Abstract: A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod includes dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod includes dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod by dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.

Abstract: A rod to rod connector includes a connector body containing a rod retaining insert. An interconnecting portion inner connects to a body to at least one other connector body. The insert is snap locked within the connector body simultaneously while retaining a rod within the insert in a locked condition.

Abstract: The present invention is a load sharing intervertebral fusion device that allows for reconstruction of the proper disc space between two vertebral bodies while allowing bone material packed within the fusion device to share loading and stress for enhanced healing. The device includes two sections, an upper and lower section, separated by a bioresorbable spacer. The upper section slides relative to the lower section with the bioresorbable material being placed in load therebetween. The upper section and lower sections are effectively held apart, creating an initial fixed spacer for implantation of the intervertebral disc space. Openings in the implant construct allow for bone graft and bone substitutes to be placed within the implant to allow for fusion through the implant construct. After implantation and over a period of time based on bone resorbtion and remodeling, the spacer resorbs, thereby maintaining load on the bone graft material.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod includes dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.

Abstract: A spinal implant assembly includes a housing for containing a bearing member therein and seating within an intervertebral space and a bearing member disposed within the housing for enabling disc-like movement between vertebrae defining the intervertebral space. A method of inserting the spinal implant assembly into the intervertebral space includes the steps of inserting the spinal implant assembly into the intervertebral space and then distracting the spinal implant assembly from a first condition in which the spinal implant assembly is floatable into the intervertebral space to a second condition in which the assembly is distracted to fixedly engage opposing vertebral services defining the intervertebral space.

Abstract: A facet fusion implant, including a body having stepped surface means for contacting a stepped surface of a facet joint and preventing the facet fusion implant from coming out of the facet joint. An external sleeve compacting instrument for inserting bone enhancing materials in an implant. A method of using an external sleeve compacting instrument. A method of preparing a facet fusion implant with bone enhancing materials. A method of creating a facet joint fusion by inserting the implant in a facet joint, contacting the stepped surface with a stepped surface of the facet joint, preventing motion of the implant within the facet joint, and creating a facet joint fusion. A method of preventing motion of an implant within a facet joint. A guide instrument and a reamer for inserting an implant in a facet joint. A method of inserting an implant into a facet joint.

Abstract: The present invention is a load sharing intervertebral fusion device that allows for reconstruction of the proper disc space between two vertebral bodies while allowing bone material packed within the fusion device to share loading and stress for enhanced healing. The device includes two sections, an upper and lower section, separated by a bioresorbable spacer. The upper section slides relative to the lower section with the bioresorbable material being placed in load therebetween. The upper section and lower sections are effectively held apart, creating an initial fixed spacer for implantation of the intervertebral disc space. Openings in the implant construct allow for bone graft and bone substitutes to be placed within the implant to allow for fusion through the implant construct. After implantation and over a period of time based on bone resorbtion and remodeling, the spacer resorbs, thereby maintaining load on the bone graft material.

Abstract: A bone screw includes a head portion and shank portion. The shank portion includes a regularly outwardly expanding threaded portion.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod includes dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod includes dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.

Abstract: A rod to rod connector includes a connector body containing a rod retaining insert. An interconnecting portion inner connects to a body to at least one other connector body. The insert is snap locked within the connector body simultaneously while retaining a rod within the insert in a locked condition.

Abstract: A bone screw includes a head portion and shank portion. The shank portion includes a regularly outwardly expanding threaded portion.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod includes dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod includes dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.

Abstract: A locking mechanism including a non-threaded, self-adjusting locking device for locking a rod in place within a screw and rod assembly. A non-threaded, self-adjusting locking device for locking a rod in place within a screw and rod assembly. A spring for locking a rod in a screw and rod fixation assembly. A assembly including an implant body including a rod seat for seating a rod therein, a biasing device seat for seating a biasing device therein, and a biasing device seated in the biasing device seat for biasing a rod against a rod seat. A method of biasing a rod against a rod seat in a screw and rod fixation assembly.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod by dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod includes dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.

Abstract: An intra-vertebral body height restoring device includes a body for insertion into an intra-vertebral space. The body includes top and bottom surfaces for engaging opposing vertebral surfaces defining the intra-vertebral space. The body includes at least two layers extending along a width of the body and having a fully expanded and fully collapsed height relative thereto. A reversible expansion mechanism selectively and reversely expands and collapse the height of the layers and including the fully expanded and collapsed heights to restore a selected height to the intra-vertebral space.