a corresponding surface formed on at least one of the opposed split-sections to retain the opposed split-sections in the closed configurat

Abstract: A method for performing a surgical procedure includes the steps of providing a surgical retractor including a sleeve member having two opposed retractor arms at its distal end portion, at least partially inserting the retractor arms of the retractor within a space defined between adjacent bony structures whereby first and second supporting surfaces of each retractor arm respectively engage the opposed structures thereby distracting the structures, and performing the surgical procedure. A method for inserting a spinal implant is also disclosed. Instrumentation for performing the procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of inserting implants are disclosed wherein the apparatus includes a handle portion and a body portion attached to the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes an outer tubular member fixed relative to the handle portion for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis. The outer tube member has first implant engaging structure adjacent a distal end. An inner tubular member is disposed at least partially within the outer tubular member and is mounted for longitudinal motion relative to the outer tubular member. Second implant engaging structure is positioned adjacent a distal end of the inner tubular member. The body portion further includes an inner shaft, coaxially mounted at least partially within the inner tubular member for independent rotation relative to the inner and outer tubular members, the inner shaft having third implant engaging structure adjacent a distal end.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for connecting first and second elongated spaced apart spinal rods to one another which includes a first connector having structure to engage a first spinal rod at a location along the length thereof and an elongated beam having an axis extending in a direction transverse to the first spinal rod, a second connector having structure to engage a second spinal rod at a location adjacent the first connector and including a reception portion projecting in a direction transverse to the second spinal rod and defining a channel for receiving the elongated beam of the first connector, and a locking member dimensioned and configured to engage the channel along the axis of the beam and secure the position of the beam with respect thereto.

Abstract: A cutting device for the cutting and reduction of matter from a surgical site having a cutting head having an entry tip and a cutting blade positioned on opposed leading edges of a window formed through the interior of the cutting head. The window includes angled walls extending from each cutting blade along the circumference of the window. The cutting head is attached to a shaft for mounting the cutting device to a rotary surgical drill. The matter is removed and further reduced as the cutting head is rotated at the surgical site. The main shaft also includes depth markings for identifying the depth of the device in the surgical site. The geometry of the cutting head and entry tip can be varied for particular surgical procedures.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the fusion of adjacent bone structures includes an implant member configured for insertion within a space defined between adjacent bone structures. The implant member includes an entry end portion and a trailing end portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The implant member includes at least a longitudinal portion having a generally elliptical cross-sectional dimension with a major cross-sectional dimension greater than a minor cross-sectional dimension. The apparatus is particularly contemplated for fusion of adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A suture anchor installation system includes a body portion having a distal end and a proximal end, an elongated shaft extending distally from the distal end of the body portion, the shaft having a distal end with an annular region disposed at the distal end of the shaft. A suture anchor is attachable within the annular region and comprising a setting portion and an engagement portion, the suture anchor having at least one suture associated therewith. A suture retaining member is positioned on the body portion, the suture retaining member including tabs to grip the at least one suture extending from the suture anchor to maintain the setting portion within the engagement portion. A loading unit for use with a suturing apparatus is mountable on the body portion including a mounting member positioned on the body portion and configured to releasably hold at least one suture needle, the at least one suture needle being associated with the at least one suture extending from the suture anchor.

Abstract: A cutting device for the cutting and reduction of matter from a surgical site having a cutting head having an entry tip and a cutting blade positioned on opposed leading edges of a window formed through the interior of the cutting head. The window includes angled walls extending from each cutting blade along the circumference of the window. The cutting head is attached to a shaft for mounting the cutting device to a rotary surgical drill. The cutting head can also have a blade on the outer perimeter of the head. The matter is removed and further reduced as the cutting head is rotated at the surgical site. The geometry of the cutting head and entry tip can be varied for particular surgical procedures. The cutting device can also include a cannula or drill guard.

Abstract: A fusion cage for vertebral body fusion is conically-shaped. A thread is formed as part of the external conical surface of the fusion cage. Apertures are defined through the fusion cage in order to provide for contact between the engaged vertebral bone structures and bone growth inducing substances packed within the fusion cage. The fusion cage is introduced and maintains or increases the lordosis between adjacent vertebral bone structures.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of inserting implants are disclosed wherein the apparatus includes a handle portion and a body portion attached to the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes an outer tubular member fixed relative to the handle portion for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis. The outer tube member has first implant engaging structure adjacent a distal end. An inner tubular member is disposed at least partially within the outer tubular member and is mounted for longitudinal motion relative to the outer tubular member. Second implant engaging structure is positioned adjacent a distal end of the inner tubular member. The body portion further includes an inner shaft, coaxially mounted at least partially within the inner tubular member for independent rotation relative to the inner and outer tubular members, the inner shaft having third implant engaging structure adjacent a distal end.

Abstract: A cutting device for the cutting and reduction of matter from a surgical site having a cutting head having an entry tip and three or more cutting blades positioned on opposed leading edges of a window formed through the interior of the cutting head. The window includes angled walls extending from each cutting blade along the circumference of the window. The cutting head is attached to a shaft for mounting the cutting device to a rotary surgical drill. The cutting head can also have a blade on the outer perimeter of the head. The matter is removed and further reduced as the cutting head is rotated at the surgical site. The geometry of the cutting head and entry tip can be varied for particular surgical procedures. The cutting device can also include a cannula or drill guard.

Abstract: A spinal fusion implant includes lower and upper plate members dimensioned for at least partial insertion within the intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebrae. The lower and upper plate members have contacting surfaces for engaging respective vertebral end faces of the adjacent vertebrae. A linkage mechanism including at least one link member operatively connects the lower and upper plate members. The linkage mechanism actuable to cause relative movement of the lower and upper plate members, wherein upon actuation, the contacting surfaces of the lower and upper plate members engage the vertebral end faces with the lower and upper plate members supporting the adjacent vertebrae in spaced relation during healing.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into at least one bore formed between opposing vertebrae of a spine where the vertebrae are separated by a space and each vertebrae has end plates. The implant is in the shape of a solid generally cylindrical body having a first and a second end, an outer surface, opposing sides and a longitudinal axis. The body has threads on a portion of the outer surface between the first and second ends with the threads being configured for threading into bone. The body includes at least two indentations on its outer surface with the indentations having a surface with each indentation containing a bone attachment material for the attachment of bone to the bone attachment material within the indentations. Each of the indentations are positioned on generally opposing sides of the body so as to provide contact with the end plates of the opposing vertebrae when the implant is inserted into at least one bore formed between the opposing vertebrae.

Abstract: A surgical suction cutting instrument is provided with a suction port. A guard is mounted at the suction port to permit material to enter the suction port while preventing vital structures such as nerves, vessels and dura from entering the port and being damaged during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A percutaneous discectomy system 20 having a bendable discectomy probe 22 and steerable cannula 24 allows for a wide range of positions relative to the discectomy tissue to be severed. The bendable discectomy probe 22 includes a bendable section 78, 86 which can allow the probe 22 to be bent more than 90.degree. and still maintain the function required in order to sever and remove tissue. The steerable cannula 24 has a similar bendable section 102 which can appropriately position the end 50 of the discectomy probe 22 in order to address tissue to be removed.

Abstract: A surgical needle 20 includes a needle body 26 which is secured onto a hub body 24. The hub body 24 is irreversibly removable from the needle body 26 in order for the needle body 26 to be used as a trocar. The hub body 24, being irreversibly disconnectable from the needle body 26, ensures that the hub body 24 cannot be reconnected to the needle body 26 so that the surgical needle 20 cannot be used again.

Abstract: When an intervertebral fusion is required, and the disc space is unusualy large, that disc space can be preserved by surgically implanting a pair of relatively large male-thread fusion cages 20, 20A with their threads 13 overlapping. Because of their large size, such fusion cages 20, 20A should be implanted by an anterior approach to the lower back. When each of the cages is made of a shape-retaining helix 22 of wire that is hollow within the helix 22 and has openings 23 between adjacent turns, the cages 20, 20A can be removed after the adjacent vertebrae have become fused together and without disrupting that fusion, thus guarding against possible rejection of the cages 20, 20A by the patient's body. The anterior approach and scaled-down fusion cages 20, 20A may be used in cervical spine fusions.