Abstract: A stabilization system for a human spine is provided. The stabilization system may include one or more dynamic interbody devices and/or one or more dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic interbody devices may allow for coupled axial rotation and lateral bending of vertebrae adjacent to the dynamic interbody devices. In an embodiment, the dynamic interbody device includes a keel having a neck and a cylindrical base. The cylindrical base is wider than the neck. In an embodiment, portions of the dynamic interbody device that allow for flexion and/or extension of vertebra coupled to the dynamic interbody device are coupled together by ball bearings.

Abstract: A spinal implant may be made of two or more implant members. In an embodiment, implant members may be joined together by a rotational connection that inhibits separation of the members as well as axial movement of the members relative to each other. Implant members may be coupled together by a pin or pins, adhesive, or other fasteners to inhibit separation and/or rotation of the members relative to each other.

Abstract: Dynamic posterior stabilization systems and methods of stabilizing vertebrae are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include a first bone fastener configured to couple to a first vertebra, a second bone fastener configured to couple to a second vertebra, and a dampener system attached to the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener. The dampener system may include a first dampener set and a second dampener set. Compression of the first dampener set provides resistance to movement of the first bone fastener towards the second bone fastener. Compression of the first dampener set and the second dampener set provides resistance to movement of the first bone fastener away from the second bone fastener.

Abstract: Dynamic posterior stabilization systems and methods of stabilizing vertebrae are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include a first bone fastener configured to couple to a first vertebra, a second bone fastener configured to couple to a second vertebra, and a dampener system attached to the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener. The dampener system may include a single dampener set. Compression of the single dampener set provides resistance to movement of the first bone fastener towards the second bone fastener. Compression of the first dampener set and the second dampener set provides resistance to movement of the first bone fastener away from the second bone fastener.

Abstract: Dynamic posterior stabilization systems are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include bone fasteners and a dampener system. The dampener system may include a fixed length elongated member. The dampener system may also include one or more dampener sets. The dampener sets may provide resistance to movement of vertebrae coupled to the dynamic posterior stabilization system. In some embodiments, the elongated member has at least two portions having different diameters. The different portions interact with other portions of the dampener system to allow for compression of a dampener set. In some embodiments, the dampener system includes a sleeve coupled to the elongated member. In some embodiments, the dampener system includes a pair of washers coupled to the elongated member. The sleeve or the pair of washers allow the dampener system to be secured to a bone fastener.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.

Abstract: Dynamic posterior stabilization systems and methods of stabilizing vertebrae are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include bone fasteners and a dampener system. The bone fasteners may be secured to the vertebrae, and the dampener system may be attached to the bone fasteners. The dampener system may include a first dampener set and a second dampener set positioned on an elongated member. The first dampener set may be compressed and provides resistance to movement of the first bone fastener towards the second bone fastener. The second dampener set may be compressed and provide resistance to movement of the first bone fastener away from the second bone fastener.

Abstract: Dynamic posterior stabilization systems are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include bone fasteners and a dampener system. The dampener system may include a first elongated member and a second elongated member that couple together to form a variable length elongated member. The dampener system may also include one or more dampener sets. The dampener sets may provide resistance to movement of vertebrae coupled to the dynamic posterior stabilization system.

Abstract: A dynamic interbody device for a human spine is provided to stabilize a human spine. In some embodiments, the dynamic interbody device includes a first member and a second member. In some embodiments, dynamic interbody device includes a first member, a second member and a third member. In some embodiments, the dynamic interbody device may include a bridge. The bridge may be used to couple the dynamic interbody device to a posterior stabilization system. In some embodiments, two dynamic interbody devices may be placed in a disc space between vertebrae.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a bone plating system may include a plate having end holes, each extending from an upper surface to a lower surface of the plate and comprising an inner surface having a curved contour. The bone plating system may include bone fasteners, each being sized to be placed in a ring for anchoring an end of the plate to a bone, the ring being sized to fit in a corresponding end hole and rotatable therein to define an angle of a corresponding bone fastener relative to the plate. The ring may have an outer surface that substantially corresponds to the curved contour of the inner surface of the hole to allow for rotation of the ring within the hole. The angles of the bone fasteners relative to the plate may define a converging or diverging configuration, which can prevent the bone fasteners from backing out.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a plating system including a bone plate, a bone screw and a ring. The bone screw preferably connects the bone plate to a bone, and the ring preferably fixes the bone screw into a borehole of the bone plate such that the bone screw extends from the bone plate at a selected angle. The ring is preferably capable of swiveling within the borehole to allow the bone screw to be angulated at a plurality of angles oblique to the plate. The bone screw may have a head having a tapered, threaded surface for engaging the ring. The ring preferably has threading on its inner surface for mating with the threading on the head. The inner surface of the ring may be tapered. Movement of the head through the ring preferably expands the ring against the bone plate to fix the bone screw at a selected angle relative to the bone plate.

Abstract: A dynamic posterior stabilization system is provided to stabilize a human spine. In some embodiments, the dynamic posterior stabilization system includes a first bone fastener, a second bone fastener, and an elongated member coupled to the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener. The longitudinal position of the elongated member relative to the first bone fastener may be fixed. The longitudinal position of the second bone fastener relative to the elongated member may vary so that the dynamic posterior stabilization system can accommodate flexion/extension and/or lateral bending. The dynamic posterior stabilization system may also be able to accommodate axial rotation. Bias members may be coupled to the elongated member. The bias members may allow the dynamic posterior stabilization system to mimic the resistance behavior of a normal functional spinal unit.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.

Abstract: Instruments of an instrumentation set may be used to prepare a disc space and to insert an implant into the prepared disc space. The instruments may include fixed tip distractors and/or modular tip distractors. The instruments may include a chisel. The chisel may allow simultaneous removal of a desired amount of bone from each of a pair of vertebrae. The instruments may include an implant inserter. The implant inserter may grip sides of an implant. A portion of the implant inserter may fit within grooves of the implant to minimize or eliminate portions of the implant that extend beyond side surfaces of the implant.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a spinal plate system and method for fixation of the human spine. In an embodiment, the spinal fixation system includes a plate, a coupling member, a locking system for substantially locking the coupling member in a desired position, and an anchoring system to secure the coupling member in the locking system. The plate may have a hole that allows the coupling member to couple the plate with a bone. At least a portion of the coupling member may swivel in the hole so that a bottom end of the member may extend at a plurality of angles substantially oblique to the plate. The locking system may lock the coupling member in desired positions relative to the plate. The anchoring system may secure the coupling member in the locking system to inhibit the coupling system from detaching from the locking system when stressed.

Abstract: A spinal plate system and method for fixation of the human spine is provided. In an embodiment, the system includes a bone plate, a bone screw and a ring. The bone screw preferably connects the bone plate to a bone, and the ring preferably fixes the bone screw into a borehole of the bone plate such that the bone screw extends from the bone plate at a selected angle. The ring is preferably capable of swiveling within the borehole to allow the bone screw to be angulated at a plurality of angles oblique to the plate. The bone screw may have a head having a tapered, threaded surface for engaging the ring. The ring preferably has threading on its inner surface for mating with the threading on the head. The inner surface of the ring may be tapered. Movement of the head through the ring preferably expands the ring against the bone plate to fix the bone screw at a selected angle relative to the bone plate.

Abstract: Insertion methods for placing dynamic interbody devices between a first vertebra and a second vertebra using a posterior approach are provided. In an embodiment, the insertion method may be based on the first vertebra. A bridge assembly may be attached to tap shafts positioned in the first vertebra. The bridge assembly may establish an insertion angle of implants into a disc space between the vertebrae. In an embodiment, the insertion method may be based on the position of expandable trials positioned between the vertebrae. The trials may be positioned and a bridge assembly may be coupled to the expandable trials and taps positioned in the first vertebra. One or more posterior stabilization systems may be coupled to the vertebrae after insertion of the dynamic interbody devices between the vertebrae.

Abstract: A spinal implant may be made of two or more implant members. In an embodiment, implant members may be joined together by a rotational connection that inhibits separation of the members as well as axial movement of the members relative to each other. Implant members may be coupled together by a pin or pins, adhesive, or other fasteners to inhibit separation and/or rotation of the members relative to each other.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.