Abstract: A reduction tool for use in posterior spinal fixation to facilitate insertion of a longitudinal spinal rod into a rod-receiving channel formed in a bone fixation element. The reduction tool preferably includes an outer tube sized and configured to transversely receive the spinal rod therethrough, the outer tube being operatively coupled to the bone fixation element, an inner tube operatively coupled to a locking cap and slidably disposed within the outer tube, and a rotatable sleeve for rotatably advancing the inner tube with respect to the outer tube to advance the spinal rod into the rod-receiving channel formed in the bone fixation element and to couple the locking cap to the bone fixation element to thereby secure the rod within the bone fixation element.

Abstract: A bone screw (1) is used for locking an articular facet between the superior and inferior articular processes of two vertebral bodies and is provided with a threaded shaft (2), a screw head (3) and a central axis (4). The screw head (3) is further provided with a number of grooves (5) on the periphery of the screw head (3) which run essentially parallel to said central axis (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to an intramedullary nail (1) having a proximal half (2), a distal half (3) adapted for insertion into the medullary canal, and a central axis (4), whereby the distal half (3) includes three transverse bores (5, 6, 7) suitable for receiving locking screws (10). The distal half (3) is provided with a proximal transverse bore (5) having a bore axis (15), a central transverse bore (6) having a bore axis (16), and a distal transverse bore (7) having a bore axis (17) spaced along the central axis (4). The bore axis (16) of the central transverse bore (6), which extends between the proximal transverse bore (5) and the distal transverse bore (7), is spaced at a shortest distance “a” from the bore axis (15) of the proximal transverse bore (5), and at a shortest distance “b” from the bore axis (17) of the distal transverse bore (7), where a?b.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing ribs with bone plates.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for mounting between superior and inferior vertebrae includes first and second endplates and an inlay. The first endplate has a first vertebra engagement surface and a first inner surface. The first vertebra engagement surface is mounted to the superior vertebra in an implant positions. The second endplate has a second vertebra engagement surface and a second inner surface. The second vertebra engagement surface is mounted to the inferior vertebra in the implanted position. The inlay is mounted to and between the first and second inner surfaces in an assembled configuration. The inlay includes a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate, a first W-shaped spring and a second W-shaped spring. The first and second W-shaped springs are mounted between the first and second mounting plates. The first and second W-shaped springs have longitudinal axes that are generally parallel to the insertion axis.

Abstract: Implants and methods for augmentation of the disc space between two vertebral bodies to treat disease or abnormal pathology conditions in spinal applications. The implant includes a chain of biocompatible material suitable for insertion into a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies in a patient's spinal column, wherein the spinal disc space has a transverse plane. The chain comprises a plurality of adjacent bodies having a height configured to reside within the disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies and a length configured to reside in the disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies when the chain is curved in an orientation substantially along the transverse plane of the spinal disc space.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a spinal implant includes a handle structure with a passage. A shaft with a screw thread is moveable within the passage in the handle structure. A pusher block is linked to the shaft, and has a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant. A screw-threaded clutch member is supported on the handle structure for movement into and out of engagement with the screw thread on the shaft.

Abstract: A vertebral implant for fusing adjacent vertebrae or for replacing vertebral bodies is disclosed. The implant is a biocompatble metal resorbable or radiolucent implant conforming substantially in size and shape with an end plate of a vertebra. The implant preferably has a wedge-shaped profile to restore disc height and the natural curvature of the spine. The top and bottom surfaces of the implant have areas with a plurality of teeth to resist expulsion and provide initial stability and areas devoid of any protrusions to receive implantation instrumentation. The implant also has a stackability feature. The implant provides initial stability needed for fusion without stress shielding.

Abstract: An expandable interspinous process spacer implant for insertion and/or implantation between a spinous process of a superior vertebral body and a spinous process of an inferior vertebral body, the implant comprising multiple pairs of legs joined in a scissor-like fashion and pivotally coupled to each other by one or more pins, where each leg has multiple slots along its longitudinal axis. The implant further may include a pair of bearing surfaces coupled between the legs via cross pins and a first plate and second plate each of which is coupled to a pair of roller pins disposed between a pair of slots on the legs where rotation of a fastener in the fastener holes of the first and second plate results in the first plate and the second plate being drawn toward each other causing the expansion of the height of the implant.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for displacing tissue within the body, wherein the apparatus includes two or more attachment members selectively displaceable with respect to each other via a driving member. The driving member preferably is rotatable and is caused to rotate by manually activating an actuator by applying a depressing force from outside the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to implantable flexible bone composites, and method for preparing the same. The flexible bone composite includes at least one polymeric layer and at least one calcium-containing layer. The polymeric layer can be a polymeric layer including a synthetic polymer. The calcium-containing layer can include a calcium compound such as ?-Ca3(PO4)2. The flexible bone composites of the invention are useful as bone void fillers and have improved handling characteristics.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk is an expandable container having flexible walls, the container being adapted to be inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk through a narrow cannula, and the flexible walls are made from a biocompatible hydrogel. A preferred hydrogel is a cryogel formed from an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The prosthesis may be prepared by dip-coating a mandrel with an aqueous solution of a hydrogel-forming polymer or mixture of such polymers, gelling the coated solution by chilling, and subjecting the gelled coating to a series of repeated freeze-thaw treatments. In use, the prosthesis is inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk and filled with biocompatible material, e.g., a biocompatible liquid, a biocompatible polymer, and a biocompatible hydrogel, particularly a thermogelling hydrogel.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus having a locking mechanism that receives a cutting burr and that may include a loading and running position. The locking mechanism may include a motor driven spindle that carries a locking pawl and a detent pawl that lock the cutting burr in place an prevent the cutting burr from inadvertently falling out of the surgical drill instrument when in its load position. A diamond-shaped portion of the cutting burr may be formed in a six-sided diamond configuration and a perpendicular back end surface. The end of the cutting burr may include another diamond-shaped portion formed in a six-sided diamond shape surface that mates with a complementary surface formed in the receiving end of the spindle of the motor/locking mechanism. In an aspect, the attachment of the cutting burr is such that the cutting burr has substantially zero axial movement and runs true in the running condition.

Abstract: A cutting burr that includes a pair of axially spaced diamond-shaped portions designed to be keyed into a spindle of a locking mechanism of a high speed surgical drilling instrument and adapted to fit into a single pawl thereof to lock said cutting burr in place so as to prevent axial movement thereof and provide concentric rotation of said cutting burr without any wobbling. The orientation of both portions may be identical with respect to a center plan and diamond shape in the portion at the proximal end of the shank of the cutting tool may be larger than the intermediately located diamond shape of the other portion. The apexes of the facets of the six-sided diamond shape may be disposed below the surface of the shank of the cutting burr.

Abstract: A cannulated fastener system is provided for orthopedic applications that include attaching bone plates to bone. The bone fastener has a cannulation with an inner shape. One or more screwdrivers is provided with a shaft having a shape that matches the cannulation of the fastener to rotationally fix the fastener to the screwdriver. In addition, the screwdrivers have a cutting blade that begins the drilling of a hole for the bone fastener. The screwdrivers may either be for use with a single fastener or have multiple fasteners loaded within a retaining sleeve for automatic or controlled dispensing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing a planar implant (I) for a human or animal body, which planar implant (I) is preformed corresponding to a desired anatomical shape. The method comprises the following steps: making available a blank of the planar implant; making available a preforming device (V) that comprises a plurality of discrete adjustable support elements (STE) for adjusting an associated plurality of support points in accordance with the desired anatomical shape; defining the desired anatomical shape and determining corresponding settings for the support elements; adjusting the support elements in accordance with the settings determined for the desired anatomical shape; and producing the preformed implant by bending the blank onto the adjusted support elements.

Abstract: A bone anchor (100) for attaching a rod (108) to a bone has an anchor member (106) for attachment to the bone and an anchor head (104) having a U-shaped opening for receiving the rod. The bone anchor also includes a locking cap (102) that has a main body (900) and a set screw (1000). Advantageously, in one embodiment the locking cap preferably is designed such that a single tool can be used to lock the locking cap in place on the anchor body preferably with a 90° turn and preferably then drive the set screw to clamp the rod. The locking cap also preferably non-threadingly engages the anchor body. The anchor body preferably has an inclined surface on its top surface which elastically deflects extending tabs on the main body to secure the locking cap to the anchor body. A method of implantation and assembly of the bone anchor are also described.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for a spinal fixation system that is particularly useful in treatment of pediatric and small-statured patients includes a fastener, an attachment member, and a locking member. The fastener has a lower portion for contacting a bone and an upper portion integral with the lower portion. The upper portion has two open channels. Each channel is configured and dimensioned to receive a portion of a longitudinal or connecting member along its circumference. The attachment member is positionable on the fastener and at least partially covers the channel that receives the longitudinal or connecting member. The locking member is operatively associated with the upper portion of the fastener and secures the attachment member and the longitudinal or connecting member to the fastener.

Abstract: An interlock driving instrument is configured to be releasably lockable to a fastener, such as a bone anchor. A bone anchor can be locked to the interlock driving instrument by inserting an expandable distal end of the shaft of the interlock driving instrument into the driving opening of the bone anchor and expanding the distal end within the driving opening by translating an expansion member into the expandable distal end. Alternatively, the bone anchor can be locked to the interlock driving instrument by inserting the distal end of the shaft of the interlock driving instrument into the driving opening of the bone anchor and translating a sliding member along a sloped surface defined in a channel extending into the shaft.

Abstract: A method for placing a fixation member around a bone for internal fixation of the bone includes (a) inserting a first member of a cerclage tool through an incision and into a vicinity of the bone, the first member extending from a first proximal end comprising a first handle portion and along a first central portion to a first distal end comprising a first bent tube portion; (b) inserting a second member of the cerclage tool through the incision and into the vicinity of the bone, the second member extending from a second proximal end comprising a second handle portion and along a second central portion to a second distal end comprising a second bent tube portion; (c) joining the first and second members together to form a continuous tube with the first bent tube portion and the second bent tube portion that encircles the bone, wherein the first bent tube portion and the second bent tube portion cross over one another to form a non-zero angle at a location that is proximal of the bone when viewed from a direct