Abstract: A hip implant has a neck body that connects to a bone fixation body. The bone fixation body has a porous structure with an elongated shape. An internal cavity is formed in the bone fixation body and includes a substance to stimulate bone growth.

Abstract: Prosthesis for inserting into a damaged intervertebral disc. The prosthesis has an elongated tubular main prosthesis body with a length to fit laterally from one side of a disc to the other at its mid-plane. The main prosthesis body is composed of two parts transversely oriented and has a vertical height deliberately greater than the height of normal disc space. Heads having a vertical height greater than the vertical height of the main prosthesis body are mounted on the ends of the main prosthesis body.

Abstract: A spinal fixation assembly includes a pedicle rod and pedicle screws which secure the pedicle rod to the spine. Each pedicle screw includes a head configured to receive a portion of the pedicle rod, and a threaded portion extending from a first end of the head and configured to engage a vertebra. The pedicle rod is secured to the head by a fastener. The head includes a breakaway region that defines a location in which at least a first portion of the head can be easily separated from the remainder of the head upon application of sufficient force to the first portion. A minimally invasive method of implanting the spinal fixation assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: A bio-compatible stabilization system includes one or more inserters and a connector for traversing a space between one or more bony structures. The stabilization system is designed to reduce or eliminate stress shielding effects while functioning as a tension band. The connector includes an extendable member and an over-extension limiter that limits extension of the extendable member.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis, in particular for the cervical spine, has two attachment plates connected in an articulated manner. The attachment surfaces of the attachment plates, which are configured for attachment to adjacent vertebral bodies have a base surface configured to bear on the surface of the vertebral bodies, and self-tapping fixing projections rising from the base surface. These fixing projections are formed by at least one pair of ribs which extend in opposite directions obliquely with respect to a predetermined implantation direction and whose side faces oriented more away from the implantation direction are steeper than their side faces oriented more in the implantation direction. The ribs can be toothed.

Abstract: A guard and guide apparatus and method is used with a speculum having jaws in a vagina to define a passage toward a cervix at an end of the vagina. The guard and guide apparatus has a guard body movable into the passage, the guard body having sides, a top and a bottom defining a tunnel toward the cervix for preventing contact between a probe and walls of the vagina. Flexible cervix panels are at the inner end of the guard body and extend toward the fornix of the cervix for covering the fornix to protect it from contact by the probe. A support fulcrum is provided in the guard body tunnel at a location between inner and outer ends of the guard body for supporting the probe handle to help a practitioner hold the probe handle steady and aim the probe accurately to a selected location on the cervix.

Abstract: An interspinous process spacer insertion device that positions an interspinous process spacer between the spinous process of adjacent vertebrae in a minimally invasive percutaneous surgical procedure. The device includes a trocar rod that extends through a cannulated sleeve. The spacer is attached to the end of the cannulated sleeve, where a trocar tip of the trocar rod extends through the spacer. The trocar rod is moved through the cannulated sleeve and an incision in the patient, and is positioned between the spinous process of the vertebra to align the device. The cannulated sleeve is then moved down the trocar rod so that the spacer slides between the spinous process, and the trocar rod is then withdrawn from the patient. The spacer is then rotated so that it locks behind the spinous process, and the cannulated sleeve is detached from the spacer and removed from the patient.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an intervertebral disc prosthesis (104) is provided. The prosthesis (104) may be provided with an insertion adapter (106), such as a head, holder, or other carrier of the prosthesis (104). The insertion adapter (106) may be configured to retain the prosthesis (104) and to engage an insertion tool body (130). In various embodiments, the prosthesis (104) and the insertion holder are provided in a sterile pack (102, 202), with the prosthesis (104) components and the insertion holder sterilized and packaged in one or more types or layers of sterile packaging (103a, 103b). In various other embodiments, the prosthesis (104) and an insertion tool (131) are provided in a sterile pack (102, 202), with the prosthesis (104) components and the insertion tool (131) sterilized and packaged in one or more types or layers of sterile packaging (103a, 103b).

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor has a locking element shaped and configured to allow an anchoring member (e.g., a screw or hook) to polyaxially rotate at large angles about a central axis of the bone anchor before compression locking the anchoring member within an anchor head.

Abstract: Skeletal stabilization systems include a base, a longitudinal member, and a retaining member. The base includes an engagement surface with a surface area that is positionable in contact with a bone to atraumatically or traumatically engage the base to the bone. The retaining member engages the base to retain the longitudinal member relative to the base so that the longitudinal member can provide a desired stabilization effect to one or more adjacent bony portions.

Abstract: Intramedullary rod and blade assemblies and methods of implanting said assemblies are disclosed herein. The assemblies provided herein are useful in treating distal, proximal fractures, among other conditions, in large bones including, but not limited to: femurs, tibias, and humeri. Preferred assemblies can include an intramedullary rod having a proximal end and coupling means configured to securely attach to a blade, such that no portion of the rod or the coupling means extend into the fractured fragment beyond the blade. Further preferred assemblies include intramedullary rods that connect in the center of the internal blade, or substantially so, such that the rod and blade form a “T-shape,” or substantially so.

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: A spine disc prosthesis mimics a natural human spine disc through use of a structure that duplicates a natural Annulus Fibrosis of the disc to provide translation, extension, flexion, and axial support in like manner to a natural disc. The present spine disc prosthesis achieves this through the use of a first and second disk connected to one another via a flexible annulus fibrosis structure. The flexible annulus fibrosis structure or core is characterized by a plurality of compressible (pliant) strands that are affixed to and extend between the first and second disks. The strands are preferably, but not necessarily, situated on and extend about an outer perimeter of inside surfaces of the two end disks so as to mimic natural contours of an annulus fibrosis of a natural spinal disc. The strands may be formed by various types of biocompatible fibers, braids, cords, bundles or the like and may have a hollow core or a solid core (e.g. PEEK [polyetheretherketone] cores/core strands may also be used).

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: Provided is a novel low profile transverse connector system having a first and second spinal rod connection member disposed at opposing ends of an elongated cross connection device, each connection member having a distal end configured to be capable of connecting to a spinal rod and a proximal end having a multidirectional articulation joint at which a centrally disposed cross connecting assembly is provided to attach the first and second connection members to each other, the first and second spinal rod connection members each defining two opposing compression slots that serve to facilitate a secure connection to spinal rods and to the cross connecting assembly by the tightening of only one locking screw. Also provided is a method of stabilizing vertebrae using the disclosed system.

Abstract: Insertion of a spinal stabilization element into a patient generally includes positioning a cord within a sheath and inserting the sheath and cord through the patient's body along a path generally toward an anchor member. An advancement member may be mounted on the leading end of the cord to further facilitate this insertion. The sheath is then retracted to expose a first portion of the cord within the patient's body, and the first portion of the cord is moved into a desired position relative to the anchor member. After advancing a spacer over the sheath and cord, the sheath is retracted to expose a second portion of the cord. The second portion of the cord is then moved into a desired position relative to another anchor member such that the spacer is positioned between the two anchor members.

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: A spinal implant helps stabilize vertebrae for fusion. The implant includes first and second plates, a brace and a locking mechanism. When installed, the plates extend superiorly-inferiorly along respective lateral sides of the spinous processes. The plates are moved toward one another and relative to the brace by the locking mechanism to clamp the implant to the spinous processes.

Abstract: Medical devices for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. The medical device includes a main body that is adapted to be placed between the L5 vertebra and the sacrum so that the main body acts as a spacer with respect to the L5 vertebra and the sacrum to maintain distraction therebetween when the spine moves in extension. The main body is formed from a material having a gradual variation in modulus.

Abstract: Within a given spinal segment, the stable vertebral level is identified. Within the lower lumbar spine, that level is most commonly at the sacrum. A bone fastener is rigidly affixed to the stable spinal segment and an interconnecting member is rigidly affixed to the bone fastener so as to form a cantilever construct. Vertebral bodies that exhibit aberrant spinal motion and/or mal-alignment relative to the stable segment are then attached to the interconnecting member using non-rigid bone fastener(s). The motion profile of the dynamic fastener can be varied and may be selected to provide the desired vertebral motion characteristics. The interconnecting member may be rigid or it may be alternatively made rigid parallel to the direction of greatest instability and non-rigid in the other planes.