Abstract: A spinal fixation device and method including at least one longitudinal rod mounted substantially parallel to the axis of the spine and having a plurality of stem clamps adjustably mounted to the longitudinal rod. Each stem clamp has a stem extending outwardly therefrom with the diameter of the stem being identical to the diameter of the longitudinal rod. A plurality of C-clamps are provided and are mounted to the stems and to the longitudinal rods. Each C-clamp includes a female-tapered through-passage for matingly engaging a male tapered head of a pedicle screw. A plurality of pedicle screws are used to simultaneously anchor the C-clamps to the bone and to the respective stem and longitudinal rod.

Abstract: A spinal vertebral implant includes a substantially rectangular shaped base section made from a solid piece of bone. A nose section extends integrally from the substantially rectangularly shaped base section and preferably has a generally tapering shape to foster entry between adjacent vertebrae. The nose section tapers distally and inwardly from the base section to form a generally pointed or rounded distal tip portion and comprises a solid piece of bone. Serrated sides assist the implant in gripping adjacent upper and lower vertebrae and in being maintained therebetween. The serrated sides are angled in a manner that encourages the implant to be placed between the vertebrae and locked therebetween upon such placement. First and second implants may be placed into respective left and right sides of an intervertebral space. A method for placing one or more implants between the adjacent vertebrae comprises forming a slot configured to receive an implant and inserting the implant into the slot.

Abstract: A spinal vertebral implant includes a substantially rectangular shaped base section made from a solid piece of bone. A nose section extends integrally from the substantially rectangularly shaped base section and preferably has a generally tapering shape to foster entry between adjacent vertebrae. The nose section tapers distally and inwardly from the base section to form a generally pointed or rounded distal tip portion and comprises a solid piece of bone. Serrated sides assist the implant in gripping adjacent upper and lower vertebrae and in being maintained therebetween. The serrated sides are angled in a manner that encourages the implant to be placed between the vertebrae and locked therebetween upon such placement. First and second implants may be placed into respective left and right sides of an intervertebral space. A method for placing one or more implants between the adjacent vertebrae comprises forming a slot configured to receive an implant and inserting the implant into the slot.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device and method including at least one longitudinal rod mounted substantially parallel to the axis of the spine and having a plurality of stem clamps adjustably mounted to the longitudinal rod. Each stem clamp has a stem extending outwardly therefrom with the diameter of the stem being identical to the diameter of the longitudinal rod. A plurality of C-clamps are provided and are mounted to the stems and to the longitudinal rods. Each C-clamp includes a female-tapered through-passage for matingly engaging a pedicle screw. A plurality of innovative pedicle screws are used to simultaneously anchor the C-clamps to the bone and to the respective stem and longitudinal rod. The pedicle screws are configured with a recess formed therein having threads therein for threadedly engaging a set screw. The pedicle screw includes a male-tapered head for frictionally engaging the corresponding female-tapered through-hole formed in the C-clamp to form a morse taper locking fit.

Abstract: A spinal vertebral implant includes a substantially rectangular shaped base section made from a solid piece of bone. A nose section extends integrally from the substantially rectangularly shaped base section and preferably has a generally tapering shape to foster entry between adjacent vertebrae. The nose section tapers distally and inwardly from the base section to form a generally pointed or rounded distal tip portion and comprises a solid piece of bone. Serrated sides assist the implant in gripping adjacent upper and lower vertebrae and in being maintained therebetween. The serrated sides are angled in a manner that encourages the implant to be placed between the vertebrae and locked therebetween upon such placement. First and second implants may be placed into respective left and right sides of an intervertebral space. A method for placing one or more implants between the adjacent vertebrae comprises forming a slot configured to receive an implant and inserting the implant into the slot.

Abstract: A spinal vertebral implant includes a substantially rectangular shaped base section made from a solid piece of bone. A nose section extends integrally from the substantially rectangularly shaped base section and preferably has a generally tapering shape to foster entry between adjacent vertebrae. The nose section tapers distally and inwardly from the base section to form a generally pointed or rounded distal tip portion and comprises a solid piece of bone. Serrated sides assist the implant in gripping adjacent upper and lower vertebrae and in being maintained therebetween. The serrated sides are angled in a manner that encourages the implant to be placed between the vertebrae and locked therebetween upon such placement. First and second implants may be placed into respective left and right sides of an intervertebral space. A method for placing one or more implants between the adjacent vertebrae comprises forming a slot configured to receive an implant and inserting the implant into the slot.

Abstract: A spine fixation apparatus and method including at least one longitudinal rod mounted parallel to the axis of the spine and having a plurality of stem clamps adjustably mounted to the longitudinal rod. Each stem clamp has a stem extending outwardly therefrom with the diameter of the stem being identical to the diameter of the longitudinal rod. A plurality of C-clamps are provided and are mounted to the stems and to the longitudinal rods. A plurality of bone pins are provided and are used to preliminarily mount the spinal fixation construct to the spine to allow the surgeon to determine by X-ray the accuracy of the construct with regard to the spine. A plurality of innovative bone screws are used to simultaneously anchor the C-clamps to the bone and to the respective stem and longitudinal rod. The bone screws are configured with a smaller diameter at the distal end having threads thereon for threadedly engaging the underlying bone.

Abstract: A spinal fixation apparatus and method for applying corrective forces to the spine through the use of one or more longitudinal rods placed adjacent the spine. A plurality of sublaminar hooks are configured to be independently mountable to the longitudinal rod and enable the surgeon to selectively engage portions of the spine against which the corrective forces are to be applied. Cross-link plates are provided and are used to interlink one longitudinal rod to another to provide a more rigid construct. The sublaminar hooks and the cross link plate system has a very low profile when secured to the spine. Side opening recesses in each sublaminar hook accommodate the lateral insertion of the longitudinal rod into the recess. A unique wedge bolt securely engages the longitudinal rod in the recess. The sublaminar hooks are oriented such that their wedge bolts face outwardly for ease of access for adjusting the same.

Abstract: An implantable spine fixation apparatus and method, the apparatus including a pair of longitudinal rods placed on each side of the spinous process. Several side arm clamps are attached to the longitudinal rods with their lateral arms extending outwardly from the longitudinal rods. Clamps are mounted to the lateral arms and both affixed to the bone of the spine and clamped to the lateral arms by bone screws inserted into the bone of the spine. Cross link plates are mounted to paired side arm clamps to secure the relative positions of the longitudinal rods. The method includes providing the bone screw with the optimal angular orientation for fixation of the bone screw to the bone. The method also includes adjustably affixing the implantable fixation apparatus relative to the spine for improving bone grafting.

Abstract: A spinal fixation apparatus and method wherein various elements are mounted to the vertebra and the sacrum of a spine and are selectively interconnected to achieve a predetermined fixation and/or correction of a particular spinal condition. The apparatus includes pedicle screws, bone screws, sacral rods, sublaminar hooks, spinous process hooks, longitudinal rods, lateral rods, universal interlinks, rod clamps, and pedicle screw anchors, all of which can be readily interconnected into a predetermined construct as a spinal fixation apparatus. A burr guide apparatus is provided to prepare the access site for a pedicle screw and a sacral screw guide is used to accurately align the pilot holes for the sacral screws.

Abstract: A spine fixation apparatus and method including at least one longitudinal rod mounted parallel to the axis of the spine and having a plurality of stem clamps adjustably mounted to the longitudinal rod. Each stem clamp has a stem extending outwardly therefrom with the diameter of the stem being identical to the diameter of the longitudinal rod. A plurality of C-clamps are provided and are mounted to the stems and to the longitudinal rods. A plurality of bone pins are provided and are used to preliminarily mount the spinal fixation construct to the spine to allow the surgeon to determine by X-ray the accuracy of the construct with regard to the spine. A plurality of innovative bone screws are used to simultaneously anchor the C-clamps to the bone and to the respective stem and longitudinal rod. The bone screws are configured with a smaller diameter at the distal end having threads thereon for threadedly engaging the underlying bone.