Abstract: One aspect is a method of forming a wire, including providing a first wire section comprising a first material, providing a second wire section comprising a second material different from the first material, cooling a joining section that comprises a superelastic material, inserting the first and second wire sections into the joining section, and allowing the joining section to warm such that it compresses on to both the first and second wire section thereby joining them together.

Abstract: One aspect provides a medical guidewire including a core wire extending from a proximal tip of a proximal end section to a distal tip of a distal end section. A polymer layer covers a perimeter surface of at least a portion of the distal end section, the polymer layer covering the distal tip and extending proximally to a proximal end portion defining a proximal edge. A strengthening feature is disposed about a perimeter surface of at least the core wire at the proximal end portion of the polymer layer, the strengthening feature beginning at a location proximally spaced from the proximal edge of the polymer layer and extending distally at least until the proximal edge of the polymer layer, the strengthening feature to prevent damage to the proximal end portion of the polymer layer.

Abstract: One aspect is a medical guidewire including a core wire with a proximal end extending out to a distal end and a resilient portion coupled to the distal end of the core wire at a distal tip section of the guidewire. The resilient portion includes a superelastic material.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.

Abstract: One aspect is a medical guidewire having a first wire section of a first material and a second wire section having a second material different from the first material. A joining section is adjacent both the first and second wire sections, and the joining section has a feature configured hold the first wire section to the second wire section.

Abstract: One aspect is a medical guidewire including a core wire with a proximal end extending out to a distal end and a resilient portion coupled to the distal end of the core wire at a distal tip section of the guidewire. The resilient portion includes a superelastic material.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.

Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.

Abstract: An adjustable apparatus for guiding medical instruments used in attaching bone plates. The apparatus has a handle assembly, guide member, a spacer, and an actuation member. The actuation member extends from the handle assembly and actuates the spacer between a position adjacent the guide member and a position spaced from the guide member. The spacer has a through hole that may axially align with a lumen extending through the guide member when in the first position and which is moved out of axial alignment with the lumen in the second position. The spacer may function as a depth stop to control the maximum depth a drill bit can extend from the guide member.

Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.

Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second vertebral anchors of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a first coupling assembly proximate a first end, a second coupling assembly proximate a second end, a first fastener having external threading configured to threadably engage an internal threaded portion of a housing of the first vertebral anchor, and a second fastener having external threading configured to threadably engage an internal threaded portion of a housing of the second vertebral anchor. Each of the first and second fasteners includes a spherical upper surface, such as a spherically concave upper surface. A spherical surface of each of the first and second coupling assemblies mates with the spherical upper surface of the respective fastener to provide multi-axial rotation of the transverse connector relative to the housings to permit a desired orientation of the transverse connector.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.

Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.

Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.

Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.