Abstract: A reduction sleeve for facilitating insertion of a spinal rod into a rod-receiving channel formed in a bone fixation element. The reduction sleeve may include a through-bore sized and configured to receive the bone fixation element and a substantially transverse channel sized and configured to receive the spinal rod. The channel being substantially aligned with the rod-receiving channel formed in the bone fixation element so that, once the bone fixation element has been inserted into the reduction sleeve, the spinal rod can pass through the aligned channels. The reduction sleeve may also include at least one break-off point or region for facilitating breaking and removal of the reduction sleeve once the spinal rod has been clamped into the rod-receiving channel of the bone fixation element.

Abstract: A modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position and an implanted position in which the modular segments are combined to mimic the shape of the vertebra.

Abstract: A vertebral fixing system suitable for being mounted on a vertebra of the spine for connecting it to a rod. The system includes: a connecting part suitable for being connected to the rod, a flexible ligature of elongate shape having two free ends suitable for connecting together the connecting part and at least a portion of a vertebra and/or a rib, and an adjustable locking member mounted on the connecting part. The connecting part defines at least one passageway for passing the ligature in such a manner that two distinct strands of the ligature can be engaged in the passageway so that the two strands of the ligature define a first ligature portion forming a loop extending from one side of the connecting part, and second and third ligature portions extending from the other side of the connecting part.

Abstract: An external fixation system includes top and bottom fixation plates that may be connected to fragments of a bone. At least one y-shaped strut attaches the two fixation plates. Each y-shaped strut has first, second and third telescopic struts coupled at a connector joint. The first strut member is coupled to the top fixation plate and the second and third strut members are coupled to the bottom fixation plate. Each strut member may include a joint and may also include an actuation unit connecting the particular strut member to the top or bottom fixation plate. Rotation of a head portion of the actuation unit causes rotation of a threaded rod, causing adjustment in the length of the respective strut member. As the lengths of the strut members change, the joints may reposition, leading to the top fixation plate becoming repositioned with respect to the bottom fixation plate.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The expandable spinal implant is moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration. The expandable spinal implant includes a first plate having plastically deformable links, a second plate, two transverse members, and a screw. The screw forces apart the transverse members which causes rotational deformation of the links and separation of the plates.

Abstract: A method of treating a spinal column shape deformation includes fixing at least two fixation screw assemblies to respective vertebrae, sliding a rod between the arm extensions on each of the fixation screw assemblies, swinging the channels of the screw assemblies relative to the fixation screws so that the channels become less inclined to the axes of the fixation screws, and so that the rod is located generally posteriorly of the spinal column, locking the channel against swinging relative to the screw, rotating the rod about its axis relative to at least one of the channels, and locking the rod against movement relative to the channel.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis or disk prosthesis comprising a front side, a rear side, an upper side which can be placed on the base plate of vertebral body, a lower side which can be placed on the base plate of a vertebral body, a right side, a left side, a cavity which can receive a fluid hydraulic osteocementum, an opening in the cavity and several outlets out from the cavity. The total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SV on the front side, the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SH on the rear side, the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SR on the right side and the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets on the left side satisfy the following conditions: SL>SR or SR>SL or SH>SV or SV>SH.

Abstract: Retractor blade assemblies, retractors, kits, and methods of using the same. The retractor blade assembly may include a retractor blade, a pedicle screw, and a shim that connects the pedicle screw to the retractor blade. The retractor blade may have a proximal end configured to engage a retractor body and a distal end configured to retract soft tissue. The pedicle screw may have a head portion removably connected to the distal end of the retractor blade and a shaft portion configured to engage the pedicle of a vertebra. The shim couples the pedicle screw to the retractor blade. For example, the shim may include an extension portion configured to engage the retractor blade and a connection portion configured to receive and temporarily lock the pedicle screw to the retractor blade.

Abstract: A spinal implant detection device comprises at least one detectable marker connected to an implantable longitudinal element and including a capture element configured to facilitate manipulation of the longitudinal element. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, a superior implant with a superior articular surface, and an optional crossbar. The inferior implant and the superior implant are each polyaxially adjustably connected to fixation elements which anchor the implants to adjacent vertebrae. The optional crossbar may be polyaxially adjustably connected to bilateral implants. The system components may be provided in kits which provide components of various sizes and shapes. A set of surgical instruments may facilitate implantation of the facet joint replacement system by providing tools for bone preparation, trialing, implant insertion, implant alignment, and lock-out of modular interconnections.

Abstract: A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, a superior implant with a superior articular surface, and an optional crossbar. The inferior implant and the superior implant are each polyaxially adjustably connected to fixation elements which anchor the implants to adjacent vertebrae. The optional crossbar may be polyaxially adjustably connected to bilateral implants. The system components may be provided in kits which provide components of various sizes and shapes. A set of surgical instruments may facilitate implantation of the facet joint replacement system by providing tools for bone preparation, trialing, implant insertion, implant alignment, and lock-out of modular interconnections.

Abstract: An articulation element consisting of a plurality of adjustable jaw pairs for the purposes of fixating the relative position of coupled bars and/or bone pins of an external bone fixator. Each of the adjustable jaws consists of a pair of hemispherical jaw elements contained within a spherical housing. A passage is eccentrically arranged through the jaw elements to accept the pin or bar. The jaw elements have interposed between them a spring element that serves to bias the jaw elements in the closed position. Pins serve to provisionally lock the jaw elements in the closed position. Spring loaded buttons act to release the pins thereby allowing the jaw elements to open accepting the pin or bar. The jaws are attached in a back to back fashion through the use of a threaded collar which acts as a turnbuckle pulling the jaws together when tightened.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide devices and associated methods for treating spinal disease by implanting one or more interspinous process spacing devices. In one embodiment, an interspinous process spacing device includes a first attachment side, a second attachment side, a spacer tray, and a securing means. The spacer tray extends from the first attachment side and is slideably insertable through a spacer tray slot formed in the second attachment side. The spacer tray is adapted to be positioned between a spinous process of a first vertebra and a spinous process of an adjacent second vertebra, and the spacer tray includes a trough formed in a top surface of the spacer tray. The securing means is configured to engage the trough of the spacer tray to secure the second attachment side relative to the first attachment side.

Abstract: An orthopedic screw that includes a screw shaft having a predetermined length with a cannula extending through the length of the shaft. The shaft includes a first, relatively large outside diameter proximal segment; and a second, relatively small outside diameter threaded distal segment adjacent the proximal segment.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a shank to be anchored in a bone or a vertebra and a receiving part connected to the shank, and a rod for connecting at least two anchoring elements, the rod having at least a tubular portion. The receiving part comprises a recess for receiving said rod. The bone anchoring element also includes a locking element cooperating with the receiving part to secure the rod in the recess, a filling piece being arranged between the locking element and the rod for exerting pressure onto the rod to lock the rod in the recess. The filling piece includes a rod contacting surface which contacts a portion of said rod. The shape of the rod contacting surface is adapted to the shape of the portion of the rod.

Abstract: A bone distractor to create separation between bone segments by means of a pair of mounts respectively secured to the bone segments and interconnected by means of a drive spring which is secured to one of the mounts and threadedly interconnected to the other mount such that rotation of the drive spring creates sufficient separation of the bone segments to allow for osteogenesis to occur.

Abstract: A spinal interbody implant has a bone screw retention mechanism that prohibits bone screws from backing out after the bone screws are installed. A bone screw retention plate is received in a plate retention area of the implant to provide a barrier that keeps the installed bone screws from backing out of their bone screw pocket. The bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate and a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body. Retention plate fasteners may be used to retain the configured plate. In one form, the bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate, a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body, and a retention plate bolt. In another form, the bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate, a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body, and a retention plate bolt.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for surgical fixation, including multi-screw anchoring devices for anchoring to various anatomical locations such as a sacral level or other anatomy of the spine. Anchoring devices include screw assemblies that are adjustable in a variety of different ways to grant a surgeon various options for placement and/or orientation of the primary and supplemental fixation screws.

Abstract: Medullary pin (1) for a distraction with segment transport and subsequent lengthening of a tubular bone, wherein the medullary pin (1) comprises: an at least partly hollow body (3) extending in an axial direction of the medullary pin (1), a locking means for locking the body (3) in a first end fragment (5) of the tubular bone, a first inner part (7), which is arranged displaceably in the axial direction inside the body (3) and comprises a first fixation means for the fixation of a middle fragment (15) of the tubular bone, a second inner part (17), which is arranged displaceably in the axial direction inside the body and comprises a second fixation means for the fixation of a second end fragment (25) of the tubular bone, and a drive unit (40) for the axial displacement of the first inner part (7) relative to the second inner part (17), wherein the drive unit (40) is arranged inside the body (3) between the first fixation means of the first inner part (7) and the second fixation means of the second inner part (

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a fastener affixable to a vertebral body and an attachment member. The attachment member is adapted for receiving the fastener and engaging a portion of the vertebral body. The fastener includes a shank and a collet. The collet includes a channel for receiving a spinal rod and a locking member.