Abstract: A sterile holder for sterile surgical implants. The implant holder is an ergonomically shaped body of deformable material having an implant-receiving cavity similar in size and shape to the implant. To remove the implant from the holder, the surgeon mates a sterile tool to the implant and gently pries the implant out of the holder by deforming the body. Preferably the tool used to pry the implant out of the body is an insertion tool mated to the implant which is also used to insert the implant in a patient. In this way the surgeon retrieves the implant from its container without touching the container and directly inserts the implant in the patient without risking contamination: sterility is maintained for both the surgeon and the implant. In a preferred embodiment, the implant holder is configured to hold two pedicle screws and their set-screws.

Abstract: Expandable intervertebral spacer system having a top plate and a bottom plate which are separated and held apart a changeable distance forming a cage. The plates are held apart by four locking mechanisms in the cage at or near the corners or the periphery of the plates, leaving the cavity of the cage substantially unobstructed. Each locking mechanism is made of two saw-toothed posts that cooperate to lock the top plate a desired distance from the bottom plate. The saw-tooth posts are biased against each other with a spring. Once the spacer is implanted in a patient with a removable insertion tool, the top and bottom plates are forced apart incrementally, one saw tooth at a time, in a ratchet-like motion, using a removable expansion mechanism. Optionally, each stanchion is surrounded by a sheath to prevent bone particles and other debris from interfering with the mating of the saw teeth.

Abstract: An anterior lumbar interbody fusion device having a plurality of anchor apertures shaped and arranged in ways that provide options as to the number and locations of fixation points that anchor the device securely to the vertebrae. The anchor apertures may be angled towards or away from the cage vertical midline and cage horizontal midline, as well as angled differently relative to each other. In addition, the proximal opening of the anchor aperture is slightly wider than the distal opening, which permits the anchor to be positioned at a desired pitch within the opening, as opposed to being limited to a single entry angle. In a preferred embodiment, the proximal and distal opening of the anchor aperture are obround and each anchor aperture is sized to receive two anchors. In a given placement, anchors may be placed in some or all of the anchor apertures in each cage.

Abstract: An anterior lumbar interbody fusion device having a plurality of anchor apertures shaped and arranged in ways that provide options as to the number and locations of fixation points that anchor the device securely to the vertebrae. The anchor apertures may be angled towards or away from the cage vertical midline and cage horizontal midline, as well as angled differently relative to each other. In addition, the proximal opening of the anchor aperture is slightly wider than the distal opening, which permits the anchor to be positioned at a desired pitch within the opening, as opposed to being limited to a single entry angle. In a preferred embodiment, the proximal and distal opening of the anchor aperture are obround and each anchor aperture is sized to receive two anchors. In a given placement, anchors may be placed in some or all of the anchor apertures in each cage.

Abstract: A connecting device is provided for use in orthopedic surgery, for example to connect a spinal rod and a vertebral screw or hook. The connector generally includes a receiver member for receiving an elongated member, and a grommet member for receiving a bone fixation member. The grommet member is inserted into the receiver member so that the receiver member and grommet member are rotatably connected. One or more disks may be placed between the receiver member and grommet member to assist in locking the device.

Abstract: An interbody spacer includes concave lateral surfaces extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. In one aspect, the interbody spacer includes upper and lower convex surfaces defined by an arc extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint. In another aspect, lateral edges of the upper and lower surfaces are also defined by convex arcs extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting upper and lower vertebral bodies, including first and second end members adapted for engagement with the vertebral bodies, and at least one elongate support member coupled between the end members to maintain an axial space between the vertebral bodies. In one aspect of the invention, each of the end members has a parametrical or horseshoe-shaped configuration extending about an open inner region and defining a lateral passage communicating with the open inner region to facilitate insertion of the apparatus or the individual end members into the intervertebral space via a posterior surgical approach. In a further aspect of the invention, a fusion member is positioned within the axial space to promote bony fusion between the upper and lower vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An interbody spacer includes concave lateral surfaces extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. In one aspect, the interbody spacer includes upper and lower convex surfaces defined by an arc extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint. In another aspect, lateral edges of the upper and lower surfaces are also defined by convex arcs extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint.

Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting upper and lower vertebral bodies, including first and second end members adapted for engagement with the vertebral bodies, and at least one elongate support member coupled between the end members to maintain an axial space between the vertebral bodies. In one aspect of the invention, each of the end members has a parametrical or horseshoe-shaped configuration extending about an open inner region and defining a lateral passage communicating with the open inner region to facilitate insertion of the apparatus or the individual end members into the intervertebral space via a posterior surgical approach. In a further aspect of the invention, a fusion member is positioned within the axial space to promote bony fusion between the upper and lower vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting upper and lower vertebral bodies, including first and second end members adapted for engagement with the vertebral bodies, and at least one elongate support member coupled between the end members to maintain an axial space between the vertebral bodies. In one aspect of the invention, each of the end members has a parametrical or horseshoe-shaped configuration extending about an open inner region and defining a lateral passage communicating with the open inner region to facilitate insertion of the apparatus or the individual end members into the intervertebral space via a posterior surgical approach. In a further aspect of the invention, a fusion member is positioned within the axial space to promote bony fusion between the upper and lower vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An interbody spacer includes concave lateral surfaces extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. In one aspect, the interbody spacer includes upper and lower convex surfaces defined by an arc extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint. In another aspect, lateral edges of the upper and lower surfaces are also defined by convex arcs extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint.

Abstract: An interbody spacer includes concave lateral surfaces extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. In one aspect, the interbody spacer includes upper and lower convex surfaces defined by an arc extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint. In another aspect, lateral edges of the upper and lower surfaces are also defined by convex arcs extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint.

Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.

Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.

Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.

Abstract: An occipital plating system includes a plate extending along a longitudinal axis. The plate is engageable to the occiput, and includes at least one coupling member laterally offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the plate. The coupling member extends along a portion of the length of the plate. The at least one coupling member includes a passage to receive a connecting element. The coupling member is structured to at least medially and laterally constrain a portion of a length of the connecting element positioned in the passage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting upper and lower vertebral bodies, including first and second end members adapted for engagement with the vertebral bodies, and at least one elongate support member coupled between the end members to maintain an axial space between the vertebral bodies. In one aspect of the invention, each of the end members has a parametrical or horseshoe-shaped configuration extending about an open inner region and defining a lateral passage communicating with the open inner region to facilitate insertion of the apparatus or the individual end members into the intervertebral space via a posterior surgical approach. In a further aspect of the invention, a fusion member is positioned within the axial space to promote bony fusion between the upper and lower vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting upper and lower vertebral bodies, including first and second end members adapted for engagement with the vertebral bodies, and at least one elongate support member coupled between the end members to maintain an axial space between the vertebral bodies. In one aspect of the invention, each of the end members has a parametrical or horseshoe-shaped configuration extending about an open inner region and defining a lateral passage communicating with the open inner region to facilitate insertion of the apparatus or the individual end members into the intervertebral space via a posterior surgical approach. In a further aspect of the invention, a fusion member is positioned within the axial space to promote bony fusion between the upper and lower vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An introduction apparatus for approximating a longitudinal member and an implant to permit fixation therebetween. The introduction apparatus having a gripping nose for securely engaging an implant, a lateral approximation mechanism for laterally aligning an implant and an offset longitudinal member, and a reduction mechanism for reducing the vertical distance between the implant and the longitudinal member. The introduction apparatus is provide with a gripping nose actuated by axial movement of a clamping shaft in an outer sleeve. The clamping shaft further includes an axial cannula for passage of a fastener to the implant.