Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for the augmentation of a degenerated facet joint. A low modulus filler material is injected into the joint capsule in a minimally invasive way through the lamina and the superior facet articulation surface, while leaving the facet capsule and the inferior facet articulation surface completely intact, to thereby alleviate pressure on the articulating bone surfaces.

Abstract: A flexible dampening intervertebral spacer (100) to replace a spinal disc comprising upper and lower plates (101,103), an articulation element (102) and optional intermediate members (804,805). The articulation element has a plurality of interposed, concentric ring shaped segments (202) separated by one or more spaces (201) and one or more bridging elements (203) connecting the interposed segments. A first portion of the articulation element, preferably an inner-most segment, is preferably fixedly connected to the upper plate while a second portion of the articulation element, preferably the outermost segment, is preferably connected to the lower plate to permit relative movement of the endplates by elastic deflection or flexing of the articulation element without opposed surfaces rubbing against each other.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant, specifically an artificial intervertebral disk, with a central axis, an upper section, suitable for laying onto the base plate of a vertebral body lying on top and lower section, suitable for laying onto the cover plate of a vertebral body lying below, wherein (A) the upper section is provided with a ventral side area, a dorsal side area, two lateral side areas, a top apposition surface and a bottom surface; (B) the lower section is provided with a ventral side area, a dorsal side area, two lateral side areas, a bottom apposition surface and a top surface; (C) the two sections are moveable in relation to each other by means of one joint arranged between the two sections, wherein (D) the joint is a universal joint with two swivel axles standing perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant having a three-dimensional body (10) and a securing plate (1). The three-dimensional body (10) includes an upper side (1) and an underside (2) which are suitable for abutting the end plates of two adjacent vertebral bodies, a left side surface (3) and a right side surface (4), a front surface (5) and a rear surface (6), a horizontal middle plane (7) between the upper side (1) and the underside (2), and a vertical middle plane (12) extending from the front surface (5) to the rear surface (6). The three-dimensional body further includes a plurality of boreholes (9a) passing through the body (10), which are suitable for accommodating longitudinal fixation elements (20).

Abstract: The total disc replacement device (1) comprising a central axis (2), a first and a second apposition plate (3; 5), a first and a second joint component (4; 6) being mutually arranged in a ball joint like manner and being located between said first and second apposition plates (3; 5) and intermediate means (7) being disposed at least between the first apposition plate (3) and the first joint component (4) in such manner that, the first joint component (4) is not freely moveable transversely to the central axis (2) with respect to the first apposition plate (3) under load-free conditions, but a limited movement of the first joint component (4) relative to the first apposition plate (3) transversal to the central axis (2) is allowed under load.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant (1), specifically an artificial intervertebral disk, with a central axis (2), an upper section (10), suitable for laying onto the base plate of a vertebral body lying on top and a lower section (20), suitable for laying onto the cover plate of a vertebral body lying below, wherein A) the upper section (10) is provided with a ventral side area (11), a dorsal side area (12), two lateral side areas (13,14), a top apposition surface (15) and a bottom surface (16); B) the lower section (20) is provided with a ventral side area (21), a dorsal side area (22), two lateral side areas (23,24), a bottom apposition surface (25) and a top surface (26); C) the two sections (10,20) are moveable in relation to each other by means of one joint (30) arranged between the two sections (10;20), wherein D) the joint (30) is a universal joint with two swivel axles (3;4) standing perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A facet interference screw (10) for insertion between the facet joints of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae includes an externally threaded shaft portion and a head. The facet interference screw is preferably split into first (20) and second (30) components, each including an outer, semicircular externally threaded surface (22, 32) so that when coupled together the semicircular externally threaded surfaces form the externally threaded shaft portion. The inner surfaces (24, 34) of the first and second components may include curved contacting surfaces so that when inserted, the first component is movable with respect to the second component. Alternatively, the screw may include a damping component (60a?) between the inner surfaces of the first and second components to facilitate damping of the first and second components with respect to one another. The damping component preferably also facilitates articulated motion of the first and second components.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant having a three-dimensional body (10) and a securing plate (1). The three-dimensional body (10) includes an upper side (1) and an underside (2) which are suitable for abutting the end plates of two adjacent vertebral bodies, a left side surface (3) and a right side surface (4), a front surface (5) and a rear surface (6), a horizontal middle plane (7) between the upper side (1) and the underside (2), and a vertical middle plane (12) extending from the front surface (5) to the rear surface (6). The three-dimensional body further includes a plurality of boreholes (9a) passing through the body (10), which are suitable for accommodating longitudinal fixation elements (20).

Abstract: An intervertebral implant having a three-dimensional body (10) and a securing plate (1). The three-dimensional body (10) includes an upper side (1) and an underside (2) which are suitable for abutting the end plates of two adjacent vertebral bodies, a left side surface (3) and a right side surface (4), a front surface (5) and a rear surface (6), a horizontal middle plane (7) between the upper side (1) and the underside (2), and a vertical middle plane (12) extending from the front surface (5) to the rear surface (6). The three-dimensional body further includes a plurality of boreholes (9a) passing through the body (10), which are suitable for accommodating longitudinal fixation elements (20).

Abstract: An expandable implant includes an implant body defining an internal void, the implant body including a plurality of interconnected linkages. A first plurality of the linkages has an expansion characteristic that is different from a second plurality of the linkages. An expandable bladder is sized to be disposed in the internal void. The bladder defines a bore configured to receive an expansion material, such that the expansion material applies an expansion force against the bladder, which thereby applies the expansion force against the implant body so as to cause the first linkage to expand greater than the second linkage. The expandable implant can be placed in a fracture location so as to restore height to a fractured target bone.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant (10) includes superior (20) and inferior (30) bone contacting members and at least one vertical wire netting (50) interconnecting the superior and inferior bone contacting members. The superior and inferior bone contacting members include at least two bone contacting components interconnected via one or more lateral wire nettings such that the implant is vertically and laterally expandable in situ from a first insertion configuration to a second expanded configuration. The vertical and lateral wire netting are preferably constructed of a plurality of individual link members. The present invention also preferably relates to an associated method of manufacturing the intervertebral implant such that the intervertebral implant can be manufactured as an integral component or part.

Abstract: A bone screw (1) is used for locking an articular facet between the superior and inferior articular processes of two vertebral bodies and is provided with a threaded shaft (2), a screw head (3) and a central axis (4). The screw head (3) is further provided with a number of grooves (5) on the periphery of the screw head (3) which run essentially parallel to said central axis (4).

Abstract: A flexible element that may be configured, among various uses, as an intervertebral implant for insertion into an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies or between two bone portions. The flexible element includes one or more struts extending from superior and inferior endplates and bending towards one another for connection with one or more internal beams.

Abstract: A visco-elastic facet joint implant for insertion into a facet joint between an inferior facet formed on a superior vertebral body and a superior facet formed on an inferior vertebral body. The facet implant includes a visco-elastic implant element molded into an anatomically fitted shape to optimally fit between the facet joint and one or more bone fixation elements to secure the visco-elastic implant element to the superior and/or inferior vertebral bodies. In use, the visco-elastic facet joint implant includes a first end for engaging the superior vertebral body, a middle portion for passing through the facet joint and an optional second end for engaging the inferior vertebral body.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant including a top part, a bottom part and a joint arranged axially between the top part and the bottom part. The top part includes a top surface suitable to be placed on the base plate of a body of the vertebra adjacent and above the site of removal. The bottom part has a bottom surface suitable to be placed on the cover plate of a body of the vertebra adjacent and below the site of removal. The joint includes a convex joint part with a first articular surface and a joint shell matching it, with a second articular surface mounted in a sliding manner on the first articular surface. The intervertebral implant including a temporarily locking mechanism to fix the two parts relative to one another.

Abstract: A bone screw (1) is used for locking an articular facet between the superior and inferior articular processes of two vertebral bodies and is provided with a threaded shaft (2), a screw head (3) and a central axis (4). The screw head (3) is further provided with a number of grooves (5) on the periphery of the screw head (3) which run essentially parallel to said central axis (4).

Abstract: A bone fixation element (10) for use in spinal fixation facilitates insertion of a longitudinal spinal rod (45) in a rod-receiving channel (26) formed in the bone fixation element. The bone fixation element engages a coated spinal rod, preferably a dynamic spinal rod made from a generally non-biocompatible material such as nickel, cobalt chromium or Nitinol. The bone fixation element preferably incorporates first (120) and second (140) rod protectors to contact the coating on the spinal rod when the rod is received in the rod receiving channel of the hone fixation element. The first and second rod protectors are preferably constructed of a material having a hardness that is less than a hardness of a material of the coated spinal rod.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dynamic fixation system for engaging, via bone fixation elements, one or more parts of a patient's body. Preferably, the dynamic fixation system is used to engage one or more vertebrae for stabilizing the attached vertebrae with respect to one another while still permitting the vertebrae to move with respect to one another. The dynamic fixation system may include a first rod having first and second ends, a second rod having first and second ends, and a damping component and/or a damping mechanism for interconnecting the first and second rods. In one embodiment, the damping component is injection molded in-between the one of the ends of the first rod and one of the ends of the second rod so that the first and second rods are prevented from separating with respect to one another but are still permitted to move with respect to one another.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for implantation between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra having a central axis. The implant may have a first member with a top surface for contacting at least a portion of the upper vertebra and a bottom surface as well as a second member with a top surface and a bottom surface for contacting at least a portion of the lower vertebra. An elastic spacer may be disposed between the first member and the second member. The bottom surface of the first member and the top surface of the second member may have a first constraint means and the other of the bottom surface of the first member and the top surface of the second member may be provided with a second constraint means, to limit the amount of lateral movement between the first and second members. Additionally, the constraint means may be sized and configured such that a gap with a width greater than zero is provided at least transversely to the central axis between the first and second constraint means in an unloaded state.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant having a lower implant part and an upper implant part. The lower implant part has an outer casing, a hollow cylindrical cavity, an axis of rotation, and an apposition part for contacting the lower vertebra. The upper implant part has an essentially circularly cylindrical shaft, which has an external thread, for extending into the cavity of the lower implant part, an axis of rotation, and an apposition part for contacting the upper vertebra. The two implant parts may be secured to prevent rotation about their axis of rotation. The implant also includes a ring with an internal thread, disposed between the two implant parts and interacts with the external thread of the upper implant part. Rotating the ring permits the distance between the two apposition parts to be adjusted. The ring may be axially fixed but rotatively movably with the lower implant part.