Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include expandable, implantable devices and methods. Devices expand linearly 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 implants and methods for connecting devices to bones, such as one or more endplates of vertebrae. Devices may include mechanisms for connecting to one or more vertebrae by extending portions of the devices through an aperture in a vertebral implant and expanding the implant within the one or more vertebrae. A fill material may be used to drive the expansion in some embodiments.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for locking a spinal rod in a top loading pedicle screw. In one form, the device includes a slider geometrically shaped to secure the spinal rod in the bone screw in its final resting position. Engagement pins located on the slider mate with notches located on the bone screw that both provisionally, and eventually, lock the spinal rod in the bone construct. The device replaces threaded set screw designs that have been known to incur cross threading problems. Thus, the device can also make spinal rod tightening faster and easier when compared to a threaded set screw.

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: 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: An anchor with a non-threaded securing mechanism for attaching an elongated member to a bone. The anchor includes a receiver, shaft, and securing mechanism. The receiver includes spaced-apart arms that form a channel sized to receive the elongated member. The shaft extends from the receiver and is configured to engage with the bone. The securing mechanism, including a base and an insert, attaches to the receiver to capture the elongated member in the channel. The base is configured to attach to the arms and includes an aperture that receives the insert. The insert extends through the aperture and may contact against the elongated member.

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 for supporting vertebral components of a spinal column includes a first spinal rod, a second spinal rod, and a connection element disposed between the first and second rods. The connection element has a front surface with a rod-receiving opening having a first region sized greater than a cross-section of the second rod, and has a second region sized smaller than the cross-section of the second rod, wherein the first and second rods align in series in an end-to-end manner. A locking member is associated with the connection element that urges the second rod toward the second region in a manner that the second rod frictionally engages with the connection element to restrict removal of the second rod from the connection element.

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: Systems and methods are provided for bending an elongate member used in a medical procedure. In one form, a system includes an insulated fabric that is used to grasp and bend a heated elongate member. The elongated member is heated to its glass transition temperature (Tg) using a heating element. The insulated fabric may be lined with a non-stick coating to prevent adhesion of the heated elongate member to the insulated fabric. In another form, a PEEK rod is heated using a sheath. The inner surface of the sheath is lined with Teflon to prevent adhesion as stated above. The sheath includes a plurality of semi-rigid coils to assist in bending the rod and to prevent the rod from being crushed during the bending process. The heating element may be included in the semi-rigid coils in this form.

Abstract: The present application is directed to connectors for attaching a vertebral rod to an anchor. The connectors may include a body with a first channel to receive the vertebral rod and a second channel to receive the anchor. A cradle may be positioned in the body to contact the vertebral rod. The cradle may be pivotally positioned in the body to accommodate a vertebral rod that is at various angular positions within a predetermined plane. A set screw may engage with the body to secure the vertebral rod to the body and the body to the anchor.

Abstract: The present application is directed to transverse connectors that connect first and second vertebral rods that extend along the spine. In one embodiment, the transverse connector includes an elongated base with a first receiver at a first section of the base to receive the first vertebral rod, and a second receiver at a second section of the base to receive the second vertebral rod. Osteoconductive material is positioned on at least the first receiver.

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 are 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: An implantable article for use with an anchor and a non-metal rod assembly includes a ring having a body including an outer surface, an inner surface defining an aperture extending through the body configured to engage a non-metal rod. The ring body further includes protrusions extending from the inner surface into the aperture, wherein the protrusions are spaced apart from each other axially and circumferentially along the inner surface.

Abstract: An electrical contact member for use with a rotary interface within a connector assembly is provided. The electrical contact member includes a lower portion adapted to receive an electrical wire; and a laterally deflectable upper portion connected to or formed integrally with the lower portion. The upper portion further includes a first lateral extension arm having a first contact point formed at the tip thereof and a second lateral extension arm having a second contact point formed at the tip thereof.

Abstract: A side-loading bone anchor is provided, which may be used in cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacral areas of the spine or other orthopedic locations. In one embodiment, the anchor includes an anchoring portion, a receiving portion, and an internal piece that is rotatable with respect to the receiving portion at least to a degree. The anchoring portion is attached to a bone. A rod or other elongated support member is received in the receiving portion in contact with the internal piece. The rod and internal piece may be rotated for variability substantially in a plane, and a set screw is threaded into the receiving portion to lock the rod within the receiving portion.

Abstract: An expandable medical implant for supporting bone structures is disclosed. The implant may include an outer member and an inner member receivable in the outer member. One of the outer and inner members includes a tapered surface and the other of the outer and inner members includes a scalloped surface. The implant may also include a locking element disposed between the tapered surface and the scalloped surface. The tapered surface may be movable relative to the locking element to transversely shift the locking element into engagement with the scalloped surface to inhibit a decrease in the overall implant height.

Abstract: A board to board interconnection is provided for interconnection of parallel stacked printed circuit boards, with a like array of plated through holes on each of the boards. One connector assembly is insertable from the outside of one of the stacked printed circuit boards, and another electrical connector assembly is insertable from the opposite side of the stacked parallel boards. One of the connector assemblies includes a compliant portion connectible with a plated through hole and including a socket contact. The other connector includes terminals with compliant portions for interconnection with the other board, and includes a pin terminal extending from the compliant portion which is insertable through the printed circuit boards and into interconnection with the socket of the other electrical connector assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a jaw member for use with a jaw assembly includes the step of: providing a jaw housing, an electrically conductive plate and an insulated wire for conducting a first electrical potential. The method also includes the step of: molding a first plastic onto a surface of the jaw housing such that the plastic forms a datum for receiving the electrically conductive plate and forms an elongated slot therein for receiving the insulated wire therealong. The method also includes the steps of: engaging a lead end of the wire with the electrically conductive plate such that the first electrical potential is conducted to the electrically conductive plate; aligning the electrically conductive plate atop the jaw housing and within the plastic datum such that the insulated wire aligns within the elongated slot; and molding a second plastic to secure the electrically conductive plate and the insulated wire atop the jaw housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for assembly of panels into a composite structure are provided. The structure includes a form jig (1) having form boards (3, 4, 5) defining forming edges (6, 7, 8) against which a composite panel to be precisely formed may be drawn by a number of edge clamps (12), usually in combination with suction devices (26, 27, 28, 29, 30). The edge clamps (12) are able to extend around edges of the panel (13) for initial location of the panel against the form boards and subsequent more powerful drawing action to draw the panel into intimate contact with the forming edges of the form boards.