Abstract: A prosthetic spinal implant having a deployable securing mechanism that is deployable into a portion of the vertebral space for affixing the implant between the vertebrae, the securing mechanism having tactile feedback means comprising a surface for transmitting tactile feedback during deployment of the securing mechanism. A spinal implant having deployable securing means that interface with the implant to prevent the deployable securing means from retracting after deployment. An implant that utilizes its resilient properties to provide the user with tactile feedback with which the user may ascertain the position of the securing mechanism. A system and tools for sizing and implanting implants with the aforementioned characteristics.

Abstract: A motion preserving implant having first and second bearing members and a biasing member disposed therebetween operable to provide resistance to the translation of the bodies with respect to one another. An intervertebral implant having first and second bearing members, a translatable member, a resilient connection between the translatable member and one of the bearing members to allow for relative motion therebetween and bearing surfaces of the translatable member and the other bearing member to allow complex, natural motion between the bearing members. A spinal implant having upper and lower bodies and an articulation surface that allows for polyaxial articulation and translation through a concave articulation surface having a first radius of curvature and a second radius of curvature in at least one plane, and a convex articulation surface having the first radius of curvature in the same plane.

Abstract: Bone plate systems and retainers are provided for surgical implants and bone repair. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors or screws for securing multiple bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate includes bores for receiving the screws, and the bores may permit and define a translation path for the screws relative to the plate. The retainers are held in a recess in the bores to prevent screw back-out. Once the screw is seated with the plate, the retainer rests over a top surface of the screw to impede screw back-out from the plate. The retainer may expand to permit driving a screw therethrough and may contract once the screw is seated within the plate so the retainer is in a configuration for preventing back-out. Tools and methods are also provided for implantation and removal of the plates and the screws.

Abstract: Bone plate systems and anchor retainers are provided for use in surgical implants and bone repair. In a preferred form, the bone plate may include bores for receiving the bone anchors, and the bores may permit and define a path of translation or shifting of the bone anchors relative to the bone plate. The anchor retainers may be held in the bores to prevent back-out of the bone anchors. Once the anchor member is seated within the bone plate, the retainer may rest over a top surface of the anchor member so the anchor member is impeded from backing out of the bone plate. The retainer may expand or change shape to permit an anchor member to be driven through the retainer and may contract once an anchor member has been seated within the plate. In addition, a tool for insertion or extraction of the bone anchors is provided.

Abstract: A Pilates step barrel/chair exercise apparatus has side walls and a unique elastic resistance member anchor structure fastened to each of the side walls. Each anchor structure has an anchor socket assembly fastened to one of the side walls and a removable elastic member anchor bar assembly mounted in the anchor socket assembly. The anchor socket assembly has a central tubular portion passing through the one of the side walls and a flange portion fastening the tubular portion to the side wall. The anchor bar assembly has an L shaped anchor bar, a cylindrical yoke receiving and holding a long leg of the anchor bar, and a spring bar tube rotatably fastened to a short leg of the anchor bar. The cylindrical yoke has a portion adapted to fit within a central bore of the tubular portion of the anchor socket assembly, and has a plurality of spaced radial holes therearound for engaging with and retain the anchor bar assembly in the anchor socket assembly.

Abstract: A Pilates step barrel/chair exercise apparatus has side walls and a unique elastic resistance member anchor structure fastened to each of the side walls. Each anchor structure has an anchor socket assembly fastened to one of the side walls and a removable elastic member anchor bar assembly mounted in the anchor socket assembly. The anchor socket assembly has a central tubular portion passing through the one of the side walls and a flange portion fastening the tubular portion to the side wall. The anchor bar assembly has an L shaped anchor bar, a cylindrical yoke receiving and holding a long leg of the anchor bar, and a spring bar tube rotatably fastened to a short leg of the anchor bar. The cylindrical yoke has a portion adapted to fit within a central bore of the tubular portion of the anchor socket assembly, and has a plurality of spaced radial holes therearound for engaging with and retain the anchor bar assembly in the anchor socket assembly.

Abstract: A Pilates step barrel/chair exercise apparatus has side walls and a unique elastic resistance member anchor structure fastened to each of the side walls. Each anchor structure has an anchor socket assembly fastened to one of the side walls and a removable elastic member anchor bar assembly mounted in the anchor socket assembly. The anchor socket assembly has a central tubular portion passing through the one of the side walls and a flange portion fastening the tubular portion to the side wall. The anchor bar assembly has an L shaped anchor bar, a cylindrical yoke receiving and holding a long leg of the anchor bar, and a spring bar tube rotatably fastened to a short leg of the anchor bar. The cylindrical yoke has a portion adapted to fit within a central bore of the tubular portion of the anchor socket assembly, and has a plurality of spaced radial holes therearound for engaging with and retain the anchor bar assembly in the anchor socket assembly.

Abstract: A motion preserving implant having first and second bearing members and a biasing member disposed therebetween operable to provide resistance to the translation of the bodies with respect to one another. An intervertebral implant having first and second bearing members, a translatable member, a resilient connection between the translatable member and one of the bearing members to allow for relative motion therebetween and bearing surfaces of the translatable member and the other bearing member to allow complex, natural motion between the bearing members. A spinal implant having upper and lower bodies and an articulation surface that allows for polyaxial articulation and translation through a concave articulation surface having a first radius of curvature and a second radius of curvature in at least one plane, and a convex articulation surface having the first radius of curvature in the same plane.

Abstract: An implant device is provided for implantation within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae comprising an implant body, a rotatable portion and a piercing portion configured to pierce the adjacent vertebra.

Abstract: A prosthetic spinal implant having a deployable securing mechanism that is deployable into a portion of the vertebral space for affixing the implant between the vertebrae, the securing mechanism having tactile feedback means comprising a surface for transmitting tactile feedback during deployment of the securing mechanism. A spinal implant having deployable securing means that interface with the implant to prevent the deployable securing means from retracting after deployment. An implant that utilizes its resilient properties to provide the user with tactile feedback with which the user may ascertain the position of the securing mechanism. A system and tools for sizing and implanting implants with the aforementioned characteristics.

Abstract: A Pilates step barrel/chair exercise apparatus has side walls and a unique elastic resistance member anchor structure fastened to each of the side walls. Each anchor structure has an anchor socket assembly fastened to one of the side walls and a removable elastic member anchor bar assembly mounted in the anchor socket assembly. The anchor socket assembly has a central tubular portion passing through the one of the side walls and a flange portion fastening the tubular portion to the side wall. The anchor bar assembly has an L shaped anchor bar, a cylindrical yoke receiving and holding a long leg of the anchor bar, and a spring bar tube rotatably fastened to a short leg of the anchor bar. The cylindrical yoke has a portion adapted to fit within a central bore of the tubular portion of the anchor socket assembly, and has a plurality of spaced radial holes therearound for engaging with and retain the anchor bar assembly in the anchor socket assembly.

Abstract: Implant devices in the form of a vertebral body replacement for implantation within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae is disclosed for immobilization and support of the adjacent vertebrae in a desired spatial relationship and for promotion of fusion by the adjacent vertebrae. Instruments for insertion and implantation of the implant devices and of fusion material such as bone graft material are disclosed. Methods are disclosed for implantation of the implant devices.

Abstract: Bone plate and bone screw lock systems are provided for use in surgical implants. In a preferred form, the bone plate or other implantable member defines a bore for receiving a bone screw and a recess in communication with the bore. A screw lock operates in the bore at the recess to engage and lock the bone screw against unintentional movement The preferred screw lock is shifted about the screw between an unlocked position to allow manipulation of the screw and a locked position in which the screw lock grips the head of the screw to prevent movement of the screw. The screw lock preferably has a c-shaped collar configuration with opposing ends and a camming engagement with the plate or other member in the recess. Upon rotation of the screw lock, the camming engagement causes the ends of the collar to either shift toward one another in which the collar compresses about the screw to lock the screw or away from another to unlock the screw head.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system is provided that, in one form, includes a coupling member having a cam lock member that is fixed against translation therealong as it is turned with turning of the cam lock member causing an elongate member such as a spinal rod to be pushed downward in the coupling member for fixing the rod therein. In another aspect, the rod is fixed against a low profile insert that seats in a recess formed in the head of an anchor member projecting from the coupling member. The insert has an upper surface against which the rod is fixed and that in one form is flat to provide for line contact against the rod so as to minimize damage thereto. In another form, the cam lock member cams against a clamping member driving it downward in the coupling member for fixing the rod therein.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus has a generally rectangular frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members, a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members between said head and foot ends against one or more springs connected between the carriage and the foot end of the frame and an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly to adjustably position the carriage and elastic members on the tracks to accommodate a wide range of user heights. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly includes an anchor bar having each end disposed in an elongated slot formed in each track member. The elongated slot has spaced gear teeth defining spaced anchor bar stop or lock portions. The anchor bar can be moved between lock portions only when rotated to an unlocked position wherein the bar can operably slide along the slot.

Abstract: A crosslink member for securing spinal rods is disclosed having connector ends that include a brace and a locking member, each having an arcuate face resting on and securing a spinal rod. The locking member is secured by a cam member that rotates relative to the locking member and that cams against the connector to displace the cam member. The crosslink includes a male connector with a cylindrical cross rod received by a cavity in a female connector. The cross rod is secured by a pivotable clamp device in the female connector, and the cross rod connector and female connector may pivot, rotate, and telescope relative to each other. To reduce size without sacrificing pivot sweep, the cross rod has beveled edges, and the cavity of the female connector has windows to provide pivot clearance.

Abstract: Bone plate systems and retainers are provided for surgical implants and bone repair. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors or screws for securing multiple bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate includes bores for receiving the screws, and the bores may permit and define a translation path for the screws relative to the plate. The retainers are held in a recess in the bores to prevent screw back-out. Once the screw is seated with the plate, the retainer rests over a top surface of the screw to impede screw back-out from the plate. The retainer may expand to permit driving a screw therethrough and may contract once the screw is seated within the plate so the retainer is in a configuration for preventing back-out. Tools and methods are also provided for implantation and removal of the plates and the screws.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing surgical devices such as spinal rods is disclosed. The spinal rod may be advanced, for instance, into a seated engagement with a surgical fixture, such as a fixture having a screw mounted in a bone portion, and the fixture may have an open end forming a yoke into which the spinal rod is seated. The apparatus may include portions which secure to the yoke in a pre-determined arrangement or orientation, and the portions may be locked into place by a series of linkages on the apparatus. The apparatus may include a movable member that is non-rotatably shifted longitudinally for advancing the spinal rod into the seated engagement, and the movable member may then be rotated without shifting longitudinally to rotate a securing member such as a cap into a position within the yoke to at least partially capture the cap therein.

Abstract: A spinal column reconstruction device is disclosed including at least two bone surface engagement portions, each for fixation to distinct vertebral bone portions, a mobile portion of the device positioned between the two bone surface portions and providing for movement therebetween, and a motion limiter portion generally fixing the bone surface engagement portions in a predetermined positional orientation for reconstruction of the spine.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus comprises a rectangular frame, a movable carriage mounted on the frame for supporting a user, and an elongated elastic member extending between the frame and the movable carriage for biasing the carriage toward the one end of the frame. The telescopic rectangular frame has a first frame section and a second frame section that each includes two spaced apart parallel tubular rail members. One set of rail members is telescopically received in the other set of rail members so that the frame is selectively movable between a first storage position and an extended operating position.