Abstract: An intervertebral disc space implant includes spaced-apart bone engagement portions that define an intermediate chamber that holds bone growth inducing material into contact with adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant is expandable to establish and maintain desired intervertebral spacing during fusion. The implant includes a first member and a second member arranged to move relative to each other by action of an expansion member, the first member being engageable with the vertebral body below the disc space.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device, and related method, uses a basket formed by one or more legs to retrieve material such as calculi. At least one of the legs has at least an inner and an outer surface. The outer surface is an atraumatic surface such as a curved surface. The atraumatic surface can include one or more radii. The inner surface can be flat such that the leg has a D-shaped cross section. Other shapes are possible for the inner surface including a pointed shape that enhances the basket's stone crushing or breaking ability. The inner surface, whatever its shape, can have a rough surface (e.g., serrated, etched, toothed, etc.) for further enhancing the basket's ability to capture stones and other calculi.

Abstract: A resection guide alignment apparatus includes a resection guide, an intramedullary (“IM”) rod coupled to the resection guide, and a locking mechanism. The IM rod has a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal rod axis extending between the first and second ends. The IM rod further includes a coupling portion defining a longitudinal coupling axis transverse to the rod axis. The coupling portion is mounted to the resection guide such that the resection guide is movable linearly along the coupling axis between a plurality of fixable linear positions relative to the IM rod and the resection guide is movable angularly about the coupling axis between a plurality of fixable angular positions relative to the IM rod. The locking mechanism is operable to lock the linear and angular position of the resection guide relative to the IM rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for exerting axial forces on bone fragments or vertebral bodies. The inventive device comprises a first connecting element, a second longitudinal connecting element which is displaceable relative to the first connecting element and a longitudinal support with a longitudinal axis and a front end that can be linked with the first connecting element. A tubular sleeve is coaxial relative to the longitudinal axis in which the longitudinal support is displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis and comprises a front end that is directed against the first connecting element.

Abstract: Bone treatment plate assemblies, methods of fabrication, and methods of use. Such assemblies comprise spring structures assembled to bone treatment plates. The spring structure comprises elongate bands, and springs between the bands, urging the bands against structure of the plate. Spring width is less than spring height and/or one or more protuberances extending from the band or bands cooperate with one or more detents in the plate thereby to arrest longitudinal movement of the spring structure with respect to the plate.

Abstract: A fracture fixation system is provided for a fracture of a head portion of a long bone which has subchondral bone defining a convex articular surface. The system includes a plate element positionable on the long bone substantially opposite the head portion of the long bone and on a first side of the fracture, and a post coupled to the plate and into the head portion of the bone and across the fracture. A cross peg is coupled to the post to provide support of the subchondral bone.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, an anterior fixation system includes a plate defining a plurality of screw holes, a number of screws and a number of locking assemblies for fixing the screws to the plate. The system includes two bone screws a fixed angle screw and a variable angle screw, that are configured to extend through the same screw openings in the fixation plate. The surgeon can select either the fixed or variable angled screws to be implanted with a single plate and can place either type of screw into any of the screw holes along the plate. The fixation plate according to the invention can include several screw holes in various patterns that provide the surgeon with great flexibility in the placement of bone screws depending upon the spinal anatomy and pathology. The invention further contemplates a locking assembly to lock one or more bone screws within a respective screw hole. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is held to the plate by a staked locking screw.

Abstract: To change a spatial relationship between two or more bones in a patient's body, a wedge member is moved into a joint between the bones. As the wedge member enters the joint, pivotal movement occurs between the bones to change the orientation of the bones relative to each other. The wedge member may have a circular cross sectional configuration and be moved into the joint by rotating the wedge member about an axis which extends between a thin leading edge portion and a thick trailing edge portion of the wedge member. Alternatively, the wedge member may have a cam-shaped configuration and be rotated through less than a revolution to apply force against the bones. The wedge member may have a porous construction which enables bone to grow through the wedge member and immobilize the joint. The wedge member may be coated with and/or contain bone growth promoting material. The wedge member may be connected to only one of the bones or may be connected to two adjacent bones.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and an adaptor disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The spindle includes a cavity and a male member projecting into the cavity. The adaptor includes a drive shaft that extends along an axis and includes a first end having a generally cylindrical cross-section and a centrally located aperture partially extending along the axis. The male member is carried by the spindle and extends into the aperture of the dissection tool. The cavity may define a drive portion and a tool receiving aperture. One or more alignment projections may extend from the drive portion into the tool receiving aperture.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved surgical retractor system useful for holding tissue away from a surgical site during a medical or dental procedure. In one embodiment, the surgical retractor system is comprised of a tubular member, such as a cannula, and a retractor member. In an embodiment, the retractor member may be ring shaped. The retractor member preferably may have an opening therethrough for receiving the cannula. An engaging member associated with the retractor member may be provided for rotatably engaging the cannula. In one embodiment, the cannula may have external threads that are releaseably engaged with the engaging member and allows the degree or amount of tissue retraction to be adjusted. The cannula may be configured to be used with and secured to a handle to facilitate using the retractor system. A method of using the retractor system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A low-profile surgical rod implant device is provided that allows the length of a rod spanning two bone screws to be adjusted at the time of implantation. In a separate aspect of the invention, the rod implant device can be secured by tightening and securing an end of the rod implant device at one of the bone screws. Embodiments are provided for use with polyaxial pedicle screws and substantially straight shank pedicle screws in spinal applications. In a separate aspect of the invention, a bone screw connector having an interference type fit is also provided. A method for implanting the device is also provided.

Abstract: A bone anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within bone and to receive a flexible member such that the flexible member can be pulled in a first direction while, without the aid of an enlarged portion on the flexible member, subsequent movement in a second, opposite direction can be limited. The anchor body includes a restrictor configured to engage the flexible member to selectively restrict passage of the flexible member through an opening. A tissue repair system includes first and second bone anchors coupled by a flexible member. An anchor with attached flexible member is placed in bone, and the flexible member is moved through an opening in the anchor in a first direction. The anchor is configured to limit subsequent movement of the flexible member in at least a second opposite direction.

Abstract: A method for joining first and second bones is provided. The method comprises inserting between the side surfaces of the bones a base plate having a first end nearer the first bone and a second end nearer the second bone. The base plate has a first screw hole extending through the first end and a second screw hole extending through the second end. A first bone screw is introduced through the first screw hole and into the first bone. The first bone screw is introduced at an angle relative to the top surface of the bone ranging from about 20° to about 60°. A second bone screw is introduced through the second screw hole and into the second bone. The second bone screw is introduced at an angle relative to the top surface of the bone ranging from about 20° to about 70°. At least a part of the first bone screw and at least a part of the second bone screw are covered to prevent the first and second bone screws from backing out of the first and second bones, respectively.

Abstract: A method of fusing a joint between two bones, comprising boring a hole through one of the bones across the joint therebetween and into the other bone, placing the leading end of a screw into the hole, where the screw has a threaded region having a pitch that is larger toward a leading end of the screw and smaller toward a trailing end of the screw, and driving the screw into the bone until the threaded region spans the joint.

Abstract: A system for performing an end-to-side vascular anastomosis. including an anastomosis device, an application instrument and methods for performing a vascular anastomosis. The system is applicable for performing an anastomosis between a vascular graft and the ascending aorta in coronary artery bypass surgery, particularly in port-access CABG surgery. A first aspect of the invention includes a vascular anastomosis staple. A first configuration has two parts: an anchor member, forming the attachment with the target vessel wall and a coupling member, forming the attachment with the bypass graft vessel. The anastomosis is completed by inserting the coupling member, with the graft vessel attached, into the anchor member. A second configuration combines the functions of the anchor member and the coupling member into a one-piece anastomosis staple.

Abstract: A bone screw assembly comprising: a bone screw with an externally threaded shank having a head integrally formed at the proximal end and defining a cannula extending through the head and shank. An internal thread formed on the surface defining the inner cannula to receive an anchor bolt having a threaded portion, and a head defining plurality of throughgoing wire receiving holes.

Abstract: A surgical method for loading ligament grafts into a joint. A longitudinal socket formed in a bone is intersected by a transverse pin. A flexible strand is drawn with the pin through the bone. A looped portion of the strand is diverted so as to protrude out of the entrance to the longitudinal socket. The ends of the strand remaining accessible on either side of the bone. The ligament graft is captured within the strand loop protruding from the entrance to the socket. The strand is retracted into the socket, drawing the graft into the socket by pulling on the accessible ends of the flexible strand. The graft is fixed in the socket using a transverse implant.

Abstract: Anatomically contoured anterior cervical plates with bone ingrowth surfaces, providing for intersegmental compressive preloading, and a rigid and locked interface to all of the bone screws, with those engaging the vertebrae deployed in highly convergent pairs. The bone screws have a tapered self-tapping leading end, an increasing root diameter with a generally constant outer diameter with a thread that is narrow and sharp throughout and an enlarged head portion capable of an interference fit to the receiving holes of the plate. Instrumentation consists of plate holders, a compression apparatus and a pilot hole forming device that interlocks with the plate. Methods for spinal compression and bone hole preparation are provided.

Abstract: A device and method for use in a human spine to prepare a space between adjacent vertebral bodies and into the vertebral end plates to receive an implantable insert. The device includes a handle, a shaft, and a mounting member at one end of the shaft. An abrading element is mounted on the mounting member and is coupled to a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is operable to move the abrading element in at least one degree of freedom to create surfaces having predetermined contours in the end plates of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A device for rapid reattachment of a bone flap to a cranium after a surgical operation is provided. The device comprises a pin comprising an elongated shaft, an inner disk and an outer disk. At least the outer disk comprises a central bore. The pin and inner disk are adapted to be assembled together to form a pin and inner disk assembly such that the inner disk is located at one end of the pin. The outer disk is adapted to be mounted on the shaft of the pin with the shaft of the pin extending through the central bore of the outer disk.