Abstract: A stabilization system for implantation in a patient includes: a bone anchor including a head and a shaft, the shaft extending away from the head in a bone insertion direction and being operable for connection to a bone of the patient; and a tulip including: at least one channel having an opening for receiving an elongate member, the opening being oriented in a receiving direction having at least a component thereof substantially opposite to the bone insertion direction of the anchor, and (ii) a fastening mechanism operable to apply a tangential load on the elongate member to maintain the elongate member within the channel, wherein the tangential load is transverse to at least the receiving direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus for cutting a tibia, a stylus, an apparatus for cutting a femur, an apparatus for aligning a femoral cutting guide, and an ankle clamp in support of a unicondylar knee surgery. The present invention further provides for a method of preparing a femoral condyle of a femur for the implantation of a unicondylar femoral knee implant. The apparatus for cutting a tibia includes a unicondylar tibial resection guide that is adjustably connectable to a unicondylar tibial alignment guide and configured to operate concurrently with the tibial alignment guide. The apparatus for cutting a femur includes a spacer block and a cutting guide configured to operate concurrently with the spacer block.

Abstract: A skeletal fixation apparatus includes: a plate having first and second spaced apart surfaces and a plurality of apertures extending through the surfaces of the plate, each aperture for receiving a respective fixation element for coupling the plate to one or more bones of a patient; and at least one retention element having an elongate member coupled to the plate at first and second ends thereof, wherein the first end of the elongate member is fixed in position and the second end of the elongate member is operable to rotate about the first end such that: (i) at least a portion of the elongate member overlies at least a portion of a first of the apertures when the second end is in at least one first rotational position to retain a first fixation element in the first aperture, and (ii) the elongate member does not substantially overlie the first aperture when the second end is in at least one second rotational position to permit the first fixation element to enter or exit the first aperture.

Abstract: An intervertebral stabilizer includes: a first member operable to engage an endplate of a vertebral bone of a spine, the first member having top and bottom surfaces defining a thickness therebetween; a second member spaced apart from the first member and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent vertebral bone of the spine; a connecting element located substantially between and connecting the first and second members; and the first member having at least one slot extending through a portion thereof through its entire thickness and top and bottom surfaces, creating first and second portions of the first member, wherein the slot imparts compressibility and/or expandability to the intervertebral disc replacement device.

Abstract: An intervertebral stabilizer includes: a first plate member operable to engage an endplate of a first vertebral bone of a spine; a second plate member spaced apart from the first plate member and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent second vertebral bone of the spine; a ball element depending from the first plate member; and a socket element depending from the second plate member, wherein at least one of the ball and socket elements include one or more keyed surfaces such that: (i) an assembly function is obtained in which the ball element may at least one of be received into, and removed from, the socket element in one or more first articulation positions of the first and second plate members; and (ii) a capture function is obtained in which the ball element may at least one of not be received into, and not be removed from, the socket element in one or more second articulation positions of the first and second plate members.

Abstract: A stabilization system for implantation in a patient includes: at least first and second bone anchors, each bone anchor including a shaft extending in a respective bone insertion direction for connection to a respective bone of a patient, and a fastening member; and an elongate member comprising a first end portion, a first transverse portion extending transversely from the first end portion, a second end portion, a second transverse portion extending transversely from the second end portion, and a connecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction between the first and second transverse portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus for cutting a tibia, a stylus, an apparatus for cutting a femur, an apparatus for aligning a femoral cutting guide, and an ankle clamp in support of a unicondylar knee surgery. The present invention further provides for a method of preparing a femoral condyle of a femur for the implantation of a unicondylar femoral knee implant. The apparatus for cutting a tibia includes a unicondylar tibial resection guide that is adjustably connectable to a unicondylar tibial alignment guide and configured to operate concurrently with the tibial alignment guide. The apparatus for cutting a femur includes a spacer block and a cutting guide configured to operate concurrently with the spacer block.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus for cutting a tibia, a stylus, an apparatus for cutting a femur, an apparatus for aligning a femoral cutting guide, and an ankle clamp in support of a unicondylar knee surgery. The present invention further provides for a method of preparing a femoral condyle of a femur for the implantation of a unicondylar femoral knee implant. The apparatus for cutting a tibia includes a unicondylar tibial resection guide that is adjustably connectable to a unicondylar tibial alignment guide and configured to operate concurrently with the tibial alignment guide. The apparatus for cutting a femur includes a spacer block and a cutting guide configured to operate concurrently with the spacer block.

Abstract: A stabilization rod engaging apparatus for implantation in a patient includes: a first pivot element including at least one first aperture, a first engagement element, and a first locking element; a second pivot element including at least one second aperture, a second engagement element, and a second locking element, wherein: the first and second apertures are sized, shaped and disposed in substantial axial alignment such that they are operable to receive the stabilization rod therethrough, and displacement of the first and second locking elements relative to one another urges the first and second apertures to misalign and thereby clamp the stabilization rod.

Abstract: A cervical intervertebral stabilizer for a cervical region of a spine includes: a first surface operable to engage an endplate of a first vertebral bone of a spine; a second surface spaced apart from the first surface and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent second vertebral bone of the spine; a spring element including at least one of: (i) a helical wound spring; and (ii) a hollow body having at least one slit forming a plurality of annular circumferential helical coils, the spring element being disposed between the first and second surfaces and being operable to provide reactive force in response to compression loads from the first and second vertebral bones, wherein at least some diameters of respective turns of the helical coils differ.

Abstract: An intervertebral stabilizer includes: a first surface operable to engage an endplate of a first vertebral bone of a spine; a second surface spaced apart from the first surface and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent second vertebral bone of the spine; a spring element between the first and second surfaces and operable to provide reactive force in response to compression loads from the first and second vertebral bones, wherein a cross-sectional profile taken through the surfaces is hourglass shaped.

Abstract: A unicondylar knee implant system according to one embodiment includes a unicondylar femoral knee component having a single sagittal radius, a tibial bearing component, and a tibial tray component having a self-locking keel. The unicondylar knee implant system also provides for a locking mechanism for securing the tibial bearing component onto the tibial tray component. The unicondylar knee system allows for a simplified surgical technique, complete interchangeability between sizes, and a more MIS compatible implant system.

Abstract: A posterior intervertebral stabilizer includes: a first stabilizing element having: (i) a first surface operable to engage an endplate of a first vertebral bone of a spine, and (ii) a second surface spaced apart from the first surface and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent second vertebral bone of the spine; a second stabilizing element having: (i) a first surface operable to engage an endplate of the first vertebral bone of the spine, and (ii) a second surface spaced apart from the first surface and operable to engage an endplate of the adjacent second vertebral bone of the spine; and respective spring elements, each including helical coils, disposed between the respective first and second surfaces of the first and second stabilizing elements, each operable to provide a reactive force in response to compression loads from the first and second vertebral bones, wherein at least some diameters of respective turns of the respective helical coils differ.

Abstract: An intervertebral stabilizer includes: a first surface operable to engage an endplate of a first vertebral bone of a spine; a second surface spaced apart from the first surface and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent second vertebral bone of the spine; a spring element between the first and second surfaces and operable to provide reactive force in response to compression loads from the first and second vertebral bones, wherein a cross-sectional profile taken through the surfaces is hourglass shaped.

Abstract: A lumbar intervertebral stabilizer for a lumbar region of a spine includes: a first surface operable to engage an endplate of a first vertebral bone of a spine; a second surface spaced apart from the first surface and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent second vertebral bone of the spine; a spring element including at least one of: (i) a helical wound spring; and (ii) a hollow body having at least one slit forming a plurality of annular circumferential helical coils, the spring element being disposed between the first and second surfaces and being operable to provide reactive force in response to compression loads from the first and second vertebral bones, wherein at least some diameters of respective turns of the helical coils differ.

Abstract: A stabilization element for implantation in a patient includes: a spring element including a plurality of helical coils terminating at first and second ends; and at least one sleeve including at least one bore sized and shaped to slide or thread onto the helical coils of the spring element, the at least one sleeve being operable to engage a tulip of a bone anchor.

Abstract: A skeletal fixation apparatus includes: a plate having first and second spaced apart surfaces and a plurality of apertures extending through the surfaces of the plate, each aperture for receiving a respective fixation element for coupling the plate to one or more bones of a patient; and at least one retention element having an elongate member coupled to the plate at first and second ends thereof, wherein the first end of the elongate member is fixed in position and the second end of the elongate member is operable to rotate about the first end such that: (i) at least a portion of the elongate member overlies at least a portion of a first of the apertures when the second end is in at least one first rotational position to retain a first fixation element in the first aperture, and (ii) the elongate member does not substantially overlie the first aperture when the second end is in at least one second rotational position to permit the first fixation element to enter or exit the first aperture.

Abstract: An intervertebral stabilizer includes: a first member operable to engage an endplate of a vertebral bone of a spine, the first member having top and bottom surfaces defining a thickness therebetween; a second member spaced apart from the first member and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent vertebral bone of the spine; a connecting element located substantially between and connecting the first and second members; and the first member having at least one slot extending through a portion thereof through its entire thickness and top and bottom surfaces, creating first and second portions of the first member, wherein the slot imparts compressibility and/or expandability to the intervertebral disc replacement device.

Abstract: An vertebral stabilizer includes a spring element defining a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends, each operable to couple to respective first and second bone anchors of a patient, wherein the spring element includes a slanted coil element operable to produce a reaction force in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A rod for interconnecting at least two pedicle screws implanted in adjacent vertebrae of a spine and/or the rod itself includes a metal or metal alloy of substantial nickel content; and an outer layer of ceramic coating the metal such that exposure of the nickel to a patient is inhibited.