Abstract: An apparatus and method for fusing cervical vertebrae is provided. The apparatus may include a plate configured to be affixed to at least two vertebrae, and at least two screws configured to affix the plate to an anterior surface of the at least two vertebrae, wherein when the plate is affixed to the at least two vertebrae, the plate is configured to be partially disposed in a disc space between the at least two vertebrae, and extend in an anterior direction beyond an anterior surface of the at least two vertebrae.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fusing cervical vertebrae is provided. The apparatus may include a plate configured to be affixed to at least two vertebrae, and at least two screws configured to affix the plate to an anterior surface of the at least two vertebrae, wherein when the plate is affixed to the at least two vertebrae, the plate is configured to be partially disposed in a disc space between the at least two vertebrae, and extend in an anterior direction beyond an anterior surface of the at least two vertebrae.

Abstract: A cable clamp includes a housing having two substantially parallel and co-planar channels therethrough. At least one restraining member is disposed within the housing between the two channels, also substantially parallel and co-planar therewith. A surgical cable is passed through the first channel, around a bone or other structure, and through the second channel. The restraining member may then be actuated to impinge against the surgical wire or cable, simultaneously constraining the surgical wire or cable within both channels between the restraining member (an inner wall) and the housing (an outer wall). For example, the restraining member may be an expansion member that, when expanded as by driving a wedge between two restraining arms, reduces the size of the channels such that the surgical wire or cable can no longer pass freely therethrough.

Abstract: A system for the percutaneous application of surgical wires or cables around bone includes a first flexible member and a second flexible member, each having an outer wall defining a passageway, an opening extending longitudinally along the outer wall and a curved distal portion terminating in a distal tip. The flexible members may also include a groove distal tips are shaped complementarily. The system also includes a stylet having a tension cable interconnecting a handle segment, a tip segment and one or more intermediate segments. The stylet is insertable through the passageways of the first and second flexible members to facilitate placement of the flexible members around bone. When joined at their distal tips, the first and second flexible members create a continuous path from the point of incision around bone. The first and second flexible members may be easily removed by pulling them apart and over the surgical wires or cables through the opening in the outer wall.

Abstract: A spinal instrumentation system includes an oblong tension ring having a tension screw receptacle, a pair of compression balls having passages therethrough disposed within the tension ring, and a tension screw. Threading the tension screw into the tension screw receptacle inhibits movement of the compression balls relative to the tension ring and each other, thereby making the system rigid. Fixation screws are inserted through the passages in the compression balls and anchored in bone. One of the fixation screws may be a screw designed to traverse the lamina and including a scalloped segment. A pair of such systems may be posteriorly attached to the vertebrae, one on either side of the spinous process, to fuse the superior segment in a lumbar fusion procedure. The spinal fixation screws traverse the lamina, crossing at their scalloped segments.