Abstract: A spinal buttress device for installation to the anterior of the spinal column. The device has a pair of opposed ends located adjacent the anterior of adjacent vertebrae with a flexible region therebetween. Either one or both of the ends of the device can be affixed to adjacent vertebrae or non-adjacent vertebrae and that affixation can be by screws passing through the device and into the vertebrae. The device is installed so as to span between the adjacent vertebrae and allow motion between those adjacent vertebrae. An example of the flexible region suitable for use in the device is a monolithic material having at least one slot formed therein. The dimensions of the slot, the cross section of the device and the material used to make the device, among other factors, enables the creation of a desired flexibility to the device. There is also a method of installing the device.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system for installation to the posterior of the spinal column that includes a pair of anchoring members affixed to adjacent vertebrae and which may have screw threads to carry out that affixation. The anchoring members each have external head ends for the attachment of a flexible shaft that thus spans between the vertebrae and allows motion between those adjacent vertebrae. The flexible shaft is made of a monolithic body having no moving components that could generate debris and fail mechanically. Exemplary flexible shafts suitable for use in this system includes one having at least one slot that may be a spiral slot, a shaft having pairs of oppositely disposed slots formed in the body with adjacent pairs angularly displaced apart or a flexible shaft having a serpentine slot formed therein. The flexible shaft is controlled to have a desired flexibility.

Abstract: An interbody spacer for implantation into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae of a patient's spinal column. The interbody spacer is a monolithic body having a predetermined slot design formed therein that provides flexibility to the spacer to allow movement of the adjacent vertebrae along multiple axies, that is, the patient can move both side to side and front to back and rotation. In one embodiment, the slot design is a spiral slot and in an alternate embodiment, the slot design comprises pairs of oppositely disposed, co-planar slots with alternating pairs of the slots offset about 90 degrees from the preceding pair of slots. Further embodiments include interbody spacers having the aforedescribed slot designs for implantation from the posterior, the anterior or translaterally into the intervertebral space while still allowing the multi-axial flexibility of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: This invention relates to an intervertebral motion disc having a height adjustable endplate.

Abstract: An interspinous process having a general horseshoe shape, a cushion element within the horseshoe and a porous coating on its outer surface.

Abstract: A facet joint fixation system that provides initial rigidity for stabilizing the facet joint, is sufficiently strong to withstand facet joint shear stresses, and (after supporting a successful fusion) can be resorbed by the body.

Abstract: A femoral component of an artificial hip joint includes an elongated stem with a single longitudinally extending, medially facing, groove in its outer surface intermediate its proximal and distal ends. The dimensions of the groove are chosen so as to obtain constant stiffness or, alternatively, a predetermined stiffness of the stem between the proximal and distal ends. In either event, the stem has a magnitude of stiffness no greater than that at which stress shielding of the first bone would occur. The groove and the outer surface of the stem intersect at an outer rim. The groove has a central concave surface and proximal and distal radiused end surfaces in communication with and blending smoothly with the central cylindrical concave surface. The groove is disposed at an angle within a range of 0.degree. to approximately 45.degree. relative to the coronal plane, extending in a lateral posterior to medial anterior direction.