Abstract: The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an elongate body that has first and second ends with the first end being located adjacent to the handle assembly and the second end being moveably connected to an implant engagement assembly. The surgical instrument also has a length control mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a drive shaft and a gear assembly. The surgical instrument further has a locking mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a connecting rod and a coupling end. The length control mechanism functions to adjust the overall length of an implant that is held by the implant engagement assembly before being implanted in vivo. The locking mechanism operates to secure the overall length of the implant following final length adjustment and implantation. A surgical method for using the surgical instrument, a method of fabrication and a spinal implant insertion kit is also disclosed.

Abstract: Variable height intervertebral devices and method of employing the devices are disclosed. The devices and methods can maintain or re-establishing anatomic spacing along a spine and can ensure avoidance of long-term structural, neurological, vascular, and/or other systemic impairments. The intervertebral device includes a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first disk threaded to the first end of the cylindrical body and a second disk mounted to the second end of the cylindrical body; means for rotating the cylindrical body whereby the first disk translates along the cylindrical body to vary the height of the device; and a plurality of pins mounted to one disk, the plurality of pins slidably engageable with a plurality of sleeves mounted to the other disk, the pins and sleeves inhibiting the first disk from rotating when the cylindrical body is rotated.

Abstract: Tissue spacer implants, surgical distraction instruments, surgical insertion tools, coupling devices, surgical kits, surgical methods for distraction, and methods for coupling bodies are disclosed. The tissue spacer implants include a first end member, a second end member, and an intermediate spacer member having a coupling mechanism adapted to couple the first end member with the intermediate spacer member and to couple the second end member with the intermediate spacer member. The surgical instruments may be used for inserting these implants and include a first elongated member, a second elongated member, a distraction mechanism, and an actuator. The coupling devices may be used to couple the components of the implants.

Abstract: A fracture fixation plate with cover sheath having a head element that is rigidly connected to a plate element in an upwardly angled direction. The head element is anatomically shaped and includes medial and lateral sheath recesses wherein non-threaded bone screw holes and a threaded sheath screw hole are located. Cylindrical head bone screws are inserted through the sheath recess and oriented at set angles allowing for bone fragment fixation and fracture reduction. Medial and lateral sheath elements are placed within the boundaries of their respective sheath recesses and are secured with a sheath screw. The sheath elements contact the heads of the inserted bone screws restricting and maintaining their implanted positions. Alternative sheath elements with outreaching medial, lateral and distal fragment capture flanges may also be utilized. The plate element includes at least one longitudinal slot with several bone screw holes for use with pivotable spherical headed bone screws.

Abstract: Tissue spacer implants, surgical distraction instruments, surgical insertion tools, coupling devices, surgical kits, surgical methods for distraction, and methods for coupling bodies are disclosed. The tissue spacer implants include a first end member, a second end member, and an intermediate spacer member having a coupling mechanism adapted to couple the first end member with the intermediate spacer member and to couple the second end member with the intermediate spacer member. The surgical instruments may be used for inserting these implants and include a first elongated member, a second elongated member, a distraction mechanism, and an actuator. The coupling devices may be used to couple the components of the implants.

Abstract: The present invention is a surgical retractor that can be manipulated with only a digit of a single hand. The surgical retractor includes a shaft, which may be cylindrical, with a finger member attached to one side. The finger member may be an arc segment properly sized to keep a digit next to the shaft. Attached to one end of the shaft is a rake head. The rake head consists of three segments attached to one another, the first of which is attached to the shaft. The final segment has a concavity formed upon it to allow another instrument access beneath the surgical retractor. The method of using the surgical retractor is also disclosed.

Abstract: The surgical instrument includes a handle and a housing member that has a first end that is fixed to the handle and a second end that is configured to receive an engagement member. The surgical instrument also has an implant holding mechanism that is operatively associated with the housing member and the handle. The surgical instrument further includes a length control mechanism that has a knob, a rod member and a toothed member. The toothed member is fixed to one end of the rod member and the knob is attached to the other end. The surgical instrument also has a locking mechanism that includes a knob and a rod member having a proximal end to which the knob is attached and a distal end that is configured to detachably couple to a locking device. A surgical method for using the surgical instrument and a bone spacing kit is also disclosed.

Abstract: The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an elongate body that has first and second ends with the first end being located adjacent to the handle assembly and the second end being moveably connected to an implant engagement assembly. The surgical instrument also has a length control mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a drive shaft and a gear assembly. The surgical instrument further has a locking mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a connecting rod and a coupling end. The length control mechanism functions to adjust the overall length of an implant that is held by the implant engagement assembly before being implanted in vivo. The locking mechanism operates to secure the overall length of the implant following final length adjustment and implantation. A surgical method for using the surgical instrument, a method of fabrication and a spinal implant insertion kit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in releasing soft tissue within the human body. The surgical instrument has a handle with proximal and distal ends with a tube connected to the distal end. The surgical instrument also includes a blade member that slidingly engages the tube moving along the length of the tube to cut soft tissue. Further included in the surgical instrument is a guard member that is attached to the blade member. The guard member has a hood portion and a capture portion. The hood portion is connected to the blade member with the distally positioned capture portion acting to displace surrounding tissue while capturing certain soft tissue structures resulting in the blade member being in operative position to cut and release the soft tissue. A surgical instrument kit including a plurality of modular surgical instruments and method for releasing soft tissue using the surgical instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: The vertebral body replacement device includes a body member and a central rod member that has two threaded portions and is configured to be operatively associated with the body member. The device also includes a first end member and a second end member with the end members being configured to threadingly engage the threaded portions of the central rod member. The body member and the two end members are further constructed to inhibit rotational movement of the two end members when the device is positioned within a space within a spine as the two end members will engage the adjacent respective vertebral bodies following rotational actuation of the central rod member causing the end members to move in an axial direction relative to the body member, thereby allowing the two end members to apply a force to the two vertebral bodies. A surgical method using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The footplate member includes an end surface, a sidewall that is attached to the end surface, and an orientation mechanism that is designed to align the footplate member in a certain position relative to at least one of the two end members of the vertebral body replacement device. The orientation mechanism includes a plurality of tabs located on an end wall of each end member and corresponding slots located along the edge of the sidewall, with the tabs and slots being sized and positioned to mate. The footplate member also includes a locking mechanism designed to couple the footplate member to an end member prior to the implantation of the vertebral body replacement device within a space within a spinal column. A method for assembling a vertebral body replacement device and a method for using a footplate member in a vertebral body replacement device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fracture fixation plate with cover sheath having a head element that is rigidly connected to a plate element in an upwardly angled direction. The head element is anatomically shaped and includes medial and lateral sheath recesses wherein non-threaded bone screw holes and a threaded sheath screw hole are located. Cylindrical head bone screws are inserted through the sheath recess and oriented at set angles allowing for bone fragment fixation and fracture reduction. Medial and lateral sheath elements are placed within the boundaries of their respective sheath recesses and are secured with a sheath screw. The sheath elements contact the heads of the inserted bone screws restricting and maintaining their implanted positions. Alternative sheath elements with outreaching medial, lateral and distal fragment capture flanges may also be utilized. The plate element includes at least one longitudinal slot with several bone screw holes for use with pivotable spherical headed bone screws.