Abstract: A surgical implant and a surgical kit. The surgical implant having a body for contacting and supporting adjacent vertebrae. The body has a) opposing superior and inferior surfaces with or without corrugations, b) recesses formed in the opposing superior and inferior surfaces within a peripheral boundary of the body, and a recess-fill material (which preferably promotes osseointegration) disposed in the recesses.

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: 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: An expandable intervertebral implant having an upper body portion, a lower body portion opposite the upper body portion, a wedge member connecting the upper body portion to the lower body portion, a nose member having a tapered distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end, and an actuator disposed between the nose member and the wedge member, for translation of the wedge member along a longitudinal axis of the implant. A pin disposed in a center of the nose member connects to the actuator for centering the nose member with the actuator. Translation of the wedge member along the longitudinal axis of the implant displaces the upper body portion and the lower body portion away from each other, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant.

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.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant having an upper body portion, a lower body portion opposite the upper body portion, a wedge member connecting the upper body portion to the lower body portion, a nose member having a tapered distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end, and an actuator disposed between the nose member and the wedge member, for translation of the wedge member along a longitudinal axis of the implant. A pin disposed in a center of the nose member connects to the actuator for centering the nose member with the actuator. Translation of the wedge member along the longitudinal axis of the implant displaces the upper body portion and the lower body portion away from each other, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant.

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

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for installing a spinal fusion cage. The spinal fusion cage includes an outer cage having a proximal outer cage endwall and a distal outer cage endwall. An inner cage has a proximal inner cage endwall and a distal inner cage endwall. The proximal and distal inner cage endwalls each are in slidable contact with a corresponding one of the proximal and distal outer cage endwalls. The inner and outer cages collectively define a fusion cage cavity space having a volume which varies responsive to relative sliding of the inner cage with respect to the outer cage. An actuation tool includes a shaft and an operative portion. The operative portion of the actuation tool has an asymmetrically tapered portion which includes a longitudinally aligned face extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and an angled face extending at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A bone plate screw-blocking system and method that comprises a plate with at least two bone screw receiving holes, blocking elements, bone screws, and a tool capable of simultaneously actuating at least two blocking elements. The plate includes an upper surface and a lower surface with bone screw receiving holes that extend through both surfaces of the plate. The bone screws couple the plate to the bone via the bone screw receiving holes. The blocking elements are movably positioned proximate each bone screw receiving hole. In an initial unblocked position, the blocking elements do not cover the bone screw receiving holes. Upon movement into final blocked positions, the blocking elements cover at least a portion of the bone screw receiving holes and preferably extend over at least a portion of the bone screw during use.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for installing a spinal fusion cage. The spinal fusion cage includes an outer cage having a proximal outer cage endwall and a distal outer cage endwall. An inner cage has a proximal inner cage endwall and a distal inner cage endwall. The proximal and distal inner cage endwalls each are in slidable contact with a corresponding one of the proximal and distal outer cage endwalls. The inner and outer cages collectively define a fusion cage cavity space having a volume which varies responsive to relative sliding of the inner cage with respect to the outer cage. An actuation tool includes a shaft and an operative portion. The operative portion of the actuation tool has an asymmetrically tapered portion which includes a longitudinally aligned face extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and an angled face extending at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Pedicle screws that can include a pedicle screw body, housing, plurality of clamps, rod, and set screw are disclosed herein. The clamps may be positioned side by side inside the lower portion of the housing. When the rod and set screw are provided in the housing, the set screw applies a force on the rod and the rod engages the plurality of clamps, causing the clamps to frictionally engage a head of the pedicle screw between the clamps.

Abstract: A bone plate screw-blocking system and method that comprises a plate with at least two bone screw receiving holes, blocking elements, bone screws, and a tool capable of simultaneously actuating at least two blocking elements. The plate includes an upper surface and a lower surface with bone screw receiving holes that extend through both surfaces of the plate. The bone screws couple the plate to the bone via the bone screw receiving holes. The blocking elements are movably positioned proximate each bone screw receiving hole. In an initial unblocked position, the blocking elements do not cover the bone screw receiving holes. Upon movement into final blocked positions, the blocking elements cover at least a portion of the bone screw receiving holes and preferably extend over at least a portion of the bone screw during use.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for assisting in spinal stabilization. An access device is provided that includes an outer sleeve, inner sleeve, spring latch and lock nut. The inner sleeve includes compressible grasping elements. The access device can be coupled to a screw head by sliding the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve and compressing the grasping elements. The coupled access device and screw can then be delivered to a target location in a patient. After providing two or more access devices, a rod member can be delivered using a rod insertion device. The rod member can serve as a connection between the two screws, and can provide spinal stabilization. An anti-torque device and a persuading device can be used to help ensure that the rod member is placed and secured in a proper location within a patient.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods relating to a spinal implant for placement in a disc space of a spine are described. A spinal implant (1) can include a plurality of wedge members including a leading wedge (22), a trailing wedge (28), and one or more intermediary wedges (26) therebetween. The spinal implant (1) can be configured to have a first linear configuration in which the plurality of wedge members are in a linearly expanded form and a second circular configuration in which the plurality of wedge members are positioned circumferentially relative to a center axis. In its first configuration, the spinal implant (1) can be delivered to a disc space, whereby it can assume its second configuration within the disc space, thereby forming a replacement nucleus. The spinal implant (1) can be kept in its first configuration by a rod member (41) received as through the plurality of wedge members. The wedge members can be slidably removed off of the rod member (41) and can assume the second configuration.