Abstract: A scoliosis correction device includes a first fixed anchor that is adapted to be secured to a vertebra of a spine and a second fixed anchor that is adapted to be secured to a vertebra of a spine. A rotatory anchor includes a head portion, a shank portion that extends from the head portion and is adapted to be secured to a vertebra of a spine, and a sprocket that is supported on the head portion for rotational movement relative thereto. A cable extends from the first fixed anchor to the rotatory pedicle screw to the second fixed anchor. The rotatory anchor may be configured to allow unidirectional movement of the sprocket relative to the head portion. A rigid member may extend between the fixed anchor and an intermediate anchor.

Abstract: A needle for use in a surgical procedure includes an outer cannula including a shaft portion having a side wall and an end wall. A first aperture extends through the side wall of the outer cannula, and a second aperture extending through the end of the outer cannula. The needle also includes an inner cannula that is disposed within the outer cannula and includes a shaft portion having a bore extending therethrough. The inner cannula is selectively movable relative to the outer cannula between a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, communication is provided between the bore of the inner cannula and a first external region that is located adjacent to the second end of the outer cannula. In the second orientation, communication is provided between the bore of the inner cannula and a second external region that is located adjacent to the second end of the outer cannula.

Abstract: A cervical plate assembly facilitates the fusion of cervical vertebrae by quickly and easily causing the vertebrae to exert a preloading force against a bone graft interposed therebetween. A cervical plate assembly also facilitates the installation of the cervical plate assembly in an orthopedic surgical procedure by providing both a locking mechanism that positively retains one or more fasteners thereto and a viewing window that results in an unobstructed view of the vertebrae and the bone graft.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly has a retractable screw tip that facilitates the securement of the pedicle screw assembly to a spinal vertebra in a minimally invasive fashion during an orthopedic surgical procedure. The pedicle screw assembly includes a body portion including a head and a shank. The shank includes an outer surface with a thread provided thereon, an end having a cutting tip provided thereon, and a bore extending inwardly from the end and having an internally threaded region provided therein. The pedicle screw assembly also includes a tip portion including a body having a cutting edge and a shank extending from the body. The shank has an externally threaded region provided thereon that cooperates with the internally threaded region of the bore to permit movement of the tip portion relative to the body portion between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A cervical plate assembly facilitates the fusion of cervical vertebrae by quickly and easily causing the vertebrae to exert a preloading force against a bone graft interposed therebetween. A cervical plate assembly also facilitates the installation of the cervical plate assembly in an orthopedic surgical procedure by providing both a locking mechanism that positively retains one or more fasteners thereto and a viewing window that results in an unobstructed view of the vertebrae and the bone graft.

Abstract: A lateral fixation assembly engages vertebrae in a spinal column. The lateral fixation assembly includes a housing having a first rod and a second rod supported thereon. The first rod is adapted to be secured to a first vertebra in the spinal column and is fixed in position relative to the housing. The second rod is adapted to be secured to a second vertebra in the spinal column and is movable relative to the housing. Respective pluralities of such first and second rods may be provided. Staples having varying thicknesses may be provided to facilitate the installation of the lateral fixation assembly on the vertebrae in the spinal column. A temporary blocking device can be used to prevent relative movement of the movable rod during the installation of the lateral fixation assembly.

Abstract: A variable height vertebral body replacement implant used in corpectomy surgery to provide support in place of a removed or damaged vertebrae, and contain and compact bone graft material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing highly accurate surgery using a finite element model coupled with ultrasonic tracking are described.

Abstract: A needle for use in a surgical procedure includes an outer cannula including a shaft portion having a side wall and an end wall. A first aperture extends through the side wall of the outer cannula, and a second aperture extending through the end of the outer cannula. The needle also includes an inner cannula that is disposed within the outer cannula and includes a shaft portion having a bore extending therethrough. The inner cannula is selectively movable relative to the outer cannula between a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, communication is provided between the bore of the inner cannula and a first external region that is located adjacent to the second end of the outer cannula. In the second orientation, communication is provided between the bore of the inner cannula and a second external region that is located adjacent to the second end of the outer cannula.

Abstract: A scoliosis correction device includes a first fixed anchor that is adapted to be secured to be secured to a vertebra of a spine and a second fixed anchor that is adapted to be secured to be secured to a vertebra of a spine. A rotatory anchor includes a head portion, a shank portion that extends from the head portion and is adapted to be secured to a vertebra of a spine, and a sprocket that is supported on the head portion for rotational movement relative thereto. A cable extends from the first fixed anchor to the rotatory pedicle screw to the second fixed anchor. The rotatory anchor may be configured to allow unidirectional movement of the sprocket relative to the head portion. A rigid member may extend between the fixed anchor and an intermediate anchor.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly has a retractable screw tip that facilitates the securement of the pedicle screw assembly to a spinal vertebra in a minimally invasive fashion during an orthopedic surgical procedure. The pedicle screw assembly includes a body portion including a head and a shank. The shank includes an outer surface with a thread provided thereon, an end having a cutting tip provided thereon, and a bore extending inwardly from the end and having an internally threaded region provided therein. The pedicle screw assembly also includes a tip portion including a body having a cutting edge and a shank extending from the body. The shank has an externally threaded region provided thereon that cooperates with the internally threaded region of the bore to permit movement of the tip portion relative to the body portion between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly has a retractable screw tip that facilitates the securement of the pedicle screw assembly to a spinal vertebra in a minimally invasive fashion during an orthopedic surgical procedure. The pedicle screw assembly includes a body portion including a head and a shank. The shank includes an outer surface with a thread provided thereon, an end having a cutting tip provided thereon, and a bore extending inwardly from the end and having an internally threaded region provided therein. The pedicle screw assembly also includes a tip portion including a body having a cutting edge and a shank extending from the body. The shank has an externally threaded region provided thereon that cooperates with the internally threaded region of the bore to permit movement of the tip portion relative to the body portion between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A device for the storage and delivery of a bone graft or other implantable material to a desired surgical site includes a storage portion that extends from a first end to a second end. The first end of the storage portion is adapted to have a bone graft or other implantable material transferred therethrough into the storage portion. The device also includes a delivery portion that extends from a first end to a second end. The first end of the delivery portion communicates with the second end of the storage portion to permit the movement of the bone graft or other implantable material therethrough. The second end of the delivery portion is adapted to be positioned at a desired surgical site. The device further includes a delivery mechanism that is provided within the storage portion and the delivery portion and is adapted to move the bone graft material from the storage portion through the delivery portion to a desired surgical site.

Abstract: A pedicle screw for use in the treatment of a spinal deformity includes a head assembly and a fastener portion extending from the head assembly. The pedicle screw includes a head assembly and a fastener portion that extends from the head assembly. The fastener portion extends from the head assembly and is adapted to be secured to a vertebra of a spinal column. The head assembly includes a stationary member and a movable member. The movable member is supported on the stationary member for movement (such as pivoting movement) relative thereto between an opened position and a closed position. When the movable member is in the opened position, the head assembly is adapted to receive a longitudinal member therein for treatment of a spinal deformity. Thereafter, the movable member can be moved to the closed position to properly align the pedicle screw with the longitudinal member. A locking member and a retention member can then be used to maintain the movable member in the closed position.

Abstract: A soft tissue dilator for use in a surgical procedure includes a first dilator member that defines a first axis and a second dilator member that defines a second axis. The second dilator member is supported on the first dilator member such that relative rotational movement of the first and second dilator members causes eccentric movement of the first and second axes defined by the first and second dilator members. Additional dilators members may be sequentially supported on the first and second dilator members.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a fixation rod including a body having an aperture formed therethrough. First and second vertebral fasteners are secured to the body and are adapted to be secured to respective vertebrae. A third vertebral fastener extends through the aperture in the body of the fixation rod and adapted to be secured to a vertebra.

Abstract: A telescopic insertion assembly is configured to insert a pedicle screw into a vertebral body. The insertion assembly includes an attachment fixture having one end configured to mate with the pedicle screw and another end having a ridged portion. A center tube is provided having one end slidably attached to the attachment fixture and another end having an internally ridged portion. A telescoping member has one ridged end configured to slidably attach to the center tube and another end having a yoke. The telescoping member is configured to extend the yoke to different distances from the center tube. An alignment member is configured to hingeably attach to the yoke of the telescoping member. The alignment member is configured to rotate from a first position to a second position. The second position of the alignment member is above a top surface of a patient's skin.

Abstract: A cervical plate assembly facilitates the fusion of cervical vertebrae by quickly and easily causing the vertebrae to exert a preloading force against a bone graft interposed therebetween. A cervical plate assembly also facilitates the installation of the cervical plate assembly in an orthopedic surgical procedure by providing both a locking mechanism that positively retains one or more fasteners thereto and a viewing window that results in an unobstructed view of the vertebrae and the bone graft.

Abstract: An insertion device is configured to access a disc positioned between adjacent vertebrae. The insertion device includes a cannula having a passage formed therein. The cannula has an exit aperture. An obturator is substantially positioned within the passage formed in the cannula. One end of the obturator has a probe and the other end of the obturator has a head. An impaction cap is in contact with the cannula and is positioned to cover the head of the obturator. The impaction cap is configured to allow at least a portion of the cannula to be inserted through a portion of one vertebra without deployment of the probe of the obturator through the exit aperture of the cannula.

Abstract: A lateral fixation assembly engages vertebrae in a spinal column. The lateral fixation assembly includes a housing having a first rod and a second rod supported thereon. The first rod is adapted to be secured to a first vertebra in the spinal column and is fixed in position relative to the housing. The second rod is adapted to be secured to a second vertebra in the spinal column and is movable relative to the housing. Respective pluralities of such first and second rods may be provided. Staples having varying thicknesses may be provided to facilitate the installation of the lateral fixation assembly on the vertebrae in the spinal column. A temporary blocking device can be used to prevent relative movement of the movable rod during the installation of the lateral fixation assembly.