Abstract: A spinal rod guide and/or guide assembly is provided for mounting a spinal rod onto a spinal rod holder/connector of a vertebral bone screw. The spinal rod guide is configured to extend between an opening in a patient's body and the spinal rod holder of the vertebral bone screw assembly, to receive a spinal rod therein, and thereafter accurately guide the spinal rod into the spinal rod holder. The spinal rod guide is defined by a first elongated arc portion and a second elongated arc portion to define a guide tube for the introduction and placement of additional spinal rod components onto the spinal rod connector, particularly, but not necessarily, for securing the spinal rod into the spinal rod connector. The elongated arc portions are mountable or initially attached onto a top of a spinal rod holder of a spinal rod bone screw assembly. The elongated arc portions (tube) define first and second longitudinal slots extending from a top of the elongated arc portions to a bottom of the elongated arc portions.

Abstract: A spinous process spacer that is designed to maintain a desired spatial relationship between adjacent vertebrae, is configured for introduction into a spinal implant site in a compressed state and then expands in situ. Once expanded, formations of the present spinal spacer form areas, pockets or spaces that receive at least one bony portion of each adjacent vertebra. The present spinous process spacer has a changeable circumferential profile wherein a first circumferential profile is smaller than a second circumferential profile in order to provide/achieve its compressed and expanded states. The first circumferential profile defines the collapsed position or state while the second circumferential profile defines the position or state. Upon implantation, the present spinous process spacer is not fixed to any bony structure of the vertebrae but provides support. In this regard, use of the spinous process spacer, by itself, will not result in vertebral fusion.

Abstract: A guide assembly includes a spinal screw assembly having a bone screw and a spinal rod holder; and a spinal rod guide having first and second elongated arc portions defining a pair of longitudinal slots extending along the first and second arc portions, each of the first and second arc portions further defining at least one recess extending transversely from each of the longitudinal slots, the at least one recess configured to receive at least a portion of a reduction tool to enable reduction of a spinal rod received within the spinal rod holder.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a first leg configured to abut a surface of an inferior articular process of a first vertebra that forms one portion of a spinal facet joint between the first vertebra and an adjacent second vertebra, a second leg configured to abut a surface of a superior articular process of the adjacent second vertebrae that forms another portion of the spinal facet joint between the first vertebra and the adjacent second vertebra, and a cross-member connected between the first and second legs and maintaining the first and second legs in a spaced-apart relationship. The spinal implant may restrict flexion and/or extension of the spinal facet joint when received about the spinal facet joint.

Abstract: A spinal interbody fusion cage has a body whose anterior/posterior profile may be varied through angular positioning of one or more articulating segments of the body without changing the superior/inferior height of the body. The present spinal interbody fusion cage has N segments or sections wherein at least one segment is articulated relative to another segment via a connection point, pivot or pivot structure such that the anterior/posterior profile is variable through angular positioning of one or more of the segments. The pivot structure may be configured so as to allow unidirectional movement between the connecting segments thereby allowing articulation in one plane or to allow omni-directional movement between the connecting segments thereby allowing articulation in multiple planes. The various forms of the present interbody fusion cage include superior and inferior sides or bone abutment surfaces that have serrations, teeth or similar functioning structures (teeth).

Abstract: Instruments are provided for delivering and installing a multi-section spinal implant in-situ one section at a time by sequential deployment and assembling of the multi-section spinal implant sections into an intervertebral space. An advancement mechanism provides controlled deployment of individual implant sections from the instrument. Each instrument accepts a plurality of implant sections that are stacked on a deployment rod. Activation of the advancement mechanism advances a pusher against a rearward implant section of the implant section stack. This, in turn, advances all or some of the implant sections such that the forward most implant section exits the instrument. As the advancement mechanism is further activated, additional implant sections are deployed from the instrument. In this manner, a multi-section spinal implant of any number of implant sections may be delivered and assembled in situ. In one form, the advancement mechanism comprises an indexing mechanism.

Abstract: A dynamic spine plate is formed with only a single row of bone screw bores that extend along a generally superior/inferior axis of the spine plate, providing a single-sided dynamic spine plate. The single-sided dynamic spine plate is formed from a plurality of spine plate components that are coupled dynamically to one another. This provides a modular, single-sided dynamic spine plate. The spine plate components are coupled dynamically to one another via socket and projection interfaces, the socket and projections interfaces incorporating resilient coupling and retention structures that allow limited movement of the spine plate components relative to one another. This provides for dynamic extension of the spine plate components relative to one another. The resilient coupling structure connects the spine plate components, providing a self-biased, snap fit coupling of spine plate components.

Abstract: A spinal cross-connector is configured for adjustable connection between spinal fixation devices such as spinal fixation rods and allows for adjustment in length or distance between adjacent spinal rod clamping members and provides independent rotational adjustment of the two spinal rod clamping members for individual and independent attachment thereof to adjacent spinal rods of a spinal rod assembly. The cross-connector has first and second connection members that are adjustable in length and rotation relative to one another. A first spinal rod clamping member is provided on an end of the first connection member and defines first and second arced jaws that are adapted to clamp onto a first spinal rod. A second spinal rod clamping member is provided on an end of the second connection member and defines first and second arced jaws that are adapted to clamp onto a second spinal rod.

Abstract: A spinal rod connector provides single step locking of a spinal rod relative to a bone screw. The single step lock-up is in line with the vertebral bone screw while still allowing for effectively 360° of rotation of a portion of the spinal rod connector assembly with the spinal rod (but functionally 180° or +/?90° of the 0° position depicted in the various figures). The present spinal rod connector assembly utilizes components having V-shapes of various angles to provide holding of the spinal rod. A pulling and compression force locks the spinal rod onto the spinal rod connector and thus relative to the vertebral bone screw to which the spinal rod connector assembly is attached. The present spinal rod connector allows easy sliding down on guides of the spinal rod connector assembly since spinal rod rotation locks up from the rod being pulled towards the vertebral bone screw.

Abstract: A spinal spacer or stenotic device is expandable, inflated and/or filled in situ or ex vivo through the addition of a biocompatible fill material into the spinal implant once inserted or implanted in like manner to an angioplasty bag. Once implanted, expansion or inflation of the present expandable spinal spacer distracts the spine (creates spacing). The present expandable spinal spacer can operate as an interspinous, interspinous process, or intralaminar spinal spacer. In general the present expandable spinal space creates and/or maintains spacing between vertebrae or components of vertebrae. The present expandable spinal spacer is formed of a generally pliable biocompatible material that is collapsible and expandable/fillable. Preferably, but not necessarily, the biocompatible material is a mesh or weave type material, although other materials may be used.

Abstract: A spinal rod includes a rod tube formed of a biocompatible material, a spring rod formed of a biocompatible material and having a spring rod portion disposed in the rod tube, the spring rod portion axially movable within the rod tube whereby application of an axial force on the spring rod portion creates axial movement of the spring rod relative to the rod tube causing the spring rod and the rod tube to flex and arch, and a spacer ring radially disposed between the rod tube and the spring rod.

Abstract: A spinal cross connector is configured for connection between spinal rods and provides allowance or space for spinal extensor muscles once the spinal process has been removed. The cross connector has curved first and second connection members that are adjustable in length and rotation relative to one another. A first clamping member is provided on the first connection member and defines first and second arcuate jaws that are adapted to clamp onto a first spinal rod. A second clamping member is provided on the second connection member and defines first and second arcuate jaws that are adapted to clamp onto a second spinal rod. Both the first and second clamping members are rotatable and thus provide the rotational adjustment. The cross-connector also provides easy in situ sizing and adjustability.

Abstract: A guide assembly includes a spinal screw assembly having a bone screw and a spinal rod holder; and a spinal rod guide having first and second elongated arc portions defining a pair of longitudinal slots extending along the first and second arc portions, each of the first and second arc portions further defining at least one recess extending transversely from each of the longitudinal slots, the at least one recess configured to receive at least a portion of a reduction tool to enable reduction of a spinal rod received within the spinal rod holder.

Abstract: A spinous process spacer that is designed to maintain a desired spatial relationship between adjacent vertebrae, is configured for introduction into a spinal implant site in a compressed state and then expands in situ. Once expanded, formations of the present spinal spacer form areas, pockets or spaces that receive at least one bony portion of each adjacent vertebra. The present spinous process spacer has a changeable circumferential profile wherein a first circumferential profile is smaller than a second circumferential profile in order to provide/achieve its compressed and expanded states. The first circumferential profile defines the collapsed position or state while the second circumferential profile defines the position or state. Upon implantation, the present spinous process spacer is not fixed to any bony structure of the vertebrae but provides support. In this regard, use of the spinous process spacer, by itself, will not result in vertebral fusion.

Abstract: Instruments are provided for delivering and installing a multi-section spinal implant in-situ one section at a time by sequential deployment and assembling of the multi-section spinal implant sections into an intervertebral space. An advancement mechanism provides controlled deployment of individual implant sections from the instrument. Each instrument accepts a plurality of implant sections that are stacked on a deployment rod. Activation of the advancement mechanism advances a pusher against a rearward implant section of the implant section stack. This, in turn, advances all or some of the implant sections such that the forward most implant section exits the instrument. As the advancement mechanism is further activated, additional implant sections are deployed from the instrument. In this manner, a multi-section spinal implant of any number of implant sections may be delivered and assembled in situ. In one form, the advancement mechanism comprises an indexing mechanism.

Abstract: A dynamic spine plate is formed with only a single row of bone screw bores that extend along a generally superior/inferior axis of the spine plate, providing a single-sided dynamic spine plate. The single-sided dynamic spine plate is formed from a plurality of spine plate components that are coupled dynamically to one another. This provides a modular, single-sided dynamic spine plate. The spine plate components are coupled dynamically to one another via socket and projection interfaces, the socket and projections interfaces incorporating resilient coupling and retention structures that allow limited movement of the spine plate components relative to one another. This provides for dynamic extension of the spine plate components relative to one another. The resilient coupling structure connects the spine plate components, providing a self-biased, snap fit coupling of spine plate components.

Abstract: A spinal implant in the form of a spinal facet fastener is configured to hold, restrict and/or limit flexion and/or extension of a spinal facet joint and/or immobilize movement thereof. The spinal facet fastener is formed with leg segments configured for reception in, on and/or about vertebral bone of a spinal facet joint and a connecting segment that holds the leg segments apart a spaced distance. The spinal facet fastener has surfaces that are configured to abut vertebral bone surfaces of a spinal facet joint to hold, restrict and/or limit flexion and/or extension of the spinal facet joint and/or immobilize movement thereof. In one form, the spinal facet fastener has members that are configured for reception in vertebral bone of the vertebral bone portions that form the spinal facet joint. In this form, the spinal facet fastener may include an anchoring element that is configured for reception between the vertebral bone portions that form the spinal facet joint.

Abstract: A spinal rod guide and/or guide assembly is provided for mounting a spinal rod onto a spinal rod holder/connector of a vertebral bone screw. The spinal rod guide is configured to extend between an opening in a patient's body and the spinal rod holder of the vertebral bone screw assembly, to receive a spinal rod therein, and thereafter accurately guide the spinal rod into the spinal rod holder. The spinal rod guide is defined by a first elongated arc portion and a second elongated arc portion to define a guide tube for the introduction and placement of additional spinal rod components onto the spinal rod connector, particularly, but not necessarily, for securing the spinal rod into the spinal rod connector. The elongated arc portions are mountable or initially attached onto a top of a spinal rod holder of a spinal rod bone screw assembly. The elongated arc portions (tube) define first and second longitudinal slots extending from a top of the elongated arc portions to a bottom of the elongated arc portions.

Abstract: A spinal rod connector provides single step locking of a spinal rod relative to a bone screw. The single step lock-up is in line with the vertebral bone screw while still allowing for effectively 3600 of rotation of a portion of the spinal rod connector assembly with the spinal rod (but functionally 180° or +/?90° of the 0° position depicted in the various figures). The present spinal rod connector assembly utilizes components having V-shapes of various angles to provide holding of the spinal rod. A pulling and compression force locks the spinal rod onto the spinal rod connector and thus relative to the vertebral bone screw to which the spinal rod connector assembly is attached. The present spinal rod connector allows easy sliding down on guides of the spinal rod connector assembly since spinal rod rotation locks up from the rod being pulled towards the vertebral bone screw.