Abstract: Surgical instruments that facilitate articulation of a scraping tool within a surgical space (e.g., a vertebrae), and are configured to remain locked in position when scraping and removing tissue. The surgical instruments include a handle and a retention shaft that insertably engages the handle. The retention shaft includes a split distal end having flexible first and second portions that include means for securing a removeable tip therebetween, the tip being configured to scrape/remove tissue and insertably engage the split distal end between the first and second portions. A pivot lock mechanism engages the handle and receives the retention shaft therein with means for moving same axially. The surgical instrument is moveable between an unlocked state in which the tip is moveable relative to the split distal end when secured therein, and a locked state in which the tip is not moveable relative to the split distal end when secured therein.

Abstract: An implant for being disposed in a spine of a patient, and a method of using same, has an upper plate, a lower plate, and a wedge piece disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate. The implant can have a driver for moving the implant to an expanded condition, and surfaces for driving movement of the implant, and surfaces for directing material through the implant.

Abstract: An interbody spinal implant/fusion cage and implant inserter system for facilitating interbody fusion in the lumbar spine using bone graft while reducing the number of passes made through the patient's disc space and the sensitive surrounding tissue by integrating bone graft delivery into the inserter system. The system combines insertion of the interbody implant with bone graft delivery directly into the disc space. The system includes the interbody implant, an interbody cover plate, an implant inserter assembly, a cover plate inserter, a bone graft plunger and a bone graft funnel. The inserter assembly includes a large rectangular cannula which attaches to a large rectangular posterior opening in the interbody implant instead of a round cannula. The rectangular cannula approximates the shape of the annulotomy and provides a larger cross-sectional area for passage of a much larger quantity of bone graft material without jamming. Related methods and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine, and methods for using same. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectively detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. In one embodiment, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage. In another embodiment, the bone graft material is loaded into a breech area in the hollow tube.

Abstract: Surgical instruments that facilitate articulation of a scraping tool within a surgical space (e.g., a vertebrae), and are configured to remain locked in position when scraping and removing tissue. The surgical instruments include a handle and a retention shaft that insertably engages the handle. The retention shaft includes a split distal end having flexible first and second portions that include means for securing a removeable tip therebetween, the tip being configured to scrape/remove tissue and insertably engage the split distal end between the first and second portions. A pivot lock mechanism engages the handle and receives the retention shaft therein with means for moving same axially. The surgical instrument is moveable between an unlocked state in which the tip is moveable relative to the split distal end when secured therein, and a locked state in which the tip is not moveable relative to the split distal end when secured therein.

Abstract: Hard-tissue implants are provided that include a bulk implant, a face, pillars, slots, and at least one support member. The pillars are for contacting a hard tissue. The slots are to be occupied by the hard tissue. The at least one support member is for contacting the hard tissue. The hard-tissue implant has a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least 3 GPa, and has a ratio of the sum of (i) the volumes of the slots to (ii) the sum of the volumes of the pillars and the volumes of the slots of 0.40:1 to 0.90:1. Methods of making and using hard-tissue implants are also provided.

Abstract: Hard-tissue implants are provided that include a bulk implant, a face, pillars, slots, and at least one support member. The pillars are for contacting a hard tissue. The slots are to be occupied by the hard tissue. The at least one support member is for contacting the hard tissue. The hard-tissue implant has a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least 3 GPa, and has a ratio of the sum of (i) the volumes of the slots to (ii) the sum of the volumes of the pillars and the volumes of the slots of 0.40:1 to 0.90:1. Methods of making and using hard-tissue implants are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to kits for bone graft delivery, and specifically, for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The kits include integrated fusion cage and graft delivery devices that deliver and disperse biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, that may, without withdrawal from the surgical site, allow for selectively detaching the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. The kits also include a cover plate that secures to the fusion cage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to kits for bone graft delivery, and specifically, for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The kits include integrated fusion cage and graft delivery devices that deliver and disperse biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, that may, without withdrawal from the surgical site, allow for selectively detaching the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. The kits also include a cover plate that secures to the fusion cage.

Abstract: Hard-tissue implants are provided that include a bulk implant, a face, pillars, slots, and at least one support member. The pillars are for contacting a hard tissue. The slots are to be occupied by the hard tissue. The at least one support member is for contacting the hard tissue. The hard-tissue implant has a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least 3 GPa, and has a ratio of the sum of (i) the volumes of the slots to (ii) the sum of the volumes of the pillars and the volumes of the slots of 0.40:1 to 0.90:1. Methods of making and using hard-tissue implants are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectively detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. The system also includes a cover plate that secures to the fusion cage.

Abstract: Hard-tissue implants are provided that include a bulk implant, a face, pillars, slots, and at least one support member. The pillars are for contacting a hard tissue. The slots are to be occupied by the hard tissue. The at least one support member is for contacting the hard tissue. The hard-tissue implant has a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least 3 GPa, and has a ratio of the sum of (i) the volumes of the slots to (ii) the sum of the volumes of the pillars and the volumes of the slots of 0.40:1 to 0.90:1. Methods of making and using hard-tissue implants are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine, and methods for using same. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectively detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. In one embodiment, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage. In another embodiment, the bone graft material is loaded into a breech area in the hollow tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectively detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. In one embodiment, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage. In another embodiment, the bone graft material is loaded into a breech area in the hollow tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectively detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. The system also includes a cover plate that secures to the fusion cage.

Abstract: An implant for attaching a tendon or ligament to a hard tissue is provided. The implant includes a head, a first prong, a second prong, first pillars for contacting a hard tissue, first slots to be occupied by the hard tissue, second pillars for contacting a tendon or ligament, and second slots to be occupied by the tendon or ligament. The implant has a Youngs modulus of elasticity of at least 3 GPa, a first surface ratio of the sum of the volumes of the first slots to the sum of the volumes of the first pillars and the first slots of 0.40:1 to 0.90:1, and a second surface ratio of the sum of the volumes of the second slots to the sum of the volumes of the second pillars and the second slots of 0.60:1 to 0.98:1. The second surface ratio is greater than the first surface ratio.

Abstract: A bone fastener assembly for connecting a bone to a stabilizing construct includes a connecting member, a fastener seat, and a bone fastener. The connecting member includes a connecting member axis, a first opening, a second opening, and a first spherical surface. The connecting member axis extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The first opening is adjacent the proximal end. The second opening is adjacent the distal end. The fastener seat includes a first end, a second end, a passageway, and a second spherical surface. The passageway extends from the first end to the second end along a seat axis. The second spherical surface is configured to slidably engage the first spherical surface. The bone fastener includes a shank and a head. The shank extends though the passageway. The head engages a head-mating surface of the fastener seat.

Abstract: Spinal interbody cages are provided that include a bulk interbody cage, a top face, a bottom face, pillars, and slots. The pillars are for contacting vertebral bodies. The slots are to be occupied by bone of the vertebral bodies and/or by bone of a bone graft. The spinal interbody cage has a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least 3 GPa, and has a ratio of the sum of (i) the volumes of the slots to (ii) the sum of the volumes of the pillars and the volumes of the slots of 0.40:1 to 0.90:1.

Abstract: Spinal interbody cages are provided that include a bulk interbody cage, a top face, a bottom face, a top mesh structure, a bottom mesh structure, pillars, and slots. The top and bottom faces are exterior surfaces of the bulk interbody cage having a top central opening and a bottom central opening, respectively. The top and bottom mesh structures extend from the bulk interbody cage across the top central opening and the bottom central opening, respectively. The pillars are for contacting vertebral bodies. The slots are to be occupied by bone of the vertebral bodies and/or by bone of a bone graft. The spinal interbody cage has a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least 3 GPa, and has a ratio of the sum of (i) the volumes of the slots to (ii) the sum of the volumes of the pillars and the volumes of the slots of 0.40:1 to 0.90:1.

Abstract: Hard-tissue implants are provided that include a bulk implant, a face, pillars, slots, and at least one support member. The pillars are for contacting a hard tissue. The slots are to be occupied by the hard tissue. The at least one support member is for contacting the hard tissue. The hard-tissue implant has a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least 3 GPa, and has a ratio of the sum of (i) the volumes of the slots to (ii) the sum of the volumes of the pillars and the volumes of the slots of 0.40:1 to 0.90:1. Methods of making and using hard-tissue implants are also provided.