Abstract: A polyaxial occipital plate assembly and method comprises a longitudinal member; a polyaxial connector head; a socket portion adapted to retain the connector head; a flexible clip operatively connected to the socket portion and adapted to receive the longitudinal member; an occipital plate comprising clips operatively connected to the connector head; and a locking mechanism operatively connected to the connector head and the clips, wherein engagement of the locking mechanism to the connector head causes the clips to lock into the connector head and outwardly expand the connector head thereby causing the flexible clip to squeeze against the longitudinal member. The plate comprises a pair of opposed legs comprising the clips attached to ends of the legs; a body portion operatively connected to the pair of opposed legs, wherein the body portion is positioned at any of an obtuse and an acute angle relative to the pair of opposed legs.

Abstract: An assembly and a method of locking a longitudinal member to a cross-connector assembly construct, wherein the assembly comprises a longitudinal member; a flexible clip contacting the longitudinal member; a housing component contacting the flexible clip; a locking mechanism contacting the housing component; and a connecting member contacting the housing component. The flexible clip comprises a flexible bias member adapted to retain the longitudinal member. The flexible clip comprises a socket portion; and a clip portion attached to the socket portion, the clip portion being adapted to retain the longitudinal member, wherein the flexible bias member extends from the clip portion to a bottom region of the socket portion.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly and method of assembly comprises a longitudinal member; a screw head comprising a bulbous end, wherein the screw head has a slot adapted to receive the longitudinal member; a bone fixator component comprising a concave socket having a biased angled top and a rounded bottom adapted to receive the screw head; a locking pin adapted to engage the screw head, the bone fixator component, and the longitudinal member; and a blocker adapted to engage the screw head and to secure the longitudinal member. Additionally, the bone fixator component may be configured as any of a bone screw and a hook.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a scaffold configured to be disposed in a bone. The scaffold is configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration. The scaffold in the second configuration is expanded from the first configuration. A selectively-expandable actuator is configured to be removably disposed within the scaffold. The selectively-expandable actuator is configured to move at least a portion of the scaffold to the second configuration when the selectively-expandable actuator is moved to an expanded configuration. A shape of the selectively-expandable actuator is substantially the same as a shape of the scaffold when the selectively-expandable actuator and the scaffold are in the second configuration. The selectively-expandable actuator configured to be removed from the scaffold when in a collapsed configuration. The scaffold is configured to remain substantially in the second configuration after the scaffold has been expanded by the actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a cavity in an interior body region are described. In one described method, a shaft comprising an expansible portion configured to expand once beyond a distal end of a first cannula is inserted through the first cannula. The expansible portion is then expanded, thereby creating a cavity. While the expansible portion is expanded, a bone cement may be inserted into the cavity. The expansible portion may then be collapsed, and the shaft removed through the first cannula.

Abstract: An implantable medical device and methods of use thereof are provided for supporting a structure. The structure supported can include a bony structure. The device is comprised of a screw assembly including a base and a support configured for receiving one or more anchor assemblies. The support includes a top portion, a bottom portion and an interconnection means for coupling the base to the support. The interconnection means allows the support to be positionable in a first position that is substantially parallel to a long axis of the base and secondarily positionable substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the base. The base and the one or more anchor assemblies are configured for attachment to a structure in a patient.

Abstract: A medical device and methods of use thereof are provided for supporting a structure (e.g., bone). A screw assembly is provided that is comprised of a base, one or more arms, and an interconnection means for coupling the base to the one or more arms. The interconnection means allows the arm to be positionable in a first position that is parallel to a long axis of the base and positionable in a second position that is perpendicular to the long axis of the base. The base is configured for attachment to a structure and the one or more arms configured for attachment to one or more support structures. A support structure is provided that includes an aperture having locking means, which can be configured as an open-ended saddle for attachment to a medical device (e.g., a screw assembly) after installation in a patient.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly including a coupling element having an inner surface defining a first bore coaxial with a first longitudinal axis, and a second bore coaxial with a second longitudinal axis, whereby the second longitudinal axis intersects the first longitudinal axis. The coupling element has a seat adjacent the lower end of the coupling element, the seat being defined by the inner surface of the coupling element. The assembly includes an anchoring element assembled with the coupling element, the anchoring element having a first end for insertion into bone and a head spaced from the first end, the head being in contact with the seat of the coupling element. The assembly provides sufficient angulation between adjacent anchoring elements securing a common orthopedic rod, and is particularly useful for assemblies mounted in spines having abnormal curvatures and in the cervicothoracic region of the spine.

Abstract: A medical device and methods of use thereof are provided for supporting a structure (e.g., bone). A screw assembly is provided that is comprised of a base, an arm, and an interconnection means for coupling the base to the arm. The interconnection means allows the arm to be positionable in a first position that is parallel to a long axis of the base and positionable in a second position that is perpendicular to the long axis of the base. The base is configured for attachment to a structure and the arm configured for attachment to a support structure. A support structure is provided that includes one or more receivers having locking means, which can be configured as an open-ended saddle for attachment to a medical device (e.g., a screw assembly). The support structure is configured to receive one or more medical devices and lock the medical devices to the support structure after installation in a patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a cavity in a patient's body with a material are provided. The apparatus can include a flexible tube, a barrel and a plunger. The flexible tube has a first end, a second end, and a lumen extending from the first end to the second end and operable to hold a material for conveyance through the first end into a cavity. The barrel is in fluid communication with the second end of the flexible tube and includes a lumen configured to receive material for delivery into the flexible tube. The plunger is configured to advance material through the lumen in the barrel and into the flexible tube. In one implememtation, there is substantially a one to one ratio of advancement of the plunger to a volume of material advanced from the rigid first end of the flexible tube.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly and method of assembly comprises a longitudinal member; a screw head comprising a bulbous end, wherein the screw head has a slot adapted to receive the longitudinal member; a bone fixator component comprising a concave socket having a biased angled top and a rounded bottom adapted to receive the screw head; a locking pin adapted to engage the screw head, the bone fixator component, and the longitudinal member; and a blocker adapted to engage the screw head and to secure the longitudinal member. Additionally, the bone fixator component may be configured as any of a bone screw and a hook.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing bone, such as a spine, includes providing a coupling element having first and second sections that are angled relative to one another, the coupling element having rod receiving openings for securing an elongated member such as an orthopedic rod, and assembling the coupling element with an anchoring element. The method includes securing the anchoring element in bone, moving the coupling element relative to the anchoring element to align the rod receiving openings with the orthopedic rod, securing the orthopedic rod in the rod receiving openings, and after the securing step, locking the coupling element from further movement relative to the anchoring element.

Abstract: An apparatus for persuading an orthopedic rod into position in an orthopedic device such as an implant or coupling element is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body, a pusher member and a trigger slidingly coupling the pusher member to the body. The pusher member includes a slide and sleeve attached to the slide. The sleeve includes at least one pusher bar. A ratchet controls the translation of the pusher member along the body to urge the rod into position in the orthopedic device. The pusher member and body define a cannula so that a fastener may be inserted once the rod is in position. The apparatus is operable via a single hand. In addition, a method of urging an orthopedic rod into a recess of an orthopedic device using the rod persuader is provided.

Abstract: An instrument for use in drilling a hole into a bone is provided. The instrument monitors the depth of the hole and prevents the drill from drilling too deep. Additionally, the instrument ensures that the hole reaches the desired depth. The instrument includes a sleeve, including a depth gauge for setting the depth of the hole to be drilled, a slide, including a releasable locking mechanism and being axially disposed within the sleeve and a drill including a shaft defining a shoulder. The desired depth of the hole is set on the depth gauge and the drill is axially inserted into slide. The instrument contacts the bone via teeth on the sleeve and the drill advances into the bone until the shoulder contacts the slide. Additionally, the instrument may be used to monitor the depth of tapping of the hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for persuading an orthopedic rod into position in an orthopedic device such as an implant or coupling element is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body, a pusher member and a trigger slidingly coupling the pusher member to the body. The pusher member includes a slide and sleeve attached to the slide. The sleeve includes at least one pusher bar. A ratchet controls the translation of the pusher member along the body to urge the rod into position in the orthopedic device. The pusher member and body define a cannula so that a fastener may be inserted once the rod is in position. The apparatus is operable via a single hand. In addition, a method of urging an orthopedic rod into a recess of an orthopedic device using the rod persuader is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for persuading an orthopedic rod into position in an orthopedic device such as an implant or coupling element is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body, a pusher member and a trigger slidingly coupling the pusher member to the body. The pusher member includes a slide and sleeve attached to the slide. The sleeve includes at least one pusher bar. A ratchet controls the translation of the pusher member along the body to urge the rod into position in the orthopedic device. The pusher member and body define a cannula so that a fastener may be inserted once the rod is in position. The apparatus is operable via a single hand. In addition, a method of urging an orthopedic rod into a recess of an orthopedic device using the rod persuader is provided.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly including a coupling element having a first bore coaxial with a first longitudinal axis, and a second bore coaxial with a second longitudinal axis that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis. The assembly includes an anchoring element assembled with the coupling element, the anchoring element having a first end for insertion into bone. The assembly provides sufficient angulation between adjacent anchoring elements securing a common orthopedic rod, and is particularly useful for assemblies mounted in spines having abnormal curvatures and in the cervicothoracic region of the spine.