Abstract: A modular screw assembly for use in stabilizing a spinal column. The assembly has a fastener which couples to a screw head of a bone anchor, a screw head coupler, a retaining ring, and a friction ring. The fastener houses the screw head coupler, the retaining ring, and the friction ring. Translation of the fastener by the screw head results in the retaining ring elastically deforming and then snapping around the screw head.

Abstract: A plate and cage assembly for stabilization of vertebral bodies. The assembly includes at least one fixation member, a cage having a proximal wall, a superior surface and an inferior surface (the superior surface and the inferior surface for engaging adjacent vertebrae), and a plate coupled to the cage and having at least one hole traversing the plate at an angle for insertion of the at least one fixation member into one of the vertebral bodies. The proximal wall of the cage has a blind hole, and the plate has a threaded screw hole aligned with the blind hole in the proximal wall of the cage.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing and dispensing system and method for mixing and delivering bone cement therefrom. The system has a mixing container for holding a bone cement mixture, the mixing container extending along an axial length and having opposed first and second ends, the first end comprising a downstream opening for dispensing the bone cement downstream from the mixing container; a mixing element movably disposed within the mixing container; and a plunger comprising a piston movably disposed within the mixing container. In this system. with a first coupling, the mixing element moves by assistance of a motor along the axial length of the mixing container without translation of the plunger to mix the bone cement. In this system. with a second coupling, the mixing element and plunger are driven together along the axial length of the mixing container.

Abstract: A surgical implant and a surgical kit. The surgical implant has a body having at least one interior surface, the body forming a peripheral support for the implant. The surgical implant has a porous insert comprised of a porous material, having at least one axially-extending hole, and attached to the body along the at least one interior surface such that the porous material extends across a height of the body. The porous insert has a locking mechanism formed in the porous insert or extending from the porous insert, the locking mechanism minimizing movement of the porous insert from within the body. The surgical kit includes the surgical implant and an intervertebral insertion device.

Abstract: A surgical implant and a surgical kit. The surgical implant has a body portion comprising a first hole formed in an exterior surface of the body portion, a second hole adjacent the first hole, and at least one through-hole within the body portion and extending entirely thought a depth of the body portion extending entirely thought a depth of the body portion. The implant has a central opening abutting the body portion and extending through the body portion. The first hole has a first sidewall and a first cavity in the body portion, the second hole has a second sidewall and a second cavity in the body portion, and the first cavity and the second cavity have an interconnected opening there between. The surgical kit includes the surgical implant and an intervertebral insertion device.

Abstract: A surgical implant and a surgical kit. The surgical implant has a body having at least one interior surface, the body forming a peripheral support for the implant. The surgical implant has a porous insert comprised of a porous material, having at least one axially-extending hole, and attached to the body along the at least one interior surface such that the porous material extends across a height of the body. The porous insert has a locking mechanism formed in the porous insert or extending from the porous insert, the locking mechanism minimizing movement of the porous insert from within the body. The surgical kit includes the surgical implant and an intervertebral insertion device.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing and dispensing system and method for mixing and delivering bone cement therefrom. The system has a mixing container for holding a bone cement mixture, the mixing container extending along an axial length and having opposed first and second ends, the first end comprising a downstream opening for dispensing the bone cement downstream from the mixing container; a mixing element movably disposed within the mixing container; and a plunger comprising a piston movably disposed within the mixing container. In this system. with a first coupling, the mixing element moves by assistance of a motor along the axial length of the mixing container without translation of the plunger to mix the bone cement. In this system. with a second coupling, the mixing element and plunger are driven together along the axial length of the mixing container.

Abstract: A modular screw assembly for use in stabilizing a spinal column. The assembly has a fastener which couples to a screw head of a bone anchor, a screw head coupler, a retaining ring, and a friction ring. The fastener houses the screw head coupler, the retaining ring, and the friction ring. Translation of the fastener by the screw head results in the retaining ring elastically deforming and then snapping around the screw head.

Abstract: A plate and cage assembly for stabilization of vertebral bodies. The assembly includes at least one fixation member, a cage having a proximal wall, a superior surface and an inferior surface (the superior surface and the inferior surface for engaging adjacent vertebrae), and a plate coupled to the cage and having at least one hole traversing the plate at an angle for insertion of the at least one fixation member into one of the vertebral bodies. The proximal wall of the cage has a blind hole, and the plate has a threaded screw hole aligned with the blind hole in the proximal wall of the cage.

Abstract: An occipital plate and hinged rod assembly. The occipital plate having a screw-attachment section having through holes for securing the occipital plate to a skull, a laterally-extending section, a tulip connector, a slide clip disposed underneath the laterally-extending section and engaging a base of the tulip connector, and an insert ring encompassing side walls of tulip connector. The laterally-extending section, the tulip connector, the slide clip, and the insert ring have respective surfaces with complementary curvatures that fit together. The hinged rod assembly is connected to the occipital plate by rods.

Abstract: An occipital plate and hinged rod assembly. The occipital plate having a screw-attachment section having through holes for securing the occipital plate to a skull, a laterally-extending section, a tulip connector, a slide clip disposed underneath the laterally-extending section and engaging a base of the tulip connector, and an insert ring encompassing side walls of tulip connector. The laterally-extending section, the tulip connector, the slide clip, and the insert ring have respective surfaces with complementary curvatures that fit together. The hinged rod assembly is connected to the occipital plate by rods.

Abstract: A surgical implant and a surgical kit. The surgical implant has a body portion comprising a first hole formed in an exterior surface of the body portion, a second hole adjacent the first hole, and at least one through-hole within the body portion and extending entirely thought a depth of the body portion extending entirely thought a depth of the body portion. The implant has a central opening abutting the body portion and extending through the body portion. The first hole has a first sidewall and a first cavity in the body portion, the second hole has a second sidewall and a second cavity in the body portion, and the first cavity and the second cavity have an interconnected opening there between. The surgical kit includes the surgical implant and an intervertebral insertion device.

Abstract: A surgical implant and a surgical kit. The surgical implant has a body portion comprising a first hole formed in an exterior surface of the body portion, a second hole adjacent the first hole, and at least one through-hole within the body portion and extending entirely thought a depth of the body portion extending entirely thought a depth of the body portion. The implant has a central opening abutting the body portion and extending through the body portion. The first hole has a first sidewall and a first cavity in the body portion, the second hole has a second sidewall and a second cavity in the body portion, and the first cavity and the second cavity have an interconnected opening there between.

Abstract: A surgical implant and a surgical kit. The surgical implant has a body portion comprising a first hole formed in an exterior surface of the body portion, a second hole adjacent the first hole, and at least one through-hole within the body portion and extending entirely thought a depth of the body portion extending entirely thought a depth of the body portion. The implant has a central opening abutting the body portion and extending through the body portion. The first hole has a first sidewall and a first cavity in the body portion, the second hole has a second sidewall and a second cavity in the body portion, and the first cavity and the second cavity have an interconnected opening there between.

Abstract: Internal fixation devices are provided that include a plate having a rotatable screw lock mounted in a recess of the plate. The screw lock has a lock head including a laterally extending flange that has an outer edge that is below the upper surface of the plate. In a locked position, a portion of the upper surface of the plate covers at least a part of the lock head to reduce the likelihood of the screw lock being pushed off the plate. Further, in a locked position, the laterally extending flange obstructs passage of a screw through a corresponding screw hole. Such obstruction hinders screw migration.

Abstract: A spinal implant for placement between first and second vertebrae includes a housing having first and second axial end surfaces and a bore extending along an axis through the housing and between the end surfaces. A first projection extends at least partially about the axis and including a channel. A lift is slidably received in the bore and includes threads along its length. A collar is threadably engaged with the lift and extends into the channel on the housing such that the projection prevents axial movement of the collar relative to the housing. Rotation of the collar about the axis causes the lift to move axially relative to the collar and the housing for adjusting the height of the implant.

Abstract: An expandable bone plate assembly is provided having a top plate portion and a bottom plate portion. A back side of the top plate portion has a longitudinally extending blind slot. A transversely extending counterbore extends through front back sides of the top plate portion. A transversely extending bore extends through the front and back sides of the bottom plate portion. The bone plate assembly also includes a pin with a pin head and a pin shaft depending from the pin head. The pin shaft is disposed within the transversely extending bore of the bottom plate portion and has an outer diameter greater than the minor diameter of the transversely extending bore. The pin head is disposed against the longitudinally extending blind slot of the top plate portion.

Abstract: Methods of installing bone plates on adjacent vertebrae are provided.

Abstract: A surgical screw driving device for driving a screw into a surgical fixture. The device has a screwdriver having a proximal end, a distal end having a driver for engaging the screw, and an elongated shaft extending therebetween. The device has a screw retainer surrounding and extending along the elongated shaft. The screw retainer is configured to engage and hold a periphery of a screw head prior to the screw being driven into the surgical fixture. The screw retainer is configured to disengage from the periphery of the screw head as an axial end of the screw retainer contacts the surgical fixture and is further configured, upon disengagement and without necessity of outside assistance, to translate along the elongated shaft of the screwdriver away from the distal end and toward the proximal end.

Abstract: Self-drilling, self-tapping and self-advancing orthopedic screws are provided. An orthopedic screw includes a relief cut at the tip of the screw that is timed to the distal-most thread at the end of the screw tip to create a wide and sharp cutting edge for the screw.