Abstract: An improved cage that has an anchoring system and method of use thereof. The anchoring system has movable/expandable jaw portions that can expand vertically (i.e., upward and downward relative to the respective superior and inferior surfaces of the cage) so that the cage can be more securely implanted in position. The superior and inferior expandable portions of the anchoring system move vertically by the rotation of one or more spindles that is incorporated in the jaw mechanism (and/or by the rotation of a lead screw that is incorporated in the cage). In some embodiments, the medical implant (such as a cage) is itself non-expandable (i.e., the height of the medical implant does not change). In other embodiments, the medical implant (such as a cage) can be expanded independently of the anchoring system.

Abstract: An improved cage that has an anchoring system and method of use thereof. The anchoring system has movable/expandable jaw portions that can expand vertically (i.e., upward and downward relative to the respective superior and inferior surfaces of the cage) so that the cage can be more securely implanted in position. The superior and inferior expandable portions of the anchoring system move vertically by the rotation of one or more spindles that is incorporated in the jaw mechanism (and/or by the rotation of a lead screw that is incorporated in the cage). In some embodiments, the medical implant (such as a cage) is itself non-expandable (i.e., the height of the medical implant does not change). In other embodiments, the medical implant (such as a cage) can be expanded independently of the anchoring system.

Abstract: An improved cage that has an anchoring system and method of use thereof. The anchoring system has movable/expandable jaw portions that can expand vertically (i.e., upward and downward relative to the respective superior and inferior surfaces of the cage) so that the cage can be more securely implanted in position. The superior and inferior expandable portions of the anchoring system move vertically by the rotation of one or more spindles that is incorporated in the jaw mechanism (and/or by the rotation of a lead screw that is incorporated in the cage). In some embodiments, the medical implant (such as a cage) is itself non-expandable (i.e., the height of the medical implant does not change). In other embodiments, the medical implant (such as a cage) can be expanded independently of the anchoring system.

Abstract: An improved cage that has an anchoring system and method of use thereof. The anchoring system has movable/expandable jaw portions that can expand vertically (i.e., upward and downward relative to the respective superior and inferior surfaces of the cage) so that the cage can be more securely implanted in position. The superior and inferior expandable portions of the anchoring system move vertically by the rotation of one or more spindles that is incorporated in the jaw mechanism (and/or by the rotation of a lead screw that is incorporated in the cage). In some embodiments, the medical implant (such as a cage) is itself non-expandable (i.e., the height of the medical implant does not change). In other embodiments, the medical implant (such as a cage) can be expanded independently of the anchoring system.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly comprising a bone fixation plate having an outer surface, a bone contact surface, and at least one bore sidewall defining at least one bore extending between the outer surface and the bone contact surface, the outer surface being located outwardly of the bone contact surface; at least one slot sidewall defining at least one slot formed in the bone fixation plate, the at least one slot being adjacent to the at least one bore sidewall and between the outer surface and the bone contact surface, the at least one slot having at least one slot passage adjacent to a corresponding bore and a slot opening adjacent to the slot passage; at least one stop formed by the at least one sidewall, the at least one stop positioned opposite of the slot passage from the corresponding bore; and at least one retaining member insertable into the at least one slot from the at least one bore, wherein the at least one retaining member is bendable between a normally-open position having a width greater than the

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration apparatus comprising a hollow needle having a penetrating end and a distal end, a stylet having a penetrating end and a distal end, the stylet being removably positioned within said needle; a cylindrical threaded section; a depth gauge threadedly engagable with and movable longitudinally along the threaded section, the depth gauge having a proximal end and a distal annular end, the proximal end being spaced a variable first distance from the penetrating end of the hollow needle; a locking nut threadedly engagable with sand movable longitudinally along the threaded section; a cap connection section having a fluid fitting therein; a cap having an interior space, the cap being engagable with the cap connection and engaged with the stylet, the cap having a distal end closed by a distal endwall, an open proximal end, and a sidewall extending between the distal end and the proximal end; wherein the threaded section and the depth gauge define a stylet passage between the fluid fitting of the

Abstract: A bone plate assembly for stabilizing adjacent bones, the bone plate assembly having screw bores therein. The screws are dimensioned to sit within the screw bore and a resilient “S” shaped arm is engaged to the plate and partially covers the screw bore until contacted by the head of the screw. Contact with the head of the screw while the screw is being advanced into the bone pushes the resilient arm away from the head and, when the screw is seated in the screw bore, the resilient arm springs back to at least partially block the top of the screw head. In this manner, the screw is prevented form backing out of the plate.

Abstract: Applicant provides a surgical method related to ACDF and a device for practicing the surgical method. The device comprises an aspiration needle assembly having an aspiration needle, the aspiration needle assembly adapted for receipt into a bony body at a preselected depth. Applicant's surgical method is an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion but one in which bone marrow is aspirated from a selected cervical vertebral body, rather than the iliac crest or other area of a patient's body. Moreover, Applicant has discovered that orienting the axis of the needle and the location of the needle such that the needle draws bone marrow from adjacent end plate rather than a center of the cervical vertebral body provides a richer bone marrow concentration, that is to say, richer in stem cells.

Abstract: A spinal cage device for fusion of spinal vertebrae comprising a cage body having a cavity defined by upper, lower, and side walls; a piston selectively insertable into the cavity through a side wall, the piston having at least one angled surface; at least one channel extending through at least one of the upper wall and the lower wall; at least one fastening member moveable within the at least one channel between a first disengaged position and a second engaged position; and wherein in second engaged position the at least one fastening member is held substantially stationary relative to the cage body by contact with the piston. According to one aspect of the invention, the device includes a locking means for supplementing fixation of the piston to the cage body.

Abstract: A spinal cage device for fusion of spinal vertebrae comprising a cage body having a cavity defined by upper, lower, and side walls; a piston selectively insertable into the cavity through a side wall, the piston having at least one angled surface; at least one channel extending through at least one of the upper wall and the lower wall; at least one fastening member moveable within the at least one channel between a first disengaged position and a second engaged position; and wherein in second engaged position the at least one fastening member is held substantially stationary relative to the cage body by contact with the piston. According to one aspect of the invention, the device includes a locking means for supplementing fixation of the piston to the cage body.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration apparatus comprising a hollow; stylet removably positioned within said needle; a cylindrical threaded section; a depth gauge threadedly engagable with and movable longitudinally along the threaded section and having a proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being spaced a variable first distance from the end of the needle; a locking nut movable along the threaded section; a cap connection section having a fluid fitting therein; a cap engagable with the cap connection and engaged with the stylet; wherein the threaded section and the depth gauge define a stylet passage between the fluid fitting and the proximal end of the depth gauge; and wherein the variable first distance between the end of the hollow needle and the proximal end of the depth gauge corresponds to a position of the distal annular end of the depth gauge relative to the threaded section.

Abstract: A screw-type device that can be screwed into a hole in the skull for measuring subarachnoid fluid pressure in the head. The screw-type device has an elongated body with a threaded distal end, and an adjustable depth stop means which can be moved along the distal end of the device and clamped to the body of the device to control the amount of penetration of the distal end into the skull. By this means, the exact placement of the distal tip of the device to the inner table of the skull can be achieved for any skull thickness. A through-opening in the body of the device and connection means at the proximal end enables subarachnoid fluid pressures to be measured by external apparatus. The adjustable depth stop provided added advantages of stability, safety, accuracy, universality and convenience.