Abstract: A spinal configuration model, and systems for implementing the same, are disclosed. In some implementations, the spinal configuration model includes one or more proxies configured to simulate the position of one or more surgical components during a surgical procedure. Accordingly, one or more implant components can be formed or modified based on simulated positions, thus simplifying the implant formation and installation process. Other implementations are also described.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed systems and methods include medical implants, such as spinal implants for posterior fixation. According to some implementations, the implant includes a tulip configured to receive a rod, along with a set screw configured to fix the rod in place within the tulip. In some cases, the set screw is configured to selectively rotate in a first direction to tighten and to selectively counter-rotate in a second direction to loosen. According to some implementations, the implant includes a mechanical stop configured to prevent undesirable counter-rotation of the set screw to thereby resist loosening of the set screw. Other implementations are discussed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring and applying a spinal compression force are provided. Some implementations of the systems and methods include a compression instrument having one or more compressors or gauges. In some cases, the compressor is configured to apply the spinal compression force to a spine of a patient. In some cases, the gauge is configured to measure the spinal compression force. Other implementations are discussed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying a spinal manipulation force, and measuring the spinal manipulation force or a resultant displacement, are provided. Some implementations of the systems and methods include a manipulation instrument having one or more manipulators or gauges. In some cases, the manipulator is configured to apply the spinal manipulation force to a spine of a patient. In some cases, the gauge is configured to measure one or more of the spinal manipulation force and the resultant displacement. Other implementations are discussed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing one or more conforming interbody implants, implants with one or more conforming regions, or related implants are described. According to some implementations, an interbody implant includes a first surface configured to be disposed adjacent to a first bony endplate, and a second surface configured to be disposed adjacent to a second body endplate, with a height of the interbody implant extending between the first surface and the second surface. According to some implementations, the interbody implant is configured to be selectively disposed in an insertion configuration and a deployed configuration. In some cases, the height of the interbody implant is greater in the deployed configuration than in the insertion configuration. Moreover, in some cases, the first surface is configured to conform to a topology of the first bony endplate, and the second surface is configured to conform to a topology of the second bony endplate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring and applying a spinal compression force are provided. Some implementations of the systems and methods include a compression instrument having one or more compressors or gauges. In some cases, the compressor is configured to apply the spinal compression force to a spine of a patient. In some cases, the gauge is configured to measure the spinal compression force. Other implementations are discussed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a flexure-based standalone interbody fusion device are described. In some implementations, a flexure-based standalone interbody fusion device includes one or more endplates (e.g., a first endplate and a second endplate). In some implementations, the device includes a flexure assembly (e.g., disposed between the two endplates), which in some cases is configured to bear at least a portion of the load applied to the endplates. Some iterations of the flexure assembly include one or more flexures. In some cases, applying a compressive force to the endplates places tension on the flexure, thereby providing a device that is flexible and resistant to buckling and breaking. Additional implementations are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an interbody implant are disclosed. According to some implementations, the implant includes an implant body having a cranial face and a caudal face disposed opposite the cranial face. In some implementations, the implant includes one or more primary fixation mechanisms, which in turn can include one or more anchor cavities defined by the implant body. In some cases, one or more anchors are configured to be housed at least partially within the anchor cavities in an undeployed position, and the anchors are configured to be translationally deployed to a deployed position in order to couple the implant to a bony endplate of a spinal vertebra. In some implementations, the implant includes one or more actuators configured to effectuate selective deployment of the anchors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an interbody implant are disclosed. According to some implementations, the implant includes an implant body having a cranial face and a caudal face disposed opposite the cranial face. In some implementations, the implant includes one or more primary fixation mechanisms, which in turn can include one or more anchor cavities defined by the implant body. In some cases, one or more anchors are configured to be housed at least partially within the anchor cavities in an undeployed position, and the anchors are configured to be translationally deployed to a deployed position in order to couple the implant to a bony endplate of a spinal vertebra. In some implementations, the implant includes one or more actuators configured to effectuate selective deployment of the anchors.

Abstract: Implants include one or more pieces that are designed to replace joint motion from the implant-bone interface to an interface within the implant. Because the motion occurs within the implant instead of at the implant-bone interface, the implants relieve pain, reduce fibrous tissue formation, and alleviate pscudoarthrosis. Implants can have tailored stiffnesses by modifying the geometry of the contact surfaces within the implant and or by modifying flexures of the implant. Primary fixation of the implant to the bone using screws, blades, or other fixation devices decreases motion at the bone-implant interface. The flexibility of the implant itself decreases motion between the bone and the implant at the bone-implant interface. Additionally, porous and/or roughened surfaces and/or volumes of the implant facilitate boney attachment of the bone to the implant, further reducing the likelihood of movement at the bone-implant interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing an expandable and conforming interbody implant are described. According to some implementations, an interbody implant includes a first surface configured to be disposed adjacent to a first bony endplate, and a second surface configured to be disposed adjacent to a second body endplate, with a height of the interbody implant extending between the first surface and the second surface. According to some implementations, the interbody implant is configured to be selectively disposed in an insertion configuration and a deployed configuration. In some cases, the height of the interbody implant is greater in the deployed configuration than in the insertion configuration. Moreover, in some cases, the first surface is configured to conform to a topology of the first bony endplate, and the second surface is configured to conform to a topology of the second bony endplate.

Abstract: Add-on couplers and coupler systems for use in surgical procedures and methods for utilizing add-on couplers in surgical procedures are provided. In some implementations, the add-on coupler includes a coupler receptacle configured to receive and couple to a first coupler, the first coupler being configured, in some cases, to couple to an implant anchor. In some implementations, the add on coupler includes a rod receptacle configured to receive a rod of a second coupler. In some cases, the second coupler and add-on coupler are coupled to an existing component from an earlier surgical procedure, thereby removing the need to remove the existing component prior to installing a new component. Additional implementations are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stereotactic localization of components include a system for stereotactic localization of a component during a surgical procedure. In some cases, the system includes one or more of an instrument, a plurality of markers disposed on the instrument, one or more sensors configured to detect a position of each of the markers, and an output device. In some cases, the system is configured to calculate a digital 3-dimensional array based on the position of at least some of the plurality of markers, compute a location of the instrument, and communicate the location of the instrument to a user of the system through the output device. Other implementations are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring and applying a spinal compression force are provided. Some implementations of the systems and methods include a compression instrument having one or more compressors or gauges. In some cases, the compressor is configured to apply the spinal compression force to a spine of a patient. In some cases, the gauge is configured to measure the spinal compression force. Other implementations are discussed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a secure and durable implant are disclosed. For example, the systems and methods may include securely attaching an anchor to an implant body. In some cases, the anchor has an anchor head. In some cases, a coupler for coupling to the implant body is configured to receive the anchor. Some implementations of the disclosed systems and methods include a rivet for attaching the anchor to the coupler. In some implementations at least one of the anchor head and the rivet includes a projection, while the other includes a socket configured to receive the projection. Other implementations are discussed herein.

Abstract: A hand tool having first and second plier units attached to one another where a jaw region is operatively configured to have a work piece to be placed therein and a handle region is configured to be used by the user of the tool to grasp the work piece. A tension member is provided to be positioned past a dead point axis so as to apply a clamping force upon the jaw member and the hand tool maintains a grip upon the work piece without continuous interaction with the user of the tool.

Abstract: A hand tool having first and second plier units attached to one another where a jaw region is operatively configured to have a work piece to be placed therein and a handle region is configured to be used by the user of the tool to grasp the work piece. A tension member is provided to be positioned past a dead point axis so as to apply a clamping force upon the jaw member and the hand tool maintains a grip upon the work piece without continuous interaction with the user of the tool.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for use in surgical constructs comprises a first body and a second body. One of the first body and the second body includes a male member and an other of the first body and the second body includes a female member. The male member is sized and shaped to be received within the female member and the female member has an internal bore sized and shaped to receive the male member therein. A raised portion is formed on or attached to the male member. An area of decreased diameter is associated with the internal bore of the female member. The first and second bodies are coupleable to one another by an interference fit when the raised portion of the male member is positioned within the area of decreased diameter associated with the internal bore of the female member.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments, said plurality of contiguous segments configured to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment in any of three orthogonal axes. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for use in surgical constructs comprises a first body and a second body. One of the first body and the second body includes a male member and an other of the first body and the second body includes a female member. The male member is sized and shaped to be received within the female member and the female member has an internal bore sized and shaped to receive the male member therein. A raised portion is formed on or attached to the male member. An area of decreased diameter is associated with the internal bore of the female member. The first and second bodies are coupleable to one another by an interference fit when the raised portion of the male member is positioned within the area of decreased diameter associated with the internal bore of the female member.