Abstract: A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a deployable second arm that converts between a first position for insertion and a second position for retention of the implant between adjacent spinous processes. A tool can be used to insert the spine distraction implant.

Abstract: Embodiments of an interspinous spacer that maintains spacing between a superior vertebra and inferior vertebra following a laminectomy. The interspinous spacer may include a superior arch engaging the spinous process of a superior vertebra and an inferior arch engaging the spinous process of an inferior vertebra. The superior arch and inferior arch may define a central opening in the interspinous spacer.

Abstract: An instrument for engaging a bone anchor may include a first implant engaging member having a proximal end and a distal end and a second implant engaging member having a proximal end and a distal end. The second implant engaging member may be pivotally connected to the first implant engaging member about a pivot point located proximate the distal ends of the first and second implant engaging members. Manipulation of the proximal ends of the first and second implant engaging member can cause each of the distal ends to rotate about the pivot point to engage at least a portion of a bone anchor. A rod adjusting tool may be connectable to the bone anchor engaging tool and may be axially adjustable relative to the bone anchor tool to adjust a spinal rod relative to the bone anchor.

Abstract: A device for osteosynthesis that includes a fixation element having at least one through hole designed to receive a pivotable bushing for a bone screw. The through hole has a central axis and a cross-section extending orthogonally to the central axis defined by two incomplete semicircles connected to each other by at least two non-circular cut outs forming grooves in the fixation element. The device also includes at least one bushing insertable in the through hole. The bushing has top and bottom surfaces, a longitudinal axis, a central bore designed to receive a bone screw, and a peripheral outside face having at least two outwardly extending protrusions defining an axis of rotation of the bushing extending through the protrusions. A cross section of the bushing orthogonal to the longitudinal axis is shaped such that the bushing is pivotable about the axis of rotation defined by the protrusions.

Abstract: A stabilization system for a human spine is provided comprising at least one dynamic interbody device and at least two dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic posterior stabilization system may be coupled on contralateral sides of vertebrae. In some embodiments, a bridge may couple a dynamic interbody device to a dynamic posterior stabilization system.

Abstract: An implant assembly for stabilizing a spinal motion segment includes a flexible spacer member positionable between adjacent transverse processes to dynamically limit movement of the upper and lower transverse processes toward one another upon extension of the spinal motion segment. The implant assembly may also include an engaging member positionable about one or more posterior elements of a spinal motion segment to secure the spacer member thereto.

Abstract: The invention includes: a locating system; a computer, interfaced to the locating system and interpreting the positions of tracked objects in a generic computer model of a patient's hip geometry; a software module, executable on the computer, which defines the patient's pelvic plane without reference to previously obtained radiological data, by locating at least three pelvic landmarks; and a pelvic tracking marker, fixable to the pelvic bone and trackable by the locating system, to track in real time the orientation of the defined pelvic plane. Preferably, the system also includes a femoral tracking marker, securely attachable to a femur of the patient by a non-penetrating ligature and trackable by the locating system to detect changes in leg length and femoral offset.

Abstract: A fixation system includes a plate intended to be positioned against a bone, a plurality of bone screws for securing the plate along an non-fractured portion of the bone, and a plurality of bone pegs which extend from the plate and into bone fragments of the fracture to provide a supporting framework. The pegs can be oriented at various angles relative to an axis normal to the lower surface of the plate. For each peg, once the peg has been appropriately positioned within the peg hole, a set screw is threaded into the peg hole and tightened, thereby securing the peg in the selected orientation.

Abstract: A stent, or device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the subannular space. The stent has radial extensions which are caused or allowed to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge the aperture. The stent thereby occludes the defective region from the inside of the vertebral disc and prevents the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough, while also providing a scaffold for tissue growth.

Abstract: Removable guide tips are pre-assembled into threaded holes of a fracture fixation plate. The guide tips may be used with or without drill guides to guide a drill along the axes of threaded holes defined in the plate. In addition, the tips may be used with bending tools to contour the plate laterally, longitudinally and with twist. More particularly, such plate contouring can be performed while the plate is located on the bone.

Abstract: A cannulated fastener system is provided for orthopedic applications that include attaching bone plates to bone. The bone fastener has a cannulation with an inner shape. One or more screwdrivers is provided with a shaft having a shape that matches the cannulation of the fastener to rotationally fix the fastener to the screwdriver. In addition, the screwdrivers have a cutting blade that begins the drilling of a hole for the bone fastener. The screwdrivers may either be for use with a single fastener or have multiple fasteners loaded within a retaining sleeve for automatic or controlled dispensing.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly. The bone fixation assembly includes a fixation member defining at least one aperture, wherein the aperture is adapted for engaging non-threadably and selectively a locking or a non-locking fastener.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc space preparation guide comprises a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first spacer portion adapted for insertion in an intervertebral disc space and a first cutting block portion through which a first bore extends. The second member includes a second spacer portion adapted for insertion in an intervertebral disc space and a second cutting block portion through which a second bore extends. The first member is movably connected to the second member.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, including flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for forming a passage in bone having an enlarged cross-sectional portion is provided. The instrument includes an elongate member and a cutting element engaged thereto and transitionable between a retracted configuration for extending through a first portion of the passage and an expanded configuration for forming a second portion of the passage having an enlarged cross-section. In one embodiment, the cutting element is transitioned between the retracted and expanded configurations by axially displacing the cutting element relative to the elongate member. In another embodiment, the elongate member includes a tapping thread configured to cut threads along the first portion of the passage, and the cutting element is a blade configured to form the enlarged cross-section when transitioned to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A screw for use with vertebral members having one or more slots that extend along at least a section of the length. The slots are sized to contain bone growth material. A portion of the screw length may also include threads to assist in inserting and anchoring the screw into a vertebral member. In use, the bone growth material is loaded into one or more of the slots. Once loaded, the screw may be inserted into the vertebral member to a predetermined depth. At this depth, the slots deliver the bone growth material to a position to allow for bone growth to occur.

Abstract: A bearing plate for use in bone fixation for fractures, fusion osteotomies and the like, and the plate is provided with one or more spherical holes in which expandable spherical bearings can be rotatably supported. Each of the holes is formed at its periphery in such a way as to provide yielding expansibility of the hole so that upon expansion of the bearing, the hole expands with it to provide elastic resistance to the expanding bearing.

Abstract: Devices and methods for spinal fixation employ at least first and second plates that are configured to allow progressive sliding advancement of the plate members toward one another and limit movement of the plate members away from one another after installation. A spring member associated with one bone plate may engage toothed section(s) on the other bone plate. The bone plates may each have arms that are spaced from one another and engaged by corresponding arms on the other bone plate. There may be more than two bone plates, with multiple restricted movement regions.

Abstract: Removable guide tips are pre-assembled into threaded holes of a fracture fixation plate. The guide tips may be used with or without drill guides to guide a drill along the axes of threaded holes defined in the plate. In addition, the tips may be used with bending tools to contour the plate laterally, longitudinally and with twist. More particularly, such plate contouring can be performed while the plate is located on the bone.

Abstract: A positioning block (10) for use in total knee replacement surgery, permitting five degrees-of-freedom movement relative to a bone element (39) to which it is fixed. The positioning block (10) comprises a rotational mounting element (14) that is removably engaged to the bone element such that the mounting element (14) is selectively rotatable relative to the bone element, about three substantially perpendicular axes of rotation. A guide body portion (12) is engaged with the mounting element (14) such that it is translatable relative thereto along a proximal-distal axis (43) and an anterior-posterior axis (47), while being rotationally fixed relative to the mounting element (14) such that the guide body portion (12) and the mounting element (14) rotate together relative to the bone element (39).