Abstract: There are disclosed techniques for positioning a connecting element adjacent one or more bones or bony portions, such as the spinal column, through a minimally invasive surgical approach. The system generally includes at least one bone anchor engageable to the one or more bones or bony portions and at least one extender removably engaged to the bone anchor. A connecting element is movable into the patient and guided by the at least one extender to a first position in the patient. A second bone anchor and extender is then inserted into the patient and engaged to a bony portion. The connecting element is then moved from the at least one extender to extend to the second bone anchor and second extender. The connecting element is then engaged to each of the bone anchors.

Abstract: Embodiments for a spinal implant having elements that are accessible by a surgical approach and releasably engagable by a surgical tool for improved revision of the spinal implant about a patient's spine.

Abstract: Laminoplasty plates are engageable to at least one portion of a divided lamina to maintain a desired spacing relative to the spinal canal. The laminoplasty plates include a spacer portion having a first end and a second end that spans a gap formed by at least one of a divided lamina portion. The laminoplasty plates can include a lamina engagement portion at one end for engagement with the divided lamina portion.

Abstract: A bone fastener includes an elongated first section having a distal end. A flexible member has an outer surface and defines an inner cavity configured for disposal of the distal end of the first section. An elongated second section defines a longitudinal axis and includes a wall that defines an interior cavity configured for disposal of the flexible member such that the distal end of the first section is disposed within the interior cavity of the second section. The outer surface of the flexible member engages the wall in a configuration such that the first section is pivotable to a plurality of axial orientations relative to the longitudinal axis of the second section.

Abstract: A spinal implant clamps to the spinous processes and provides an osteointegration material between the spinous processes so that there may be osteointegration between the spinous processes and a portion of the implant located in the interspinous space. The implant includes first and second plates, a post that extends between the plates and into at least one of the plates, a locking mechanism for locking the relative positions of the plates, and an osteointegration sleeve. The sleeve is disposed between the first and second plates and has an inner surface defining a longitudinal through-passage that is disposed about an outer surface of the post. The sleeve includes osteointegration material and is distinct from the post. The osteointegration material of the sleeve may be, for example, allograft bone or a bone growth material such as bone morphogenetic protein. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system comprises an elongated stabilization device including a curved configuration along a longitudinal axis thereof. The elongated stabilization device includes a length and cross-section sized for positioning through a pathway formed from an opening in a lateral mass of a first vertebra and into the first vertebra, through the facet joint formed by adjacent articular surfaces of the first vertebra and an adjacent bony structure, and into the adjacent bony structure. Instruments can be provided to form the pathway and insert the stabilization device into the pathway.

Abstract: A guide and a blade for contouring vertebral bodies. The guide is sized to be mounted between two vertebral members and includes a pair of edges for receiving the blade. The pair of edges are spaced a distance apart for the first edge to align with a first vertebral member, and the second edge to align with a second vertebral member. The blade includes a pair of arms with at least one cutting edge. The arms are sized to fit within the pair of edges respectively. Using the blade and guide comprises inserting the guide adjacent to two vertebral members, and inserting the arms through the pair of edges to contour the ends of the members. In an embodiment with cutting edges at the distal ends of each of the arms, the two vertebral members can be contoured simultaneously.

Abstract: Laminoplasty plates are engageable to at least one portion of a divided lamina to maintain a desired spacing relative to the spinal canal. The laminoplasty plates include a spacer portion having a first end and a second end that spans a gap formed by at least one of a divided lamina portion. The laminoplasty plates can include a lamina engagement portion at one end for engagement with the divided lamina portion.

Abstract: A guide and a blade for contouring vertebral bodies. The guide is sized to be mounted between two vertebral members and includes a pair of edges for receiving the blade. The pair of edges are spaced a distance apart for the first edge to align with a first vertebral member, and the second edge to align with a second vertebral member. The blade includes a pair of arms with at least one cutting edge. The arms are sized to fit within the pair of edges respectively. Using the blade and guide comprises inserting the guide adjacent to two vertebral members, and inserting the arms through the pair of edges to contour the ends of the members. In an embodiment with cutting edges at the distal ends of each of the arms, the two vertebral members can be contoured simultaneously.

Abstract: A system and method of contouring a perimeter surface of a vertebral body. The invention includes positioning a reference mechanism relative to one or more vertebral bodies. In one embodiment, the reference mechanism is positioned relative to the disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The reference mechanism may have a variety of forms, including mechanical, computerized, and visual. A bone removal mechanism is aligned with the reference mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies. A predetermined relationship exists between the bone removal mechanism and the reference mechanism. The predetermined relationship provides for the bone removal mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies in a precise fashion.

Abstract: Laminoplasty plates are engageable to at least one portion of a divided lamina to maintain a desired spacing relative to the spinal canal. The laminoplasty plates include a spacer portion having a first end and a second end that spans a gap formed by at least one of a divided lamina portion. The laminoplasty plates can include a lamina engagement portion at one end for engagement with the divided lamina portion.

Abstract: A guide and a blade for contouring vertebral bodies. The guide is sized to be mounted between two vertebral members and includes a pair of edges for receiving the blade. The pair of edges are spaced a distance apart for the first edge to align with a first vertebral member, and the second edge to align with a second vertebral member. The blade includes a pair of arms with at least one cutting edge. The arms are sized to fit within the pair of edges respectively. Using the blade and guide comprises inserting the guide adjacent to two vertebral members, and inserting the arms through the pair of edges to contour the ends of the members. In an embodiment with cutting edges at the distal ends of each of the arms, the two vertebral members can be contoured simultaneously.

Abstract: A system and method of contouring a perimeter surface of a vertebral body. The invention includes positioning a reference mechanism relative to one or more vertebral bodies. In one embodiment, the reference mechanism is positioned relative to the disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The reference mechanism may have a variety of forms, including mechanical, computerized, and visual. A bone removal mechanism is aligned with the reference mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies. A predetermined relationship exists between the bone removal mechanism and the reference mechanism. The predetermined relationship provides for the bone removal mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies in a precise fashion.

Abstract: An armor stop which is removably insertable into a range taking electrical connector defining an elongate cable passageway having opposed first and second openings for terminating first-sized electrical cables of a first range of diameters in abutting engagement therein. The armor stop includes an elongate arcuate armor stop wall having opposed inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface defines a conductor receiving passageway for receiving one or more conductors of a second-sized cable having a diameter smaller than the first-sized cable. The armor stop wall includes a first end insertable into the cable passageway and has a thickness defined between the inner and outer surfaces which prevents the second-sized cables from being inserted into the conductor receiving passageway. The armor stop wall is circumferentially an discontinuous about the cable received in the cable passageway so as to allow the one or more conductors received therein to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A conduit connector providing two end stop diameters. The connector includes a removable annular insulator located at the conductor egressing end of the connector. The removable annular insulator provides the smaller of the two end stop diameters when positioned therein. When the removable annular insulator is removed, the greater of the two end stop diameters is provided at the conductor egressing end of the connector.

Abstract: A vibration-tolerant torque limiting fastening lug whereupon tightening of the set-screw produces a parasitic torque at the thread plane defining the set-screw/housing interface. The resultant parasitic torque acts in opposite direction to the installation torque such that the actual torque below the thread plane is less than the installation torque. As a result, the tensile force experienced by the set-screw and which acts against the housing of the lug is reduced.

Abstract: A grounding coupling sized for cooperation with a gland nut of a fitting to allow external grounding of such fitting via an external grounding conductor. The grounding coupling is configured for rotationally unrestrained cooperation with the gland nut when the gland nut is in an untightened condition with respect to the body of the fitting. The grounding coupling is further configured for rotationally restrained and electrically conductive cooperation with the gland nut when the gland nut is in a tightened condition with respect to the body of the fitting.

Abstract: A one piece integrally formed liquid tight connection or "whip" assembly for electrically interconnecting electrical appliances, such as air conditioning units, hot tubs, swimming pools and outdoor lighting fixtures, to one another and/or to a power source junction box or control box. The connection assembly includes a flexible tubular conduit, preferably constructed from a composite of full rigid PVC and flexible plasticized PVC, having first and second end portions and an outer surface with a plurality of surface irregularities. A pair of end fittings are integrally attached to the first and second end portions of the tubular conduit, respectively, using either a solvent welding or temperature welding technique. When using the solvent technique, the plurality of surface irregularities operate to hold additional localized amounts of solvent which further reacts with the plastic in the end fittings and conduit to yield a superior weld.

Abstract: A distal femoral sizing instrument includes an intramedullary rod for referencing the patient's intramedullary canal. A valgus module mounts to the intramedullary rod at a bore of the valgus. The bore of the module has a slant with respect to the flat reference surface of a valgus block. The module slidably connects to the block. The valgus block, referencing guide and a stylus (for connecting the valgus block and cutting together) are removed as a unit before shaping of the distal femur. An indexing system includes a gauge having a series of openings corresponding to "anterior" referencing and to "posterior" referencing. During anterior referencing, the gauge allows the surgeon to select the next smaller size prosthesis if the size falls in between available sizes. In posterior referencing, the gauge allows the surgeon to select the next larger size prosthesis if the gauge measures a size that falls in between available sizes.

Abstract: A tibial prosthesis apparatus and its insertion/removal tool includes a tibial tray that receives a polymeric tray liner with an articulating surface. Dovetail connections are provided for interconnecting the liner and the tibial tray. An instrument is provided that can either insert or remove the liner relative to the tray. The surgeon is provided with cam and hook portions that are at the hooking end of the instrument opposite the lever end. The cam engages the anterior surface of the liner while the hook attaches to the tibial tray and the lever end is rotated to cam the insert into a locked position during insertion. The hook engages the distal side of the liner so that the surgeon can rotate the instrument to disengage or remove the liner from the tray.