Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for facilitating delivery and implanting of a bone anchor into bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor extension is provided for coupling to a bone anchor to facilitate delivery and implanting of the bone anchor in bone. The bone anchor extension can have a generally elongate configuration that allows it to extend from a skin incision in a patient to a site proximate a patient's spine, and it can include a lumen extending therethrough between proximal and distal ends thereof. A distal end of the bone anchor extension can be adapted to engage a bone anchor, such as a bone screw. Various techniques are provided for locking the distal end of the bone anchor extension into engagement with a bone anchor.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for facilitating delivery and implanting of a bone anchor into bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor extension is provided for coupling to a bone anchor to facilitate delivery and implanting of the bone anchor in bone. The bone anchor extension can have a generally elongate configuration that allows it to extend from a skin incision in a patient to a site proximate a patient's spine, and it can include a lumen extending therethrough between proximal and distal ends thereof. A distal end of the bone anchor extension can be adapted to engage a bone anchor, such as a bone screw. Various techniques are provided for locking the distal end of the bone anchor extension into engagement with a bone anchor.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for spinal fixation. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices provide one or more points of fixation located adjacent to a first fixation point at which a bone anchor is implanted in bone. For example, an extension member can be coupled, either directly or indirectly, to a bone anchor, and a fastener can be used to anchor the extension member to bone at a second point of fixation adjacent to the first point of fixation. The second point of fixation can be effective to prevent rotation or other movement of the bone anchor, thereby stabilizing the bone anchor. The methods and devices are particularly useful for unilateral fixation, in which one or more levels of the spine are stabilized along a single lateral side of the spine.

Abstract: A simple, safe implantable bone screw, and a method for distracting two bone segments, is provided. In general, the bone screw includes a shank having a threaded proximal portion and a distal portion with a major diameter that is less than a minor diameter of the threaded proximal portion. A transitional region of decreasing diameter can be disposed between the threaded proximal portion and the distal portion, and a driver receiving element is preferably disposed on a proximal end of the bone screw. In use, the proximal and distal portions of the bone screw are adapted to engage two segments of bone, and to create a distraction force between the two segments of bone.

Abstract: A system and device for manipulating a spinal construct is provided. For example, the manipulation device can include a drive member to be disposed within a first surgical sleeve extending from a first vertebra, and a coupling member positioned adjacent a second surgical sleeve. In one embodiment, at least one of the drive member and the coupling member can be releasably engaged to an actuation mechanism. In one aspect, the actuation mechanism can include a floating and/or auto-locking pivot point thereby allowing a user to quickly and easily position the manipulation device relative to the adjacent surgical sleeves. Additionally, a method of manipulating spinal constructs is also provided.

Abstract: A method for introducing a spinal fixation element between two bone anchors includes engaging a spinal fixation element to a shaft of an instrument, positioning the shaft of the instrument through a sidewall opening of a first percutaneous access device connected to a first bone anchor and through a side wall opening of a second percutaneous access device connected to a second bone anchor, the spinal fixation element extending in an orientation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of at least one of the first percutaneous access device and the second percutaneous access device, and pivoting the instrument to change the orientation of the spinal fixation element and position the spinal fixation element in proximity to the first bone anchor and in proximity to the second bone anchor.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant having an endplate that can be slidably expanded following its placement in the intervertebral space.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for spinal fixation. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices provide one or more points of fixation located adjacent to a first fixation point at which a bone anchor is implanted in bone. For example, an extension member can be coupled, either directly or indirectly, to a bone anchor, and a fastener can be used to anchor the extension member to bone at a second point of fixation adjacent to the first point of fixation. The second point of fixation can be effective to prevent rotation or other movement of the bone anchor, thereby stabilizing the bone anchor. The methods and devices are particularly useful for unilateral fixation, in which one or more levels of the spine are stabilized along a single lateral side of the spine.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for spinal fixation. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices provide a spinal fixation system that can include a spinal connector which can be disposed within a recess in a head of a bone anchor. The spinal connector can have a variety of configurations. The methods and devices are particularly useful for unilateral fixation, in which one or more levels of the spine are stabilized along a single lateral side of the spine.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for facilitating delivery and implanting of a bone anchor into bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor extension is provided for coupling to a bone anchor to facilitate delivery and implanting of the bone anchor in bone. The bone anchor extension can have a generally elongate configuration that allows it to extend from a skin incision in a patient to a site proximate a patient's spine, and it can include a lumen extending therethrough between proximal and distal ends thereof. A distal end of the bone anchor extension can be adapted to engage a bone anchor, such as a bone screw. Various techniques are provided for locking the distal end of the bone anchor extension into engagement with a bone anchor.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for facilitating delivery and implanting of a bone anchor into bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor extension is provided for coupling to a bone anchor to facilitate delivery and implanting of the bone anchor in bone. The bone anchor extension can have a generally elongate configuration that allows it to extend from a skin incision in a patient to a site proximate a patient's spine, and it can include a lumen extending therethrough between proximal and distal ends thereof. A distal end of the bone anchor extension can be adapted to engage a bone anchor, such as a bone screw. Various techniques are provided for locking the distal end of the bone anchor extension into engagement with a bone anchor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an adjustable length surgical implant is provided, wherein the surgical implant is readily adjustable by a surgeon using a surgical tool sized for use with the surgical implant. Adjustment of the surgical implant further requires a small incision through the skin prior to the adjustment of the length of the implant, such that the potential for infection is greatly reduces and the associated trauma of surgery is lessened for the patient.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical cutting method and apparatus is provided wherein the method and apparatus allows for the cutting of bone from within a hollow pathway such that a cutter associated with the ultrasonic method and apparatus remains sufficiently cool to prevent necrosis of the bone being cut. Furthermore the ultrasonic device and method can be employed in the cutting of soft tissue, wherein a cooled cutter is used to prevent the sticking of soft tissue to the cutting blade of the device during use.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical cutting method and apparatus is provided wherein the method and apparatus allows for the cutting of bone from within a hollow pathway such that a cutter associated with the ultrasonic method and apparatus remains sufficiently cool to prevent necrosis of the bone being cut. Furthermore the ultrasonic device and method can be employed in the cutting of soft tissue, wherein a cooled cutter is used to prevent the sticking of soft tissue to the cutting blade of the device during use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an adjustable length surgical implant is provided, wherein the surgical implant is readily adjustable by a surgeon using a surgical tool sized for use with the surgical implant. Adjustment of the surgical implant further requires a small incision through the skin prior to the adjustment of the length of the implant, such that the potential for infection is greatly reduces and the associated trauma of surgery is lessened for the patient.

Abstract: A simple, safe implantable bone screw, and a method for distracting two bone segments, is provided. In general, the bone screw includes a shank having a threaded proximal portion and a distal portion with a major diameter that is less than a minor diameter of the threaded proximal portion. A transitional region of decreasing diameter can be disposed between the threaded proximal portion and the distal portion, and a driver receiving element is preferably disposed on a proximal end of the bone screw. In use, the proximal and distal portions of the bone screw are adapted to engage two segments of bone, and to create a distraction force between the two segments of bone.

Abstract: A cross connector for connecting two longitudinal members, such as rods, in spinal surgery has a connectors for connecting to the longitudinal members and a ball joint therebetween to allow polyaxial rotation of the connectors.