Abstract: A bone fusing implant device includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal direction and having a star-shaped cross-section. The elongated body includes a central through-opening extending through the elongated body's center along the longitudinal direction and an outer surface with alternating elongated ridges and slit openings extending along the longitudinal direction. The outer surface is coated with bone growth enhancing additives.

Abstract: A surgical device includes an inner stylet component and an outer stylet component. The inner stylet component includes a first handle and an elongated rod having a proximal end attached to a bottom surface of the first handle and a distal end comprising a needle tip. The outer stylet component includes a second handle and an elongated cannula having a proximal end attached to a bottom surface of the second handle and a distal open end comprising cutting elements formed on an outer surface. The elongated rod is sized to removably fit and slide within the elongated cannula, and the first handle is configured to interlock with the second handle. Rotating the interlocked first and second handles moves forward the elongated cannula and the needle tip and cuts a profile in an insertion site with the cutting elements of the outer cannula.

Abstract: A method for inserting an interspinous spinal implant into an opened gap between first and second spinous processes of adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, respectively includes the following. First forming an opened gap between a first spinous processes of a superior vertebra and a second spinous processes of an adjacent inferior vertebra by first inserting a decompression knife into diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, then cutting fascia tissue, then separating soft tissue from bone by rocking the decompression knife back and forth, and then inserting a broach cutter into the diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras and cutting interspinous ligament between the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras. Next, determining and selecting an appropriate sized and shaped interspinous spinal implant for the opened gap by inserting a sizing tool into the opened gap, and sizing the opened gap with the sizing tool.

Abstract: A method for inserting an interspinous spinal implant into an opened gap between first and second spinous processes of adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, respectively includes the following. First forming an opened gap between a first spinous processes of a superior vertebra and a second spinous processes of an adjacent inferior vertebra by first inserting a decompression knife into diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, then cutting fascia tissue, then separating soft tissue from bone by rocking the decompression knife back and forth, and then inserting a broach cutter into the diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras and cutting interspinous ligament between the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras. Next, determining and selecting an appropriate sized and shaped interspinous spinal implant for the opened gap by inserting a sizing tool into the opened gap, and sizing the opened gap with the sizing tool.

Abstract: A bone fusing implant device includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal direction and having a star-shaped cross-section. The elongated body includes a central through-opening extending through the elongated body's center along the longitudinal direction and an outer surface with alternating elongated ridges and slit openings extending along the longitudinal direction. The outer surface is coated with bone growth enhancing additives.

Abstract: A bone fusing implant device includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal direction. The elongated body includes a first segment having an outer surface with cortical threads, a second segment having an outer surface with cancellous threads, a top segment and a bottom segment. The first segment is adjacent to the second segment along the longitudinal direction and is configured to engage a cortical bone with the cortical threads and the second segment is configured to engage a cancellous bone with the cancellous threads. The elongated body has one or more elongated fusing gutters extending along the longitudinal direction on an outer surface of the elongated body covering the first and second segments, a central opening extending along the longitudinal direction through the elongated body's center and one or more through-openings that extend horizontally and intersect with the one or more fusing gutters.

Abstract: A bone fusing implant device includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal direction, and has one or more elongated grooves extending along the longitudinal direction on an outer surface of the elongated body and one or more elongated ridges alternating with the one or more elongated grooves and extending along the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the elongated body. The elongated body includes a first segment having an outer surface with cortical threads, a second segment having an outer surface with cancellous threads, a top segment and a bottom segment. The first segment is configured to engage a cortical bone with the cortical threads and the second segment is configured to engage a cancellous bone with the cancellous threads. The cortical threads and the cancellous threads are formed on the one or more elongated ridges and do not extend into the one or more elongated grooves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for spinal disc replacement surgery via a lateral approach. The invention also relates to a spinal disc replacement device that is designed to be inserted via the lateral approach disc replacement surgery. The invention further relates to tools used for the spinal disc replacement surgery via the lateral approach.

Abstract: A bone fusing implant device includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal direction. The elongated body includes a first segment having an outer surface with cortical threads, a second segment having an outer surface with cancellous threads, a top segment and a bottom segment. The first segment is adjacent to the second segment along the longitudinal direction and is configured to engage a cortical bone with the cortical threads and the second segment is configured to engage a cancellous bone with the cancellous threads. The elongated body has one or more elongated fusing gutters extending along the longitudinal direction on an outer surface of the elongated body covering the first and second segments, a central opening extending along the longitudinal direction through the elongated body's center and one or more through-openings that extend horizontally and intersect with the one or more fusing gutters.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a bone screw, a tulip-shaped seat, a rod seat, and a washer. The bone screw comprises a spherical head and a threaded elongated body extending along a first direction. The tulip-shaped seat comprises a bottom portion that has a through-opening shaped and dimensioned to receive the bone screw so that an inner surface of the bottom portion engages the spherical head of the bone screw and prevents the bone screw from passing entirely through the through-opening, while the spherical head remains polyaxially rotatable within the bottom portion of the tulip-shaped seat. The rod seat sits within and engages the inner surface of the tulip-shaped seat and the rod seat comprises a semispherical bottom that is shaped and dimensioned to engage the spherical head of the bone screw while the spherical head remains polyaxially rotatable within the bottom portion of the tulip-shaped seat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for spinal disc replacement surgery via a lateral approach. The invention also relates to a spinal disc replacement device that is designed to be inserted via the lateral approach disc replacement surgery. The invention further relates to tools used for the spinal disc replacement surgery via the lateral approach.

Abstract: An implantable cervical plate assembly includes a cervical plate, one or more bone fasteners. The cervical plate comprises an elongated asymmetric body having one or more through-openings extending from the front surface to the back surface of the elongated asymmetric body. The one or more bone fasteners are configured to be inserted through the one or more through-openings, respectively. The bone fasteners comprise a threaded main body and a head that includes one or more breakable structures configured to be broken when inserted into a groove and then unflex and remain captured within the groove.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a bone screw, a tulip-shaped seat, a rod seat, and a washer. The bone screw comprises a spherical head and a threaded elongated body extending along a first direction. The tulip-shaped seat comprises a bottom portion that has a through-opening shaped and dimensioned to receive the bone screw so that an inner surface of the bottom portion engages the spherical head of the bone screw and prevents the bone screw from passing entirely through the through-opening, while the spherical head remains polyaxially rotatable within the bottom portion of the tulip-shaped seat. The rod seat sits within and engages the inner surface of the tulip-shaped seat and the rod seat comprises a semispherical bottom that is shaped and dimensioned to engage the spherical head of the bone screw while the spherical head remains polyaxially rotatable within the bottom portion of the tulip-shaped seat.

Abstract: An implantable assembly for stabilization of two adjacent spinous processes in a spinal column includes an elongated first component extending along a first axis, an elongated second component extending along a second axis, a hub spacer, means for inserting and securing the hub spacer transversely through the interspinous ligament separating the first and second spinous processes and means for clamping and securing first and second spinous processes of first and second adjacent vertebras, respectively, between the first and second components. The first and second components are arranged opposite and parallel to each other and are separated by the hub spacer.

Abstract: A method for fusing two adjacent stacked bones includes the following. First, inserting first and second pins into first and second locations of a first surface of one of the two adjacent stacked bones, respectively. Next, inserting a dilator over each of the first and second pins to dilate tissue around the first and second pins. Next, inserting a tissue protector over the dilator and removing the dilator. Next, inserting a cannulated drill through the tissue protector over each of the first and second pins and drilling first and second openings in the first and second locations, respectively, wherein the first and second opening extend through the two adjacent stacked bones. Next, tapping threads in the first opening and inserting a first bone fusing implant in the first opening, wherein the first bone fusing implant comprises threads configured to engage the threads of the first opening.

Abstract: An improved spinous process fixation implant assembly 50 includes a spinous process fixation implant 100 and an interspinous spacer implant 200. The spinous process fixation implant 100 includes elongated first and second components 110, 120, that are arranged opposite and parallel to each other. First and second spinous processes 90a, 90b of first and second adjacent vertebrae 80a, 80b are clamped between the first and second components 110, 120, respectively, and are separated by the interspinous spacer implant 200. The interspinous spacer implant 200 may be inserted between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae from two different directions.

Abstract: An interbody spinal fusion assembly includes an interbody cage, planar metal pins and bone fasteners. The interbody cage includes a metal cage and a PEEK insert. The PEEK insert is inserted into a slot of the metal cage and is secured to the metal cage with a pin. The assembled interbody cage is inserted in the space between two adjacent vertebras and is secured in placed with the planar metal pins and the bone fasteners.

Abstract: An implantable cervical plate assembly includes a cervical plate, one or more bone fasteners. The cervical plate comprises an elongated asymmetric body having one or more through-openings extending from the front surface to the back surface of the elongated asymmetric body. The one or more bone fasteners are configured to be inserted through the one or more through-openings, respectively. The bone fasteners comprise a threaded main body and a head that includes one or more breakable structures configured to be broken when inserted into a groove and then unflex and remain captured within the groove.

Abstract: A method for fusing two adjacent stacked bones includes the following. First, inserting first and second pins into first and second locations of a first surface of one of the two adjacent stacked bones, respectively. Next, inserting a dilator over each of the first and second pins to dilate tissue around the first and second pins. Next, inserting a tissue protector over the dilator and removing the dilator. Next, inserting a cannulated drill through the tissue protector over each of the first and second pins and drilling first and second openings in the first and second locations, respectively, wherein the first and second opening extend through the two adjacent stacked bones. Next, tapping threads in the first opening and inserting a first bone fusing implant in the first opening, wherein the first bone fusing implant comprises threads configured to engage the threads of the first opening.

Abstract: A method for spinal rod insertion includes providing a U-shaped hook tool comprising first and second legs, and inserting the first leg into a first location of a first vertebra and then pushing the hook tool along an arc-shaped path until the first leg exits through a second location of an adjacent second vertebra. Next, providing a spinal stabilization rod and a folded flexible wire comprising first and second open ends at the front end and a closed loop end. The closed loop end is attached to a first end of the spinal stabilization rod and the first and second open ends of the folded flexible wire are inserted into an open end of the second leg of the hook, and the folded flexible wire is threaded through the U-shaped hook and the first and second open ends of the flexible wire exit through an open end of the first leg.