Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the characteristics of tissue adjacent a surgical site and communicating that information to a health care provider includes a retractor, a sensor, and a processing system. The sensor is disposed on the retractor and is configured to measure a parameter indicative of at least one characteristic of the tissue adjacent the first or the second blade. The processing system is in communication with the sensor and configured and arranged to receive information from the sensor indicative of the measured parameter. It includes a threshold stored therein indicative of excessive trauma to the tissue and it is configured in a manner such that it compares the received information to the stored threshold and communicates information to the health care provider regarding the comparison.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a medical implant that delivers a therapeutic substance. In some embodiments, a component that carries a therapeutic substance is a tie secured to all or a portion of a surgical construct, surgical screw, pedicle screw, spinal rod cross-link, other element or device, or an anatomical structure.

Abstract: There are disclosed techniques for positioning a connecting element adjacent one or more bones or bony portions, such as the spinal column, through a minimally invasive surgical approach. The system generally includes at least one bone anchor engageable to the one or more bones or bony portions and at least one extender removably engaged to the bone anchor. A connecting element is movable into the patient and guided by the at least one extender to a first position in the patient. A second bone anchor and extender is then inserted into the patient and engaged to a bony portion. The connecting element is then moved from the at least one extender to extend to the second bone anchor and second extender. The connecting element is then engaged to each of the bone anchors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include instruments, implants, and methods for surgically treating facet joints of vertebrae. An instrument may be advanced into one or more facet joints to one or both separate vertebrae and remove tissue from one or more articular processes. A stop on the instrument may be used to terminate advancement of the instrument by contacting a vertebra, and one or more implants may be placed into one or more facet joints.

Abstract: Methods of fusing a facet joint that include inserting a cannula with a first end of the cannula at the facet joint and a second end positioned away from the facet joint. One or more tools may be inserted through the cannula to contact against and treat one or both vertebral members to enlarge the facet joint. An osteogenic material is then inserted into the enlarged facet joint to facilitate fusion of the first and second vertebral members.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for facet fusion include an insertion tool and a guide tool coupled to one another. The insertion tool has a proximal end portion and an opposite distal end portion. The distal end portion of the insertion tool is configured to retain an interbody implant, such as, for example, an inter-facet implant configured for placement between a superior facet and inferior facet of a facet joint. The proximal end portion of the insertion tool includes a handle. The guide tool includes an elongated body with a passage extending between and opening at its distal and proximal ends. A linking member extends between and adjustably connects the guide tool to the insertion tool so that the passage of the guide tool is alignable with the interbody implant retained on the insertion tool while the insertion tool and guide tool are in substantially orthogonal relation to one another.

Abstract: In one form, a method for stabilization of a facet joint of the spinal column includes forming a cavity between adjacent bones defining the facet joint and positioning an implant in the cavity between the adjacent bones. In one aspect of this form, the method also includes positioning a bone anchor across the facet joint and engaging the bone anchor with each of the adjacent bones to force the bones toward one another and clamp the implant therebetween. In a further aspect of this form, the implant is a cancellous bone dowel and becomes fractured into a plurality of fragments upon being clamped between the adjacent bones and/or otherwise interacting with the bone anchor. In another form, systems and devices for performing percutaneous facet joint stabilization and/or fusion are provided. However, different forms and applications are also envisioned.

Abstract: A diagnostic system is provided that occupies a small area, provides sensing and transmitting of various diagnostic indicia, and with the aid of a healthcare professional, diagnoses and responds to such measurements. In the context of the spine, the diagnostic system comprises a spinal implant situated between two adjacent vertebrae, an antenna for sending and/or receiving signals to and/or from a remote location, a sensor for measuring at least one diagnostic condition, an activating element that has the ability to affect the at least one diagnostic condition, a power source to provide power to the diagnostic system, and a network that electrically connects the antenna, sensor, activating element and battery source.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and an outer surface. The outer surface includes a first portion configured to engage a first bone surface and a second portion configured to engage a second opposing bone surface. A first locking element has a center of rotation along a first axis offset from the longitudinal axis. The first locking element is rotatable relative to the body between a first, non-engaging configuration and a second engaging configuration such that the first locking element extends beyond the outer surface. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A bone fastener includes an elongated first section having a distal end. A flexible member has an outer surface and defines an inner cavity configured for disposal of the distal end of the first section. An elongated second section defines a longitudinal axis and includes a wall that defines an interior cavity configured for disposal of the flexible member such that the distal end of the first section is disposed within the interior cavity of the second section. The outer surface of the flexible member engages the wall in a configuration such that the first section is pivotable to a plurality of axial orientations relative to the longitudinal axis of the second section.

Abstract: A bone preparation device for shaping endplates forming an intervertebral disc space between two adjacent vertebrae includes a cutter component and a cutter-positioner component. The cutter-positioner is arranged to limit the distal travel of the cutter component and to restrict the range of motion of the distal end of the cutter component. The bone preparation device also includes a rotational interface between the cutter component and the cutter-positioner component. The rotational interface is structurally arranged to permit the cutting blade to be rotated at the same time the cutter component is restricted in its range of motion.

Abstract: A spinal implant clamps to the spinous processes and provides an osteointegration material between the spinous processes so that there may be osteointegration between the spinous processes and a portion of the implant located in the interspinous space. The implant includes first and second plates, a post that extends between the plates and into at least one of the plates, a locking mechanism for locking the relative positions of the plates, and an osteointegration sleeve. The sleeve is disposed between the first and second plates and has an inner surface defining a longitudinal through-passage that is disposed about an outer surface of the post. The sleeve includes osteointegration material and is distinct from the post. The osteointegration material of the sleeve may be, for example, allograft bone or a bone growth material such as bone morphogenetic protein. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the characteristics of tissue adjacent a surgical site and communicating that information to a health care provider includes a retractor, a sensor, and a processing system. The sensor is disposed on the retractor and is configured to measure a parameter indicative of at least one characteristic of the tissue adjacent the first or the second blade. The processing system is in communication with the sensor and configured and arranged to receive information from the sensor indicative of the measured parameter. It includes a threshold stored therein indicative of excessive trauma to the tissue and it is configured in a manner such that it compares the received information to the stored threshold and communicates information to the health care provider regarding the comparison.

Abstract: Medical devices for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. Such a medical device may include a pair of plates with spikes adapted to be embedded in a superior spinous process and an adjacent inferior spinous process. The device may also allow relative motion between adjacent spinous processes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for facet fusion include an insertion tool and a guide tool coupled to one another. The insertion tool has a proximal end portion and an opposite distal end portion. The distal end portion of the insertion tool is configured to retain an interbody implant, such as, for example, an inter-facet implant configured for placement between a superior facet and inferior facet of a facet joint. The proximal end portion of the insertion tool includes a handle. The guide tool includes an elongated body with a passage extending between and opening at its distal and proximal ends. A linking member extends between and adjustably connects the guide tool to the insertion tool so that the passage of the guide tool is alignable with the interbody implant retained on the insertion tool while the insertion tool and guide tool are in substantially orthogonal relation to one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a medical implant that delivers a therapeutic substance. In some embodiments, a component that carries a therapeutic substance is a tie secured to all or a portion of a surgical construct, surgical screw, pedicle screw, spinal rod cross-link, other element or device, or an anatomical structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a medical implant that delivers a therapeutic substance. In some embodiments, a component that delivers a therapeutic substance is a cap secured to a portion of a fastener such as a surgical construct, surgical screw, pedicle screw, spinal rod cross-link, or other connection element or device.

Abstract: A drug-eluting device comprising a drug-eluting matrix containing at least one elutable drug, a method of manufacturing a preformed drug-eluting device, and an implant kit comprising the same.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a vertebral tension band assembly and associated connection structure are provided. The tension band assemblies may be attached to vertebral bodies to, for example, connect one vertebrae to another, retain the band in approximately a preferred position by application of tension to the band during insertion and/or limit, impede, inhibit, reduce or interfere with the separation from one vertebra to another and may further block, impede, interfere with, inhibit, reduce or present an obstacle to dislodgement of a spinal implant from between the vertebrae to which it is attached. Flexible band portions of the assemblies may be treated and/or configured to promote bony integration between the band and the associated vertebrae, limit tissue adhesion to the band, and/or to elute a therapeutic substance from the installed band to the surgical site.

Abstract: A drug-eluting implant cover fabricated from a drug-eluting biocompatible matrix containing at least one elutable drug, a drug-eluting implant cover kit containing at least one drug-eluting implant cover, and a method of manufacturing the same.