Abstract: Provided is a novel mono-axial taper lock screw for connecting a connecting rod to bone. The screw is capable of being secured to the underlying bone while the screw head adapted to securely hold a connecting rod is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the screw to facilitate a stable connection to the connecting rod. The screw head can be partially locked to hold the device in place while permitting manipulation of the spine. The screw head can then be fully locked securing the connecting rod into a selected position. The screw is configured for easy insertion and connection as well as easy removal and disconnection from the connecting rod. Also provided is a bone fragments. A method of fixing bones or bone fragments is also provided.

Abstract: Various exemplary instruments for introducing an implant using a posterolateral approach are also provided, as well as various exemplary methods for using such instruments. In general, the instruments are configured to interconnect to an implant and/or to a guide member such that the components are all docked relative to one another. This allows the various components of a multi-piece implant to be mated intraoperatively within the disc space, and in particular to be guided into alignment with one another.

Abstract: An incrementally adjustable wound retractor, which provides access to a body cavity, includes an inner ring having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, an outer ring having an annular axis and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, and a flexible sleeve disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the inner and outer rings. The outer ring includes first and second circular tubes spaced apart axially with each including a lumen having a rigid, noncompliant split hoop positioned therein. The outer ring may be rolled over itself and around the annular axis to retract the sleeve with sufficient force to stretch the incision to the desired diameter. A gel cap seal may be coupled to the outer ring outside of the biological body to seal the opening produced by the wound retractor between the body cavity and outside the body cavity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bone plate system. The bone plate system comprises a base plate having two generally parallel elongated screw slots extending therethrough. Two bone screws are provided that are capable of securing the base plate to a bone by insertion through the screw slots into the bone. Each bone screw has a screw head and a threaded portion extending therefrom. An interference device is attached to the base plate and retains the bone screws while permitting the bone screws to toggle and to controllably slide in the screw slots of the base plate. This design is particularly useful for joining adjacent vertebral bodies, as it permits controlled settling of the vertebral bodies, thereby enhancing the healing process.

Abstract: A modular interspinous fixation system and method are shown. The system and method comprise a first plate, a second plate and a locking cross bar for locking the first and second plates together and into locked engagement with a first spinous process and a second spinous process. A bridge is mounted or received on the locking cross bar so that it becomes locked onto the locking cross bar when the locking cross bar is in locked engagement. The bridge and locking cross bar are adapted so that the bridge does not rotate about its axis while on the locking cross bar. Various other embodiments are shown illustrating various bridges of different shapes and sizes, integral and non-integral locking cross bars and even a ramped locking cross bar for facilitating preventing separation of the first and second plates after they are mounted to the first and second spinous processes.

Abstract: A transconnector for use in interconnecting a pair of longitudinal spinal rods in a spinal fixation procedure. The transconnector includes a bridge member and first and second spinal rod engaging members. The bridge member may include first and second members, wherein the first and second members are moveably associated with one another so that the distance between the first and second spinal rod engaging members can be adjusted. The first and second spinal rod engaging members include a rod receiving channel for receiving one of the spinal rods therein. The spinal rod engaging members may be articulating in, for example, the yaw and roll positions or non articulating with respect to the bridge members. The spinal rod engaging members preferably include a spring, for example, a spring washer, to provide an opposing force so that the spinal rod engaging members can provisionally snap onto the spinal rods.

Abstract: In a spinal stabilization system a facet fixation device is interconnected to an anchor or fixation device driven into a portion of the spine. The facet fixation device has a proximal head and a distal fastener providing compression across a facet joint. A rigid or elastic member interconnects the proximal head of the facet fixation device to the anchor or fixation device, facilitating static or dynamic stabilization. The facet fixation device may extend directly across the facet joint, or a translaminar or laminar transverse process facet (LTPF) fixation device may be used. In the preferred embodiment the facet fixation device includes a distal tip which is self-cutting and tapping. The anchor may be a pedicle screw. The fixation device itself be a facet fixation device, and the facet fixation device may be connected to the anchor or fixation through two members joined with a coupling unit.

Abstract: An anchoring device for anchoring a rod in a bone or a vertebra and for use with at least two rods having a different diameter is provided. The anchoring device includes a shaft and a head for connection to one of said rods. The head is connected to said shaft and has a recess with a base and two substantially vertically extending legs defining a channel for receiving the rod in said channel. The anchoring device further includes a fixation element for clamping said rod in said channel. The fixation element and said base each have a contact surface contacting said rod, the contact surfaces being shaped so as to be able to clamp any of the different rods.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity includes a seal anchor member comprising a compressible material and being adapted to transition between a first expanded condition to facilitate securing of the seal anchor member within the tissue tract and in substantial sealed relation with tissue surfaces defining the tissue tract and a second compressed condition to facilitate at least partial insertion of the seal anchor member within the tissue tract. The seal anchor member has proximal and distal ends defining elongated perimeters. At least one port extends between the proximal and distal ends and is adapted for reception of an object whereby compressible material defining the at least one port is adapted to deform to establish a substantial sealed relation with the object.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method are provided for supporting an adjacent pair of vertebra (14, 16) relative to each other by anchoring a support frame (30) to the superior spinous process (24) and the inferior spinous process (28) of two adjacent vertebra (14, 16); and anchoring the support frame (30) to either the superior facets (34) or inferior facets (32) of the two adjacent vertebrae (14, 16).

Abstract: An expandable support device and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. The expandable support device can expand longitudinally. The expandable support device can be deployed in a bone, such as a vertebra, for example to repair a compression fraction or replacement of removed tissue, such as a vertebra or vertebral body. The expandable support device can be deployed into or in place of all or part of an intervertebral disc.

Abstract: The present application describes a spinal cross-connector and related methods for augmenting and stiffening spinal fixation constructs. The cross connector may include multiple rod-stabilization members that simultaneously engage respective rods of a fixation construct. Simultaneous engagement by the rod-stabilization members may be effectuated by a single locking step.

Abstract: Implant apparatuses are provided for being inserted between adjacent vertebral bone portions and maintaining mechanical engagement with the vertebral bone portions. The implant apparatuses are generally constructed to be inserted in an insertion orientation and pivoted between the vertebral bone portions to an implanted orientation. The implant apparatuses are further secured in the implanted orientation to maintain engagement with the adjacent vertebral bone portions.

Abstract: An intervertebral expandable spacer having a pair of co-axial annuluses locked together by an engagement member having i) a set screw and ii) a pressure plate having an outer face contacting the set screw and an inner face having teeth adapted to mate with the ratchet notches of the second member.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis system including a selectively applied bone growth promoting agent is disclosed. The types of prostheses which may include a selectively applied bone growth promoting agent include rods, fracture plates, screws, as well as other types of prostheses. Additionally, the structural composition of many types of prostheses may be modified to help induce bone ingrowth and allow for fusion with the implantable prosthesis.

Abstract: A bone anchor system anchors a support member to a bone. The bone anchor system comprises a body having a shank adapted for insertion into a hole in the bone. A head is formed on the shank. The head has a support engagement portion adapted to secure the support member to the body. A passage extends from an entry point to an exit point formed in the body. An expandable member has a flexible wall at least partially enclosing an anchoring chamber. The expandable member has an expanded state configured to conform to a cavity in the bone. The anchoring chamber is in fluid communication with the exit point. The expandable member is adapted to expand when a filler material is provided into the anchoring chamber. A portion of the expandable member conforms to the cavity and the body and the support member are substantially anchored to the bone.

Abstract: Interspinous/inter-laminar spinal spacers (spinal spacers) are configured to be placed between bony structures (i.e. transverse and spinous processes) of adjacent vertebrae of a spine. In one form, flexible spinal spacers are defined by a unitary body that is configured to be placed between bony structures of adjacent vertebrae of a spine. The unitary body has a flex portion that provides for motion between the adjacent vertebrae to which it is coupled. The flex portion is configurable to provide for various degrees of angulation, flexion, extension and/or compression of the present flexible spinal spacer. In another form, static spinal spacers are defined by a unitary body that is configured to be placed between bony structures of adjacent vertebrae of a spine. The unitary body has saddle-shaped ends each defining a pocket that is configured to receive a bony structure of a vertebra.

Abstract: An arm structure includes: a pair of arms; a support post; a support member; a cam provided in one of the pair of arms; a shaft member inserted through a lateral insertion hole of the support member; and a pair of ring-shaped members provided in end portions of the shaft member, wherein by turning the one of the arms around its axis thereby to make the cam revolve, a force works to make the shaft member move, and due to its reaction force the ring-shaped members pressure-contact the support member and a slit portion is narrowed. As a result, a longitudinal insertion hole is diameter-reduced and becomes in a state of pressure-contacting the support post, leading to restriction of rotation of the arm around the support post, and the cam pressure contacts the one of the arms, leading to restriction of sliding of the arm in a long side direction, and the ring-shaped members pressure-contact the support member, leading to restriction of rotation of the arm by the shaft member.

Abstract: A pair of clamps are attached to a damaged bone one each side of a fracture site during a surgical reduction, one clamp on each side of the fracture site, after which the two clamps are slidably engaged to a single pivotal alignment bar, with the clamps then being adjusted to properly align the bone for a surgical attachment using a bone plate which is secured between the respective bone and each respective clamp, holding the bone in place with the bone in proper alignment for the attachment of screws through the plate into the bone, stabilizing the fracture site during the plate attachment procedure.

Abstract: A retractor system includes a rail having two opposed widened rail portions separated by a narrowed portion, each widened portion engageable by a separate clamp. The clamps are configured to support the rail to a fixed surface, or to support a surgical device. Each clamp may independently be positioned or slid along the rail to a desired location without interference with a clamp on an opposing widened rail portion. A device clamp is formed of spherical mating portions which enable alignment of a surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and tightenable by securing a single fastener. A retractor blade mount enables an angular and tilting disposition of a retractor blade, as well as remote manipulation of the retractor blade.