Abstract: A bone graft system for providing bone graft material to a site of interest includes a multiple unit bone graft material loading device and a conduit. The multiple unit bone graft material loading device may be configured to accept a plurality of pre-formed bone graft material units and includes a plurality chambers configured to accept a pre-formed bone graft unit. The conduit may include a first opening and second opening. The first opening may be operably connected with the multiple unit bone graft material loading device to accept bone graft material from the multiple unit bone graft material loading device. The second opening may be configured to deliver bone graft material to a site of interest.

Abstract: A needle delivery device that has particular application for providing needles for minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures. The device includes an elongated pincher having opposing rails that is slidable within a channel defined in an extended base portion. Widened end portions of the rails hold the needle and push it out of an end of the device where it is released. The pincher is then retracted to a location where the end portions can pick up a next needle to be delivered.

Abstract: A needle delivery device that has particular application for providing needles for minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures. The device includes an elongated pincher having opposing rails that is slidable within a channel defined in an extended base portion. Widened end portions of the rails hold the needle and push it out of an end of the device where it is released. The pincher is then retracted to a location where the end portions can pick up a next needle to be delivered.

Abstract: An up-cutting knife that has particular application for minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures. The knife includes an elongated tube that is operable to be inserted through a tubular retractor used in minimally invasive surgical procedures. One end of the elongated tube includes a curved head portion having a cutting blade formed on a top surface thereof and a suction port, and an opposite end of the tube is coupled to a handle having a chamber. A suction device can be coupled to an outlet port in the handle that causes blood and other surgical material to be drawn through the tube and out of the handle.

Abstract: A pedicle screw and rod assembly that has particular application for minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation. The assembly includes pedicle screws having ball-shaped heads that are threaded through pedicles of adjacent vertebra into the vertebral body. The assembly also includes two cannulated posts that extend above a cannulated pedicle screw to allow placement over a K-wire. A head portion accepts the head of the pedicle screw in a secure and multi-axial engagement. The assembly further includes a tube portion that is coupled to the head portion and extends above the patient's skin. The assembly also includes a lordotic slotted rod that is slid down the tube portions to be positioned on top of the head portions of the posts so that the portions are locked within the slot. Bolts are then slid down the tube portions and are threaded to a threaded portion on the portion.

Abstract: A pedicle screw and rod system that has particular application for spinal fusion surgery. The system includes pedicle screws having ball-shaped heads that are threaded through pedicles of adjacent vertebra into the vertebral body. The system also includes two cannulated posts having a head portion with a planar portion and an opening for accepting the head of the pedicle screw in a secure and multi-axial engagement. The system further includes a tube portion that is coupled to the head portion and extends above the patient's skin. The system also includes a lordotic slotted rod that is slid down the tube portions to be positioned on top of the head portions of the posts so that the planar portions are locked within the slot. Bolts are then slid down the tube portions and are threaded to a threaded portion on the planar portion.

Abstract: A method for placement of a pedicle screw and rod system that has particular application for spinal fusion surgery. The system includes pedicle screws having ball-shaped heads that are threaded through pedicles of adjacent vertebra into the vertebral body. The system also includes two cannulated posts having a head portion with a planar portion and an opening for accepting the head of the pedicle screw in a secure and multi-axial engagement. The system further includes a tube portion that is coupled to the head portion and extends above the patient's skin. The system also includes a lordotic slotted rod that is slid down the tube portions to be positioned on top of the head portions of the posts so that the planar portions are locked within the slot. Bolts are then slid down the tube portions and are threaded to a threaded portion on the planar portion.

Abstract: A fusion plate that comprises a plate body including extended portions at one end of the plate body with a slot therebetween and extended portions at an opposite end of the plate body with a slot therebetween. The fusion plate further comprises a first pair of holes in the plate body and a second pair of holes in the plate body. The fusion plate also comprises a first locking member slideably engageable to the plate body and being operable to slide over the first pair of holes and a second locking member slideably engageable to the plate body and being operable to slide over the second pair of holes.

Abstract: A suction retractor including an elongated tube that is operable to be inserted through a tubular retractor used in minimally invasive surgical procedures. One end of the tube is coupled to a handle having a chamber and the other end of the tube is coupled to a curved retractor portion, where the retractor portion allows the surgeon to hold back various anatomies during the surgical procedure. Thus, the suction retractor provides two functions that may otherwise require two different instruments. The retractor portion includes a series of parallel groves that allow liquids, such as blood, to flow along the retractor portion and into a suction port at the end of the tube. A suction device can be coupled to an outlet port in the handle that causes the blood and other surgical material to be sucked through the tube and out of the handle.

Abstract: A spacer for implantation between adjacent vertebrae is provided. The spacer includes a distal end and a proximal end. The spacer also includes top and bottom surfaces spaced by sides. The top and bottom surface define a height, and the sides define a width. Each of the sides of the spacer also includes a depressed region sunk into the side including a sloped surface at least toward the proximal end of the spacer. The distance between the sloped surfaces of the sides decreases proximally to form a wedge having a leading edge proximate to the proximal end of the spacer. The wedge is sized and configured to aid distribution of bone graft material to either side of the wedge, wherein bone graft material is supplied to a site of interest is distributed to at least one side of the wedge.

Abstract: A laminar plate that reconstructs or supports the lamina of a vertebra after lamina bone has been removed during spinal surgery and prevents bone growth material from entering the spinal canal. The laminar plate spans a gap from the removed lamina bone and is coupled to, or proximate to, and between a facet and the spinous process by screwing the plate to the bone.

Abstract: A method for attaching a laminar plate to a vertebra during spinal surgery, especially minimally invasive spinal surgery, to reconstruct the lamina of the vertebra after it has been removed during the surgery and prevent bone re-growth material from entering the spinal canal. The laminar plate can be coupled to, or proximate to, and between a facet and the spinous process by screwing the plate to the bone.

Abstract: A bone graft system for providing bone graft material to a site of interest includes a multiple unit bone graft material loading device and a conduit. The multiple unit bone graft material loading device is configured to accept a plurality of pre-formed bone graft material units and includes a plurality chambers configured to accept a pre-formed bone graft unit. The conduit includes a first opening and second opening. The first opening is operably connected with the multiple unit bone graft material loading device to accept bone graft material from the multiple unit bone graft material loading device. The second opening is configured to deliver bone graft material to a site of interest.

Abstract: A retractor device for cervical spinal fusion surgery. The retractor device includes a first post assembly having a first pin for mounting the first post assembly to a first vertebral body and a first rod coupled thereto in a multi-axial manner so that the first rod can be pivoted relative to the first pin. The retractor device also includes a second post assembly having a second pin for mounting the second post assembly to a second vertebral body and a second rod coupled thereto in a multi-axial manner so that the second rod can be pivoted relative to the second pin. The retractor device also includes a first retractor blade having a first retractor blade arm slideably engageable to the first rod, and a second retractor blade having a second retractor blade arm slideably engageable to the second rod. The first retractor blade is slid down the first rod and the second retractor blade is slid down the second rod to be positioned and separate the anatomical structures.

Abstract: A surgical delivery system that has particular application for providing bone graft material to an interbody device that restores disc space height during spinal fusion surgery. The bone graft delivery system includes a body portion and a shaft coupled thereto. An auger extends through a bore in the shaft and into the body portion. An end of the shaft opposite to the body portion is configured to be coupled to the interbody device, where the auger extends through a channel in the interbody device. Bone graft material is placed in a hopper coupled to the shaft, where the auger is manually or automatically rotated to deliver the bone graft material through the shaft and into the interbody device where it is dispersed into the disc space.

Abstract: A robotic surgical device positioning system that allows a surgeon to accurately and remotely position a surgical instrument relative to a patient and to provide fluoroscopic images of the instrument without exposing the surgeon to radiation. The system includes a vertical post that is slidebly coupled to an operating table, a clamp mounted to the vertical post and spaced from the table, and a translational arm mounted to the clamp. The system further includes an instrument positioning assembly mounted to the translational arm opposite to the clamp that includes a plurality of sliding elements that are slidebly mounted to the assembly to provide rotational, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral positioning of the surgical instrument. A control unit is mechanically coupled to the instrument positioning assembly at a remote location by flexible cables for controlling the position of the sliding elements.

Abstract: A pedicle screw distraction device that includes first and second pedicle screws each including a screw body portion and a ball head. The device also includes first and second screw head portions each including an internal threaded bore where the first screw is inserted in the first screw head portion and the second screw is inserted in the second screw head portion. The device also includes a connector link coupled to the first and second screw head portions where the connector link includes an outer perimeter portion having a slot therein. A spring member is positioned within the connector link between and in contact with the first and second screw head portions. A locking member including a plate and a separating portion is positioned between the screw head portions and an inside wall of the connector link where the separating portion is positioned between the screw head portions.

Abstract: A minimally invasive interbody device assembly that includes an interbody device that restores the disc space height between two vertebrae and an instrument detachably coupled to the interbody device for positioning the device in the disc space and delivering bone material to the disc space that is distributed on both sides of the interbody device. The device is inserted into the disc space using the instrument in a direction so that the wide dimension of the device is substantially parallel to the body of the vertebrae. The device is then rotated by the instrument so that the wide dimension of the device becomes perpendicular to the vertebral body so as to cause the disc space height to be restored. Bone graft material is then forced down the instrument so that the bone graft material is distributed on both sides of the device. The instrument is then detached from the device.

Abstract: A vertebral disc tensioning device that restores the loss of disc height as a result of disc degeneration and other factors. The device includes first and second pedicle screws each including a screw body portion and a ball head. The device also includes first and second screw head portions each including an internal threaded bore where the first screw is inserted in the first screw head portion and is pivotally mounted relative thereto and the second screw is inserted in the second screw head portion and is pivotally mounted thereto. The device also includes a rigid connector that couples the first and second screw head portions where bolts are threaded through the connector and into the internal threaded bores of the first and second screw head portions. The device also includes a spring assembly offset from the rigid connector that applies a bias to separate the pedicle screws.

Abstract: A method for providing disc regeneration that includes at least partially restoring disc height using a vertebral disc annular fibrosis tensioning and lengthening device, and then injecting a biologic substance, such as stem cells, into the disc that differentiate into chondrocytes and/or notochordal cells that facilitate disc regeneration. Once the biologic substance has regenerated the disc, it may be possible to remove the vertebral disc annular fibrosis tensioning and lengthening device.