Abstract: The present invention provides a spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of the human spine. In some embodiments the spinal implant includes a spacer and one or more retention members. In some embodiments, the retention members are fixed relative to the spacer and in other embodiments the retention members are deployable from a first or compact or stowed position to a second or expanded or deployed position. In some embodiments the spacer is expandable from a first size to a second size. In some embodiments the spacer has a tapered body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bone fastener assembly useful in constructs for stabilizing bones of a patient. In one aspect of the invention, a bone fastener assembly includes a connecting member, a fastener seat, and a bone fastener. The fastener seat and fastener are receivable in the connecting member and the fastener seat is movable from a first position to a second position to retain the fastener in the connecting member. In another aspect of the invention, a bone fastener assembly includes a rod holder, a fastener seat mounted to the rod holder for rotation about the rod holder axis; and a bone, fastener. The bone fastener is generally “T”-shaped and engages the fastener seat in pivoting relationship such that the bone fastener is able to pivot to vary the angle between the bone fastener and the fastener seat.

Abstract: A fasterner and rod fusion device with extensions to support an adjacent vertebral body is provided. The extensions are connected to the fasterner and rod fusion device. The extensions include flexibly connected rods, bands, spacers, or the like to resist extension and/or flexion of the vertebral body(ies) adjacent a fusion site. Alternatively, the extensions may be coupled to a cross link between multiple rods.

Abstract: There is disclosed a retractor system to facilitate surgical access to an intervertebral disc between an inferior vertebral body and a superior vertebral body. In an embodiment, the retractor system includes an elongate member having an anchor to attach to a pedicle of an inferior vertebral body with respect to an intervertebral disc. A retractor body has a collar to attach to the elongate member, slides coupled to the retractor body, and a pair of blades mounted to the slides. The blades have a proximal end and a distal end, a distance between the proximal end and the distal end of each one of the blades configured for displacing tissue for access to an intervertebral disc. An attachment portion is adjacent the proximal end of each one of the blades for attaching one of the slides thereto. Geometry of the blade end conforms to anatomy surrounding the pedicle.

Abstract: Screw back out prevention devices to inhibit screws from reverse threading or backing out are provided. The devices include first bonding materials on either a bushing in a bore of a plate or directly on the bore and second bonding materials on the screw head. The bonding materials for a bond that inhibits back out or reverse threading of the screw.

Abstract: A delivery mechanism comprising a dilator, catheter, lumen or the like is provided to allow a filler material to be injected to a gap in a partially fused intervertebral disc space to allow correction of the incomplete, partial, or deteriorated fusion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a retractor system to facilitate surgical access to an intervertebral disc between an inferior vertebral body and a superior vertebral body. In an embodiment, the retractor system includes an elongate member having an anchor to attach to a pedicle of an inferior vertebral body with respect to an intervertebral disc. A retractor body has a collar to attach to the elongate member, slides coupled to the retractor body, and a pair of blades mounted to the slides. The blades have a proximal end and a distal end, a distance between the proximal end and the distal end of each one of the blades configured for displacing tissue for access to an intervertebral disc. An attachment portion is adjacent the proximal end of each one of the blades for attaching one of the slides thereto. Geometry of the blade end conforms to anatomy surrounding the pedicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. The spacer is provided in a variety of lengths and superior to inferior surface spacings. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and a cerclage element offset from the midline of the spacer in use so that the spacer defines a fulcrum and the cerclage element is operative to impart a moment to the vertebrae about the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided to support or repair one or both of the disc annulus and the disc nucleus. The intervertebral disc device includes an annulus support and an elongated member to support the disc nucleus. The disc annulus support has an elongated wire and an annulus closure. The disc nucleus has an elongated member that is expandable. Any of the devices can be loaded with biologics. Moreover, any of the devices may include a scarring factor to promote fibrous growth.

Abstract: A method, kit, and system to separate muscle fiber prior to threading pedicle screws. The kit and system include at least one dilator that is sized and shaped with a leading edge to expand and separate muscle fibers between the first and second pedicles. The dilator(s) expose the surgical area by separating the muscle fiber prior to threading the pedicle screws. Because the muscle fiber is spread, it does not need to be cut to place rods, which facilitates minimally invasive surgical methods.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of repairing a diseased vessel having a plurality of branch vessels extending therefrom. The method includes locating a vessel to removal from blood flow. A single incision is made to provide access to the vessel. Branch locating stent grafts having radio opaque edges are placed in a plurality of branch vessels branching from the located vessel. A single main vessel stent graft is placed in the vessel temporarily occlude the branch locating stent grafts that subsequently are located using the radio opaque edges. The surgeon punctures the wall of the main vessel stent graft at the edges to provide an access port from the main vessel stent graft to the branch locating stent grafts and finally places a plurality of branch connecting stents corresponding to each of the plurality of branch locating stent grafts.

Abstract: The cross connecting device includes a bar arm coupled to one of a pair of posterior rods or spinal fixation rods and a rod arm coupled to the other of the pair of the rods. The bar arm and rod arm are coupled together by a connector or coupling device. The coupling device has a shank extending through a bore in the bar arm and a connector bore through which a protrusion on the bar arm extends. The bar arm is rotationally movable in the connector bore. The shank is rotationally and translationally movable in the bar arm bore. The coupling device is vertically movable through the bore. The protrusion is rotationally and translationally movable in the connector bore. The cross connecting devices are coupled to the rods by a pair of opposing surface to surface contacts formed by a surface of a hook end and a surface of a pad.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of gaining access to a lateral side of a spinal column for a spinal fusion procedure at a surgical site. In an embodiment, the method includes inserting a distal end of a shaft through skin at an entry point into a patient; steering the shaft toward a surgical site using a visualization device to avoid damage to structures between the entry point and the surgical site; and retracting tissue between the entry point and the surgical site to define a pathway for access to the lateral side of the spinal column for a spinal fusion procedure. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Facet replacement device is provided. The facet replacement device comprises a superior seating device coupled to a superior vertebral body and an inferior seating device coupled to an inferior vertebral body. The seating devices provide a joint to replace the facet. Another device comprises a superior vertebral body anchor with a first extension terminating in a joint connection, such as, a socket. An inferior vertebral body anchor has a second extension terminating in a corresponding joint connection, such as, a ball.

Abstract: There is disclosed a retractor system to facilitate surgical access to an intervertebral disc between an inferior vertebral body and a superior vertebral body. In an embodiment, the retractor system includes an elongate member having an anchor to attach to a pedicle of an inferior vertebral body with respect to an intervertebral disc. A retractor body has a collar to attach to the elongate member, slides coupled to the retractor body, and a pair of blades mounted to the slides. The blades have a proximal end and a distal end, a distance between the proximal end and the distal end of each one of the blades configured for displacing tissue for access to an intervertebral disc. An attachment portion is adjacent the proximal end of each one of the blades for attaching one of the slides thereto. Geometry of the blade end conforms to anatomy surrounding the pedicle.

Abstract: A dynamic spinal stabilization apparatus comprises a stabilization device such as a rod or a plate. Elongated bores, interfaces, or terminations packed with elastic material provides relative movement between the devices to allow spinal flexion and extension. Initially, relative movement may be constrained by a degradable materials, such as a resorbable material, to allow and screws to fuse to the associated bone.

Abstract: An expandable spinal fusion device is provided. The expandable device comprises a first part slidingly coupled to a second part. An removable expandable member extends between the first part and the second part and is coupled to a rotating operator such that rotating the operator causes the first part and the second part to move away from each other and distract vertebral bodies. A spacer or clip is used to lock the first part in relation to the second part to allow bone growth the fuse the vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A delivery mechanism comprising a dilator, catheter, lumen or the like is provided to allow a filler material to be injected to a gap in a partially fused intervertebral disc space to allow correction of the incomplete, partial, or deteriorated fusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aneurysm stent having a base and connector. The base has a vessel facing side and an aneurysm facing side, and is shaped to cover an aneurysm sufficiently. The connector is coupled to the aneurysm facing side of the base such that when deployed the connector is adapted to extend partially into the aneurysm to anchor the base about the aneurysm and alter flow into the aneurysm. Further, the stent can be used as a delivery mechanism to deliver growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implant to be implanted between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra. The implant comprises a main body having a superior surface and an inferior surface with at least one linear surface protrusion residing on at least one of the superior surface or the inferior surface. The protrusion having a substantially flat bone engaging surface and a generally trapezoidal cross-section.