Abstract: A multi-link bone fixation assembly and method having interconnected longitudinal linking members, end caps and locknuts, and possibly transverse linking members, all disposed on implanted bone fasteners, the assembly providing a rigid, fixed ladder or frame to preclude relative movement between vertebrae or bone. At least two of the end caps and both ends of at least one of the transverse linking members are slotted such that, in the event a previously implanted assembly needs to be lengthened, additional bone fasteners are implanted, and the end caps and/or transverse linking members are removed from the assembly in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bone fastener by loosening rather than removing the locknuts from the bone fasteners. The new longitudinal linking members are then inserted onto the bone fasteners in a direction perpendicular to the axis and the locknuts are tightened to secure the now-extended assembly.

Abstract: A multi-link bone fixation assembly and method having interconnected longitudinal linking members, end caps and locknuts, and possibly transverse linking members, all disposed on implanted bone fasteners, the assembly providing a rigid, fixed ladder or frame to preclude relative movement between vertebrae or bone. At least two of the end caps and both ends of at least one of the transverse linking members are slotted such that, in the event a previously implanted assembly needs to be lengthened, additional bone fasteners are implanted, and the end caps and/or transverse linking members are removed from the assembly in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bone fastener by loosening rather than removing the locknuts from the bone fasteners. The new longitudinal linking members are then inserted onto the bone fasteners in a direction perpendicular to the axis and the locknuts are tightened to secure the now-extended assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for performing spondylolisthesis reduction utilizing spinal link implants, the apparatus comprising a jack which is temporarily affixed to the spinal links, where the jack is constructed to provide leverage or fulcrum points such that the vertebrae or sacrum can be moved as required for, proper realignment and to position adjacent link members for connection. The jack comprises a pair of outrigger members connected to a levering member such that each is free to pivot, whereby the relative angle between the members may be altered by movement of the levering member, which is provided with at least one handle to be gripped by the surgeon. Optionally, an outrigger stabilizer member is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for treating spinal conditions by moving or spatially fixing at least one vertebra relative to another vertebra. The invention includes a link member the ends of which are configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae and which are offset from a central portion of the link member. The link members can be in the form of a C-shaped or V-shaped rod or plate to form the offset. The offset provides increased bone volume that can be used for grafts or fusion. Attachment structure in the form of bone screws, bolts, or hook members are provided to secure the link members to respective vertebrae or other bones. A plurality of link members can be connected in chain-like fashion to connect multiple points on a plurality of vertebrae or other bones even though those points are nonlinear. In another aspect of the invention, a multi-directional attachment member is provided and may be used with the link members to form a spinal implant or external bone fixation system.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for treating spinal conditions by moving or spatially fixing at least one vertebra relative to another vertebra. The invention includes a link member the ends of which are configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae and which are offset from a central portion of the link member. The link members can be in the form of a C-shaped or V-shaped rod or plate to form the offset. The offset provides increased bone volume that can be used for grafts or fusion. Attachment structure in the form of bone screws, bolts, or hook members are provided to secure the link members to respective vertebrae or other bones. A plurality of link members can be connected in chain-like fashion to connect multiple points on a plurality of vertebrae or other bones even though those points are nonlinear. In another aspect of the invention, a multi-directional attachment member is provided and may be used with the link members to form a spinal implant or external bone fixation system.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for treating spinal conditions by moving or spatially fixing at least one vertebra relative to another vertebra. The invention includes a link member the ends of which are configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae and which are offset from a central portion of the link member. The link members can be in the form of a C-shaped or V-shaped rod or plate to form the offset. The offset provides increased bone volume that can be used for grafts or fusion. Attachment structure in the form of bone screws, bolts, or hook members are provided to secure the link members to respective vertebrae or other bones. A plurality of link members can be connected in chain-like fashion to connect multiple points on a plurality of vertebrae or other bones even though those points are nonlinear. In another aspect of the invention, a multi-directional attachment member is provided and may be used with the link members to form a spinal implant or external bone fixation system.

Abstract: A cervical plate for use alone or in combination with a cervical link system is described. The cervical plate may be generally quadrangular with a bone screw aperture at each corner area. An oval or elongated bone screw aperture is positioned in the central area of the cervical plate to accommodate intercalation of a bone screw and consequent vertical positioning of the plate. The plate may be secured to at least one link of a cervical link system or used to facilitate revision surgery.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for treating spinal conditions by moving or spatially fixing at least one vertebra relative to another vertebra. The invention includes a link member the ends of which are configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae and which are offset from a central portion of the link member. The link members can be in the form of a C-shaped or V-shaped rod or plate to form the offset. The offset provides increased bone volume that can be used for grafts or fusion. Attachment structure in the form of bone screws, bolts, or hook members are provided to secure the link members to respective vertebrae or other bones. A plurality of link members can be connected in chain-like fashion to connect multiple points on a plurality of vertebrae or other bones even though those points are nonlinear. In another aspect of the invention, a multi-directional attachment member is provided and may be used with the link members to form a spinal implant or external bone fixation system.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for treating spinal conditions by moving or spatially fixing at least one vertebra relative to another vertebra. The invention includes a link member the ends of which are configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae and which are offset from a central portion of the link member. The link members can be in the form of a C-shaped or V-shaped rod or plate to form the offset. The offset provides increased bone volume that can be used for grafts or fusion. Attachment structure in the form of bone screws, bolts, or hook members are provided to secure the link members to respective vertebrae or other bones. A plurality of link members can be connected in chain-like fashion to connect multiple points on a plurality of vertebrae or other bones even though those points are nonlinear. In another aspect of the invention, a multi-directional attachment member is provided and may be used with the link members to form a spinal implant or external bone fixation system.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for treating spinal conditions by moving or spatially fixing at least one vertebra relative to another vertebra. The invention includes a link member the ends of which are configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae and which are offset from a central portion of the link member. The link members can be in the form of a C-shaped or V-shaped rod or plate to form the offset. The offset provides increased bone volume that can be used for grafts or fusion. Attachment structure in the form of bone screws, bolts, or hook members are provided to secure the link members to respective vertebrae or other bones. A plurality of link members can be connected in chain-like fashion to connect multiple points on a plurality of vertebrae or other bones even though those points are nonlinear. In another aspect of the invention, a multi-directional attachment member is provided and may be used with the link members to form a spinal implant or external bone fixation system.

Abstract: An anchor for immobilizing a spinal bone graft in position for fusion to adjacent vertebrae is described. The anchor may be used as a component of a spinal implant system as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,357.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for treating spinal conditions by moving or spatially fixing at least one vertebra relative to another vertebra. The invention includes a link member the ends of which are configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae and which are offset from a central portion of the link member. The link members can be in the form of a C-shaped or V-shaped rod or plate to form the offset. The offset provides increased bone volume that can be used for grafts or fusion. Attachment structure in the form of bone screws, bolts, or hook members are provided to secure the link members to respective vertebrae or other bones. A plurality of link members can be connected in chain-like fashion to connect multiple points on a plurality of vertebrae or other bones even though those points are nonlinear. In another aspect of the invention, a multi-directional attachment member is provided and may be used with the link members to form a spinal implant or external bone fixation system.

Abstract: A self-centering prosthetic disc to replace a disc in the spine, the disc having two opposing convex surfaces where the point of maximum vertical dimension is non-central. The disc may be utilized alone or in combination with one or two vertebral attachment members, the vertebral attachment members having concave surfaces corresponding to the convex surfaces of the disc.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for treating spinal conditions by moving or spatially fixing at least one vertebra relative to another vertebra. The invention includes a link member the ends of which are configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae and which are offset from a central portion of the link member. The link members can be in the form of a C-shaped or V-shaped rod or plate to form the offset. The offset provides increased bone volume that can be used for grafts or fusion. Attachment structure in the form of bone screws, bolts, or hook members are provided to secure the link members to respective vertebrae or other bones. A plurality of link members can be connected in chain-like fashion to connect multiple points on a plurality of vertebrae or other bones even though those points are nonlinear. In another aspect of the invention, a multi-directional attachment member is provided and may be used with the link members to form a spinal implant or external bone fixation system.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for treating spinal conditions by moving or spatially fixing at least one vertebra relative to another vertebra. The invention includes a link member the ends of which are configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae and which are offset from a central portion of the link member. The link members can be in the form of a C-shaped or V-shaped rod or plate to form the offset. The offset provides increased bone volume that can be used for grafts or fusion. Attachment structure in the form of bone screws, bolts, or hook members are provided to secure the link members to respective vertebrae. A plurality of link members can be connected in chain-like fashion to connect multiple points on a plurality of vertebrae even though those points are nonlinear. In another aspect of the invention, the links are pre-curved in the lateral plane for use in correcting spinal conditions or deformities.

Abstract: A knot formed by providing a bight in a strand, then forming a lark's head in the bight so as to produce a pair of adjacent loops and a pair of free ends extending from the loops, then passing the free ends around the object and passing them through both said loops in series, and then tying at least one overhand hitch in the free ends to resist any forces tending to pull the free ends back through the loops.The knot is useful in orthopedic surgical procedures.

Abstract: A unitary instrument for providing a step-down screw hole in a pedicle is provided. The tool includes an end member for rotatable connection with a power source, the probe for providing a pilot hole in the pedicle and a side-cutting reamer member for providing an anchor hole for a pedicle screw positioned about the pilot hole. The arrangement is such that the instrument is self-centering in part due to the presence of the probe in the pilot hole.

Abstract: A spinal rod system and method for instrumenting the spine in the treatment of spinal abnormalities, in which a plurality of vertebra engaging means are provided for engagement on spaced vertebra, and the vertebra engaging means are secured on at least one elongate rod in axially spaced relationship, to impose opposed axial forces on the spine. In a preferred arrangement, two rods are used, and cross bars extend laterally between the rods to form a quadrilateral construct. The vertebra engaging means may comprise hooks, screws, or a combination of hooks and bone screws. Couplers are used to secure the screws and the transverse cross bars to the rods.

Abstract: A spinal rod system and method for instrumenting the spine in the treatment of spinal abnormalities, in which a plurality of vertebra engaging means are provided for engagement on spaced vertebra, and the vertebra engaging means are secured on at least one elongate rod in axially spaced relationship, to impose opposed axial forces on the spine. In a preferred arrangement, two rods are used, and cross bars extend laterally between the rods to form a quadrilateral construct. The vertebra engaging means may comprise hooks, screws, or a combination of hooks and bone screws. Couplers are used to secure the screws and the transverse cross bars to the rods.

Abstract: A method of correcting spinal deformities and a spinal fixation system for use in the method. After surgically exposing the spine posteriorly, a series of clamps are affixed to the laminae of the vertebrae. Beginning at either end of the line of clamps, a rod attachment device is attached to each affixed clamp. Again, beginning at either end of the line, a rod is inserted into the rod attachment devices. Compression or distraction is then applied to the spine between successive vertebrae proceeding from one clamp to the next until all clamps are secured to the rod.