Abstract: A rotating, locking, spring-loaded disk implant for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. The implant is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape with minimal height and maximal width. The implant is inserted into the space between two adjacent vertebrae from which a portion of the intervertebral disk has been removed and, when positioned in the disk space, rotated to bring the sides of the rectangularly-shaped implant defining the width of the implant, with its larger dimension, into engagement with the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. A portion of the implant is biased away from the implant and into contact with the adjacent vertebrae to provide a cushioning effect between the implant and the vertebra. A lock is then secured to the implant to resist further rotation of the implant in the disk space.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in stabilizing and/or aligning the spinal column. The apparatus utilizes hooks and rods to effectively transfer load from the vertebrae to the apparatus regardless of the angle and the height of the pedicular screws. The screws are retained to a screw cap that includes a hook forming a cradle for receiving the rod therein and a bore to which an extension is releasably secured. The extension includes a plurality of notches forming a ladder, each notch being formed so as to releasably retain the rod to the notch so that the rod can be moved down the ladder until it is positioned in the cradle of the screw cap, after which the extension is removed from the screw cap and a set screw is utilized to secure the rod in the cradle. The apparatus is also configured for transverse spinal fixation with rods that extend across the vertebral body to which longitudinal rods are affixed.

Abstract: A multi-axis connection for transferring load from the vertebrae of a patient to a plate extending from one vertebra to another vertebra when the plate is affixed to the respective vertebrae by screwing screws into the bodies of the vertebrae. The screws extend through holes in the plate at the level of the respective vertebrae, each screw being oriented at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the plate so as to effectively transfer load. The threaded shank of each screw is screwed into the vertebral body and the head of each screw is positioned in the central portion of the hole, the hole being defined by an aperture, an opening through which the shank of the screw extends, and the central portion between the aperture and the opening.

Abstract: A locking or fastener system for joining or attaching a first workpiece spaced apart from a second workpiece. A threaded opening is provided in the first workpiece for receiving a screw/collar combination. The screw has a threaded end and a head end. The screw head is rotatingly attached within a cavity within the collar. External threads on the wall of the collar cooperate with the threads in the opening in the first workpiece. When the collar is secured to the first workpiece, the screw may be rotated to engage the second workpiece. By using a wrench having an outer body with extending blades and an inner rod having a screw face, the collar and screw may be tightened to join two spaced-apart workpieces.

Abstract: An artificial disc prosthesis having load-bearing characteristics that mimic those of the normal, healthy intervertebral disc so as to provide resist flexion and axial compression of the spine in a way that preserves normal spinal function. The disc prosthesis includes three main components, a frame, a cushion molded over the frame, and a sac containing a hydrogel for maintaining disc height that is confined within a cavity in the cushion. Disc height is changed by increasing and/or decreasing the amount of hydrogel in the sac in accordance with the particular needs of the patient into which the artificial disc is implanted. Also provided is a frame for an artifical intervertebral disc that allows the axis of rotation of the spine to shift in a manner that replicates, or mimics, the normal function of the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc that uses two orthogonally-oriented cushions, one with a greater height than width and the other with a greater width than height, comprised of a resilient material and affixed to each other in a manner to resist relative movement therebetween, to maintain the spacing between the vertebrae adjacent an intervertebral disc, to distribute and cushion against compression loads, and to mimic the normal kinematics of the intact, healthy intervertebral disc. One of the two cushions at least partially surrounds a frame that both provides resistance to compression and tension loads and translates the axis of rotation of the spinal column anteriorally and posteriorally as the patient bends and rotates.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc implant having a body with a greater height than width comprised of a resilient material and an elongate cavity for receiving a key to maintain the spacing between the vertebrae adjacent an intervertebral disc when implanted into the space from which a portion of the disc is removed. To distribute and cushion against compression loads, and to mimic the normal kinematics of the intact, healthy intervertebral disc, the key is removed after the body is implanted into the disc space and a frame that both provides resistance to compression and tension loads and translates the axis of rotation of the spinal column anteriorally and posteriorally as the patient bends and rotates is inserted into the cavity in the implant body. The frame does not extend all the way into the cavity in the body and the portion of the cavity into which the frame does not extend is filled with a hydrogel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. Upper and lower interlocking brackets are insertable in a prepared intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. The brackets are affixed to the vertebrae at attachment plates. A rib on one side of one bracket interlocks with a rib receiving groove in the other bracket to stabilize the spinal column without eliminated mobility (forward and rearward flexion) of the column. Various embodiments include additional shock absorption features.

Abstract: An electrode for use in monitoring MEPs during spinal instrumentation. A thin, flexible strip of insulative material is provided with conductive tracks on both top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottom conductive tracks connecting through respective plated-through holes. The bottom side tracks extend at an oblique angle relative to the top side tracks and are spaced apart so as to provide intimate contact with the surface of the dura against which the electrode is placed during surgical procedures. The top side tracks terminate in a solder pad to which leads for the instrumentation for measuring/detecting MEPs are connected.

Abstract: A locking system for attaching a first workpiece to a bone or second workpiece. A countersink in the first workpiece has an opening for receiving a screw having a threaded first end, an opposite top head end, and a collar. The collar has external threads which engage complimentary threads in the counter sink. The collar is sized to allow the screw head to rotate within a smooth concave cavity in the collar while at the same time retaining the screw within the collar. Once the screw is threaded into the bone (or second workpiece), the collar retains the screw securely in the first workpiece.

Abstract: A rotating, locking, spring-loaded disk implant for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. The implant is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape with minimal height and maximal width. The implant is inserted into the space between two adjacent vertebrae from which a portion of the intervertebral disk has been removed and, when positioned in the disk space, rotated to bring the sides of the rectangularly-shaped implant defining the width of the implant, with its larger dimension, into engagement with the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. A portion of the implant is biased away from the implant and into contact with the adjacent vertebrae to provide a cushioning effect between the implant and the vertebra. A lock is then secured to the implant to resist further rotation of the implant in the disk space.

Abstract: A locking or fastener system for joining or attaching a first workpiece spaced apart from a second workpiece. A threaded opening is provided in the first workpiece for receiving a screw/collar combination. The screw has a threaded end and a head end. The screw head is rotatingly attached within a cavity within the collar. External threads on the wall of the collar cooperate with the threads in the opening in the first workpiece. When the collar is secured to the first workpiece, the screw may be rotated to engage the second workpiece. By using a wrench having an outer body with extending blades and an inner rod having a screw face, the collar and screw may be tightened to join two spaced-apart workpieces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. Upper and lower interlocking brackets are insertable in a prepared intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. The brackets are affixed to the vertebrae at attachment plates. A rib on one side of one bracket interlocks with a rib receiving groove in the other bracket to stabilize the spinal column without eliminated mobility (forward and rearward flexion) of the column. Various embodiments include additional shock absorption features.

Abstract: A locking system for attaching a first workpiece to a bone or second workpiece. A countersink in the first workpiece has an opening for receiving a screw having a threaded first end, an opposite top head end, and a collar. The collar has external threads which engage complimentary threads in the counter sink. The collar is sized to allow the screw head to rotate within a smooth concave cavity in the collar while at the same time retaining the screw within the collar. Once the screw is threaded into the bone (or second workpiece), the collar retains the screw securely in the first workpiece.

Abstract: A multi-axis correction washer for use with a spinal stabilizer for internal spinal fixation. The body of the washer is provided in cylindrical and wedge-shaped cylindrical configurations with a passage through the center axis of the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and/or offset from the center axis of the cylindrical washer and a shoulder or other structure for rotatably engaging an aperture in a spinal implant. The spinal implant can be a plate and screw-type, ladder-type, or monorail-type spinal fixation system. The washer is provided with a concave surface and a bearing surface, the former being adapted to engage the hemispherically-shaped head of the pedicle screw and the nut threaded onto the pedicle screw bearing against the latter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. Upper and lower interlocking brackets are insertable in a prepared intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. The brackets are affixed to the vertebrae at attachment plates. A rib on one side of one bracket interlocks with a rib receiving groove in the other bracket to stabilize the spinal column without eliminated mobility (forward and rearward flexion) of the column. Various embodiments include additional shock absorption features.

Abstract: A medical appliance adapted to bridge and stabilize spaced apart bone segments having outside, ledge and inside surfaces. The appliance has an elongate bottom plate, an elongate top plate, and a locking member. The bottom plate is attachable to the ledge surface of the bone and has a bottom base plate, a plurality of screw barrels extending from the bottom base plate in a first direction for receiving barrel screws, and a plurality of openings in the base plate for rotatably retaining the screw barrels. The elongate top plate has a top plate base, a plurality of slots aligned to allow the barrel screws to engage the screw barrels of the bottom plate. The locking member is dispoaed in a countersink to engage the bone screws such that axial and rotational movement of the bone screws may be restricted. The screw barrels are equipped with an angle first end and a riveted second end to restrain screw movement but allow the screws to engage the barrels at various angles.

Abstract: A multi-axis correction washer for use with a spinal stabilizer for internal spinal fixation. The bodies of the washer are provided in cylindrical and wedge-shaped cylindrical configurations with a hole in the center of the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and/or offset from the center axis of the cylindrical washer and a shoulder or other structure for rotatably engaging a hole in a spinal implant. The spinal implant can be a plate and screw-type, ladder-type, or monorail-type spinal fixation system. The washer is rotated to provide an infinite range of angles and screw placements relative to the central axis of the spinal column for maximum flexibility of installation and to effectively transfer the load on the spinal column to the implant, all while maintaining an angle of approximately 90° between the head of the screw and/or nut and the washer which engages the implant.

Abstract: A middle expanded, removable disk implant for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. The implant is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape with a minimal height and a width greater than the height. The implant is detachably mounted to an applicator for insertion into the anatomical region between two adjacent vertebrae from which a portion of the intervertebral disk has been removed. Once inserted, the implant is positioned by anterior-posterior movement in the disk space to the position in which both the expanded, larger width middle portion and the smaller diameter end portions of the implant engage the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae and the implant is then rotated to bring the sides of the rectangularly-shaped implant defining the width of the implant, with its larger dimension, into engagement with the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. A lock is then secured to the implant to prevent further rotation thereof.

Abstract: A middle expanded, removable disk implant for stabilizing adjacent cervical vertebrae. The implant is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape with a minimal height and a width greater than the height. The implant is detachably mounted to an applicator for insertion into the anatomical region between two adjacent cervical vertebrae from which the intervertebral disk has been removed, and once inserted, is positioned by anterior-posterior movement in the disk space to the position in which both the expanded, larger width middle portion and the smaller diameter end portions of the implant engage the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae and the implant is then rotated to bring the sides of the rectangularly-shaped implant defining the width of the implant, with its larger dimension, into engagement with the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. A lock, in the form of a stabilizer bar, is then secured to the implant to prevent further rotation thereof.