Abstract: A compression nut for treating a bone includes a head and a body extending longitudinally from the head to a free end. The body includes an exterior threading along an exterior surface of a threaded portion of the body separated from the head via an unthreaded portion. The nut also includes a channel extending longitudinally through the body. The channel includes an interior threaded extending along an interior surface of the channel configured to threadedly engage an end of a locking screw received therein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of bone ties, bone tie inserters, and methods for treating the spine are provided. The bone tie can include a proximal end and a distal end. The bone tie can include a head section comprising a rounded head. The bone tie can include a neck section extending proximally from the head section. A bone tie inserter for placing a bone tie can also be provided. The bone tie inserter can include a bone tie advancer with a curved surface configured to guide a rounded head of a bone tie. The bone tie inserter can include a bone tie retriever configured to receive the rounded head of a bone tie. The bone tie is configured to pivot and/or rotate within the retriever portion of the bone tie inserter. The method can include forming a lumen in a first bone portion and a second bone portion. The bone tie can be configured to pivot and/or rotate as the bone tie retriever is withdrawn.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a shank for anchoring in a bone and a head, a receiving part configured to pivotably receive the head, and a pressure member for exerting pressure on the head to clamp the head in the receiving part, the pressure member defining a head receiving recess for pivotably holding at least a portion of the head therein and comprising a first surface configured to restrict removal of the head from the head receiving recess. The head includes a first position indication structure configured to engage a second position indication structure of the bone anchoring device when the shank assumes a first angular position relative to the receiving part. The first and second position indication structures disengage from one another when the shank is moved out of the first angular position to a different angular position.

Abstract: Various embodiments of bone ties, bone tie inserters, and methods for treating the spine are provided. The bone tie can include a proximal end and a distal end. The bone tie can include a head section comprising a rounded head. The bone tie can include a neck section extending proximally from the head section. A bone tie inserter for placing a bone tie can also be provided. The bone tie inserter can include a bone tie advancer with a curved surface configured to guide a rounded head of a bone tie. The bone tie inserter can include a bone tie retriever configured to receive the rounded head of a bone tie. The bone tie is configured to pivot and/or rotate within the retriever portion of the bone tie inserter. The method can include forming a lumen in a first bone portion and a second bone portion. The bone tie can be configured to pivot and/or rotate as the bone tie retriever is withdrawn.

Abstract: A bone fusion method, system and device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together and/or in place of one or more of the bones, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs having a central rib. The bone fusion device includes one or more support channels configured to receive an insertion instrument that is then secured to the bone fusion device via a coupling mechanism. As a result, the coupled device is able to be securely positioned between vertebrae using the insertion instrument with minimal risk of slippage.

Abstract: A bone fusion method, apparatus and device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together and/or in place of one or more of the bones, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable plates having a central rib. The bone fusion device includes one or more support channels configured to receive an insertion instrument that is then secured to the bone fusion device via a coupling mechanism. As a result, the coupled device is able to be securely positioned between vertebrae using the insertion instrument with minimal risk of slippage.

Abstract: A fixation system for immobilizing a skeletal structure is provided. It includes an internal fixation system having a rod-plate subsystem, a shaft subsystem, and a midfoot plate subsystem. It further includes an external fixation system adapted to connect to the internal fixation system and having a sole that provides a weight-bearing platform underneath a patient's foot to enable a patient to walk with the fixation system.

Abstract: A bone fusion device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises at least one extendable tab and one or more tab extension assemblies. Each tab extension assembly is able to be adjusted in order to individually control the extension or contraction of a side of the tab thereby enabling adjustment of the height and/or angle of the tab with respect to the body of the bone fusion device. Each tab extension assembly is able to be individually adjusted such that the side controlled by each assembly is raised or lowered until the desired tab angle is achieved. The tab is advantageously positioned and angled to correspond to the vertebrae to help brace the device until the bone has fused.

Abstract: A cannula may include a cannula bowl having an opening to receive an instrument configured to be advanced through the cannula, and a cannula tube extending distally from the cannula bowl. The cannula tube may have a proximal end opening, a distal end opening disposed at an opposite end of the cannula from the proximal end opening, and lateral wall defining a passage extending from the proximal end opening to the distal end opening. The lateral wall can have outer dimensions defining a waisted portion with smaller outer dimensions than a region disposed proximally or distally to the waisted portion along a length of the cannula tube.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to attach a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fastener including an anchor and a polyaxial head rotatably attached to the anchor, the anchor configured to be fastened to the first vertebral body, and an anchor assembly configured to be received in an aperture of the second vertebral body. The anchor assembly is configured to be received in a head aperture of the polyaxial head. The polyaxial head has three rotational degrees of freedom relative to the anchor based on the rotatable attachment of the polyaxial head to the anchor.

Abstract: Pedicle-based intradiscal fixation devices, systems, instruments, and methods thereof. The implant or a portion thereof may be composed of a shape-memory material, which has a curved shape-memory orientation and a temporarily straight orientation. The implant may be configured to be inserted into a pedicle of an inferior vertebra, through the vertebral body of the inferior vertebra, and into the vertebral body of the superior vertebra to thereby stabilize the inferior and superior vertebrae.

Abstract: A spine alignment system is disclosed. The spine alignment system includes a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis, the pedicle screw having a screw head. The screw head includes a slot having a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw. An extension shaft is secured to the pedicle screw, such that a longitudinal axis of the extension shaft is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw. The spine alignment system also includes a cap having a slot that forms a substantially cylindrical passage with the slot of the pedicle screw head. The substantially cylindrical passage is configured to receive an alignment rod such that alignment of the spine occurs as the rod is translated along the extension shaft to the pedicle screw.

Abstract: Apparatus for placement in an incision or a natural body opening comprises a retractor having a sleeve (655, 656, 657) and a guard device comprising overlapping petals (662) depending from a mounting ring (661). The guard device is movable by the retractor from an insertion configuration to a deployed configuration as the retractor sleeve is moved to the retracting configuration.

Abstract: A joint implant adapted for use in joint surgeries. Among other things, the joint implant has an anterior cutting edge and a rotatable cutter supported by a rotatable shaft. A polyaxial adapter can be incorporated into the current joint implant. The present implant can include a rotatable shaft that has a conduit and windows.

Abstract: A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a bone screw comprising a screw head and an anchor portion, and a receiver comprising a base defining a central bore and an upper portion defining a first channel, with the central bore extending upward through the first channel to a top of the receiver. The assembly also includes an open ring retainer with a gap that is uploadable into a lower portion of the central bore through a bottom opening for capturing the screw head within receiver, and an insert positionable into the central bore above the screw head with upright arms defining a second channel and opposite extensions extending radially outward into the first channel body for blocking rotation of the insert within the receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyaxial screw including a screw anchor and a fork head which has two arms, is U-shaped in a lateral view and has a receiving opening for a correction element, and including a pressure piece which can be arranged in the fork head between the head of the screw anchor and the correction element, rests on the head of the screw anchor and can be loaded by the correction element.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for forming spinal rod members for use in pedicle screw systems for spinal fixation surgery and systems. A system can include a pedicle screw having a pedicle screw head and a pedicle screw shaft, the pedicle screw head comprising an aperture for receiving and retaining a spinal rod member relative to the pedicle screw. The spinal rod member can include an elongated tubular membrane having a flexible body and a spinal rod body formed of a compound, where the spinal rod body is formed by insertion of a liquid compound into the elongated tubular membrane and a hardening of the liquid compound or other similar process for conversion of the flexible rod to a rigid rod. The pedicle screw head can include a channel configured to receive and retain the spinal rod member.

Abstract: An assembly for assisting with positioning of an intervertebral implant, including an implant holder having an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, the first end being adapted to be attached to the stabilising wedge of an intervertebral implant, the first end of the implant holder having a deflection device including an opening having a central axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the implant holder but not converging with the longitudinal axis, the opening allowing the braid of an implant to pass therethrough in such a way that, when in use, the braid may have a first portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis from the implant to the opening, and a second portion extending from the opening to the free end in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant holder to allow the tensioning of the braid.

Abstract: A surgical implant system includes a surgical implant for securing adjacent vertebrae of a spine to each other. The surgical implant includes a spacer having at least one implant eyelet. The surgical implant system also includes at least one vertebral anchor configured for insertion through the at least one implant eyelet to fasten the surgical implant to the spine. The vertebral anchor has a tip portion, a head portion, an elongate shank extending from the head portion, and an elongate fin extending from the head portion and along a surface of the elongate shank. The elongate shank and the elongate fin form a generally t-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: Devices and methods for positioning and immobilizing at least two adjacent vertebrae using adjacent spinous processes. The method includes positioning a spinous process fusion device in an interspinous space between adjacent spinous processes including a rod and a first wing, and attaching a second wing to the rod, for example, using a ratcheting mechanism.