Abstract: In some embodiments, a cervical plate may include an elongate plate which bridges, during use, substantially adjacent vertebrae by anchoring the plate to the vertebrae. The cervical plate may include a plurality of openings extending through the elongate plate. The cervical plate may include plurality of bone fasteners. The bone fasteners may include a head and a shaft. The shaft may be positionable, during use, in the opening such that the shaft engages, during use, at least one of the vertebrae such that the bone fasteners couple the elongate plate to the vertebrae. The cervical plate may include a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism may, when activated, inhibit removal of at least one of the bone fasteners and inhibit movement of at least the shaft of the bone fastener in a lateral direction, while allowing movement of at least the shaft of the bone fastener along a substantially sagittal plane.

Abstract: This disclosure describes devices and methods for performing spinal surgical procedures. In some embodiments, a method may include positioning at least a portion of at least one surgical instrument in at least one naturally occurring orifice of a human by a user. In some embodiments, a method may include accessing an interior space of the human using at least one of the surgical instruments. The method may include performing at least a portion of a spinal surgical procedure using at least one of the surgical instruments positioned in at least one of the naturally occurring orifices of the human. The method may include removing at least one of the surgical instruments from at least one of the naturally occurring orifices upon completion of at least a portion of the spinal surgical procedure.

Abstract: This disclosure describes devices and methods for performing spinal surgical procedures. In some embodiments, a method may include positioning at least a portion of at least one surgical instrument in at least one naturally occurring orifice of a human by a user. In some embodiments, a method may include accessing an interior space of the human using at least one of the surgical instruments. The method may include performing at least a portion of a spinal surgical procedure using at least one of the surgical instruments positioned in at least one of the naturally occurring orifices of the human. The method may include removing at least one of the surgical instruments from at least one of the naturally occurring orifices upon completion of at least a portion of the spinal surgical procedure.

Abstract: This disclosure describes devices and methods for performing spinal surgical procedures. In some embodiments, a method may include positioning at least a portion of at least one surgical instrument in at least one naturally occurring orifice of a human by a user. In some embodiments, a method may include accessing an interior space of the human using at least one of the surgical instruments. The method may include performing at least a portion of a spinal surgical procedure using at least one of the surgical instruments positioned in at least one of the naturally occurring orifices of the human. The method may include removing at least one of the surgical instruments from at least one of the naturally occurring orifices upon completion of at least a portion of the spinal surgical procedure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a cervical plate may include an elongate plate which bridges, during use, substantially adjacent vertebrae by anchoring the plate to the vertebrae. The cervical plate may include a plurality of openings extending through the elongate plate. The cervical plate may include plurality of bone fasteners. The bone fasteners may include a head and a shaft. The shaft may be positionable, during use, in the opening such that the shaft engages, during use, at least one of the vertebrae such that the bone fasteners couple the elongate plate to the vertebrae. The cervical plate may include a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism may, when activated, inhibit removal of at least one of the bone fasteners and inhibit movement of at least the shaft of the bone fastener in a lateral direction, while allowing movement of at least the shaft of the bone fastener along a substantially sagittal plane.

Abstract: A femoral component of a knee prosthesis, wherein the femoral component includes a sharp radius at each end (e.g., the anterior end and the posterior end) of the femoral component is disclosed herein. The sharp radius at each end may form a “claw” at each end. Each of these claws may “dig” through the patient's cartilage into the bone (or may “dig” directly into bone if there is no intervening cartilage). One benefit provided by a claw may be facilitating a smooth transition of cartilage/poly bearing to femoral implant/poly bearing (e.g., during knee extension). A femoral component of a knee prosthesis, wherein the femoral component includes a raised rib having a bulbous terminus at a free edge is disclosed herein. This raised rib having a bulbous terminus at a free edge may, for example, simultaneously create sufficient implant strength and adequate cement fixation while minimizing the component's thickness.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a femoral component of a knee prosthesis, wherein the femoral component includes a sharp radius at each end (e.g., the anterior end and the posterior end) of the femoral component. The sharp radius at each end may form a “claw” at each end. Each of these claws may “dig” through the patient's cartilage into the bone (or may “dig” directly into bone if there is no intervening cartilage). Enhanced fixation may be achieved with the claws “digging” and fixing into the bone as well as the claws providing additional cement pressurization (e.g., with the claws in the bone, cement is less likely to escape by the anterior and posterior ends). Further, one benefit provided by a claw may be facilitating a smooth transition of cartilage/poly bearing to femoral implant/poly bearing (e.g., during knee extension).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use directed towards protective and supportive hole caps for prosthetic implant devices are disclosed. The present hole cap supports a prosthesis and provides a physical barrier between the prosthesis and underlying bone matter. In a preferred embodiment, the hole cap includes at least one compression spring formed along the perimeter of the cap. The compression spring maintains the hole cap within a counter-bored hole after the hole cap is inserted within the counter-bored hole. In accordance with the present invention, the compression spring deflects slightly towards the center of the hole cap when the cap is inserted within the counter-bored hole. The compression spring provides sufficient compression force against the sidewalls of the counter-bored hole to thereby hold the hole cap in place within the hole. The counter-bored hole is preferably shaped to snugly receive the outer perimeter of the hole cap.