Abstract: A surgical instrument for insertion of an interbody fusion implant between adjacent vertebral bodies. The surgical instrument comprises a frame member, and a first and a second arm coupled to the frame member. Each arm includes a distal end region and a proximal end region, whereby the proximal end region of at least one arm is pivotably coupled to the frame member, and the distal end region of each arm defines a distractor plate. The distractor plate of each arm is configured to be positioned in direct contact with a vertebral body. A wedge is positioned between the first and second arms, and is configured to translate the interbody fusion implant along an axis between the proximal end region and the distal end region of the arms while adjusting a distance between the distractor plates of the arms via a rack and pinion.

Abstract: A tissue retractor system includes first and second arms extending from a support assembly, and third and fourth arms extending from a support mechanism. Each arm includes a proximal span, a distal span, and a blade support between the proximal span and distal span. The retractor system features retractor units that can be used independently or in a nested arrangement. The system also includes instruments for inserting a spinal rod. A method for implanting a spinal rod through an incision includes the steps of inserting the spinal rod through a dividable tube, turning the rod subcutaneously toward a rod receiving anchor and advancing the rod subcutaneously toward the rod receiving anchor.

Abstract: An occipital plate system comprising: (a) a plate having one or more apertures for receiving bone fasteners adapted for securing the plate to the skull; (b) two rails extending outwardly from opposing sides of the plate; and (c) two rod receptacles, each comprising a body portion and a receiver portion, the body portion defining a passageway through which one of the rails slides, the receiver portion defining a cavity to receive a rod and threads above the cavity for receiving a set screw such that at least a portion of each of a rail, the rod and the set screw are contained within the rod receptacle.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a first plate and a second plate that is configured to be moveably engaged with the first plate along an axis of translation. Each plate defines at least one hole or recess for receiving a fastener that is configured to be fastened to a respective vertebrae. In one embodiment, a toothed surface is defined on both the first plate and the second plate. The toothed surface of the first plate is configured for engaging the toothed surface of the second plate such that translation of the second plate with respect to the first plate is limited in a single direction along the axis of translation.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes an upper surface configured for engagement with a first vertebral body, and a lower surface configured for engagement with a second vertebral body. A wall extends between the upper surface and the lower surface, and forms a chamber for containing osteogenic material. At least a portion of the wall is collapsible from a first position associated with a first volume of the chamber to a second position associated with a second volume of the chamber. The second volume is less than the first volume.

Abstract: An osteosynthetic plate assembly and a method of installing the osteosynthetic plate assembly is disclosed. The osteosynthetic plate assembly comprises a dynamic extension plate having a first end portion for connection to a first vertebrae, a second end portion for connection to a second vertebrae, and a dynamic flexible portion extending between the first and second end portions. The dynamic extension plate is configured for coupling with a cervical fusion plate. A method of installing the dynamic extension plate to adjacent vertebrae comprises the steps of engaging a connector of the dynamic extension plate with a coupling of a cervical fusion plate, and mounting the dynamic extension plate to the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A dynamic vertebral stabilization device for constraining motion of adjacent vertebrae is provided. The bone stabilization device comprises a first plate having a vertebral mating surface for positioning against a vertebrae, wherein the first plate defines a recess. The device further comprises a second plate having a vertebral mating surface for positioning against an adjacent vertebrae. The second plate includes a projection configured to travel in the recess of the first plate. The vertebral mating surface of the first plate is non-coplanar with respect to the vertebral mating surface of the second plate.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for insertion of an interbody fusion implant between adjacent vertebral bodies. The surgical instrument comprises a frame member, and a first and a second arm coupled to the frame member. Each arm includes a distal end region and a proximal end region, whereby the proximal end region of at least one arm is pivotably coupled to the frame member, and the distal end region of each arm defines a distractor plate. The distractor plate of each arm is configured to be positioned in direct contact with a vertebral body. A wedge is positioned between the first and second arms, and is configured to translate the interbody fusion implant along an axis between the proximal end region and the distal end region of the arms while adjusting a distance between the distractor plates of the arms via a rack and pinion.

Abstract: In order to improve an implant (10) for alleviating pressure on intervertebral disks, for restoring the height of and alleviating pressure on an intervertebral space of a human or animal spinal column, comprising at least two bearing elements (24, 26) for a spinous process (14, 16) each for abutting and/or securing the implant on one or two spinous processes of adjacent vertebra of the spinal column, such that as far as possible only one single operation is required to restore the height of and alleviate pressure on the intervertebral space it is suggested that the implant (10) be produced from a biocompatible, resorbable material. Furthermore, a method for restoring the height of and alleviating pressure on an intervertebral space of a human or animal spinal column is suggested.

Abstract: In order to optimize the handling of a rotating surgical tool for producing a depression in bone material, provision is made for an ultrasonic transducer which is capable of emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to be arranged in the tool, and for the ultrasonic transducer to be connectable to an ultrasonic generator and to a receiver which generates signals in dependence upon the strength of the ultrasonic radiation received by the ultrasonic transducer and upon the length of time between the emission of ultrasonic radiation and the reception of reflected ultrasonic radiation, which are a measure of the condition of the bone material in the direction of emission.

Abstract: In order to optimize the handling of a rotating surgical tool for producing a depression in bone material, provision is made for an ultrasonic transducer which is capable of emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to be arranged in the tool, and for the ultrasonic transducer to be connectable to an ultrasonic generator and to a receiver which generates signals in dependence upon the strength of the ultrasonic radiation received by the ultrasonic transducer and upon the length of time between the emission of ultrasonic radiation and the reception of reflected ultrasonic radiation, which are a measure of the condition of the bone material in the direction of emission.

Abstract: In order, in the case of an implant for vertebral body fusion having a support body, which comprises two opposite-lying support surfaces for application against the opposing end faces of the vertebral bodies to be fused and is insertable into the gap between the two adjacent vertebral bodies, to achieve an optimum fixing of the supporting body in the intervertebral space, it is proposed that the supporting body has at least one location channel, which extends between the support surfaces and is open at its top and bottom side, and that there is insertable into the location channel a fixing element provided with an external projection and guided in the location channel so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, which fixing element once inserted into the location channel projects out of the open location channel in that it protrudes at the top and bottom side of the supporting body beyond the support surfaces.