Abstract: A system for stabilizing a portion of the spine comprising an elongate plate attached to one or more vertebrae by a number of bone anchors, with the system including one or more features that provide visualization of an implant disposed within a vertebral space and/or the interface between the implant and the adjacent vertebral tissue. A holding instrument is included that is engageable to the plate for positioning the plate adjacent the spinal column.

Abstract: A retention system for maintaining a screw to a vertebral plate is described herein. One or more screws extend through apertures within the vertebral plate. A cavity is positioned adjacent to and overlaps into the aperture. A ring is positioned within the cavity and held in position by a cap. The cap attaches to the plate to prevent removal of the ring. The ring is deflectable between a first shape to allow the screw to be inserted and removed from the aperture, and a second shape to prevent screw back-out from the aperture.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a portion of the spine comprising an elongate plate attached to one or more vertebrae by a number of bone anchors, with the system including one or more features that provide visualization of an implant disposed within a vertebral space and/or the interface between the implant and the adjacent vertebral tissue. A holding instrument is included that is engageable to the plate for positioning the plate adjacent the spinal column.

Abstract: An intervertebral joint prosthesis having a ball component (22) for engagement with a first vertebra (26) and a trough component (24) for engagement with a second vertebra (27) adjacent to the first vertebra is disclosed. The trough component (24) includes a generally concave surface (50) having a substantially flat portion (52). When the ball component (22) and the trough component (24) are engaged to their respective vertebrae, the ball component (72) and the trough component (24) engage each other, permitting rotation and translation of the vertebrae with respect to each other. Both components include a flange (34, 56) for engaging a vertebra. The invention also contemplates a method for and a tool for use in implanting a two-piece intervertebral joint prosthesis.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a portion of the spine comprising an elongate plate attached to one or more vertebrae by a number of bone anchors, with the system including one or more features that provide visualization of an implant disposed within a vertebral space and/or the interface between the implant and the adjacent vertebral tissue. A holding instrument is included that is engageable to the plate for positioning the plate adjacent the spinal column.

Abstract: An intervertebral joint prosthesis having a ball component (22) for engagement with a first vertebra (26) and a trough component (24) for engagement with a second vertebra (27) adjacent to the first vertebra is disclosed. The trough component (24) includes a generally concave surface (50) having a substantially flat portion (52). When the ball component (22) and the trough component (24) are engaged to their respective vertebrae, the ball component (72) and the trough component (24) engage each other, permitting rotation and translation of the vertebrae with respect to each other. Both components include a flange (34,56) for engaging a vertebra. The invention also contemplates a method for and a tool for use in implanting a two-piece intervertebral joint prosthesis.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a portion of the spine comprising an elongate plate attached to one or more vertebrae by a number of bone anchors, with the system including one or more features that provide visualization of an implant disposed within a vertebral space and/or the interface between the implant and the adjacent vertebral tissue. A holding instrument is included that is engageable to the plate for positioning the plate adjacent the spinal column.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a portion of the spine comprising an elongate plate attached to one or more vertebrae by a number of bone anchors, with the system including one or more features that provide visualization of an implant disposed within a vertebral space and/or the interface between the implant and the adjacent vertebral tissue. A holding instrument is included that is engageable to the plate for positioning the plate adjacent the spinal column.

Abstract: A retention system for maintaining a screw to a vertebral plate is described herein. One or more screws extend through apertures within the vertebral plate. A cavity is positioned adjacent to and overlaps into the aperture. A ring is positioned within the cavity and held in position by a cap. The cap attaches to the plate to prevent removal of the ring. The ring is deflectable between a first shape to allow the screw to be inserted and removed from the aperture, and a second shape to prevent screw back-out from the aperture.

Abstract: A retention system for maintaining a screw to a vertebral plate. One or more screws extend through apertures within the vertebral plate. A cavity is positioned adjacent to and overlaps into the aperture. A ring is positioned within the cavity and held in position by a cap. The cap attaches to the plate to prevent removal of the ring. The ring is deflectable between a first shape to allow the screw to be inserted and removed from the aperture, and a second shape to prevent screw back-out from the aperture. A method of using the system is also included and comprises positioning the ring within a cavity in the plate, maintaining the position of the ring to the plate by attaching a cap, inserting a screw through the aperture and attaching the plate to a vertebral member, and positioning the ring over the screw head and preventing the screw from backing-out.

Abstract: An intervertebral joint prosthesis having a ball component (22) for engagement with a first vertebra (26) and a trough component (24) for engagement with a second vertebra (27) adjacent to the first vertebra is disclosed. The trough component (24) includes a generally concave surface (50) having a substantially flat portion (52). When the ball component (22) and the trough component (24) are engaged to their respective vertebrae, the ball component (72) and the trough component (24) engage each other, permitting rotation and translation of the vertebrae with respect to each other. Both components include a flange (34, 56) for engaging a vertebra. The invention also contemplates a method for and a tool for use in implanting a two-piece intervertebral joint prosthesis.

Abstract: Retaining mechanisms are attachable to a bone plate to retain one or more bone fasteners in the bone plate. The retaining mechanisms include a retaining element and an attachment element, the attachment element having a distal portion attachable to the bone plate. The retaining element can be distally biased relative to the attachment element. Instruments are engageable to the retaining mechanism to attach the retaining mechanism to the plate.

Abstract: A retention system for maintaining a screw to a vertebral plate. One or more screws extend through apertures within the vertebral plate. A cavity is positioned adjacent to and overlaps into the aperture. A ring is positioned within the cavity and held in position by a cap. The cap attaches to the plate to prevent removal of the ring. The ring is deflectable between a first shape to allow the screw to be inserted and removed from the aperture, and a second shape to prevent screw back-out from the aperture. A method of using the system is also included and comprises positioning the ring within a cavity in the plate, maintaining the position of the ring to the plate by attaching a cap, inserting a screw through the aperture and attaching the plate to a vertebral member, and positioning the ring over the screw head and preventing the screw from backing-out.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a portion of the spine comprising an elongate plate attached to one or more vertebrae by a number of bone anchors, with the system including one or more features that provide visualization of an implant disposed within a vertebral space and/or the interface between the implant and the adjacent vertebral tissue. A holding instrument is included that is engageable to the plate for positioning the plate adjacent the spinal column.

Abstract: Retaining mechanisms are attachable to a bone plate to retain one or more bone fasteners in the bone plate. The retaining mechanisms include a retaining element and an attachment element, the attachment element having a distal portion attachable to the bone plate. The retaining element can be distally biased relative to the attachment element. Instruments are engageable to the retaining mechanism to attach the retaining mechanism to the plate.

Abstract: An intervertebral joint prosthesis having a ball component (22) for engagement with a first vertebra (26) and a trough component (24) for engagement with a second vertebra (27) adjacent to the first vertebra is disclosed. The trough component (24) includes a generally concave surface (50) having a substantially flat portion (52). When the ball component (22) and the trough component (24) are engaged to their respective vertebrae, the ball component (72) and the trough component (24) engage each other, permitting rotation and translation of the vertebrae with respect to each other. Both components include a flange (34,56) for engaging a vertebra. The invention also contemplates a method for and a tool for use in implanting a two-piece intervertebral joint prosthesis.

Abstract: An intervertebral joint prosthesis having a ball component (22) for engagement with a first vertebra (26) and a trough component (24) for engagement with a second vertebra (27) adjacent to the first vertebra is disclosed. The trough component (24) includes a generally concave surface (50) having a substantially flat portion (52). When the ball component (22) and the trough component (24) are engaged to their respective vertebrae, the ball component (72) and the trough component (24) engage each other, permitting rotation and translation of the vertebrae with respect to each other. Both components include a flange (34,56) for engaging a vertebra. The invention also contemplates a method for and a tool for use in implanting a two-piece intervertebral joint prosthesis.

Abstract: An intervertebral joint prosthesis having a ball component (22) for engagement with a first vertebra (26) and a trough component (24) for engagement with a second vertebra (27) adjacent to the first vertebra is disclosed. The trough component (24) includes a generally concave surface (50) having a substantially flat portion (52). When the ball component (22) and the trough component (24) are engaged to their respective vertebrae, the ball component (72) and the trough component (24) engage each other, permitting rotation and translation of the vertebrae with respect to each other. Both components include a flange (34,56) for engaging a vertebra. The invention also contemplates a method for and a tool for use in implanting a two-piece intervertebral joint prosthesis.