Abstract: A bone anchor coupler assembly is configured to couple a bone anchor to a spine stabilization member, and includes a coupler body and an angular adjustment member movably coupled to the coupler body.

Abstract: A resection guide can be configured to guide a resection tool toward a graft source, and can include a resection guide body made from a first material, and a guide member made from a second material. The second material is harder than the first material.

Abstract: A number of orthopaedic surgical instruments are disclosed. A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating such instruments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A resection guide can be configured to guide a resection tool toward a graft source or a tissue body. The resection guide can include a resection guide body with at least one opening, and a guide member configured to be at least partially inserted into the at least one opening.

Abstract: A threaded receptacle for receiving a commercially available knotless suture anchor is designed to secure sutures for tying soft tissue in patients that have bone characteristics where the typical anchor is avulsed because of the weakness of the bone structure, a cavity exists in the bone where an anchor has been removed. The threaded receptacle includes a helical thread that is maximized to provide sustaining surface and includes a central bore and an internal flange that is dimensioned to provide a central opening to allow the knotless suture anchor to pass into a cavity and prevent the knotless suture anchor from being expulsed when deployed. The internal dimension of the cavity is designed to cause the tips of the wings of the anchor to fold to assure sufficient holding structure.

Abstract: A bone plate system for internal fixation of bone fractures includes a bone plate having a plurality of bone plate holes. The holes are constructed to receive either a non-locking, locking, or variable-angle locking bone screw. The holes have discrete columns of teeth or thread segments arranged around the inner surface of the hole for engaging threads on the heads of locking and variable-angle locking bone screws. Conventional locking bone screws engage the bone plate coaxially with the central axis of the bone plate hole. Variable-angle locking bone screws can engage the bone plate at a selectable angle within a range of selectable angles relative to the central axis of the bone plate hole. The head of the variable-angle locking screw is at least partially spherical, and the thread thereon has a profile that follows the arc-shaped radius of curvature of the spherical portion of the screwhead.

Abstract: The use of a memory metal mesh stent as a retractor in a lateral approach to the spine. The expanded stent is used as a conduit through which an implant can pass. This advance is predicated upon the appreciation that modern stent implants have diameters that are large enough to accommodate passage of an intervertebral spinal implant therethrough.

Abstract: A bone plate includes (a) a body having a first surface which, in an operative configuration, faces away from a bone on which the plate is to be mounted and a second surface, which in the operative configuration, faces the bone, the body including a first section extending along a first longitudinal axis and a second section extending along a second longitudinal axis angled with respect to the first longitudinal axis; (b) a first hole extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface and defining a first hole axis, the first hole being structured to lockingly engage a head of a first bone anchor inserted therein such that a shaft of the first bone anchor extends along the first hole axis; and (c) a second hole extending through the body and spaced apart from the first hole. The second hole defines a second hole axis and is structured to lockingly engage a head of a second bone anchor inserted therein such that a shaft of the second bone anchor extends along the second hole axis.

Abstract: A detachment actuator for use with an implantable medical device deployment system that guide and deploys the medical device at a target location within a body vessel. The detachment actuator includes a first portion that is connected the implantable medical device and a second portion that is attached to a control member the controls the release of the medical device, The second portion of the detachment actuator detaches and moves away from the first portion of the detachment actuator to move the control member and release the medical device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, at least in part, to a surgical implant and a method for manufacturing the surgical implant. In one embodiment, the surgical implant comprises a metallic substrate; a tantalum interlayer disposed adjacent to the metallic substrate and comprising ?-tantalum and amorphous tantalum; at least one DLC layer disposed adjacent the tantalum interlayer; wherein the amorphous tantalum has a phase gradient increasing from the metallic substrate side to the DLC side; wherein the DLC layer has a hardness value and an elastic modulus value; and wherein the hardness value has a gradient increasing away from the tantalum side; and wherein the elastic modulus value has a gradient from the tantalum side.

Abstract: Embodiments described include devices and methods for forming a porous polymer material. Devices disclosed and formed using the methods described a spacer for spinal fusion, craniomaxillofacial (CMF) structures, and other structures for tissue implants.

Abstract: Devices and methods for aligning the components of polyaxial screws are described herein. In one embodiment, an alignment instrument includes an elongate frame having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of connection caps slidably disposed along the elongate frame. Each connection cap can removably couple to a polyaxial screw extension tube and selectively lock relative to the elongate frame such that a distance between the plurality of connection caps and an angular orientation of each connection cap relative to the elongate frame is maintained. The instrument can also include a transverse angle indicator to indicate an angular orientation of the elongate frame in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate frame. The device can, for example, capture the orientation of a plurality of polyaxial screws during spinal surgery such that the screws can be returned to the same orientation after manipulation to correct a spinal deformity, etc.

Abstract: A method of assembling a glenoid assembly. The method includes selecting a base from a plurality of bases. At least one of the plurality of bases has a size different than a size of one of the other of the plurality of bases. The selected base is coupled to an articulating member and the selected base is locked to the articulating member via a locking mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implant holder for an implant device comprising a locking mechanism that in a first position causes a clamp coupled to an implant device to lock such that the clamp cannot be decoupled from the implant device, and in a second position causes the clamp to unlock the implant device such that the clamp remains coupled to the implant device in the absence of a sufficient decoupling force but is decoupled from the implant device in the presence of a sufficient decoupling force. Also disclosed are methods of implanting an implant device using an implant holder by coupling the implant device to the implant holder, locking the implant device and the implant holder, emplacing the implant device utilizing the implant holder, unlocking the implant device and the implant holder such that the implant device is still coupled to the implant holder but can be decoupled with sufficient force.

Abstract: A hybrid spinal implant device, and method of making the same are disclosed. The spinal implant device comprises two facing endplates, each having at least one anchoring wall or pin element, and a plastic spacer anchored to and located between the two endplates. The endplates may be manufactured from titanium. The plastic spacer may be manufactured from a radiolucent, and bio-compatible polymer-based material including polyetheretherketone (“PEEK”), polyetherketone, polyetherketoneketone, and/or fiber reinforced plastic. The endplates made of titanium allow for enhanced bone growth, while the plastic/PEEK spacer element allows for improved load absorption and distribution. The spinal implant device, using titanium endplates and a PEEK spacer, provides excellent radiolucency thereby eliminating the need for X-ray markers either intra- or post-operation. The manufacturing method for the hybrid spinal implant device uses injection molding to insert or back injection mold the spacer between the two endplates.

Abstract: A method of compacting and stabilizing bone in the spine using an expandable screw and bone filler. The method comprises placing an expanding screw through a pedicle and into a fractured vertebral body using established techniques; and expanding the screw within the body to create a cavity by tamping bone around the expanded aspect of the screw. The screw can be expanded and rotated about its rotational-axis to tamp bone adjacent to the expanded screw. After compaction, the screw is removed and the cavity is filled with bone filler.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a connector can be configured to couple a first fixation element (e.g., a first rod) to a second fixation element (e.g., a second rod). One or both of the first and second fixation elements can be included with the connector, or one or both can be separately provided. In some instances, at least one of the fixation elements is previously implanted in a patient. The connector can provide one or more degrees of freedom between the first and second fixation elements. The connector can also include a locking element configured to (1) lock one or more of the fixation elements to the connector, and (2) lock one or more of the degrees of freedom between the fixation elements. The connector can be configured to snap onto or otherwise engage a fixation element in a manner that provides tactile and/or audible feedback to the surgeon.

Abstract: A surgical file instrument including a surgical file assembly having an elongated tubular member with a guide/shield supporting the blade of the surgical file and being formed on the distal end thereof, the guide/shield portion being generally planar shaped and having an elongated longitudinally extending dimple defining a rail for guiding said blade and keeping it central and preventing wobbling. The side edges of said guide/shield extend upwardly and bear against the underside of the blade for supporting the same.

Abstract: A bone plate has an underside on the side of the bone, an upper side and a plurality of holes in the plate connecting the underside with the upper side, with a central hole axis. At least one of these holes in the plate has an internal jacket surface that tapers towards the underside, while the internal jacket surface has N?3 recesses which extend radially away from the axis of the hole.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant (10) includes superior (20) and inferior (30) bone contacting members and at least one vertical wire netting (50) interconnecting the superior and inferior bone contacting members. The superior and inferior bone contacting members include at least two bone contacting components interconnected via one or more lateral wire nettings such that the implant is vertically and laterally expandable in situ from a first insertion configuration to a second expanded configuration. The vertical and lateral wire netting are preferably constructed of a plurality of individual link members. The present invention also preferably relates to an associated method of manufacturing the intervertebral implant such that the intervertebral implant can be manufactured as an integral component or part.