Abstract: A reamer may be designed to engage a guide member, such as a guide wire, implanted in bone at any of a plurality of relative orientations such that the resulting resection of the bone does not depend on the relative orientation. The reamer may have a shaft that receives torque and a reaming head with a cavity into which a protruding portion of the guide wire is insertable. The cavity may have a generally conical shape capable of receiving the guide wire at a variety of relative orientations. The orientation of the reaming head is determined not by that of the guide wire, but by a stationary frame to which the reamer is coupled. The reamer may optionally have an offset assembly that causes the reaming head to rotate about an axis displaced from that of the shaft to reduce the size of the incision required to reaming head.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: A facet joint replacement implant may have a posterior stabilization surface designed to restrict posterior motion of a vertebra with respect to an adjacent, inferior vertebra. The facet joint replacement implant replaces the natural articular surface of one of the vertebrae, and articulates with a natural articular surface or with an articular surface of a second implant on the other vertebra. The posterior stabilization surface may be on a posterior flange of a superior facet joint implant, which extends posteriorly of a corresponding inferior facet joint implant. The inferior facet joint implant has an abutment surface that abuts the posterior stabilization surface as the superior vertebra begins to move posteriorly with respect to the inferior vertebra, thereby limiting the posterior motion.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: A frame is attachable to first and second bone portions of a patient to facilitate measurement and resection of one or more bony landmarks. The frame has two anchoring features, each of which has a semispherical surface that permits rotational adjustment of the frame against the bone portions until the frame is secured. A bridging structure couples the anchoring features together such that the anchoring features are lockably movable with respect to each other. The bridging structure may have three linear sliders that provide the relative motion. A locking mechanism exerts pressure on all three sliders to lock them in place. An external anchoring feature enables attachment of the frame to a stationary reference to stabilize the frame. The frame also has registration features that permit attachment of measurement or resection tools to the frame. The frame is particularly useful for measuring and resecting spinal facets for facet replacement.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: Facet joint replacement implants may be designed for use on multiple adjacent vertebral levels. Each superior implant may have a substantially semispherical concave surface, and each inferior implant may have a cooperating semispherical convex surface that is deformable to enable it to be pressed into the superior implant concave surface to fix the relative orientations of the superior and inferior implants. Thus, the inferior implant may be attached to the same pedicle as the superior implant, but may also be oriented independently of the superior implant and then fixed in position. Similar mounting structures may be used to attach one or more fusion implants to a level adjacent to that of a facet joint replacement implant.

Abstract: A frame is attachable to first and second bone portions of a patient to facilitate measurement and resection of one or more bony landmarks. The frame has two anchoring features, each of which has a semispherical surface that permits rotational adjustment of the frame against the bone portions until the frame is secured. A bridging structure couples the anchoring features together such that the anchoring features are lockably movable with respect to each other. The bridging structure may have three linear sliders that provide the relative motion. A locking mechanism exerts pressure on all three sliders to lock them in place. An external anchoring feature enables attachment of the frame to a stationary reference to stabilize the frame. The frame also has registration features that permit attachment of measurement or resection tools to the frame. The frame is particularly useful for measuring and resecting spinal facets for facet replacement.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the replacement of at least a portion of the bone of a facet located on a mammalian vertebra, comprising: an articulating surface that articulates with another facet; a bone contacting surface that contacts a surface of the vertebra, the articulating surface being connected to the bone contacting surface; and a fixation element that attaches the bone contacting surface to the vertebra, the fixation element being adapted for implantation into an interior bone space of a pedicle of the vertebra; wherein the prosthesis is configured so that no portion of the prosthesis contacts the posterior arch of the vertebra.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: Facet joint replacement implants may be designed for use on multiple adjacent vertebral levels. Each superior implant may have a substantially semispherical concave surface, and each inferior implant may have a cooperating semispherical convex surface that is deformable to enable it to be pressed into the superior implant concave surface to fix the relative orientations of the superior and inferior implants. Thus, the inferior implant may be attached to the same pedicle as the superior implant, but may also be oriented independently of the superior implant and then fixed in position. Similar mounting structures may be used to attach one or more fusion implants to a level adjacent to that of a facet joint replacement implant.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reconstructing a ligament.

Abstract: A crosslink is provided for securing orthopedic implants, such as facet joint replacement implants, together. The crosslink has a pair of implant coupling components, a pair of rod coupling components, a rod, and a pair of fasteners. Each facet joint implant may include a semicylindrical interface received in a resilient member of the corresponding implant coupling component to permit relative cephalad/caudal adjustment between the crosslink and the implants. The resilient members grip the semicylindrical interface of the implant to enable at least temporary attachment of the implant coupling components to the implants independently of the rod. Clocking features on the semicylindrical interfaces and on the interfacing areas of the implant coupling components and rod coupling components may limit assembly of the crosslink to discrete relative orientations and prevent play after assembly. The fasteners secure the rod coupling components to the rod at the desired positions along the rod.

Abstract: A reamer may be designed to engage a guide member, such as a guide wire, implanted in bone at any of a plurality of relative orientations such that the resulting resection of the bone does not depend on the relative orientation. The reamer may have a shaft that receives torque and a reaming head with a cavity into which a protruding portion of the guide wire is insertable. The cavity may have a generally conical shape capable of receiving the guide wire at a variety of relative orientations. The orientation of the reaming head is determined not by that of the guide wire, but by a stationary frame to which the reamer is coupled. The reamer may optionally have an offset assembly that causes the reaming head to rotate about an axis displaced from that of the shaft to reduce the size of the incision required to reaming head.

Abstract: A crosspin for supporting a graft ligament in a first bone tunnel formed in a bone. The crosspin is positioned in a second bone tunnel extending transverse to, and intersecting, the first bone tunnel. The crosspin is adapted to be drawn through the second bone tunnel by a flexible member attached to a distal portion of the cross pin. The crosspin includes a connector for releasably connecting the distal portion of the crosspin to an intermediate portion, such that the distal portion is separable from said intermediate portion.

Abstract: A frame is attachable to first and second bone portions of a patient to facilitate measurement and resection of one or more bony landmarks. The frame has two anchoring features, each of which has a semispherical surface that permits rotational adjustment of the frame against the bone portions until the frame is secured. A bridging structure couples the anchoring features together such that the anchoring features are lockably movable with respect to each other. The bridging structure may have three linear sliders that provide the relative motion. A locking mechanism exerts pressure on all three sliders to lock them in place. An external anchoring feature enables attachment of the frame to a stationary reference to stabilize the frame. The frame also has registration features that permit attachment of measurement or resection tools to the frame. The frame is particularly useful for measuring and resecting spinal facets for facet replacement.