Abstract: A dynamic longitudinal connecting member assembly includes an anchor member having an integral or otherwise fixed elongate core extending through at least two elastic spacers and at least one outer sleeve or trolley. The anchor member and the outer sleeve each attach to at least one bone anchor. The spacers have differing durometers and/or geometries, resulting in greater axial movement of the sleeve in one direction than in an opposite direction. The spacers are compressed prior to attachment to the bone anchors.

Abstract: Provided is a spinal fixation system including a taper lock screw including an inner housing and an outer housing that are translatable relative to one another to transition the taper lock screw between a locked position and an unlocked position. A locking device releasably connects to and operationally interacts with a flange of the taper lock screw. An unlocking device releasably connects to and operationally interacts with inner housing unlocking tool receptors of the taper lock screw to unlock the taper lock screw.

Abstract: An intramedullary osteosynthetic device includes an intramedullary nail, a hip helical implant, a sliding sleeve, a lateral set screw, and a distal locking screw. The intramedullary nail includes an oblique slotted bore that receives the sliding sleeve and in communication with a cannulation that is partially threaded to receive a coaxial set screw and a threaded notch compatible with the lateral set screw. The hip helical implant includes a frontal helical portion, at least two helical twisted blades attached to the frontal helical portion, and a rear smooth shaft having an external flat surface. The sliding sleeve includes a tube having an internal flat corresponding to the external flat and has external threads at the rear of the sleeve engaging the lateral set screw. The coaxial set screw fixes the sliding sleeve to the intramedullary nail by tightening the sliding sleeve inside the oblique bore.

Abstract: A system involving anchor retaining mechanisms for a bone plate includes a plate with at least a first hole therethrough between an upper surface and a lower surface of the plate to receive an anchor for engaging a bony segment. The system also includes a partially annular retaining member engageable to the plate and positionable in the hole of the plate to prevent anchor backout while allowing insertion of the anchor through the plate hole and removal of the anchor from the plate hole.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a spine are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a first implant to a pedicle of a first vertebra of a spinal column such that at least a portion of the first implant is disposed between a first spinous process and a second spinous process of the spinal column. A second implant is coupled to a pedicle of a second vertebra of the spinal column. At least a portion of an outer surface of the first implant is configured to contact at least a portion of an outer surface of the second implant when the spinal column is in extension. The outer surface of the first implant and the outer surface of the second implant being at a spaced distance from each other when the spinal column is in flexion.

Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. The tissue retraction assembly has a plurality of blades which may be introduced while in a closed configuration, after which point they may be opened to create an operation corridor to the surgical target site, including pivoting at least one blade to expand the operative corridor adjacent to the operative site. The surgical access system further includes pressure sensing technology to measure the pressure being exerted upon body tissues before, during, and/or after retraction and/or distraction.

Abstract: A spinal implant device immobilizes an attached vertebrae through a minimally invasive surgical approach while providing a compartment within the implant for the placement of bone graft or bone graft substitute. The bone graft material fuses the spinous processes and/or lamina portion of bone of the vertebral bone to which the device is attached.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system includes at least two anchors having a bone attachment portion and a head portion and a flexible assembly coupled to the anchors. The flexible assembly includes a flexible cord, at least two connectors slidably mounted to the flexible cord, and at least one spacer slidably mounted to the cord between adjacent connectors. Each connector couples with a head portion of an anchor. The flexible assembly may be assembled and appropriately adjusted outside the body prior to it being coupled to the anchors. In addition, the connectors may include angled outer surfaces that provide enhanced engagement with the ends of the spacer. A method of stabilizing the spine includes securing anchors to the spine, assembling a flexible assembly outside the body, and coupling the flexible assembly to the anchors. The method may further include providing connectors with angled surfaces to provide enhanced engagement with the spacer.

Abstract: A spinal column implant for elastic stabilization of vertebrae, includes a pedicle screw and an elastic rod which is anchored in a frictional fashion in a receptacle of pedicle screws by means of a filling piece, and a clamping element. The frictional connection is supported additionally by an indirect form-fit portion.

Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In one embodiment, a dissection tool is provided for separating muscles along a muscle plane without causing damage to the muscles. The dissection tool can also include a lumen extending therethrough for receiving a guide wire. The tool allows the guide wire to be positioned relative to a vertebra, and once properly positioned, the tool can be removed to allow a spinal anchor to be delivered along the guide wire and implanted into the vertebra.

Abstract: For minimally-invasive therapy for spinal canal stenosis, a therapeutic device capable of stationing an interspinous process spacer without the need of large skin incision or ligamentous tissue incision and also without the need of detaching of the paraspinal muscle from the spine. The interspinous process spacer includes a conoid screw region (2) to be screwed into a processus spinosus interspace; a spacer region (3) in the longitudinal direction of the screw region (2); head region (4) capable of free interlocking with a tool arbitrarily; and through-hole (5) passing through the axial centers of screw region (2), spacer region (3) and head region (4). The processus spinosus interspace is enlarged by screwing of the screw region (2) into the processus spinosus interspace. The spacer region (3) is pinched upon passing of the screw region (2) through the processus spinosus interspace to attain enlarging and fixing of adjacent processus spinosus interspaces.

Abstract: A spreader insert for use with a surgical retractor is provided. The spreader insert includes a circular head with two or more downwardly extending blades. One end of each blade of the insert is rotatably fastened to the head of the insert, such that each blade can be tilted inwardly or extended outwardly from a central axis of the device. Suitable fasteners are provided to rotate the blades from a closed position in which the distal ends of the blades are almost touching each other in order to improve ease of introduction into the surgical field. In an open position, the blades rotate outwardly to hold body tissue in place. Alternatively, the entire spreader insert is machined from a hardenable steel tube, the blades of which are formed so that, when released, they spring outwardly to an open position.

Abstract: Implants and methods for osteopathic augmentation and repositioning of vertebrae may comprise a chain having one or more beads or bodies configured for insertion into a vertebral body. The one or more bodies may be expandable. As the chain is inserted into the vertebral body, it may fill a central portion thereof and can push against the inner sides of the endplates of the vertebral body, thereby providing structural support and tending to restore the vertebral body to its original height. The one or more bodies may have a first configuration dimensioned to pass through a catheter or other introducer, and may expand to a second, larger configuration after insertion into the bone in order to secure the chain within the bone.

Abstract: An orthopedic bone fixation device including an anchor member having a cavity and an insert member. The anchor member retains the insert member at least partially or entirely in the cavity. The insert member has an insert aperture for accommodating part of a screwdriver or other device.

Abstract: A tissue retractor for retracting tissue opened by an incision, the tissue retractor including a base support unit having a topside and an underside. The topside has at least one securing mechanism and the underside is conformable and removably attachable to a surface proximate to the incision. The tissue retractor has a tissue hook having a tissue engagement portion and a mounting portion, the tissue engagement portion capable of engaging at least the periphery of the incision. The tissue retractor has a retractable member substantially inelastic in its central longitudinal axis and bendable in any axes deviating from the central longitudinal axis. The retractable member receives the mounting portion of the tissue hook, the retractable member being removably attachable to said securing mechanism on the topside of the base support unit, and being retractable away from the incision, such that the tissue engagement portion retracts tissue engaged thereto.

Abstract: An external fixation device for holding bone fragments in place includes a housing having a number of rotationally adjustable pin holders, each of which is held by a clamping member that simultaneously clamps the pin holder within an internal mounting surface of the housing and a bone pin within the pin holder. A first embodiment includes a number of internal mounting surfaces, each of which can include a single pin holder. A second embodiment includes one or two internal mounting surfaces, each of which holds a row of pin holders that is clamped in place by a single clamping member. Other embodiments include pin holders arranged so that bone pins, extending from a linearly extending or arcuate surface are concentrated in a region.

Abstract: An interspinous process spacer and method of implanting same is provided for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The spacer has two lateral portions and a medial portion therebetween, the medial portion adapted to reside between the adjacent superior and inferior spinous processes in the deployed configuration and the lateral portions each comprise a superior lateral portion and an inferior lateral portion adapted to reside on the lateral side of the respective superior and inferior spinous process in the deployed configuration to maintain positioning of the interspinous process spacer between the two adjacent vertebrae. The lateral portions each comprise an expandable lateral member.

Abstract: The device (9) comprises vertebral elements (10, 20, 10?, 20?) adapted to be fixed to the same lateral side of the bodies of at least two adjacent vertebrae (1, 2), the elements being associated in pairs that are provided to be associated with the left and right sides of the vertebrae. In order to guide the vertebrae effectively and stably, in order, in use, to reproduce an articulating intervertebral joint, the two elements of each pair delimit respective surfaces (15, 25, 15?, 25?) for the relative guiding of those elements, which surfaces are adapted, when the elements are implanted on their corresponding vertebra, to extend generally along the same lateral side of the body of the vertebrae and to rest and slide one against the other in such a manner that the surfaces define a center of rotation (C) about which the two elements are able to turn one relative to the other.

Abstract: An instrument is provided for reduction of a rod or other elongated member into an implant, such as a bone screw. In one embodiment, such an instrument includes a rod adjusting assembly pivotably attached to an implant holding assembly. The implant holding assembly can be pivotably connected to an implant, and the rod adjusting assembly is operable to move a rod toward or away from the implant holding assembly. In that embodiment, several motions are possible by the instrument so that relatively small or large movements of a rod with respect to an implant may be made.

Abstract: A combination suction retraction instrument for surgery is disclosed. The suction retraction instrument includes a retractor including a body, a suction nozzle secured to a distal end of the body, and means for retaining a suction tube adjacent the retractor. The suction tube is connected to a vacuum source for removing fluids and debris from a surgical site. The means for retaining the suction tube is secured to the body. The means for retaining the suction tube is structured to allow the suction tube to slide within the means for retaining the suction tube upon manual pulling of the suction tube by a surgeon. A proximal end of the suction nozzle is dimensioned to engage a distal end of the suction tube in a sealing relationship thereby providing a suction flow path from an opening of the suction nozzle into the suction tube.