Abstract: An interbody axis cage for promoting stabilization and alignment of the spine following a surgical procedure is described herein. The interbody axis cage of the present invention has alternating points of axes in the X and Y direction that allow for 3-dimensional motion. The axis cage is roughly cylindrical in shape and it incorporates a threaded outerbody to facilitate screwing in and placement. The axis cage of the present invention is cannulated and incorporates a flexible reamer/cutter to “tap” for cage placement.

Abstract: Intramedullary nail for distraction of a long bone with an at least partially hollow shank extending in an axial direction of the intramedullary nail, locking element for locking the shank in a first bone fragment of the long bone, a first inner section which is arranged in axially movable manner within the shank and has a through hole orientated in the radial direction for accommodating a segment bolt for fixing a bone segment of the long bone, wherein the shank has an elongated hole in the area of the inner section for passing through of the segment bolt, an actuator for axially moving the first inner section, wherein a second inner section is arranged within the shank so as to be axially movable.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device includes a shank to be anchored in a bone or vertebra, a head, and a receiving part receiving the head for connecting the shank to a rod. The shank and the head are separate parts. The head has a bore with a cylindrical inner surface, a ring-shaped groove provided on the inner surface, and at least one slit extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the head. The shank has a first portion for anchoring in the bone or vertebra and a second portion with a cylindrical outer surface adjoining a free end. A projection is provided on the cylindrical outer surface which engages with the ring-shaped groove of the head, when the cylindrical second portion of the shank is inserted in the bore of the head.

Abstract: In a rod fixation system of the type used to treat various spinal conditions, the same fastener is used to lock both a polyaxial screw and a rod in position. A spinal correction device according to the invention, adapted for use with a rod and a polyaxial screw having a ball-shaped head and a threaded end, comprises a head-body and a cap. The head-body includes a lower internal cavity to receive the ball-shaped head of the screw, an upper bore to receive a fixation rod therethrough, and an upper end configured to receive the cap. The head-body and the cap are configured such that a first rotation of the cap locks the polyaxial screw in position, and a second rotation of the cap locks the rod in position. In the preferred embodiment, the head-body includes one or more gaps to facilitate flexion of the head-body as a rotational torque is placed on the cap. The gap or gaps may be horizontal, vertical or other angles relative to the axis of the entrapped rod.

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: A spinal plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface adapted to contact bone. A plurality of holes extend from the upper surface to the lower surface through the plate which is configured and adapted to receive bone fasteners for fixing the spinal plate to bone. The lower surface of the spinal plate comprises a ridge that protrudes from the underside of the plate and encloses the plurality of holes spaced inward from the perimeter of the spinal plate.

Abstract: A trial implant system including a trial implant configured to be temporarily inserted into an intervertebral space defined by a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body is disclosed. The trial implant may include a superior plate and an inferior plate coupled to the superior plate. The superior plate may have a first mating portion that defines a first articulating interface and the inferior plate may have a second mating portion that defines a second articulating interface. The second articulating interface may be configured to interact with the first articulating interface of the superior plate such that at least one of the superior plate and the inferior plate is capable of movement relative to the other. The first and second articulating interfaces may be primary or auxiliary articulating interfaces. For example, the first and second articulating interfaces may be corresponding curved surfaces or they may be corresponding engagement features.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device intended to replace or partially replace one or more vertebral bodies or intervertebral discs in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine, and includes methods for its use and deployment. The invention may be used to restore biomechanical parameters correlating with improved patient outcomes and also involves a method for a more effective discectomy or corpectomy prior to graft deployment.

Abstract: A device and method for coupling first and second elongate spinal fixation elements. The device includes first and second connector members, for receiving first and second elongate spinal fixation elements respectively. One or both connector members may include an engagement portion configured and dimensioned to provisionally receive an elongate fixation element with an interference fit. First and second connector members are coupled to a translation member, the translation member operatively associated with at least one connector member to provide for polyaxial movement. At least one locking member is provided to secure a received elongate spinal fixation element in the engagement portion and lock polyaxial movement of the at least one connector member. The translation member may have first and second portions which move relative to each other with translation movement, and a third locking member to lock the translation movement.

Abstract: A receiving part for coupling a rod to a bone anchoring element includes: a receiving part body with a rod receiving portion and a head receiving portion having an open end for introducing a head of a bone anchoring element, and a locking ring, wherein the head receiving portion includes a plurality of flexible wall portions, the flexible wall portions and the locking ring being configured to engage each other at circumferentially distinct pressure areas having positions corresponding to circumferentially separated projections on at least one of the flexible wall portions or the locking ring, and wherein the locking ring exerts a first force on at least one of the flexible wall portions at a corresponding pressure area, and exerts a second force less than the first force on the at least one flexible wall portion in a region circumferentially adjacent to the corresponding pressure area.

Abstract: An extender comprises an outer member including a lateral opening, first and second extensions defining first and second axial cavities, the axial cavities including a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. An inner member includes a body defining a tab, first and second arms having first and second projections. The inner member is configured for axial translation relative to the outer member between a first position, a second position and a third position. The tab is movable into at least one locking cavity of the lateral opening to fix the inner member relative to the outer member. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: An extender comprises a first extension including a first wall and extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The first wall defines an axial cavity including a distal portion, at least one ramp and a proximal portion. A second extension includes a projection. The projection is disposable in a first position with the distal portion of the axial cavity and the distal end of the first extension is disposed in a non-expanded orientation. The projection is slidably engageable with the at least one ramp for movement to a second position such that the projection is disposed with the proximal portion of the axial cavity and the distal end of the first extension is disposed in an expanded orientation. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A segmented bone fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and having a first state in which at least a portion of the body is flexible and a second state in which the body is generally rigid. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprises inserting a segmented fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of the fixation device in a flexible state on one side of the fracture, providing rigidity across the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy at least one gripper to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone. Various configurations allow a segmented device body to change shape as it moves from a flexible state to a rigid state.

Abstract: An orthopedic device is adapted to fixate the spinous processes of vertebral bones. The device includes at least one bone engagement member. When implanted, a bone engagement member is located on each side of a spinous process and adapted to forcibly abut the side of each spinous process.

Abstract: An external fixation assembly includes a plurality of hollow pins that are inserted into a patient's bone. Each pin has an interior bore and a plurality of apertures extending through the pin wall from the bore. The pin may be coupled to a source of vacuum pressure operable to create reduced pressure in the tissue surrounding the pin. A cover is placed around the pin and sealed to provide a fluid-tight enclosure that maintains reduced pressure around the pin. A method for applying external fixation using the fixator pins described above includes the steps of inserting each pin through a skin opening, positioning the pin apertures near selected tissue, covering the skin opening with a sealed enclosure, connecting the pins to a source of vacuum pressure, and activating the source of vacuum pressure to create reduced pressure in the patient's tissue at or near the bone.

Abstract: The present invention includes a pedicle screw made with a bone fastener and a rod coupling head, the rod coupling head comprising an upper rod coupling: the lower rod coupling having a lateral rod opening adapted to receive a permanent rod; an angled bore extends into the lateral rod opening; and a permanent rod fastener in the angled bore to engage a permanent rod in the lateral rod opening; and a upper rod coupling having an upper rod opening adapted to receive a temporary rod, wherein the upper rod opening is formed to receive a temporary rod fastener; wherein the upper rod coupling is detachable from the lower rod coupling at a transition and a temporary rod is temporarily affixed into the upper rod opening during a bone realignment and a permanent rod is positioned in the lateral rod opening and engaged by the permanent rod fastener upon final bone alignment.

Abstract: Spinal disk including a shell, first endplate, second endplate and core. The shell includes sidewalls, back wall, front wall, top wall and bottom wall defining a compartment. The first endplate includes a first base, first top and first attachment. The first base is retained in the compartment. The first top is disposed about a first opening in the top wall forming a top contact surface. The first attachment extends from the first top portion. The second endplate includes a second base, second top and second attachment. The second base is retained in the compartment. The second top is disposed about a second opening in the bottom wall forming a bottom contact surface. The second attachment extends from the second top portion. The core is disposed in the compartment between the first endplate and the second endplate.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant system is disclosed which includes a spinal spacer for engagement between vertebrae and at least one semi-constrained bone screw assembly. The spinal spacer includes a body extending between first and second end surfaces to define opposing top and bottom vertebral engaging surfaces. The second end surface of the body includes at least one aperture formed therethrough at an angle relative to the centerline axis and a screw opening defined therethrough. The semi-constrained bone screw assembly is adapted for insertion through the screw opening and includes a shank, a head and a rod member. The rod member is fixedly engageable with the shank and moveably coupled to the head such that both the rod member and the shank are moveable with respect to the head.

Abstract: A spine prosthesis is provided and in particular, related to the facet joint of a spine. A spinal implant comprises a facet prosthesis including an insert to be positioned within a joint capsule between facets of a zygapophyseal joint. The insert may comprise a member having two opposing facet interfacing portions. A facet prosthesis exerts a distraction force between facets of a facet joint and may comprise a curable material to be injected into the facet joint. A facet prosthesis may also comprise a pair of magnets, each magnet coupled to a facet and oriented with like poles facing each other to provide a distracting force away from each other. A spine implant may also include an insert to be positioned within the joint capsule, a securing member comprising an elongate portion extending through part of a facet, and an anchor to anchor the securing member to the facet.

Abstract: A spinal plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface adapted to contact bone. A plurality of holes extend from the upper surface to the lower surface through the plate which is configured and adapted to receive bone fasteners for fixing the spinal plate to bone. At least one set screw receiving hole adjacent from each one of the plurality of holes, the set screw receiving hole configured to adapt with a set screw. The lower surface of the spinal plate comprises a ridge that protrudes from the underside of the plate and encloses the plurality of holes spaced inward from the perimeter of the spinal plate.