Abstract: A system includes a first pedicle screw, a second pedicle screw, and an adjustable rod having an outer housing coupled to one of the first pedicle screw and the second pedicle screw, the outer housing having a threaded shaft secured to one end thereof extending along an interior portion thereof. The system further includes a hollow magnetic assembly disposed within the outer housing and having a magnetic element disposed therein, the hollow magnetic assembly having an internal threaded surface engaged with the threaded shaft, the magnetic assembly being coupled to the other of the first pedicle screw and the second pedicle screw, wherein the hollow magnetic assembly rotates in response to an externally applied magnetic field to thereby lengthen or shorten the distance between the first pedicle screw and the second pedicle screw.

Abstract: A system includes a first pedicle screw, a second pedicle screw, and an adjustable rod having an outer housing coupled to one of the first pedicle screw and the second pedicle screw, the outer housing having a threaded shaft secured to one end thereof extending along an interior portion thereof. The system further includes a hollow magnetic assembly disposed within the outer housing and having a magnetic element disposed therein, the hollow magnetic assembly having an internal threaded surface engaged with the threaded shaft, the magnetic assembly being coupled to the other of the first pedicle screw and the second pedicle screw, wherein the hollow magnetic assembly rotates in response to an externally applied magnetic field to thereby lengthen or shorten the distance between the first pedicle screw and the second pedicle screw.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surfaces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surfaces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant. The upper and lower body portions can have side portions that help facilitate linear translational movement of the upper body portion relative to the lower body portion.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surfaces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surfaces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant. The upper and lower body portions can have side portions that help facilitate linear translational movement of the upper body portion relative to the lower body portion.

Abstract: Tissue dilation systems are disclosed. The present systems provide percutaneous access to one or more target structures located in a patient's body. The tissue dilation systems include two or more tissue dilation tubes telescopically arranged and moveable relative to each other. The tissue dilation tubes can be preassembled prior to use by utilizing a dilation tube retention assembly which can maintain the dilation tubes in a substantially fixed position and release the tubes therefrom in order to dilate a patient's tissue. Methods of producing the present systems and using the present systems in surgical procedures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tissue dilation system is described which effectively provides an access path from a skin surface region to a target structure located in the body of a patient. The present tissue dilation system includes a tissue penetrating member and a sleeve. The tissue penetrating member includes an expandable body portion that can be inserted through the skin of a patient in a first configuration, and can be deployed into a fully expanded second configuration to dilate tissue surrounding the body portion. The sleeve is placed over the expanded body portion in the fully expanded second configuration. When the tissue penetrating member is removed from the sleeve, an access path is provided to the target structure from the skin region. When the present systems are used in combination with bone fixation devices, the present systems can provide a suitable path from the skin surface to a bony target structure, such as vertebrae, of the patient.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surfaces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant.

Abstract: Deployment systems for deploying a bone fixation device are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a deployment system includes a syringe-shaped body configured to provide proximal traction to a bone fixation device in response to a compressive force between a finger grip and a plunger adapted to be engaged by the heel of a clinician's hand. The device may include a collet for gripping a proximal pin of a fixation device. The deployment device may also include a tool that includes an elongate body with a distal tip adapted to rotationally engage a bone fixation device in order to axially rotate the fixation device. A further deployment device embodiment includes a cauterizing tip for heat-cutting an excess portion of a pin of a bone fixation device.

Abstract: Fusion of cervical spinal vertebrae with one or more fixation devices can be accomplished with the described tools and methods. For example, a guidewire introducer can include a tubular introducer cannula and a handle. The handle can be angularly offset from the introducer cannula such that positioning of the introducer on the cervical spine does not interfere with a patient's head. A sheath assembly can include inner and outer sheath bodies and a handle. The handle is angularly offset from the sheath bodies such that the sheath assembly can be applied to the cervical spine without interference to the patient's head. The sheath body can be curved or straight. Various tools such as drills, tapping devices, compression tools, and pin release tools can be applied to the cervical spine through the sheath body to apply the fixation device. The tools can include elongate flexible shafts.

Abstract: A soft tissue anchor device and methods of installing the soft tissue anchor device are disclosed. The device has an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end. There is a helical anchor on the distal end. A retention structure is provided on the body, proximal to the anchor. The device also includes a proximal anchor, moveably carried by the body. The device includes an adjustable flange that is configured to receive the proximal anchor. The proximal anchor is configured to be rotational with respect to the flange. The adjustable flange is configured to be positioned at a variable angle with respect to the body. The proximal anchor is moveable in the distal direction with respect to the body and the retention structure resists proximal movement of the proximal anchor with respect to the body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixation device for spinal fixation. The fixation device includes an elongated body comprising a bone anchor at a distal end. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device. In one embodiment, the device is inserted through a first vertebra and the bone anchor is rotated into positioned within a second vertebra. The proximal anchor is distally advanced with respect to the bone anchor to provide compression across the first and second vertebra. In other embodiments, the device is used to secure stabilization devices across two or more vertebra.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixation device for spinal fixation. The fixation device includes an elongated body comprising a bone anchor at a distal end. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device. In one embodiment, the device is inserted through a first vertebra and the bone anchor is rotated into positioned within a second vertebra. The proximal anchor is distally advanced with respect to the bone anchor to provide compression across the first and second vertebra. In other embodiments, the device is used to secure stabilization devices across two or more vertebra.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae by contacting a surface of the superior vertebrae.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bone fracture fixation system, such as for reducing and compressing fractures in the proximal femur. The fixation system includes a plurality of elongated bodies with a helical cancellous bone anchor on a distal end of each of the bodies. An axially moveable plate with a plurality of openings is carried by the proximal end of the elongated bodies. The elongated bodies are rotated into position across the fracture or separation between adjacent bones and into the adjacent bone or bone fragment, and the plate is distally advanced to apply secondary compression and lock the device into place. The device may also be used for soft tissue attachments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bone fixation device of the type useful for connecting soft tissue or tendon to bone or for connecting two or more bones or bone fragments together. The device comprises an elongate body having a distal anchor thereon. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device, to accommodate different bone dimensions and permit appropriate tensioning of the fixation device.

Abstract: A method of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body by contacting a surface of the superior vertebral body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae by contacting a surface of the superior vertebrae.

Abstract: A fracture fixation device is configured for reducing and compressing fractures in a bone and delivering bone treatment agents. The fixation device includes an elongate body comprising a first portion and a second portion that are detachably coupled to each other. The first portion defines a helical cancellous bone anchor and the second portion defines a distal end. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device and is rotationally locked to the first portion. The device is rotated into position across the femoral neck and into the femoral head, and the proximal anchor is distally advanced to lock the device into place. The second portion is then detached from the first portion.