Abstract: An orthopedic plate contains a thru-bore with an oval shaped rim and an internal groove underneath that rim. A compressible retention member is designed with an upper plane and a lower plane. The upper plane being oval shaped and smaller in diameter than the lower plane. The lower plane is designed to extend into the internal groove cut into the orthopedic device. After the screw has been inserted, the compressible retention member is rotated, squeezing the larger dimension of the oval shaped ring into the smaller dimension of the oval shaped rim. This reduces the diameter of the compressible retention member. The compressible retention member has an overhang section that when compressed, covers up part of the top edge of the screw to prevent it from backing out.

Abstract: A fastener and a bone fixation assembly for the internal fixation of vertebral bodies such as a pedicle screw is provided which allows a detachable tulip to be provisionally locked to a pedicle screw, while separately, the rod securely locks to the tulip. According to one exemplary embodiment, the tulip assembly includes a tulip body and an inner tulip member, the tulip body having a non-circular surface disposed on an outer surface. Additionally, a fastener is coupled to the tulip assembly and positionable to retain the tulip assembly on the head of a screw. Further, a cap having an outer surface and a plurality of inner protrusions is provided, wherein the plurality of inner protrusions are configured to mateably connect to the non-circular surface on the tulip body to compress the tulip assembly and secure a rod.

Abstract: A fastener and a bone fixation assembly for the internal fixation of vertebral bodies such as a pedicle screw is provided which allows a detachable tulip to be provisionally locked to a pedicle screw, while separately, the rod securely locks to the tulip. According to one exemplary embodiment, the tulip assembly includes a tulip body and an inner tulip member, the tulip body having a non-circular surface disposed on an outer surface. Additionally, a fastener is coupled to the tulip assembly and positionable to retain the tulip assembly on the head of a screw. Further, a cap having an outer surface and a plurality of inner protrusions is provided, wherein the plurality of inner protrusions are configured to mateably connect to the non-circular surface on the tulip body to compress the tulip assembly and secure a rod.

Abstract: A fastener and a bone fixation assembly for the internal fixation of vertebral bodies such as a pedicle screw is provided which allows a detachable tulip to be provisionally locked to a pedicle screw in a first position, while securely locking the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw when in a second position. According to one exemplary embodiment, the tulip assembly includes a tulip body, a coupling saddle, and an expansion ring serving as a fastener. The fastener secures the tulip body to the pedicle screw, while the coupling saddle provides a means to provisionally lock the tulip body at an angle relative to the pedicle screw via an interference fit. Incline planes on the walls of the tulip body provide means to rotationally lock a rod within the tulip assembly, and fully lock the tulip assembly to at an angle relative to the pedicle screw.

Abstract: A pedicle screw and rod assembly is provided which has a low profile in the final position. The pedicle screw includes a screw having a threaded portion and a head portion. A tulip body is positioned on the head portion of the screw. A tulip saddle is coupled to the tulip body and positioned to retain the tulip assembly on the pedicle screw. Wedge members are inserted in between the tulip body and the tulip saddle, causing the saddle to compress and thereby retain a rod within the tulip assembly. Colored wedge members alert a surgeon as to whether the system is in a locked or unlocked state. The top of the tulip assembly is approximately equal in height to, or lower than the rod itself. This provides a low profile pedicle screw and rod assembly since the rod itself will be the uppermost member of the completed assembly.

Abstract: A less invasive access port for use in minimally invasive surgery allows for manipulation of the viewing angle into the working site in a transverse plane. According to one exemplary embodiment, the less invasive access port is designed to minimize the need for muscle retraction. Additionally, the less invasive access portal provides sufficient light, irrigation, suction and space for sundry medical instruments. According to one exemplary embodiment, a less invasive access port device includes a retractor assembly having four retractor blades secured in various positions by pins placed within slots on the retractor blades. A cannula includes integrated interfaces for light, irrigation and suction. A housing forms a collar around a top of the cannula and houses the light, irrigation and suction mechanisms. Instruments and implants may be passed through the cannula and into the working space created by the retractor assembly. Visualization of the working site can be attained under direct vision.

Abstract: A spinal spacer system includes a handle member, an extension member including a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the extension member is coupled to the handle member. Additionally, a coupling device configured to selectively couple a spacer to the second end of the extension member is disposed on the extension member including an angular fixation member configured to fix the spacer in an angular position relative to the handle member. The spinal spacer system also includes an actuator configured to selectively actuate the coupling device and the angular fixation member. The spacer of the present exemplary spinal spacer system includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a rotatably coupleable engagement member disposed on the proximal end of the spacer. According to one exemplary embodiment, the coupling device includes a single protruding member extending from the second end of the extension member.

Abstract: An active compression orthopedic plate includes a first and a second end cross member, at least one longitudinal member slideably coupling the first and second end cross member, and at least one compressive member configured to exert a compressive force on the first and second end cross members.

Abstract: A tulip assembly configured to be coupled to a screw head having a first diameter includes a housing, wherein the housing defines an inner diameter configured to engage the first diameter of the screw head. The exemplary inner diameter of the housing being smaller than the first diameter of the screw head.

Abstract: A selectively locking minimally traumatic access port which utilizes a retractor which is configured to create access to a surgical site by displacing surrounding tissues. To minimize the damaged to the displaced tissue, the retractor is further configured to be locked in at least three fixed positions. The medical professional extends and locks the retractor in a position that minimizes the displacement and damage to the surrounding tissues while allowing adequate access to the surgical site.

Abstract: A crosslink or connecting assembly is provided to secure multiple spinal rods in relation to each other. The connecting assembly is disposed transversely between two spinal rods and has moveable components for rotating, pivoting, and extending portions of the connecting device in order to accommodate the positioning of the spinal rods.

Abstract: An orthopedic device includes an implant member with a thru-bore having an entry diameter, an intermediate diameter, and an exit diameter. According to one embodiment the intermediate diameter of the thru-bore is larger than both the entry diameter and the exit diameter. Additionally, the orthopedic device includes a screw assembly configured to be coupled to the thru-bore, including a thread portion and a selectively expandable head portion. The selectively expandable head portion includes both an expandable ring and a pull-lock pin configured to selectively expand the expandable ring as the pull-lock pin is pulled from said screw assembly.

Abstract: A dynamic spinal fixation plate assembly includes a spinal plate, a receiving member, and a fastener resulting in a low profile orthopedic device. The plate comprises a plurality of holes for maintaining the receiving member. The relationship between the receiving member and the plate allows the plate to adjust during graft settling. The receiving member may be locked to the plate utilizing the mechanical or chemical properties of the device or the receiving member may be configured to rotate freely within the plate hole. Utilizing the features of the present invention, the plate controllably subsides and settles into a position of stability. Additionally, each receiving member has a tapered internal sidewall defining a through hole to matingly engage the fastener, which also has a tapered portion forming a tapered lock-fit between the fastener and the receiving member.

Abstract: An interference fit screw driver has a polygonal driving surface to impart torque to a corresponding surface in a screw. The end of the polygonal driving surface has a frusto-conical shaped gripping member which fits into an aperture in the screw to create a friction fit between the screw and screw driver. This allows the screw to be attached to the screw driver to facilitate installation of the screw. The friction fit is tight enough to hold the screw to the driver, yet allows the driver to be easily disengaged from the screw by pulling the driver away from the screw once the screw is lodged in place. The interference fit screw driver is particularly useful in turning bone screws into the spine of a patient during orthopedic surgery.

Abstract: A dynamic spinal fixation plate assembly includes a spinal plate, a receiving member, and a fastener resulting in a low profile orthopedic device. The plate comprises a plurality of holes for maintaining the receiving member. The relationship between the receiving member and the plate allows the plate to adjust during graft settling. The receiving member may be locked to the plate utilizing the mechanical or chemical properties of the device or the receiving member may be configured to rotate freely within the plate hole. Utilizing the features of the present invention, the plate controllably subsides and settles into a position of stability. Additionally, each receiving member has a tapered internal sidewall defining a through hole to matingly engage the fastener, which also has a tapered portion forming a tapered lock-fit between the fastener and the receiving member.

Abstract: An interference fit screw driver has a polygonal driving surface to impart torque to a corresponding surface in a screw. The end of the polygonal driving surface has a frusto-conical shaped gripping member which fits into an aperture in the screw to create a friction fit between the screw and screw driver. This allows the screw to be attached to the screw driver to facilitate installation of the screw. The friction fit is tight enough to hold the screw to the driver, yet allows the driver to be easily disengaged from the screw by pulling the driver away from the screw once the screw is lodged in place. The interference fit screw driver is particularly useful in turning bone screws into the spine of a patient during orthopedic surgery.