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: 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: 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: 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 vascular stent graft. The vascular stent graft comprises a main vessel stent graft and a bypass stent graft to bypass a portion of vascular anatomy, connecting branch stent graft to provide flow to branch vessels to remove a portion of the vascular anatomy from circulation. The main vessel stent graft is designed with or punctured to contain an access port through which the bypass or connecting branch stent graft is received. A sealing relationship is formed between the stents to prevent leakage or bleeding.

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: 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: 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 cervical plate having backout or reverse threading protection is provided. The cervical plate has one screw bores through which at least one screw extends to anchor the cervical plate to a vertebra. The plate further has at least one channel with at least one engaging edge. A cover plate has a cover plate that extends over a portion of a screw head of the screw. The cover plate also has a locking extension with at least one locking edge at a distal end. The locking extension is inserted into the channel such that the engaging edge and the locking edge engage and hold the cover plate such that the cover plate edge is substantially adjacent the portion of the screw head preventing the screw from backing out.

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 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: A surgical method, tool, and system to facilitate spinal surgery includes locating an inferior pedicle and guiding a bone cutting device to the inferior pedicle. The bone cutting device is used to remove a necessary portion of the vertebral body to provide access to the disc space. Typically the bone cutting device is removed and a speculum is inserted along the bone cutter guide until the speculum contacts a disc annulus between the inferior vertebral body and a superior vertebral body. The speculum is moved to ensure the nerves are out of the surgical area. The speculum also provides a shield to inhibit inadvertent damage to the nerve why the surgeon is operating.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anchor to attach an artificial disc to vertebral bodies. The artificial disc comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate. A disc section extends between the endplates. The superior endplate comprises a first wall defining a first cavity, the first cavity to contain material to facilitate fusion of the superior endplate to a superior vertebral body. Similarly, the inferior endplate comprises a second wall defining a second cavity, the second cavity to contain material to facilitate fusion of the superior endplate to a superior vertebral body.

Abstract: A spinal fusion plate includes a means to support an adjacent vertebral segment to inhibit the adjacent vertebral segment from further degeneration. The means to support includes an attachment to an associated artificial disc or nucleus replacement, an extension, or an attachment to a bone anchor. In each case, the attachment is moveable in relation to the fusion plate to allow flexion and extension.

Abstract: A pedicle screw stabilization device comprises a superior and inferior pedicle screw anchor with a shaped memory alloy spacer therebetween.

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: 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: An artificial disc is provided having a rigid pre-formed phase. The disc is implanted in an elastic phase and activated to the pre-formed phase. The pre-formed shape provides corrective forces to stabilize or correct spinal abnormalities.

Abstract: A method, kit, and system to separate muscle fiber prior to threading pedicle screws. By separating the muscle fiber prior to threading the pedicle screws, the muscle fiber does not need to be cut to place rods, which facilitates minimally invasive surgical methods.

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.