Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bone cavity preparation. Formed broaching members may be supported inside a bone by a rotator. The broaching members may be bowed out inside the bone to create a cavity having a shape determined by the broaching members and bone anatomy.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor assembly, comprising: a threaded screw portion comprising an externally threaded head end; a head body selectively disposed concentrically about the externally threaded head end of the threaded screw portion, wherein the head body defines an internally threaded hole in a bottom portion thereof; and an externally threaded compression saddle assembly selectively disposed within an interior portion of the head body and selectively engaging the externally threaded head end of the threaded screw portion; wherein the externally threaded compression saddle assembly and the externally threaded head end of the threaded screw portion are selectively disposed within the interior portion of the head body by engaging and passing through the internally threaded hole in the bottom portion of the head body.

Abstract: An articulated fixation device is provided having a high degree of adjustability for securing a plate member thereof to a skull and at least one spinal rod thereof to a vertebral bone. In one form, an adjustable bridge member is provided that is adjustably connected to both the plate member and the spinal rod. The adjustable connections can include an upper and rearward pivot connection between the plate member and the bridge member and a lower and forward pivot connection between the spinal rod and the bridge member.

Abstract: Rod delivery tools, methods for delivering a connecting rod of a pedicle screw system into seating slots of at least first and second long arm screw towers of a pedicle screw system, and a rod reduction tool and related methods for urging a distal leading end of a connecting rod and an opening of a long arm screw tower into alignment with one another, where the two are initially misaligned.

Abstract: A method of implanting a spinal implant device. The method includes removing a portion of a superior spinolaminar junction and an inferior spinolaminar junction. The method includes removing a portion of each facet joint. The method includes providing the spinal implant device including a fusion cage having a superior saddle portion, an inferior saddle portion and opposing cage ends. The method includes positioning the fusion cage between spinous processes with the superior saddle portion receiving the superior spinolaminar junction where the portion of the superior spinolaminar junction having been removed, the inferior saddle portion receiving the inferior spinolaminar junction, and opposing cage ends respectively contacting the opposing facet joints.

Abstract: A method and a device is provided for determining a rotational position of a first feature of a first bone section relative to a second feature of a second bone section, the method comprises the steps of determining a longitudinal axis of a bone and determining a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bone, determining a first projected vector representing a first direction defined by a feature of the first bone section, determining a second projected vector representing a second direction defined by a feature of the second bone section, and determining an angle between the first projected vector and the second projected vector.

Abstract: Various interspinous process spacing devices and associated methods are provided for treating spinal disease. In one embodiment, an interspinous process spacing device includes a first attachment side and a second attachment side, each attachment side including one or more slots formed therein and positioned proximate one end for receiving fasteners extending inwardly from a second interspinous process spacing device. The device further includes a spacer tray extending from the first attachment side and slideably insertable through a spacer tray slot formed in the second attachment side, wherein the spacer tray is adapted to retain adjacent spinous processes in a spaced apart orientation, and wherein at least a portion of the spacer tray has a longitudinally arcuate shape adapted to facilitate angled insertion of the spacer tray through the spacer tray slot. The device further includes securing means for securing the second attachment side relative to the first attachment side.

Abstract: Various interspinous process spacing devices and associated methods are provided for treating spinal disease. In one embodiment, an interspinous process spacing device includes a first attachment side and a second attachment side, each attachment side including one or more slots formed therein and positioned proximate one end for receiving fasteners extending inwardly from a second interspinous process spacing device. The device further includes a spacer tray extending from the first attachment side and slideably insertable through a spacer tray slot formed in the second attachment side, wherein the spacer tray is adapted to retain adjacent spinous processes in a spaced apart orientation, and wherein at least a portion of the spacer tray has a longitudinally arcuate shape adapted to facilitate angled insertion of the spacer tray through the spacer tray slot. The device further includes securing means for securing the second attachment side relative to the first attachment side.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bone cavity preparation. Formed broaching members may be supported inside a bone by a rotator. The broaching members may be bowed out inside the bone to create a cavity having a shape determined by the broaching members and bone anatomy.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a system for noninvasive adjusting fastener tensioning has an elongated shaft having a slot defined therein. The shaft has a first end oppositely disposed from the second end. An associated rod or rods may pass through each end. Selectively adjustable fasteners may have a plurality of magnets disposed in the head of the fastener. An external drive device generating a magnetic field may be used to rotate the fasteners via the magnets in the fastener head externally without the need for surgery. The fasteners may move in and out from the shaft and contact the rod to adjust tensioning.

Abstract: A surgical rib refractor is disclosed. The surgical rib retractor includes a housing having at least one cam surface. The surgical rib retractor also includes an anterior arm unit configured to receive one rib. The surgical rib retractor further includes a posterior arm unit configured to receive another rib. The surgical rib retractor also has an actuator movable relative to the housing and operationally coupled to at least one of the anterior and posterior arm units to move said at least one of the anterior and posterior arm units against the at least one cam surface to create a relative movement between the anterior and posterior arm units, said relative movement comprising at least two directional components.

Abstract: An adjustable length strut includes two joints, a threaded rod extending between the joints, and a tube adapted to receive the threaded rod. An actuation mechanism with gear teeth extending radially outward of the strut axis is rotatably fixed to the threaded rod. A protrusion may be coupled to an end of the threaded rod by a rotatable collar, with the protrusion extending through a slot in the tube to mark the length of the strut. A modular attachment member may be adapted to be couple to the first joint and include a worm gear adapted to engage gear teeth of the actuation mechanism. The modular attachment member may include a radiofrequency identity tag mechanism adapted to be read by a tag reader of a tool, the tool adapted to couple to the attachment member to rotate the worm gear to increase or decrease the effective length of the strut.

Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus is provided and includes a bone fixation plate having a fixation hole, a fastener shaft having a bone-anchoring portion and an upper portion defining an outer cam, and a C-shaped annular member having an outer surface, an inner surface defining an inner cam, and a gap formed through the entire annular member. The inner cam cooperates with the outer cam of the fastener shaft to move the annular member between an unexpanded position and an expanded position independent from movement of the fastener shaft relative to the bone fixation plate.

Abstract: An adaptable spinal facet joint prosthesis may include a pedicle fixation element; a laminar fixation element; and a facet joint bearing surface having a location adaptable with respect at least one of the pedicle fixation element and the laminar fixation element. Methods of implanting an adaptable spinal facet joint prosthesis may include determining a desired position for a facet joint bearing surface; and attaching a prosthesis comprising a facet joint bearing surface to a pedicle portion of a vertebra and a lamina portion of a vertebra to place the facet joint bearing surface in the desired position. A facet joint prosthesis implant tool may include a tool guide adapted to guide a vertebra cutting tool; and first and second fixation hole alignment elements extending from the saw guide. Systems for treating spinal pathologies may include intervertebral discs in combination with spinal and facet joint prostheses.

Abstract: An illumination system for adjustably positioning an illuminator in a surgical field in a patient includes an anchor element and an illumination element. The anchor element is configured to be releasably coupled with the patient, and the illumination element is coupled to the anchor element. The anchor element or the illumination element is configured to be coupled, uncoupled, and recoupled with the patient or adjacent surgical equipment. This allows repositioning of the illumination element at a plurality of positions in the surgical field without interfering with adjacent surgical instruments, and further permits adjustment of illumination in the surgical field.

Abstract: A spinal implant has a first member defining a longitudinal axis. A second member includes an axial cavity configured for disposal of the first member. A third member is rotatable relative to the first member and defines a transverse cavity. A locking element is disposable in the transverse cavity and engageable with the first member to fix the third member relative to the first member. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a connector has a bone connecting portion that is elongate along a central axis and secures the connector to a vertebra, and has a guiding portion that is located proximal to the bone connecting portion. The guiding portion has a flexible wing that extends from a platform member of the guiding portion, and a connecting portion that attaches the platform member to the bone connecting portion. The wing is bendable with respect to the platform member between an extended configuration where the wing extends outwardly away from the platform member, and a curved configuration where the wing is bent so as to define at least a portion of a passageway between the inner surface of the wing and a protrusion of the platform. The passageway receives and slides along an elongated support member such as a spine rod.

Abstract: An instrument for breaking off and retaining the tab of a reduction screw is provided. The instrument includes a breaking arm and a retaining mechanism. The breaking arm is configured to break off an excess portion of the tab of the reduction screw about a weakened section. The retaining mechanism is configured to retain the broken off tab and preventing the tab from falling into a surgical site. The retaining mechanism is further configured to allow the instrument to engage another tab while simultaneously holding a predetermined number of previously broken off tabs. Accordingly, the instrument reduces surgical time as the surgeon may simply move from one reduction screw to another while breaking off the tabs until the instrument can no longer retain additional broken off tabs.

Abstract: A connector device for a spinal stabilization apparatus comprises a first elongated portion adapted to engage a first spinal stabilizer rod proximal to the first end of the elongated member. The first end of the first elongated portion comprises a hook shape and a ferrule and may engage the first spinal stabilizer rod within about 20 degrees of perpendicular to the spinal stabilizer rod in any direction. The ferrule is adapted to be seated within the hook shape and is further adapted to engage the first spinal stabilizer rod. The connector device may also include a second elongated portion similar to the first adapted to engage a second spinal stabilizer. The first elongated portion and the second elongated portion may be directly attached. The connector device may be used in a method of treating a patient.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchoring device includes a receiving part configured to be pivotably connected to a head of an anchoring element, the receiving part having a channel for receiving a rod and an accommodation space having an opening for accommodating the head, and a sleeve-like insert piece having a sleeve axis and a spherical segment-shaped outer surface portion. The insert piece is configured to be positioned around a portion of the head in the receiving part and to pivot in the receiving part, and includes a first part and a separable second part configured to be connected with the first part by a connection structure configured to permit translational movement between the first part and the second part in a direction transverse to the sleeve axis, while preventing movement between the first part and the second part in a direction parallel to the sleeve axis.