Abstract: Devices and methods that securely engage an elongated connecting element in a receiver of an anchor assembly are provided. The anchor assembly includes an anchor member engageable to bony structure and the receiver includes a passage for receiving the connecting element when the connecting element is positioned along the bony structure. The anchor assembly includes an engaging member that engages the receiver and the connecting element to secure the connecting element in the receiver.

Abstract: A device to attach an elongated member to a bone in a patient with the device including a receiver with arms that are spaced apart that form a channel sized to receive the elongated member, and a groove on an inner surface of at least one of the arms. A shaft may be operatively connected to the receiver and configured to attach to the bone. A securing mechanism is attached to the receiver that includes an outer member and an inner member. The outer member may include a bore and a non-threaded exterior that may be configured to engage with the groove to attach the securing mechanism to the receiver. The second member may be sized to fit in the bore and move axially along the bore in a non-rotational manner. The second member may also include a compressible extension sized to fit in the bore when the extension is moved in the bore and to expand to a width greater than the bore when the second member extends outward beyond the bore.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a device for supplementing or replacing a spinal structure and therapeutically delivering radiation to tissue. Some embodiments include a radiation source and a combination of members surrounding the radiation source that move relative to one another to permit or restrict emission of radiation from the device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a device for therapeutically delivering radiation to tissue. Some embodiments include a radiation source and a combination of members surrounding the radiation source that move relative to one another to permit or restrict the emitting of radiation from the device. Limits to the movement of the combination of members may be imposed by one or more biodegradable members.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a device for supplementing or replacing a spinal structure and therapeutically delivering radiation to tissue. Some embodiments include a plug with an integrated radiation source. The plug may be coupled to an interbody spinal implant or a vertebral body replacement implant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include expandable, implantable devices and methods. Devices may be inserted with a longitudinal biasing force between anatomical structures to be stabilized and then expanded laterally or otherwise filled to provide secure fixation between or among the anatomical structures. In some embodiments, an implant replaces one or more vertebral bodies, or portions of vertebral bodies, of the spine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include expandable medical implant systems and methods. The systems may include devices to reinforce a tube through which a fill material may be moved at least in part into expandable medical implants. In some embodiments, an implant replaces one or more of vertebral bodies, portions of vertebral bodies, discs, and portions of discs of the spine.

Abstract: An instrument is provided for use in orthopedic surgery for reduction of a connecting member such as a spinal rod toward an implant such as a bone screw. An embodiment of the instrument includes handle portions that are pivotable relative to each other and biased apart, and arm portions pivotable relative to each other and to the handle portions. Distal portions of the arm portions, which may be offset from the arm portions, provide structure for engaging a connecting member and an implant. Squeezing the handle portions force the distal portions of the arm portions together, forcing together the connecting member and the implant. A toothed bar and pawl may be provided to retain the instrument in a squeezed state.

Abstract: A vertebral implant for installation in a disc space is disclosed that includes a body defining a first vertebral support rail and a second vertebral support rail extending along a vertical axis. Each vertebral support rail is separated by a channel running circumferentially around at least a portion of the body along a longitudinal axis of the body. The first vertebral support rail has a first height and the second vertebral support rail has a second height. The first height is smaller than the second height. The height or apex of each vertebral support rail is sized and configured to match the concave nature of the endplates of vertebra of the spine.

Abstract: A surgical reducing instrument is used to position an elongated implant element in a desired position relative to one or more of the bone anchors of a spinal implant system. The reducing instrument includes a mounting member that is mounted to the anchor and extends along a first longitudinal axis and an implant reducing member pivotally linked to the mounting member that extends along a second longitudinal axis that is offset from and variably positionable relative to the first longitudinal axis about a pivot axis. The reducing member contacts the implant element and includes a manipulation portion to move the implant element along the second longitudinal axis and can maintain contact to move the implant element toward the bone anchor when the reducing member is pivoted relative to the mounting member about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A bone anchor assembly is provided, which may be used in cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacral areas of the spine or other orthopedic locations. The anchor assembly includes a bone engaging portion, a receiver, a saddle within a channel defined by the receiver, and an engaging member. The receiver extends along a central longitudinal axis and is fixed to the bone engaging portion. A rod or other elongated connecting element is received in a channel of the receiver in contact with the saddle, and the engaging member engages the connecting element against the saddle. The orientation of the saddle in the receiver is adjustable to correspond to the orientation of the connecting element relative to the central longitudinal axis at any one of a plurality of angles of the connecting element through the receiver while the receiver and bone engaging portion remain fixed relative to one another.

Abstract: A surgical reducing instrument is used to position an elongated implant element in a desired position relative to one or more of the bone anchors of a spinal implant system. The reducing instrument includes a mounting member that is mounted to the anchor and extends along a first longitudinal axis and an implant reducing member pivotally linked to the mounting member that extends along a second longitudinal axis that is offset from and variably positionable relative to the first longitudinal axis about a pivot axis. The reducing member contacts the implant element and includes a manipulation portion to move the implant element along the second longitudinal axis and can maintain contact to move the implant element toward the bone anchor when the reducing member is pivoted relative to the mounting member about the pivot axis.

Abstract: An instrument is provided for reduction of a rod or other elongated member into an implant, such as a bone screw. In one embodiment, such an instrument includes a rod adjusting assembly pivotably attached to an implant holding assembly. The implant holding assembly can be pivotably connected to an implant, and the rod adjusting assembly is operable to move a rod toward or away from the implant holding assembly. In that embodiment, several motions are possible by the instrument so that relatively small or large movements of a rod with respect to an implant may be made.

Abstract: Systems, instruments and methods are provided for bending an elongate spinal implant used in a medical procedure. In one form, an instrument for bending an elongate spinal implant includes a proximal handle portion and a bending mechanism having an implant engaging member movably coupled to the proximal handle portion. The bending mechanism is operable to articulate the implant engaging member relative to the proximal handle portion while a second implant engaging member associated with the articulating implant engaging member holding the elongate spinal implant in position. In another form, systems and methods are provided to bend in situ an elongate spinal implant associated with an orthopedic construct.

Abstract: A flexible spinal implant for insertion into an intervertebral disc space for intervertebral stabilization is provided comprising a flexible implant section which enables bending of the implant body to facilitate insertion of the flexible spinal implant into the disc space via a spinal surgical procedure. The flexible spinal implant comprises a leading end, a trailing end and a flexible mid section connecting the leading end and the trailing end, wherein the implant is deformable at or about the flexible mid section to thereby permit a substantially straight entry of the implant into the disc space, and delivered to the selected disc space at a desired insertion angle of approach via a spinal surgical procedure. The implant can have a leading end comprising a curved or bullet shaped configuration, and the flexible mid section may be comprised of a flexible material.

Abstract: A flexible spinal implant for insertion into an intervertebral disc space for sagittal and/or coronal intervertebral stabilization is provided comprising a flexible implant which enables bending of the flexible implant to facilitate insertion of the flexible spinal implant into the disc space via a spinal surgical procedure. The flexible spinal implant comprises a leading end, a trailing end flexibly connected to the leading end, a locking mechanism, wherein the implant is deformable at or about a flexible section to thereby permit a substantially straight entry of the implant into the disc space, and delivered to the selected disc space at a desired insertion angle of approach via a spinal surgical procedure. The implant can have a leading end comprising a curved or bullet shaped configuration, and the flexible section may be comprised of a flexible material or flexible sections which may be lockingly engaged.

Abstract: A spinal rod system includes a first rod and a second rod engaged to a connector with the first and second rods extending axially therefrom in opposite directions from one another. The connector is mountable to a mounting anchor and securable thereto with an engaging member. The connector secures the first rod in the mounting anchor and the connector is clampingly engaged between the engaging member and the first rod. The second rod is engageable in a receiving portion of the connector adjacent to the mounting anchor.

Abstract: An instrument is provided for use in orthopedic surgery for reduction of a connecting member such as a spinal rod toward an implant such as a bone screw. An embodiment of the instrument includes handle portions that are pivotable relative to each other and biased apart, and arm portions pivotable relative to each other and to the handle portions. Distal portions of the arm portions, which may be offset from the arm portions, provide structure for engaging a connecting member and an implant. Squeezing the handle portions force the distal portions of the arm portions together, forcing together the connecting member and the implant. A toothed bar and pawl may be provided to retain the instrument in a squeezed state.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include expandable, implantable devices and methods. Devices expand linearly within the volume of a membrane and laterally to provide secure fixation between or among anatomical structures. In some embodiments, an implant replaces one or more vertebral bodies, or portions of vertebral bodies, of the spine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include expandable implants incorporated into a system for deploying the expandable implants to replace skeletal structures such as one or more vertebrae or portions of the spine or vertebrae. Some embodiments include related methods of implanting devices using deployment systems.