Abstract: An orthopedic implant comprising a substrate material adapted to provide the orthopedic implant. The implant has a primary friction area located on or integral with the substrate material. The primary friction area defining an engagement surface having a primary frictional feature. A secondary friction area is located on or integral with the engagement surface and defining a second frictional feature. The primary friction area and the secondary friction area defining a friction interface zone between the orthopedic implant and at least one bone. The secondary friction area increases a friction of the engagement surface and modulus of elasticity to enhance the frictional engagement between the engagement surface and the at least one bone.

Abstract: A retractor system and method for locating and placing a polyaxial screw while substantially simultaneously retracting tissue is shown and described. The retractor has a channel that facilitates introducing a rod into the polyaxial screw. Various embodiments are shown, including one which utilized a reducer for moving the rod in the retractor.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for inserting an implant is shown. The instrument has a housing having a first end and a second end, a rotatable drive member having an elongated member comprising a grip that is associated with the first end, an implant holder having a securing member that extends through the second end and that is adapted to receive and hold the implant. A universal joint couples the implant holder and the elongated member and is adapted to permit a user to rotatably drive the implant holder when the implant holder is in a pivoted position.

Abstract: A surgical implant inserter compressor is shown having a plurality of jaws and is adapted to permit at least one or both jaws to move generally parallel with respect to each other or move along an axis wherein the jaws remain in a plane that is generally perpendicular to that axis. The surgical implant inserter compressor is adapted for implanting at least one or a plurality of plates onto a pair of spinous processes and is adapted to distribute the clamping force with which the implants engage the spinous processes. The surgical implant inserter compressor may be adapted to permit one or both jaws to float or pivot to accommodate different anatomical structures, such as spinous processes that are not aligned, are of different sizes or shape and the like. An optional tool guide for guiding a tool to drive a lock to lock the plates together is also shown.

Abstract: A plate system and method comprising a plate and a screw having an integral resilient lock. The screw comprises a head that has a portion that is adapted to be compressible as it is screwed into bone using a tool. After the screw head is received in the plate and the tool is removed therefrom, the screw head decompresses or expands into a locking or receiving area, thereby locking the screw in the plate. The plate is adapted to have at least one or a plurality of detents or lips for cooperating with at least a portion of the screw head to retain the screw in the plate and prevent it from withdrawing therefrom.

Abstract: A capless multiaxial screw fixation assembly, including a screw having a threaded portion and a screw head portion positioned at one end thereof and a retainer having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a bore for receiving the screw threaded portion so that the screw head portion is seated therein. At least one of the screw and the retainer is configured such that the retainer is able to pivot about the screw head portion in a non-symmetrical manner.

Abstract: A plate system and method comprising a plate and a screw having an integral resilient lock. The screw comprises a head that has a portion that is adapted to be compressible as it is screwed into bone using a tool. After the screw head is received in the plate and the tool is removed therefrom, the screw head decompresses or expands into a locking or receiving area, thereby locking the screw in the plate. The plate is adapted to have at least one or a plurality of detents or lips for cooperating with at least a portion of the screw head to retain the screw in the plate and prevent it from withdrawing therefrom.

Abstract: A capless multiaxial screw fixation assembly, including: a screw having a threaded portion and a screw head portion positioned at one end thereof; and, a retainer having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a bore for receiving the screw threaded portion so that the screw head portion is seated therein. At least one of the screw and the retainer is configured such that the retainer is able to pivot about the screw head portion in a non-symmetrical manner.

Abstract: A retractor system and method for locating and placing a polyaxial screw while substantially simultaneously retracting tissue is shown and described. The retractor has a channel that facilitates introducing a rod into the polyaxial screw. Various embodiments are shown, including one which utilized a reducer for moving the rod in the retractor.

Abstract: A spinal fixation assembly and capless multi-axial screw system and method are shown. The assembly comprises a receiver having a rotary lock which in one embodiment includes a plurality of channels which urge and lock the elongated member to the screw using a bayonet type connection.

Abstract: A retractor system and method for locating and placing a polyaxial screw while substantially simultaneously retracting tissue is shown and described. The retractor has a channel that facilitates introducing a rod into the polyaxial screw. Various embodiments are shown, including one which utilized a reducer for moving the rod in the retractor.

Abstract: A spinal fixation assembly and capless multi-axial screw system and method are shown. The assembly comprises a receiver having a rotary lock which in one embodiment includes a plurality of channels which urge and lock the elongated member to the screw using a bayonet type connection.

Abstract: Spinal fusion system and method utilizing an implant plate and screw, wherein at least one pawl is mounted on or integral with at least one of said plate and becomes operatively related to the screw after the screw is inserted in the implant plate to prevent the screw from moving in at least one of an axial direction or a rotational direction. Other features and embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal fusion system and method for use as a prosthetic implant. The system and method includes a housing dimensioned to be situated between adjacent spinal bones, such as adjacent vertebrae. The housing cooperates with the spinal bones to define a graft area for receiving graft material, which may be inserted anteriorly into the housing during a surgical operation such as a vertebrectomy or discectomy. A housing may have various features such as migration preventers to prevent the housing from migrating posteriorly towards a spinal column and can be used with a cover that permits the housing to “float” relative thereto. Screws are provided in one embodiment and are dimensioned or configured to lock against each other to retain the screws and, consequently, the cover in place.

Abstract: A modular interspinous fixation system and method are shown. The system and method comprise a first plate, a second plate and a locking cross bar for locking the first and second plates together and into locked engagement with a first spinous process and a second spinous process. A bridge is mounted or received on the locking cross bar so that it becomes locked onto the locking cross bar when the locking cross bar is in locked engagement. The bridge and locking cross bar are adapted so that the bridge does not rotate about its axis while on the locking cross bar. Various other embodiments are shown illustrating various bridges of different shapes and sizes, integral and non-integral locking cross bars and even a ramped locking cross bar for facilitating preventing separation of the first and second plates after they are mounted to the first and second spinous processes.

Abstract: A flexible clamp for plugging an aperture in a bone, including a plurality of flexible anchoring members, where each flexible anchoring member has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a locking tab connected to the second end of each flexible anchoring member; and, a stabilization member slidingly engagable with the flexible anchoring members, wherein the stabilization member may be translocated from a position adjacent the first ends of the flexible anchoring members to a clamping position adjacent the second ends of the flexible anchoring members. The locking tabs engage an inner surface of the bone and the stabilization member engages an outer surface of the bone when in the clamping position. The flexible clamp further includes a ratcheting mechanism associated with each flexible anchoring member, and a plurality of pawl mechanisms formed within the stabilization member which lockingly engage with each of the ratcheting mechanisms.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant, and more particularly, with a prosthetic implant having biplanar angulation and that can be inserted into a disk area generally straight using a posterolateral approach.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal fusion system and method for use as a prosthetic implant. The system and method includes a housing dimensioned to be situated between adjacent spinal bones, such as adjacent vertebrae. The housing cooperates with the spinal bones to define a graft area for receiving graft material, which may be inserted anteriorly into the housing during a surgical operation such as a vertebrectomy or discectomy. A housing may have various features such as migration preventers to prevent the housing from migrating posteriorly towards a spinal column and can be used with a cover that permits the housing to “float” relative thereto. Screws are provided in one embodiment and are dimensioned or configured to lock against each other to retain the screws and, consequently, the cover in place.

Abstract: A modular interspinous fixation system and method are shown. The system and method comprise a first plate, a second plate and a locking cross bar for locking the first and second plates together and into locked engagement with a first spinous process and a second spinous process. A bridge is mounted or received on the locking cross bar so that it becomes locked onto the locking cross bar when the locking cross bar is in locked engagement. The bridge and locking cross bar are adapted so that the bridge does not rotate about its axis while on the locking cross bar. Various other embodiments are shown illustrating various bridges of different shapes and sizes, integral and non-integral locking cross bars and even a ramped locking cross bar for facilitating preventing separation of the first and second plates after they are mounted to the first and second spinous processes.

Abstract: A flexible clamp for plugging an aperture in a bone, including a plurality of flexible anchoring members, where each flexible anchoring member has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a locking tab connected to the second end of each flexible anchoring member; and, a stabilization member slidingly engagable with the flexible anchoring members, wherein the stabilization member may be translocated from a position adjacent the first ends of the flexible anchoring members to a clamping position adjacent the second ends of the flexible anchoring members. The locking tabs engage an inner surface of the bone and the stabilization member engages an outer surface of the bone when in the clamping position. The flexible clamp further includes a ratcheting mechanism associated with each flexible anchoring member, and a plurality of pawl mechanisms formed within the stabilization member which lockingly engage with each of the ratcheting mechanisms.