Abstract: An adjustable spinal implant 10 is provided for use in connecting elongate members 12 as well as in vertebral spacers such as corpectomy devices, intervertebral fusion devices, and other prostheses. The implant 10 may have fittings 80 on either end comprising fixed 100 or articulating jaws 200, endplates, or other engagement structures. The implant 10 comprises a housing 40 with an internal rotor 60; an extending shaft 20; and a locking collar 70. The extending shaft 20 has an external helical groove 23 that meshes with an internal helical groove 63 on the rotor 20. Length adjustment occurs by transforming axial movement of the extending shaft 20 into a rotary movement of the rotor 60 via helical engagement. The locking collar 70 comprises protrusion 73 engaging grooves 63 of rotor 60, thus providing a simple, positive locking mechanism without requiring the surgeon to apply excessive force to lock the length.

Abstract: An instrument guide and implant holding device is provided which releasably secures an implant to the instrument guide. The device provides a convenient guide for surgeons to perform various operative techniques on the subject bone without the need for separate devices, and allows all these operative techniques to be performed without removing the instrument guide from the dissected area until all operative techniques have been completed. The releasable mechanism allows the surgeon to easily hold the instrument to an implant using a simple press-fit approach, and easily releases from the implant with a minimal amount of force. An embodiment also allows the surgeon to releasably lock the cannula in a given orientation about the centroidal axis of the implant fastener hole.

Abstract: A fastener is provided for fixating two objects in a fixed spatial relationship, such as bone segments, so that resultant stress is maintained at a constant value along a shank portion of the fastener in order to minimize stress concentrations and optimize the strength to size relationship of the fastener, thereby reducing the likelihood of fastener failure. The fastener additionally comprises an improved head which temporarily engages a driving instrument to facilitate fixation. A driving instrument for deploying the fastener is also provided.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for securing the head of a screw in a bone plate is disclosed in which bone fasteners or screws snap-fit into an undercut of fastener receiving openings of the bone plate. The bone fasteners or screws are designed such that they may be removed or repositioned from the snap-fit undercuts with the aid of a driver instrument. An embodiment is also disclosed in which a fusion cage is utilized in connection with bone plate and fasteners.

Abstract: An internal bone fixation system for the treatment of bone anomalies, such as thoraco-lumbar spinal instability. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the fixation system includes a plate anatomically contoured to match the profile of lateral aspects common to thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, as well as the anterior profile. The contour of the plate allows for quicker implantation time, a lower profile, and a fit which allows for biomechanical load-sharing which increases the mechanical properties of the construct (i.e., stiffness, strength, and fatigue life). Moreover, the fixation system includes a fastener screw-plate interface which forces proper alignment between fastener screws and the plate, provides “pull-out” resistance and evenly distributes stresses on both the screw and the plate. Ledges are located on the medial surface at either end of the plate. The fixation system also includes set screws which effectively turn the screw construct into a bolt construct.