Abstract: Expandable spinal fusion devices, systems, and methods of using them are provided, and they can be inserted in a subject in a collapsed state through a small surgical corridor, and the expand cephalocaudal only, transverse only, or in both directions, in which direction of expansion can also be obtained independently, if desired, after the insertion. These inventions are valuable in reducing risk and surgical complexity, allowing for an on-the-fly selection of a desirable width footprint, a desired control of height expansion through a gradual cephalocaudal expansion, and a desired control of the alignment of the adjacent vertebral bodies. Devices, systems, and methods are also offered to provide a desired control of the contact area desired between the device and the upper and lower vertebral endplates achieved, for example, using an interdigitated endplate system.

Abstract: An expandable implant includes a top support assembly defining an upper surface configured to engage a first portion of vertebral bone; a bottom support assembly defining a lower surface configured to engage a second portion of vertebral bone; and a control assembly coupled to the top support assembly and the bottom support assembly and configured to control relative movement between the top support assembly and the bottom support assembly between a collapsed position and an expanded position. In the collapsed position, the upper surface is generally parallel to the lower surface, and in the expanded position, a portion of the upper surface extends at an acute angle relative to a portion of the lower surface.

Abstract: A posterior cervical fixation system including an occipital plate member, a cross connector, a pair of elongated spinal rods and a plurality of polyaxial screws. The occipital plate member configured for fixing to an occipital bone comprises an aperture to receive a bone anchor member to secure the occipital plate member to the occipital bone and at least one rod clamping element dimensioned to receive at least one spinal rod. The cross connector secures the pair of elongated spinal rods to vertebral bodies. The cross connector includes a pair of collet connectors and a cross bar that is configured to secure the pair of elongated spinal rods in a desired distance. Each polyaxial screw has an anchor head associated with a fastening member. The pair of elongated spinal rods is configured to extend along the vertebral bodies between the occipital plate member and at least one of the polyaxial screws.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

Abstract: This disclosure describes example embodiments of rod reduction instrumentation and other rod and vertebrae manipulation instruments. The rod reducers can be used during the installation of a rod based surgical fixation system to help urge the rod into the fixation anchors. The reducers described provide various configurations delivering large reduction distance capabilities, strong controlled reduction coupled with an ability to quickly advance the reducer if desired, and reduction of bulk through the surgical corridor.

Abstract: A spinal cross-connector comprises an elongated member, a first connector and a second connector. The first connector and the second connector are configured to receive spinal rods and adaptable to directly attach with pedicle screws. The first connector includes a first collet head, a first clamp and a first locking means. The second connector includes a second collet head, a second clamp and a second locking mans. The first locking means is configured to tighten over a first collet head and engage with the first connector. Similarly, the second locking means is configured to tighten over a second collet head and engage with the second connector. The engagement of the first locking means with the first connector and the second locking means with the second connector locks the spinal cross-connector.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. The fusion device described herein is capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space at a minimum to no distraction height and for a fusion device capable of maintaining a normal distance between adjacent vertebral bodies when implanted.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a spinal implant having spinal anchors comprising a bone anchor and a receiver configured to securely and polyaxially receive the bone anchor. Further, provided herein are methods for using the spinal implant.

Abstract: A spinal cross-connector comprises an elongated member, a first connector and a second connector. The first connector and the second connector are configured to receive spinal rods and adaptable to directly attach with pedicle screws. The first connector includes a first collet head, a first clamp and a first locking means. The second connector includes a second collet head, a second clamp and a second locking mans. The first locking means is configured to tighten over a first collet head and engage with the first connector. Similarly, the second locking means is configured to tighten over a second collet head and engage with the second connector. The engagement of the first locking means with the first connector and the second locking means with the second connector locks the spinal cross-connector.

Abstract: This disclosure describes example embodiments of rod reduction instrumentation and other rod and vertebrae manipulation instruments. The rod reducers can be used during the installation of a rod based surgical fixation system to help urge the rod into the fixation anchors. The reducers described provide various configurations delivering large reduction distance capabilities, strong controlled reduction coupled with an ability to quickly advance the reducer if desired, and reduction of bulk through the surgical corridor.

Abstract: A spine implant for a TLIF surgical procedure is configured to be steered into place during implantation in conjunction with a complementary insertion instrument. The cage of the implant is constrained to a limited range of rotation about a post carried by the cage. The insertion instrument is configured to hold the post while controllably rotating the cage relative to the post in order to angularly position the implant during implantation. Range of rotational motion is controlled by the configuration of a groove in the post. A retaining pin of the implant extends from the cage into the groove of the post to rotationally connect the cage to the post.

Abstract: ALIF spine implants, ALIF installation instruments/tools, and ALIF procedures using the present ALIF implants and present ALIF installation instruments for an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgical procedure are provided. The ALIF implants are characterized by an ALIF cage and anchoring members. The ALIF installation instruments are characterized by a shaft having an inserter on one end that receives and holds an ALIF cage and anchoring members. The installation instrument allows insertion of the ALIF cage into a vertebral space, the anchoring members to be received in the ALIF cage, and then into vertebral bone. The ALIF cage is preferably, but not necessarily, 3-D printed having a central cavity, an end configured to accept a plurality of anchoring members and direct a portion of the anchoring members up and out of the cavity, a cutout configured to receive an anchoring member retention component, and an anchoring member retention component.

Abstract: A laminar fixation system includes a laminar fixation implant and a laminar fixation implant installation tool for use with laminar fixation tape for retaining a spine rod relative to a vertebra of the spine. The laminar fixation implant has a spine rod locking portion, a laminar fixation tape channel, and a laminar fixation tape locking portion. The laminar fixation implant installation tool has a laminar fixation tape locking actuator for manipulating the laminar tape locking portion of the laminar fixation implant, and a laminar fixation tape tensioning sub-assembly for tensioning laminar fixation tape received in the implant. The laminar fixation tape locking actuator and the laminar fixation tape tensioning sub-assembly of the installation tool each operates independent of each other. Attachment of the implant to a spine rod via the spine rod locking portion of the laminar fixation implant is independent of laminar fixation tape tensioning and laminar tape fixation to the implant.

Abstract: A laminar fixation clamp has a body that utilizes a clam-shell style pivot controlled by a set screw, to grasp and attach to a spine rod, while receiving a laminar fixation band that can loop around a lamina of a vertebra in order to hold the laminar fixation clamp onto the vertebra. One form comprises a two-piece structure while another form comprises a single-piece structure. In each case, an upper and lower clamping structure situated at a front of the laminar fixation clamp, is received over and onto the spine rod, while a laminar fixation band is received through clamp. The set screw controls the amount of pivoting and thus the clamping force exerted onto the spine rod.

Abstract: Embodiments of a rod reducer and methods of using a rod reducer are provided. In some embodiments, the rod reducer includes a sleeve comprising a lumen and one or more tabs; an engagement member comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the proximal portion is configured to be rotated relative to the distal portion; and a collar coupled to the sleeve, wherein the collar is configured to deflect the tabs inward into the lumen. In some embodiments, the rod reducer has a first configuration wherein the tabs engage the proximal portion and the proximal portion can be rotated to translate the engagement member and the rod reducer has a second configuration wherein the proximal portion can be pushed or pulled to translate the engagement member.

Abstract: A spinal interbody implant is fabricated using 3-D printing to provide an engineered structure of one or more porous, permeable, or non-solid portions with or without one or more solid, dense, or micro-dense portions. The porous, permeable, or non-solid structure can be a mesh, lattice, web, weave, honeycomb, simple cubic, tetrahedral, diamond, or otherwise with the number and size of its pores, holes, perforations, or openings, as well as the distance or thickness between them, can vary accordingly. Some portions of the porous, permeable, or non-solid structure(s) may have porosities and/or thicknesses different than other portions. The solid, dense, or micro-dense structure may be constant throughout the body of the implant or may be a range of densities throughout the body of the implant. Alternately, one or more portions of the implant may have a range of densities throughout its body ranging from solid to a maximum porosity.

Abstract: Button-suture assemblies which employ a knotted locking mechanism do not maintain tension when securing bone and tissue fragments. A knotless method and device for maintaining tension and providing precise placement of a button-suture assembly during stabilization procedures comprising a locking pin, which mates with a button creating pinch points with increased surface area through which suture can pass from a baseplate through two dedicated openings in the button, one for the first end of the suture and one for the second end of the suture while preventing tension loss during the locking step and therefore allowing for precise placement of the button-suture assembly.

Abstract: A posterior cervical fixation system including an occipital plate member, a cross connector, a pair of elongated spinal rods and a plurality of polyaxial screws. The occipital plate member configured for fixing to an occipital bone comprises an aperture to receive a bone anchor member to secure the occipital plate member to the occipital bone and at least one rod clamping element dimensioned to receive at least one spinal rod. The cross connector secures the pair of elongated spinal rods to vertebral bodies. The cross connector includes a pair of collet connectors and a cross bar that is configured to secure the pair of elongated spinal rods in a desired distance. Each polyaxial screw has an anchor head associated with a fastening member. The pair of elongated spinal rods is configured to extend along the vertebral bodies between the occipital plate member and at least one of the polyaxial screws.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. The fusion device described herein is capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space at a minimum to no distraction height and for a fusion device capable of maintaining a normal distance between adjacent vertebral bodies when implanted.

Abstract: A posterior cervical fixation system including an occipital plate member, a cross connector, a pair of elongated spinal rods and a plurality of polyaxial screws. The occipital plate member configured for fixing to an occipital bone comprises an aperture to receive a bone anchor member to secure the occipital plate member to the occipital bone and at least one rod clamping element dimensioned to receive at least one spinal rod. The cross connector secures the pair of elongated spinal rods to vertebral bodies. The cross connector includes a pair of collet connectors and a cross bar that is configured to secure the pair of elongated spinal rods in a desired distance. Each polyaxial screw has an anchor head associated with a fastening member. The pair of elongated spinal rods is configured to extend along the vertebral bodies between the occipital plate member and at least one of the polyaxial screws.