Abstract: A bone plate assembly is disclosed which includes at least one plate segment having at least one aperture extending therethrough for receiving a head portion of a bone screw, and a structure supported by the plate segment and intersecting the aperture for retaining the head portion of the bone screw with respect to the plate segment.

Abstract: A fastening device including a fastener having a head portion and an elongated threaded body portion extending axially from the head portion. The threaded body portion includes opposing flat sections. A lock washer has a lower surface with an array of radially extending engagement teeth. The lock washer also defines an axial aperture for receiving the fastener. The axial aperture has two flat inner surfaces for cooperating with the two flat sections of the threaded body portion to prevent relative rotation of the washer and threaded body portion. A threaded lock nut mates with the threaded body portion. The lock nut has an upper surface with at least one cantilevered pawl members for ratcheted engagement with the array of radially extending engagement teeth of the lock washer.

Abstract: A vertebral column construct for stabilizing a segment of a vertebral column can include first and second plate segments, and a spring connected between adjacent plate segments. The spring can be adapted and configured to provide a predetermined preload between the first and second plate segments. Such a preload can advantageously enhance fusion across a bone graft. Alternatively, the spring can be adapted and configured to resist, by a predetermined degree, loading between the first and second plate segments. A cam can be provided on one of the first and second plate segments, wherein engagement between the cam and the cam surface prevents dynamic connection between the first and second plates. The cam can be adapted and configured to adjust a preload applied between segments, such as by adjusting tension in the spring.

Abstract: A fastening device including a fastener having a head portion and an elongated threaded body portion extending axially from the head portion. The threaded body portion includes opposing flat sections. A lock washer has a lower surface with an array of radially extending engagement teeth. The lock washer also defines an axial aperture for receiving the fastener. The axial aperture has two flat inner surfaces for cooperating with the two flat sections of the threaded body portion to prevent relative rotation of the washer and threaded body portion. A threaded lock nut mates with the threaded body portion. The lock nut has an upper surface with at least one cantilevered pawl members for ratcheted engagement with the array of radially extending engagement teeth of the lock washer.

Abstract: An interspinous process implant is disclosed that includes a body defining a longitudinal axis, an interior cavity and opposed proximal and distal end portions, a pair of anchor wings operatively associated with the distal end portion of the body and mounted for pivotal movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the body between a first position housed within the interior cavity of the body and a second position extending radially outwardly from the body, an anchor collar operatively associated with the proximal portion of the body and mounted for axial movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the body between a first position spaced apart from the anchor wings and a second position approximated with the anchor wings, a pair of anchor blades operatively associated with the anchor collar and mounted for movement between a first position housed at least partially within the interior cavity of the body and a second position extending radially outwardly from the anchor collar.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly is disclosed which includes at least one plate segment having at least one aperture extending therethrough for receiving a head portion of a bone screw, and a structure supported by the plate segment and intersecting the aperture for retaining the head portion of the bone screw with respect to the plate segment.

Abstract: A bone fracture plate assembly including female and male plate portions. The female plate portion has a post, a female dovetail, and an extending aim with a group of ratchet teeth. The male plate portion has two upstanding posts, a male dovetail for coupling to the female dovetail so that the plate portions move linearly with respect to each other, a slot for the arm, and a pawl for engaging the ratchet teeth. A spring, coupled to the posts of the plate portions, dynamically connects the plate portions by applying a compressive load therebetween. The spring has a pair of elongated ears, each defining a slot to allow for relative movement of the plate portions. The ratchet teeth are engaged by the pawl to retain the plate portions together, and the spring mounts on the posts of the plate portions such that the spring biases the plate portions together.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly is disclosed which includes at least one plate segment having at least one aperture extending therethrough for receiving a head portion of a bone screw, and a structure supported by the plate segment and intersecting the aperture for retaining the head portion of the bone screw with respect to the plate segment.

Abstract: Spinal implants include an elongated body portion dimensioned and configured for percutaneous introduction into a target interspinous process space, at which interspinous distraction and/or spinal fusion are desired. The body portion can include a threaded outer surface, or alternatively a smooth surface. The body portion can include one or more interior cavities, and can include deployable engagement members adapted and configured to move in tandem between a stowed position retracted within the interior cavity of the body portion and a deployed position extended from the interior cavity of the body for engaging adjacent spinous processes. An internal drive assembly for selectively moving the engagement members from the stowed position to the deployed position can be provided, as can a elements for locking the engagement members in a deployed position.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly is disclosed which includes at least one plate segment having at least one aperture extending therethrough for receiving a head portion of a bone screw, and a structure supported by the plate segment and intersecting the aperture for retaining the head portion of the bone screw with respect to the plate segment.

Abstract: A vertebral column construct for stabilizing a segment of a vertebral column can include first and second plate segments, and a spring connected between adjacent plate segments. The spring can be adapted and configured to provide a predetermined preload between the first and second plate segments. Such a preload can advantageously enhance fusion across a bone graft. Alternatively, the spring can be adapted and configured to resist, by a predetermined degree, loading between the first and second plate segments. A cam can be provided on one of the first and second plate segments, wherein engagement between the cam and the cam surface prevents dynamic connection between the first and second plates. The cam can be adapted and configured to adjust a preload applied between segments, such as by adjusting tension in the spring.

Abstract: A vertebral column construct for stabilizing a segment of a vertebral column can include first and second plate segments, and a spring connected between adjacent plate segments. The spring can be adapted and configured to provide a predetermined preload between the first and second plate segments. Such a preload can advantageously enhance fusion across a bone graft. Alternatively, the spring can be adapted and configured to resist, by a predetermined degree, loading between the first and second plate segments. A cam can be provided on one of the first and second plate segments, wherein engagement between the cam and the cam surface prevents dynamic connection between the first and second plates. The cam can be adapted and configured to adjust a preload applied between segments, such as by adjusting tension in the spring.

Abstract: Spinal implants include an elongated body portion dimensioned and configured for percutaneous introduction into a target interspinous process space, at which interspinous distraction and/or spinal fusion are desired. The body portion can include a threaded outer surface, or alternatively a smooth surface. The body portion can include one or more interior cavities, and can include deployable engagement members adapted and configured to move in tandem between a stowed position retracted within the interior cavity of the body portion and a deployed position extended from the interior cavity of the body for engaging adjacent spinous processes. An internal drive assembly for selectively moving the engagement members from the stowed position to the deployed position can be provided, as can a elements for locking the engagement members in a deployed position.

Abstract: A spinal implant for treating lumbar spinal stenosis or as an adjunct to spinal fusion. The implant includes a body portion having an interior cavity. A plurality of locking wings are adapted and configured to move between a stowed position retracted within the interior cavity of the body portion and a deployed position extended from the interior cavity of the body portion. In the deployed position, the wings fix the implant in a selected interspinous space. A cable and wheel arrangement moves the plurality of locking wings from the stowed position to the deployed position and a ratchet/pawl assembly prevents backward movement of the wings.

Abstract: Spinal implants include an elongated body portion dimensioned and configured for percutaneous introduction into a target interspinous process space, at which interspinous distraction and/or spinal fusion are desired. The body portion can include a threaded outer surface, or alternatively a smooth surface. The body portion can include one or more interior cavities, and can include deployable engagement members adapted and configured to move in tandem between a stowed position retracted within the interior cavity of the body portion and a deployed position extended from the interior cavity of the body for engaging adjacent spinous processes. An internal drive assembly for selectively moving the engagement members from the stowed position to the deployed position can be provided, as can a elements for locking the engagement members in a deployed position.

Abstract: A fastening device including a fastener having a head portion and an elongated threaded body portion extending axially from the head portion. The threaded body portion includes opposing flat sections. A lock washer has a lower surface with an array of radially extending engagement teeth. The lock washer also defines an axial aperture for receiving the fastener. The axial aperture has two flat inner surfaces for cooperating with the two flat sections of the threaded body portion to prevent relative rotation of the washer and threaded body portion. A threaded lock nut mates with the threaded body portion. The lock nut has an upper surface with at least one cantilevered pawl members for ratcheted engagement with the array of radially extending engagement teeth of the lock washer.

Abstract: A spinal implant for treating lumbar spinal stenosis or as an adjunct to spinal fusion. The implant includes a body portion having an interior cavity. A plurality of locking wings are adapted and configured to move between a stowed position retracted within the interior cavity of the body portion and a deployed position extended from the interior cavity of the body portion. In the deployed position, the wings fix the implant in a selected interspinous space. A cable and wheel arrangement moves the plurality of locking wings from the stowed position to the deployed position and a ratchet/pawl assembly prevents backward movement of the wings.

Abstract: A vertebral column construct for stabilizing a segment of a vertebral column can include first and second plate segments, and a spring connected between adjacent plate segments. The spring can be adapted and configured to provide a predetermined preload between the first and second plate segments. Such a preload can advantageously enhance fusion across a bone graft. Alternatively, the spring can be adapted and configured to resist, by a predetermined degree, loading between the first and second plate segments. A cam can be provided on one of the first and second plate segments, wherein engagement between the cam and the cam surface prevents dynamic connection between the first and second plates. The cam can be adapted and configured to adjust a preload applied between segments, such as by adjusting tension in the spring.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes an elongated body dimensioned and configured to function as a spacer, for placement in a target interspinous process space, between two adjacent spinous processes, a distal anchor associated with a distal end of the body, and a proximal anchor mounted for longitudinal movement along the body between a first position spaced apart from the head and a second position approximated with the head, adapted to compress the two adjacent spinous processes, in conjunction with the distal anchor.