Abstract: An intervertebral spacer is inserted between vertebral members in a compact configuration and expanded post-insertion to contact the adjacent vertebral members. The intervertebral spacer comprises a first member and a second member movable with respect to the first member between retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A pedicle screw spinal rod connector arrangement is provided that includes in a body having an opening for mounting a head of an inserted pedicle screw. A bracket connected with the body forms a lateral restraint. A bridge is connected with and extends over the body. A spinal rod-receiving slot is provided between the bridge and the bracket. The connector arrangement also has a wedge axially offset from the pedicle screw moveable downward by a setscrew mounted with the bridge. The wedge imparts a locking force on the pedicle screw head and a generally lateral locking force on the spinal rod.

Abstract: A pedicle screw is pre-connected to a longitudinal member by an articulation joint. The articulation range is through an angle extending at least from a 90° angle between the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw and the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member to an angle sufficiently near a coaxial orientation between those longitudinal axes to permit the first pedicle screw to be screwed into a pedicle of a first vertebra with the longitudinal member attached to the first pedicle screw. A lock fixes the longitudinal member to the first pedicle screw in a selected orientation. A second pedicle screw has an anchor joint with a lock for receiving and being fixed to the longitudinal member after the longitudinal member is rotated into engagement with the anchor joint. The pre-connection with sufficient articulation eliminates the need to connect the longitudinal member to one of the pedicle screws through an incision and assures proper alignment of any bend placed in the longitudinal member.

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 element extending from the plate and into the head portion and across the fracture. A support structure for supporting of the subchondral bone of the articular surface is coupled to the post.

Abstract: In order to improve a surgical instrument for removing an intervertebral implant from an intervertebral space of a human or animal spinal column, comprising a coupling part arranged at the distal end of the instrument for placement on the intervertebral implant in a placement position, the coupling part being able to be brought from the placement position into a coupling position in which the intervertebral implant is held with force locking and/or positive locking on the coupling part, the coupling part comprising at least one first coupling element and at least one second coupling element, which are engageable with the intervertebral implant in the coupling position, so that it may also be used for removing different intervertebral implants of different sizes and shapes, it is proposed that the at least one first coupling element and the at least one second coupling element be arranged so as to be movable relative to each other in such a way that a spacing between the at least one first coupling element and

Abstract: A system and method for ameliorating spinal column anomalies, such as scoliosis, includes bone screws which are to be implanted in the pedicle region(s) of individual to-be-derotated vertebrae and in vertebrae to which balancing forces must be applied as the spinal column is manipulated en mass to achieve an over-all correction of the condition. A pedicle screw cluster derotation tool simultaneously engages multiple pedicle screws and transmits manipulative forces to multiple vertebrae to effect a whole-spine correction. Pre-contoured spinal rods are engaged post-derotation to secure the correction.

Abstract: An intramedullary locking nail for treating bone fractures and which have spaced apart regions has at least one transverse hole for receiving a bone screw and at least one transverse hole being configured as an elongate hole extending in the longitudinal axial direction of the nail. An end portion of the elongate hole being wider than an adjacent portion of the elongate hole. The adjacent portion of the elongate hole having a constant width over its length. A bone screw is provided having a cross-sectional contour having a flattened segment. The end portion of the elongate hole being formed such that the bone screw is locked in a first rotational position in the end portion, and in a second rotational position, may enter the adjacent portion unhindered from the end portion.

Abstract: A laryngoscope including a laryngoscope blade and laryngoscope handle apparatus including an LED and which may include an ergonomic handle and laryngoscope handle apparatus including an LED and which may include an ergonomic handle.

Abstract: Intervertebral disc nucleus replacement implants and methods are provided. The nucleus replacement implant, which is configured to reside within an intervertebral disc nucleus space, includes a core support structure, including a rotatable member and multiple vertebral support structures. The vertebral support structures are disposed in spaced relation with the rotatable member positioned therebetween. The implant further includes an elastic body at least partially surrounding the core support structure. When the rotatable member is in the first orientation, the implant is in a compressed height configuration to facilitate insertion of the implant into the intervertebral disc nucleus space, and when the rotatable member is in the second orientation, the implant is in an extended height configuration to facilitate use of the implant as a prosthetic intervertebral disc nucleus replacement.

Abstract: A depth gage for use with a drill in orthopaedics is provided. The depth gage includes a body. The body has first and second ends opposed to each other and an inner periphery defining a longitudinal aperture through the body for slidably receiving the drill. The longitudinal aperture defines a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal aperture. The body is adapted to permit the drill to be positioned in the longitudinal aperture in a direction non-coincident with the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical implant engageable by a surgical tool having spaced apart jaws with inward facing tubular protrusions, is provided. The implant includes a body for interfacing with a bone structure. The implant also includes a head connected with the body having spaced apart posts juxtaposed by a stabilization member receiving area. Each post has an outward side face that includes an upper generally vertical surface intersecting with a generally inward directed under surface that in turn intersects with a lower generally vertical surface. The side face has a generally tubular cylindrical indention intersecting the upper vertical surface and the inward directed under surface.

Abstract: An instrument assembly for bone drilling. The instrument assembly can include a soft tissue sleeve defining an internal channel, and an irrigation cap removably coupled to the sleeve. The irrigation cap can include a delivery port connectable to an irrigation source for delivering irrigation to the internal channel, the port in fluid communication with the internal channel.

Abstract: A system and method for repairing anterior cruciate injuries in animals is disclosed. The system includes a fixture used to locate a pilot hole in a tibia, a drill guide used to locate and drill additional holes in the tibia, an angle gauge used to position the drill guide so that it is able to locate and drill additional holes in the tibia, a saw assembly that separates the proximal end of the tibia from the shaft of the tibia. The repositioned proximal end may be secured to the tibia by an optional fixation plate or by a suitable adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinal fixation apparatus having a segment flexible rod for connecting pedicle screws and a transverse link for spacing out the rods, which are made from a shape memory alloy, thereby easily and simply connecting the rods and the pedicle screws. According to the present invention, it can easily and simply fit the rods to the misaligned pedicle screw, even if it may be a failure of alignment of the pedicle screws in surgery. Also, it can easily set up the transverse link on a pair of the longitudinal rods, even if the longitudinal rods are declined or are not in parallel.

Abstract: Instruments and methods are provided for delivering multiple implants to multiple implant locations in a patient without requiring a second implant to be loaded onto or engaged to the delivery instrument after delivery of a first implant. The implants can be sequentially engaged using the delivery instrument to the patient or to receptacles of one or more receiving members secured to the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a pair of bone attachment devices and a crosslink device for a spinal fixation system or other implant arrangement. The bone attachment devices include a head with socket to receive a spinal rod or other elongate element and the crosslink device includes a pair of bridging members each having an end section for connecting with the bone attachment devices. An interconnection device situated between the bridging members receives the bridging members and allows translational and rotational freedom therebetween while being operable to secure the bridging members in position relative to one another. A pair of engaging members are structured to engage the head of the respective bone attachment device and bear against the respective adjacent end of crosslink device to lock the crosslink and the bone attachment device in a rigid construct are also included.

Abstract: An ancillary device for positioning a bone graft between bones separated by an articular slot, to ensure arthrodesis of a joint, wherein the bone graft is placed in a recess provided at the end of one or more bones defining the articular slot, and comprising means for driving the bone graft, provided with support means on the bone graft suitable for moving the latter in the recess, and actuation means, functionally connected to the driving means, and capable of being handled in order to control the movement of the bone graft.

Abstract: Spinal stabilization devices, systems and methods are provided that include a spring junction wherein a structural member is mountable to a spine attachment fastener and a resilient element is affixed to the structural member along an attachment region of the resilient element. The attachment region is disposed physically separately with respect to an active region of the resilient element. The attachment region can include a weld region produced via an E-beam welding process involving temperatures of 1000° F. or greater, wherein a heat-affected zone adjacent the weld region is disposed physically separately with respect to the active region. The resilient element may be a coil spring including bend regions adjacent its outermost (i.e., last) coils wherein the material of the coil spring initially bends away from the last coil, then bends back toward the last coil before terminating near the last coil.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy elements of the spinal three-joint complex, such as the facet joints and discs. In one exemplary embodiment, a joint replacement system includes a facet replacement component that is adapted to replace and/or augment the facet joints, and a disc replacement component that is adapted to replace a spinal disc. The facet replacement component and the disc replacement component can couple to one another to allow and/or control flexion, extension, and/or lateral bending of the spine, preferably while substantially restricting posterior-anterior shear and axial rotation of the spine.

Abstract: A anti-splay and rod securing member for use with vertebral implants of the hook, monoaxial and polyaxial types, in which a pair of arcuate upstanding internally threaded posts define a transverse opening for securing a rod to immobilize bone segments comprises an integrally formed cap and set screw with the cap having opposed curved side walls extending around the posts and flat end walls, the set screw being positioned within the posts and free to rotate within the cap so that rotation of the set screw will advance the cap and set screw in unison along the implant posts to clamp the rod and implant together. The implant may be provided with opposed catch basins for releasably securing the distal end of a rod persuasion instrument.