Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a spinal implant for insertion between two vertebrae, the spinal implant including: a cage including: a frame sized to be inserted between the two vertebrae; a lattice structure disposed at least partially within the frame and exposed on a first and second sides of the frame to permit bone growth into the lattice structure, wherein the first and second sides are on opposite sides of the frame; and grooves on the first and second side of the cage configured to interface with the two vertebrae, wherein the cage is formed of layers of Trabeculite™ material fused together.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a spinal implant for insertion between two adjacent vertebrae, the spinal implant including one or more of the following: a cage comprising: a frame sized to be inserted between the vertebrae, the frame comprising a fastener hole and a cage alignment structure, the cage alignment structure comprising at least one of: a cage groove and a cage ridge; a bone plate comprising a bone plate alignment structure a through hole, wherein the bone plate alignment structure comprises at least one of a bone plate groove and a bone plate ridge, and wherein the bone plate alignment structure and the cage alignment structure are configured to interact with each other to provide an indication when the bone plate is properly aligned with the cage; and a fastener to attach the bone plate to the cage when inserted through the through hole and into the fastener hole.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a spinal implant for insertion between two adjacent vertebrae, the spinal implant including one or more of the following: a cage comprising: a frame sized to be inserted between the vertebrae, the frame comprising a fastener hole and a cage alignment structure, the cage alignment structure comprising at least one of: a cage groove and a cage ridge; a bone plate comprising a bone plate alignment structure a through hole, wherein the bone plate alignment structure comprises at least one of a bone plate groove and a bone plate ridge, and wherein the bone plate alignment structure and the cage alignment structure are configured to interact with each other to provide an indication when the bone plate is properly aligned with the cage; and a fastener to attach the bone plate to the cage when inserted through the through hole and into the fastener hole.

Abstract: An implant unit used in surgery has a body made from osteogenic implantable material and including an implant portion and a retaining portion, which is coupled to and extends transversely to the implant portion. The retaining portion is attached to the sidewall of the adjoining vertebral body or mammal bone to prevent displacement of the implant portion relative to the vertebral body or mammal bone and to accelerate fusion therebetween.

Abstract: A bone plate for securing a spinal fixation element to bone includes a base portion having a top face, a rod receiving portion and a bone anchor receiving portion. The bone anchor receiving portion includes a plurality of angled holes for receiving bone screws. At least one of the screw holes is oriented at an acute angle relative to the top face of the plate.

Abstract: A solution comprising a defined concentration of purified tantalum clusters in a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol; wherein said defined concentration is greater than 100 mM, preferably greater than 150 mM; most preferably greater than 300 mM. The purified tantalum clusters are obtained by sequentially washing crude tantalum clusters containing residual chloride ions with aqueous hydrochloric acid to remove residual sodium chloride; and washing the hydrochloric acid-washed tantalum clusters with diethyl ether to remove residual hydrochloric acid and water.

Abstract: An implant unit used in surgery has a body made from osteogenic implantable material and including an implant portion and a retaining portion, which is coupled to and extends transversely to the implant portion. The retaining portion is attached to the sidewall of the adjoining vertebral body or mammal bone to prevent displacement of the implant portion relative to the vertebral body or mammal bone and to accelerate fusion therebetween.

Abstract: A bone plate for securing a spinal fixation element to bone includes a base portion having a top face, a rod receiving portion and a bone anchor receiving portion. The bone anchor receiving portion includes a plurality of angled holes for receiving bone screws. At least one of the screw holes is oriented at an acute angle relative to the top face of the plate.

Abstract: An implant unit used in surgery has a body made from osteogenic implantable material and including an implant portion and a retaining portion, which is coupled to and extends transversely to the implant portion. The retaining portion is attached to the sidewall of the adjoining vertebral body or mammal bone to prevent displacement of the implant portion relative to the vertebral body or mammal bone and to accelerate fusion therebetween.

Abstract: A device, system and method for securing a plate to a bone. An anchor device has a screw (with a head portion) and a locking disc. The head portion includes a slotted wall defining a plurality of petals disposed around a central opening. The screw further includes an internal bore. The locking disc is rotatably disposed within the central opening, such that in a first rotational position the petals may flex inwardly, and in a second rotational position the petals are substantially prevented from flexing inwardly. A tool for manipulating the anchor device has a shaft with its end configured to mate with the internal bore of the screw to permit selective rotation of the screw, and a sleeve member rotatably and slideably mounted on the shaft having an end that mates with the locking disc to permit selective rotation of the disc.

Abstract: A vertebral body aspirator comprises an inner member including a cannula disposed therethrough, the inner member having an opening at a distal end thereof and a rotatable knob at a proximal end thereof, an outer member having a cannula disposed therethrough, the cannula of the outer member being configured and dimensioned for receiving the inner member. The outer member has an aperture located at a distal end thereof. The knob is configured to rotate inner member with respect to the outer member and expose the opening of the inner member. The outer member may include an extended tip located at the distal end thereof. A cartridge may be disposed within the inner member. The cartridge can be disposable and can have a straight-tip or bent-tip at its distal end. The vertebral body aspirator may also include a syringe connected to the proximal end of the cartridge.

Abstract: A guide conduit (900) for delivering analgesia to a target site during a surgical procedure. The guide conduit defines a channel for directing a catheter (975) to an epidural target site cephalad a surgical opening for the injection of analgesia after the surgical opening is substantially closed. An angle (937) formed in the guide conduit functions to urge the catheter toward a bone and away from a thecal sac as it is passed toward the epidural target site. In one embodiment, a finger rest (1040) on a first member (1002) cooperates with a thumb rest (1018) on a second member (1004) of the guide conduit to allow the surgeon to activate sliding disengagement of the two members with one hand to allow the guide conduit to be removed from the surgical site without dislodging the catheter.

Abstract: A device, system and method for securing a plate to a bone. An anchor device has a screw (with a head portion) and a locking disc. The head portion includes a slotted wall defining a plurality of petals disposed around a central opening. The screw further includes an internal bore. The locking disc is rotatably disposed within the central opening, such that in a first rotational position the petals may flex inwardly, and in a second rotational position the petals are substantially prevented from flexing inwardly. A tool for manipulating the anchor device has a shaft with its end configured to mate with the internal bore of the screw to permit selective rotation of the screw, and a sleeve member rotatably and slideably mounted on the shaft having an end that mates with the locking disc to permit selective rotation of the disc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter placement apparatus 900 for assisting in the placement of a catheter for administering analgesia intraoperatively in conjunction with spinal and other surgeries. The catheter placement apparatus 900 comprises a guide conduit 903 having a proximal end 904 and a distal end 906. The guide conduit 903 comprises an elongated portion 905 and a delivery arm portion 907 with a bend 935 forming the transition from the elongated portion 905 to the delivery arm portion 907. The elongated portion comprises a first conduit component 910 that is slidingly attachable to a second conduit component 915.

Abstract: An implant unit used in surgery has a body made from osteogenic implantable material and including an implant portion and a retaining portion, which is coupled to and extends transversely to the implant portion. The retaining portion is attached to the sidewall of the adjoining vertebral body or mammal bone to prevent displacement of the implant portion relative to the vertebral body or mammal bone and to accelerate fusion therebetween.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a site preparation guide for use in conjunction with intervertebral implants. In particular, the site preparation guide contains a hollow body, lumen and interior surface adapted to accommodate and control the positioning of a surgical tissue removal device during the creation of the implant site. The site preparation guide of the invention can further include side openings through the body of the guide to accommodate and control the positioning of a surgical drill, an integrated intervertebral distractor, and a distal endplate which serves as a drilling template for an implant having a corresponding endplate. The site preparation guide is a unitary, one-piece, sterilizable device. Also disclosed herein is a method of preparing an orthopedic intervertebral site using the site preparation guide of the invention and surgical kit including the guide.

Abstract: An spinal column support device for stabilizing and repairing problems associated with the material located between vertebra located in the cervical area of the spinal column. The support device has a hollow isosceles trapezoidal right prism-shaped skeletal frame with two load bearing surfaces. Each load bearing surface includes serrations. The support device also includes a cervical plate having two screw holes. The support devices is inserted between two vertebrae located in the cervical area of the spine wherein each vertebrae rests on a load bearing surface. The serrations keep the support device from backing out, while screws in the screw holes of the cervical plate help hold the cervical plate in position.