Abstract: A device for insertion into a spinal (intervertebral or intravertebral) space is expandable from a first circumference to a second circumference through axial compression of segments of the device, particularly once the device has been properly situated within a vertebral space. The interbody/intravertebral body device is characterized by a plurality of axially stacked, individual segments that are provided on a central insertion and deployment rod. Each segment includes a central plate or body to which are pivotally attached plate or leaf structures. Pivoting of the structures provides a collapsed or unexpanded position of the first circumference and an open or expanded position of the second circumference.

Abstract: A surgical instrument provides rotational and axial variations of a working end relative to a handle of the surgical instrument for configuration flexibility of the working end. An internal configuration of the handle of the surgical instrument accepts a retention portion of the working end in several positions. The working end can be varied in axial length relative to a front end of the handle and in axial position relative to the extension of the working end from the front end of the handle. A retention mechanism interacts with the handle and the working end to fix a position of the working end in the handle. The working end may be shaped to provide a bayonet version wherein the working end extends from the front end of the handle offset from the handle's longitudinal center, and a non-bayonet version wherein the working end extends from the handle's longitudinal center.

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 directional sequential dilation system includes a dilation tube assembly having a plurality of cylindrical, nesting directional dilation tubes including an initial cylindrical dilation tube that provides a passage for neuro-monitoring. Subsequent cylindrical directional dilation tubes sequentially increase in size including the increase in diameter. Each tube is configured to nest onto a previous cylindrical directional dilation tube via an off-centered structure formed in each of the subsequent cylindrical directional dilation tubes. The off-centered cutouts allow the subsequent cylindrical dilation tubes to dilate the soft tissue while at the same time sequentially migrate the incision dilation in a particular direction and distance from the initial cylindrical dilation tube insertion point (i.e. the initial neuro-monitoring insertion point). The directional sequential dilation system is particularly useful in spinal surgery.

Abstract: A posterior spinal prosthesis is configured to cover exposed portions of a spinal column especially, but not necessarily, as a result of a medical spinal procedure and particularly, to provide posterior coverage of an exposed spinal cord, soft tissue, Foramen and/or adipose tissue, associated with one or more vertebrae as a result of the removal the spinous processes and/or the spinous process and laminar hoods from the one or more vertebrae of the spine as a result of a spinal decompression procedure or other reason. A plate forming the prosthesis is connectable to spine rod constructs implanted on lateral sides of the vertebrae and projects in the posterior direction relative to the connection. The plate is generally curved in the superior/inferior direction to provide either a lordotic or kyphotic curvature depending on the portion of the spine to which the prosthesis is utilized.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a first arm comprising a first upper portion and a first lower portion extending from a first middle portion, the first upper portion, first lower portion, and first middle portion defining a first inward facing surface; a projection extending from the first middle portion; a second arm comprising a second upper portion and a second lower portion extending from a second middle portion, the second middle portion defining a bore configured to receive the projection to enable adjustment of the second arm relative to the first arm, the second upper portion, the second lower portion, and the second middle portion defining a second inward facing surface; a plurality of first spikes extending in a generally perpendicular fashion from the first and second inward facing surfaces; and at least one second spike extending in a non-perpendicular fashion from the first and second inward facing surfaces.

Abstract: A posterior spinal prosthesis is configured to cover exposed portions of a spinal column especially, but not necessarily, as a result of a medical spinal procedure and particularly, to provide posterior coverage of an exposed spinal cord, soft tissue, Foramen and/or adipose tissue, associated with one or more vertebrae as a result of the removal the spinous processes and/or the spinous process and laminar hoods from the one or more vertebrae of the spine as a result of a spinal decompression procedure or other reason. A plate forming the prosthesis is connectable to spine rod constructs implanted on lateral sides of the vertebrae and projects in the posterior direction relative to the connection. The plate is generally curved in the superior/inferior direction to provide either a lordotic or kyphotic curvature depending on the portion of the spine to which the prosthesis is utilized.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided for posterior vertebral stabilization and/or fixation of a lumbar vertebra relative to the pelvis by attachment to the spinous process of a lumbar vertebra and to the sacrum of the pelvis. The posterior spinal implant has a spinous process attachment portion and a sacrum attachment portion formed by a first part having a first spinous process segment and a first sacrum segment and a second part having a second spinous process segment and a second sacrum segment. The first segments are carried on a first arm, while the second segments are carried on a second arm with the first and second arms adjustable relative to each other. The first and second spinous process segments and the first and second sacrum segments each have a plurality of inwardly extending spikes for respectively gripping or clamping against the sides of the spinous process and the sacrum.

Abstract: A three-blade spinal retractor utilizes adjustable and lockable translating arms with angulating blades to provide triangulated medial/lateral and cephalad/caudal tissue retraction for spinal surgeries via the adjustably lockable translating arms. A medial/lateral translating arm with an angularly adjustable retraction blade co-acts and cooperates with angularly adjacent first and second cephalad/caudal translating arms with angularly adjustable retraction blades for tissue retraction and surgical site access. A plate having a medial/lateral adjustment system adjustably holds the medial/lateral translating arm, a first cephalad/caudal adjustment system adjustably holding the first cephalad/caudal translating arm and a second cephalad/caudal adjustment system adjustably holding the second cephalad/caudal translating arm. The translating arms each have a blade holder that provides angular adjustment of the blade.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a spinal (intervertebral or intravertebral) space is expandable from a first circumference to a second circumference through axial compression of segments of the device, particularly once the device has been properly situated within a vertebral space. The interbody/intravertebral body device is characterized by a plurality of axially stacked, individual segments that are provided on a central insertion and deployment rod. Each segment includes a central plate or body to which are pivotally attached plate or leaf structures. Pivoting of the structures provides a collapsed or unexpanded position of the first circumference and an open or expanded position of the second circumference.

Abstract: A spinal interbody device includes a base link having a first end and a second end, and a linkage including a first link having a first end and a second end and a second link having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first link is coupled to the first end of the base link at a first hinge, the second end of the first link is coupled to the first end of the second link at a second hinge; and the second end of the second link is coupled to the second end of the base link at a third hinge.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a first arm comprising a first upper portion and a first lower portion extending from a first middle portion, the first upper portion, first lower portion, and first middle portion defining a first inward facing surface; a projection extending from the first middle portion; a second arm comprising a second upper portion and a second lower portion extending from a second middle portion, the second middle portion defining a bore configured to receive the projection to enable adjustment of the second arm relative to the first arm, the second upper portion, the second lower portion, and the second middle portion defining a second inward facing surface; a plurality of first spikes extending in a generally perpendicular fashion from the first and second inward facing surfaces; and at least one second spike extending in a non-perpendicular fashion from the first and second inward facing surfaces.

Abstract: A spinal implant has a mechanism for inhibiting a bone screw used in attaching the spinal implant to the spine from backing out from the spinal implant once the bone screw has been received in the spinal implant. The spinal implant has a bone screw bore defining a bore wall in which is disposed a resilient closed curve band or ring. The resilient closed curve band has a plurality of resilient segments that extend into the bore. Each one of the plurality of resilient segments form a spring that allows a head of a bone screw to ingress there through but prevents the head of the bone screw from egress there from. The resilient closed curve band forms a retention ring that is received in one or more slots, channels, grooves or the like in the bore hole wall. The plurality of resilient segments are formed as arcs, curves and/or configured arcs/curves that extend radially inward from outer arced or curved portions of the retention ring.

Abstract: A spinal rod cross connector assembly for connection to adjacent spinal rods provides polyaxial positioning of polyaxial heads of the cross connector assembly relative to each spinal rod and which allows adjustment and fixation of the span of a cross connector or arm of the cross connector assembly between the two polyaxial heads through movement of the cross member relative to only one polyaxial head. Each polyaxial head has a clamp that provides attachment to the respective spinal rod and which allows the body of the polyaxial head to rotate relative thereto. Fixation of the orientation of a polyaxial head is achieved through placement and interaction of a set screw in the polyaxial head. The arm is preferably integral with and extends from a lateral side of one of the polyaxial heads. The second one of the polyaxial heads receives the arm and allows length adjustment relative thereto.

Abstract: A spinal cross connector head assembly and a cross connector assembly utilizing the spinal cross connector head assembly are configured for fixation to an existing spinal rod bone screw head. The spinal cross connector head assembly has one or more components which incorporate one or more breakaway portions that aid in the installation of the cross connector head assembly onto a polyaxial spinal rod bone screw assembly. The spinal cross connector assembly includes first and second spinal cross connector head assemblies each of which is configured for fixation to existing, adjacent spinal rod screw heads and connection with a cross connector rod.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided for posterior vertebral stabilization and/or fixation of a lumbar vertebra relative to the pelvis by attachment to the spinous process of a lumbar vertebra and to the sacrum of the pelvis. The posterior spinal implant has a spinous process attachment portion and a sacrum attachment portion formed by a first part having a first spinous process segment and a first sacrum segment and a second part having a second spinous process segment and a second sacrum segment. The first segments are carried on a first arm, while the second segments are carried on a second arm with the first and second arms adjustable relative to each other. The first and second spinous process segments and the first and second sacrum segments each have a plurality of inwardly extending spikes for respectively gripping or clamping against the sides of the spinous process and the sacrum.

Abstract: A bio-compatible posterior spinal bridge assembly provides static or dynamic N-level spinal bridge interconnection between adjacent posterior spinal bridges and posterior spinal bridge assemblies. The posterior spinal bridge assembly includes a spinal bridge that is received in posterior vertebral screw assemblies that are affixed a vertebra and to laterally span the posterior side of the vertebra, and an interconnection element that allows static or dynamic connection between adjacent spinal bridges and/or spinal bridge assemblies. The interconnection element is defined by interconnection members that are carried by the spinal bridge and which provide static or dynamic connection between any number of adjacent spinal bridges/bridge assemblies. The interconnection members are attachable at various positions along the spinal bridge such as medially, laterally, or midline on the spinal bridge.

Abstract: A self-contained orthopedic implant component assembly provides for concerted or concerted and independent installation of orthopedic components onto an orthopedic implant. The assembly includes a first orthopedic component formation for installation of a first orthopedic component thereof onto the orthopedic implant and a second orthopedic component formation for installation of a second orthopedic component thereof onto the orthopedic implant. The second orthopedic implant formation is carried by the first orthopedic implant formation such that installation of the first orthopedic implant formation into the orthopedic implant at least partially installs the second orthopedic implant formation into the orthopedic implant. One or both of the first and second orthopedic component formations includes a component driver for receipt of installation torque whereby application of rotational torque installs the orthopedic component(s) onto the orthopedic implant.

Abstract: A spinal facet bone screw system provides tactile feedback to the user during installation to aid in determining when one or more components of the spinal facet bone screw system have been installed or implanted. The spinal facet bone screw system has a spinal facet screw and a washer. Tactile installation feedback is provided at an interface between a friction surface of the head of the spinal facet screw and a friction surface of the pocket of the washer to determine when the spinal facet screw has reached its full insertion depth. The bottom or undersurface of the washer that abuts a spinal facet bone or other spinal component during installation may be configured and/or textured to further provide tactile installation feedback as between the washer and the bone or other spinal component.

Abstract: A spinal clip for creating a potential space within the spinal canal and thus stabilizing the spine without the need for additional spinal components is embodied in different forms. The spinal clips are configured to provide a clamping or holding force against and/or to the spinous processes, transverse processes and/or the lamina of adjacent vertebrae. In one form, the spinous process clips utilize pivoting to effect clamping or holding. In another form, the spinous process clips utilize rotation to effect clamping or holding. Such rotation may be between clamping or holding members or via a screw system. In yet another form, the spinous process clips utilize ratcheting to effect clamping or holding. In a still further form, the spinous process clips utilize expansion to effect clamping or holding.