Abstract: An implant includes a cage and a slider mechanism. The cage has a cage length, a cage width, proximal height, and distal height. The cage includes an upper support, a lower support a first serpentine spring, and a second serpentine spring. The first serpentine spring joins the upper support to the lower support along a first path having a first path length that is greater than the cage length. The second serpentine spring joins the upper support to the lower support along a second path having a second path length that is greater than the cage length. The slider mechanism includes a proximal slider mechanism and a distal slider mechanism. The proximal slider mechanism is configured to adjust the proximal height of the cage. The distal slider mechanism is configured to adjust the distal height of the cage.

Abstract: Distraction tools that may be used in surgical operations, such as reconstructive spinal surgery, measuring spinal length and intervertebral spacing at the middle column, measuring intervertebral tension and establishing intervertebral spacer heights are disclosed. The distraction tools may be pneumatically operated and include distractor arms engagable with bone screws. Relative movement of the actuator arms adjusts the relative positions of the bone screws. In certain embodiments, the distraction tools are used to apply a desired amount of tension at the middle column of a spine utilizing air pressure to generate controlled distraction forces. The distraction tool systems may include touch-less gesture sensors, microcontrollers, and digital regulators.

Abstract: A fracture reduction implant for treating a vertebral compression fracture and instruments and methods for implanting the fracture reduction device utilizing a minimally invasive lateral approach are described. The implant may be inserted into a fractured vertebra through a T-shaped cut formed in the vertebral wall. The T-shaped cut may be formed in the lateral aspect of the wall. After insertion, a portion of the implant may be elevated within the vertebral body to reduce the fracture. The implant may include a base assembly, elevator plate, and a support column. The support column may be locked to the base assembly after insertion.

Abstract: A bone screw system includes a bone screw and a connecting device for coupling the bone screw to an elongate rod-shaped member. The bone screw has proximal and bone-engaging portions disposed at opposing ends relative to a long axis of the screw. The proximal portion includes a proximal locking feature that extends away from the long axis in a radial direction that is perpendicular to the long axis. The connecting device includes first and second coupling portions at opposing ends relative to the long axis when the coupling device is assembled to the bone screw. The first coupling portion defines an opening for receiving the proximal portion of the bone screw. The second coupling portion is configured to receive the rod-shaped member. The connecting device also includes a restraining feature that frictionally resists rotational motion of the connecting device relative to the bone screw.

Abstract: A fracture reduction implant for treating a vertebral compression fracture and instruments and methods for implanting the fracture reduction device utilizing a minimally invasive lateral approach are described. The implant may be inserted into a fractured vertebra through a T-shaped cut formed in the vertebral wall. The T-shaped cut may be formed in the lateral aspect of the wall. After insertion, a portion of the implant may be elevated within the vertebral body to reduce the fracture. The implant may include a base assembly with an elevator plate and a support column. The support column may be configured for guided insertion into the base assembly. The support column may be locked to the base assembly after insertion.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods aimed at the proper placement and installation of textile-based orthopedic implants. More specifically, the surgical instruments include a flexible template, insertion instrument and multi-pronged awl. The flexible template may be formed of a combination of rigid and flexible materials and is deformable to match the contour of the target anatomy for subsequent placement of a textile-based orthopedic implant. The insertion instrument has a handle and a template end used for holding the flexible template and textile-based implant. The template end has one or apertures with hollow cylindrical extensions for holding the flexible template or textile-based implant and one or more cutout regions for better visualization and affixation of fixation screws. An awl is also provided with one or more prongs to initiate channels for the fixation screws. A method of implanting a textile-based orthopedic implant is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bone screw system includes a bone screw and a connecting device for coupling the bone screw to an elongate rod-shaped member. The bone screw has proximal and bone-engaging portions disposed at opposing ends relative to a long axis of the screw. The proximal portion includes a proximal locking feature that extends away from the long axis in a radial direction that is perpendicular to the long axis. The connecting device includes first and second coupling portions at opposing ends relative to the long axis when the coupling device is assembled to the bone screw. The first coupling portion defines an opening for receiving the proximal portion of the bone screw. The second coupling portion is configured to receive the rod-shaped member. The connecting device also includes a restraining feature that frictionally resists rotational motion of the connecting device relative to the bone screw.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant including a body having a longitudinal axis and including first and second axial walls spaced apart along a transverse axis, and first and second transverse end walls extending between and interconnecting the first and second axial walls. The intervertebral implant includes an expansion member co-acting with the axial walls to expand the body along the transverse axis.

Abstract: An articular disc prosthesis and method of implanting the same within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The prosthesis includes a pair of articular components and an articular ball disposed therebetween. Each of the articular components includes an outer shell portion and a removable inner insert portion. The insert portion includes a concave articular surface sized and shaped to receive a portion of the articular ball to provide articulating motion between the articular components. The outer shell portion includes a central hemi-cylindrical portion, a pair of laterally extending flanges, and an axially extending lip. Following removal of the natural intervertebral disc, a pair of hemi-cylindrical recesses are formed along a central region of the adjacent vertebral bodies to a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for insertion into an intervertebral space defined by adjacent vertebrae includes a first articulation member and a second articulation member configured to cooperate to permit articulating motion. An expandable member may be connected to the first articulation member and may be configured to support and position the first articulation member within the intervertebral space.

Abstract: Implants and methods aimed at safely repairing and/or reconstructing the facet joint so as to provide the required flexibility and elasticity to support continued motion after the implant has been implanted in a facet joint.

Abstract: A method for correcting spondylolisthesis from the lateral approach is provided in which a pair of insertion members are inserted laterally into upper and lower vertebrae, a connecting member is affixed to the insertion members, and a rotating force is applied to the connecting member to encourage the upper and lower vertebrae into a desired position relative to one another.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.

Abstract: A textile-based surgical implant that can be inserted through any number of suitable surgical approaches, including but not limited to lateral, anterior, anterior-lateral, posterolateral, and/or posterior approaches. When applied to spine surgery and inserted into an intervertebral disc space, the implant restores the normal height of the intervertebral disc space, while advantageously preserving the natural motion of the spine. The textile construction of the implant is beneficial because it is generally compliant and thereby restores and/or improves spinal motion. The compliant nature of the textile-based implant provides the required flexibility and elasticity to advantageously support physiological movements, as opposed to fusion surgery which forms a boney bridge between adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A modular prosthetic device is described. The modular prosthetic device is provided with an anchoring device having first and second end members, the first and second end members cooperating to receive a prosthetic insertion device. The first and second end members each include a first surface, at least one vertebral-engaging member extending from the first surface, a second surface in an opposed relation to the first surface, and at least one flange extending from the second surface. The anchoring device is adapted to receive a variety of prosthetic insertion devices such that the modular prosthetic device can be revised into a variety of modular prosthetic devices. A stacking member is also provided for use with the anchoring device to provide a variety of modular, stackable prosthetic devices.