Abstract: A method for performing percutaneous interbody fusion is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a guide needle posteriorly to the disc space, inserting a dilator having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide needle over the guide needle to the disc space to enlarge the disc space, and successively passing a series of dilators, each having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the previous dilator, over the previous dilator to the disc space the gradually and incrementally increase the height of the disc space. Once the desired disc height is achieved, the guide needle and all the dilators, with the exception of the outermost dilator, are removed. An expandable intervertebral disc spacer is then passed through the remaining dilator and positioned in the disc space. The disc spacer is expanded to the required disc height, and then a bone matrix is passed through the dilator to fill the disc space. The dilator is then removed.

Abstract: A minimally invasive method for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae to be fused is accomplished with a device configured to interlink the pedicles of the adjacent vertebrae and including multiple pedicle screws. Each of the pedicle screws has a screw head configured to receive a connecting rod in a position, in which the rod and the receiving pedicle screw are vertically aligned.

Abstract: A process for performing lumbar laminectomy is characterized by leaving the muscles intact along the base of spinous process and posterior faces of detached portions of lamina, facet joints, and transverse processes of at least one of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae to preserve the blood flow to the detached portions and, thus, to create a living peace of bone used as fusion material between the bases of the transverse processes of the superior and inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: A syringe assembly for administering a variety of fluids includes a syringe provided with a plurality of flow-isolated chambers, each of which is in flow communication with a respective lumen of a multi-lumen needle located downstream from the syringe. Each lumen is flow-isolated from the rest of the lumens and guides a respective one of the variety of fluids toward an outlet port formed in the needle so that the fluids mix with one another only upon exiting the outlet port.

Abstract: A surgical kit for percutaneously repairing post-operative leaks in internal fluid carrying vessels and organs. The kit includes at least one syringe and at least one marker for placement on the body of the patient to mark the location of the leak. The syringe and marker are enclosed in a sterile package which includes a top cover and a bottom cover. A method for repairing a leak in a fluid carrying vessel or organ, such as the dura mater of the spinal cord, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spine stabilizing system for retaining a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship during diskectomy and fusion procedures has a plate configured to be positively centered along the midline of the spinal column to maintain the adjacent vertebrae of the spinal column in the desired spatial relationship until the fusion is completed.

Abstract: A syringe assembly for administering a variety of fluids includes a syringe provided with a plurality of flow-isolated chambers, each of which is in flow communication with a respective lumen of a multi-lumen needle located downstream from the syringe. Each lumen is flow-isolated from the rest of the lumens and guides a respective one of the variety of fluids toward an outlet port formed in the needle so that the fluids mix with one another only upon exiting the outlet port.

Abstract: A method for performing percutaneous interbody fusion is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a guide needle posteriorly to the disc space, inserting a dilator having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide needle over the guide needle to the disc space to enlarge the disc space, and successively passing a series of dilators, each having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the previous dilator, over the previous dilator to the disc space the gradually and incrementally increase the height of the disc space. Once the desired disc height is achieved, the guide needle and all the dilators, with the exception of the outermost dilator, are removed. An expandible intervertebral disc spacer is then passed through the remaining dilator and positioned in the disc space. Th disc spacer is expanded to the required disc height, and then a bone matrix is passed through the dilator to fill the disc space. The dilator is then removed.

Abstract: A process for performing lumbar laminectomy is characterized by leaving the muscles intact along the base of spinous process and posterior faces of detached portions of lamina, facet joints, and transverse processes of at least one of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae to preserve the blood flow to the detached portions and, thus, to create a living peace of bone used as fusion material between the bases of the transverse processes of the superior and inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: A minimally invasive method for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae to be fused is accomplished with a device configured to interlink the pedicles of the adjacent vertebrae and including multiple pedicle screws. Each of the pedicle screws has a screw head configured to receive a connecting rod in a position, in which the rod and the receiving pedicle screw are vertically aligned.

Abstract: A surgical kit for percutaneously repairing post-operative leaks in internal fluid carrying vessels and organs. The kit includes at least one syringe and at least one marker for placement on the body of the patient to mark the location of the leak. The syringe and marker are enclosed in a sterile package which includes a top cover and a bottom cover. A method for repairing a leak in a fluid carrying vessel or organ, such as the dura mater of the spinal cord, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for performing percutaneous interbody fusion is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a guide needle posteriorly to the disc space, inserting a dilator having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide needle over the guide needle to the disc space to enlarge the disc space, and successively passing a series of dilators, each having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the previous dilator, over the previous dilator to the disc space the gradually and incrementally increase the height of the disc space. Once the desired disc height is achieved, the guide needle and all the dilators, with the exception of the outermost dilator, are removed. An expandible intervertebral disc spacer is then passed through the remaining dilator and positioned in the disc space. Th disc spacer is expanded to the required disc height, and then a bone matrix is passed through the dilator to fill the disc space. The dilator is then removed.

Abstract: A method for performing percutaneous interbody fusion is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a guide needle posteriorly to the disc space, inserting a dilator having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide needle over the guide needle to the disc space to enlarge the disc space, and successively passing a series of dilators, each having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the previous dilator, over the previous dilator to the disc space the gradually and incrementally increase the height of the disc space. Once the desired disc height is achieved, the guide needle and all the dilators, with the exception of the outermost dilator, are removed. An expandible intervertebral disc spacer is then passed through the remaining dilator and positioned in the disc space. Th disc spacer is expanded to the required disc height, and then a bone matrix is passed through the dilator to fill the disc space. The dilator is then removed.

Abstract: A surgical kit for percutaneously repairing post-operative leaks in internal fluid carrying vessels and organs. The kit includes at least one syringe and at least one marker for placement on the body of the patient to mark the location of the leak. The syringe and marker are enclosed in a sterile package which includes a top cover and a bottom cover. A method for repairing a leak in a fluid carrying vessel or organ, such as the dura mater of the spinal cord, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for performing percutaneous interbody fusion is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a guide needle posteriorly to the disc space, inserting a dilator having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide needle over the guide needle to the disc space to enlarge the disc space, and successively passing a series of dilators, each having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the previous dilator, over the previous dilator to the disc space the gradually and incrementally increase the height of the disc space. Once the desired disc height is achieved, the guide needle and all the dilators, with the exception of the outermost dilator, are removed. An expandible intervertebral disc spacer is then passed through the remaining dilator and positioned in the disc space. Th. disc spacer is expanded to the required disc height, and then a bone matrix is passed through the dilator to fill the disc space. The dilator is then removed.