Abstract: A spine fixation device including an elongated bone screw partially embedded in a vertebra of a spine and a retaining head that can receive a rod and a head of the bone screw. The retaining head has an inner member that includes a screw head receiving section for receiving the screw head. The retaining head further has an outer member that includes an inner face that can contact an outer face of the screw head receiving section. When the inner face is in contact with the outer face, the screw head receiving section applies pressure to the screw head to fixate the relative angle between the bone screw and the retaining head.

Abstract: A retractor system is provided having a plurality of blade portions that collectively present a low profile tapered configuration for insertion through tissue along a natural tissue plane. Once inserted through tissue the blade portions may be independently moved apart to form an access path to a surgical site, such as by first moving the blade portions apart along the natural tissue plane followed by moving the blade portions apart transverse to the natural tissue plane. The blade portions may be attached to retractor frame members, and rack and pinion frame components may be used to control movement of the blade portions relative to one another. Pins may be used to secure the blade portions to bone.

Abstract: A B-shaped implant for insertion into a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant includes first and second projecting lobes configured to sit on bony prominences adjacent a posterior rim of a lower one of the vertebral bodies. A concave recess between the two projecting lobes is configured to avoid impact with the vertebral foramen. An anterior portion wall connects ends of the B-shaped implant, cooperating with the projecting lobes to define fill spaces. The fill spaces can be packed with bone growth material. The implant can be expandable, made of rotatable interconnected links, which can be inserted into the disc space in an unexpanded position, and expanded in the disc space to an expanded position.

Abstract: A bone fusion device includes a main body and a movable frame. The main body has an accommodation hole. A top surface and a bottom surface of the main body are provided with a plurality of first teeth. The movable frame is located in the accommodation hole. The movable frame has a through hole longitudinally penetrating a first surface and a second surface thereof. A first end of the movable frame is fixed to the front end of the main body, and a second end is suspended relative to the rear end of the main body. The first surface and the second surface are provided with a plurality of second teeth. The movable frame is transversely formed with a groove to define an upper portion and a lower portion, enabling the upper portion and the lower portion to be elastically expanded with the first end as a fulcrum.

Abstract: An expandable fusion device may include a first endplate and a second endplate. The expandable fusion device may also include first and second ramps configured to mate with both the first and second endplates. The first ramp may include a mating feature having a first angle relative to a vertical axis, and the second ramp may include a mating feature having a second angle relative to the vertical axis such that the first angle is different from the second angle. In particular, the first and second ramps may be configured to provide for symmetrical expansion of the first and second endplates.

Abstract: Elongated pin (1) for an external fixator for temporary and/or permanent fixation applications to treat bone fractures and to connect two or more bone fragments to each other, comprising an elongated cylindrical stem (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and a conical end portion (3) with a tip and an external thread for inserting the pin (1) into a bone, wherein said conical end portion (3) with a tip has an overall length, measured along the longitudinal axis (X), equal to the diameter (d) of the stem (2) ±20% of said diameter (d) and wherein the stem (2) comprises a cylindrical end area (4) extending adjacent to the conical portion (3) and having an external thread which extends over a length, measured along the longitudinal axis (X), equal to the diameter (d) of the stem (2) ±25% of said diameter (d).

Abstract: A distal locking intramedullary nail is provided. The distal locking intramedullary nail includes a distal tip and a hollow inner portion. The distal tip includes two or more blades secured by, and rotatable about, a pin. The hollow inner portion has an internal threading for receiving an inner shaft having a threaded portion. Twisting of the inner shaft, with the threaded portion engaged with the internal threading of the hollow inner portion of the distal locking intramedullary nail, causes a distal end of the inner shaft to advance distally through the hollow inner portion of the distal locking intramedullary nail and to impact a proximal end of the two or more blades, thereby causing the two or more blades to rotate about the pin and to engage an inner wall of a patient's medullary canal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an osteosynthesis device having a bone screw (12), which has a threaded shaft (24) and a ball head (26), and having a fork head (14), which has a groove (32) and two legs (34), the ball head (26) being pivotably supported in the fork head (14), and having a pressure piece (16), which is seated on the ball head (26), the pressure piece (16) being braced on the fork head (14) and having two lateral fins (48) extending in the axial direction (30) of the fork head (14) and away from the threaded shaft (24); it is proposed that the pressure piece (16) is supported in the fork head (14) with prestressing in the axial direction (30) and thus in the direction toward the ball head (26) in that at least one of the fins (48) is slit transversely to the axial direction (30) of the fork head (14), so that a slit (50) forms a spring tongue (52), and the pressure piece (16) is thereby resiliently embodied and is braced via the spring tongue (52) on the fork head (14), and that a protrusion (70) prot

Abstract: A spine cage (1) comprising a pair of opposite functional sides (2,3) and at least another pair of opposite functional sides (4,5), such that the cage can be positioned in at least two different positions providing at least two different configurations.

Abstract: An expandable fusion device may include a first endplate and a second endplate. The expandable fusion device may also include first and second ramps configured to mate with both the first and second endplates. An inserter instrument includes an outer shaft having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough and an inner shaft extending through the bore in the outer shaft. The outer shaft is configured to engage the first or second opening in the second ramp, and the inner shaft is configured to engage the corresponding first or second opening in the first ramp to control implant height and/or lordotic angle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implanting a spinal implant between two vertebral bodies are provided. The spinal implant may include a main body adapted to rest between and adjacent to the two vertebral bodies, the main body having a cavity therein adapted to hold a filler and a cap adapted to connect to the main body where the cap is connectable after the main body has been inserted between the vertebral bodies and after the filler has been inserted into the cavity of the main body. The cap is securable to the main body by means of a securement member providing for a permanent connection between the main body and the cap.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems relating to spinal implants and instruments for installing such implants. In some embodiments, the system may comprise a spinal implant, an inserter, an intermediary piece, and/or an installation rod. The spinal implant may comprise an at least partially threaded opening configured to receive the installation rod. The opening may be positioned within a fixed wall of the spinal implant, and the opening may comprise a peripheral edge defined by the wall of the spinal implant.

Abstract: A system for flexibly stabilizing a vertebral motion segment by connecting a first vertebra and a second vertebra is disclosed. The system includes an elongate connection element with end portions interconnected by a flexible coupling member. The system includes first and second attachment portions for connecting the connection element to the vertebrae. A first resilient member is positioned between the first end portion and the first attachment portion, and a second resilient member is positioned between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion. The system is designed such that the second resilient member is compressed when the first and second attachment portions move towards each other, and the first resilient member is compressed when the first and second attachment portions extend away from each other.

Abstract: A rod template for determining a curvature and a length of a spinal rod used for joining vertebrae in a spine fusion surgery in advance includes a core, a transparent outer tube, and a transparent filler. The core is made of metal and includes a scale on a surface thereof. The outer tube is made of silicone rubber and covers the core. The filler is made of liquid silicone rubber and inserted in a gap between the outer tube and the core to fill the gap.

Abstract: A resilient core is positioned between bony projections which are offset from a principal load bearing region of a spinal joint. Shaped projections extend from the core, and engage the bony projections by conforming to anatomical landmarks, and may be fastened to the bony projections. During flexion of the joint, the core absorbs some of the force of compression, and limits an extent to which the joint may compress. If the shaped projections are connected to the bony projections, extension of the joint is inhibited by the projections and the core, limiting the extent to which the joint may be distracted. In this manner, healing is fostered, and a weakened or damaged joint is protected from excessive movement.

Abstract: A clip includes a body and a pin. The body includes a first end, a second end, and a backspan extending between the first and second ends. The backspan defines a through hole. Each of the first and second ends of the body are configured to releasably couple to a rail of a dynamic spinal clip between two adjacent segments of a dynamic spinal clip to maintain a span between two adjacent segments. The pin defines a longitudinal axis and includes a head and a shaft. The shaft extends from the head to a tip. The tip is configured to penetrate bone. The shaft is configured and dimensioned to be slidably received through the through hole of the body. The head is sized to prevent the head from passing through the through hole of the body.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for promoting spinal fusion using a spinal implant comprises providing a spinal implant, wherein the spinal implant comprises at least one internal chamber being is adapted to receive at least one graft and/or other fill material. In some arrangements, one or more walls of the spinal implant comprise at least one opening or hole that places the internal chamber in fluid communication with an exterior area or portion of the spinal implant. The method additionally includes positioning the spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae of a patient and directing at least one graft and/or other fill material into the internal chamber of the spinal implant through the access port.

Abstract: A retractor for use in lingual frenotomy has a tapered hollow shield, having a closed distal end and an open proximal rim, a groove opening through the distal end to seat over the lingual frenulum, and a handle extending from the proximal rim in line with the groove.

Abstract: A cervical plate and one or more locking assemblies that help prevent screw backout without impinging on therapeutically valuable settling of the screws. In some cases, the locking assembly is configured to be permanently attached to the plate, to be securely but efficiently locked, to be readily unlocked for revision surgery, and/or to reduce the possibility of operator error in installation by providing simplified visible and tactile indicia of the locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: Growing rod systems and methods for correcting spinal deformities include at least one growing rod assembly and at least one fluid delivery assembly. Each growing rod assembly includes a fluid actuator that is operable to extend first and second rod segments in opposite directions along the spine. The fluid actuator can be provided by, for example, a piston-cylinder actuator. Each fluid delivery assembly includes a fluid pump operably connectable to a fluid line, which in turn is connected to the fluid actuator. In one embodiment, the fluid actuator is of a linear design. In another embodiment, two linear or curvilinear fluid actuators are provided back-to-back and connected by a connecting rod that mounts to the mid-spine and is contourable. In another embodiment, the fluid actuator is of a curvilinear design to generally conform the normal spine. And in another embodiment, the fluid actuator includes a fluid-over-fluid shock absorber.