Abstract: Spinal fixation plates for maintaining adjacent vertebrae in and fixed position are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate includes opposed superior and inferior portions that are angled in a direction anterior to an anterior face of a mid-portion of the plate. The plate also includes a curvature formed therein about a longitudinal axis in a sagittal plane thereof. In use, when the plate is attached to adjacent vertebrae, the angle of the superior and inferior portions and the curvature in the plate are effective to position one or more thru-bores formed in the superior and inferior portions at the anterior rims of the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a spinal fixation plate is provided that is adapted to engage and mate to a fusion cage or other vertebral implant disposed between adjacent vertebra. The present invention also provides spinal fixation kits or assemblies, and methods for implanting the same.

Abstract: Spinal fixation plates for maintaining adjacent vertebrae in and fixed position are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate includes opposed superior and inferior portions that are angled in a direction anterior to an anterior face of a mid-portion of the plate. The plate also includes a curvature formed therein about a longitudinal axis in a sagittal plane thereof. In use, when the plate is attached to adjacent vertebrae, the angle of the superior and inferior portions and the curvature in the plate are effective to position one or more thru-bores formed in the superior and inferior portions at the anterior rims of the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a spinal fixation plate is provided that is adapted to engage and mate to a fusion cage or other vertebral implant disposed between adjacent vertebra. The present invention also provides spinal fixation kits or assemblies, and methods for implanting the same.

Abstract: Spinal fixation plates for maintaining adjacent vertebrae in and fixed position are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate includes opposed superior and inferior portions that are angled in a direction anterior to an anterior face of a mid-portion of the plate. The plate also includes a curvature formed therein about a longitudinal axis in a sagittal plane thereof. In use, when the plate is attached to adjacent vertebrae, the angle of the superior and inferior portions and the curvature in the plate are effective to position one or more thru-bores formed in the superior and inferior portions at the anterior rims of the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a spinal fixation plate is provided that is adapted to engage and mate to a fusion cage or other vertebral implant disposed between adjacent vertebra. The present invention also provides spinal fixation kits or assemblies, and methods for implanting the same.

Abstract: Spinal fixation plates for maintaining adjacent vertebrae in and fixed position are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate includes opposed superior and inferior portions that are angled in a direction anterior to an anterior face of a mid-portion of the plate. The plate also includes a curvature formed therein about a longitudinal axis in a sagittal plane thereof. In use, when the plate is attached to adjacent vertebrae, the angle of the superior and inferior portions and the curvature in the plate are effective to position one or more thru-bores formed in the superior and inferior portions at the anterior rims of the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a spinal fixation plate is provided that is adapted to engage and mate to a fusion cage or other vertebral implant disposed between adjacent vertebra. The present invention also provides spinal fixation kits or assemblies, and methods for implanting the same.

Abstract: A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.

Abstract: Spinal fixation plates for maintaining adjacent vertebrae in and fixed position are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate includes opposed superior and inferior portions that are angled in a direction anterior to an anterior face of a mid-portion of the plate. The plate also includes a curvature formed therein about a longitudinal axis in a sagittal plane thereof. In use, when the plate is attached to adjacent vertebrae, the angle of the superior and inferior portions and the curvature in the plate are effective to position one or more thru-bores formed in the superior and inferior portions at the anterior rims of the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a spinal fixation plate is provided that is adapted to engage and mate to a fusion cage or other vertebral implant disposed between adjacent vertebra. The present invention also provides spinal fixation kits or assemblies, and methods for implanting the same.

Abstract: Spinal fixation plates for maintaining adjacent vertebrae in and fixed position are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate includes opposed superior and inferior portions that are angled in a direction anterior to an anterior face of a mid-portion of the plate. The plate also includes a curvature formed therein about a longitudinal axis in a sagittal plane thereof. In use, when the plate is attached to adjacent vertebrae, the angle of the superior and inferior portions and the curvature in the plate are effective to position one or more thru-bores formed in the superior and inferior portions at the anterior rims of the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a spinal fixation plate is provided that is adapted to engage and mate to a fusion cage or other vertebral implant disposed between adjacent vertebra. The present invention also provides spinal fixation kits or assemblies, and methods for implanting the same.

Abstract: A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A spinal implant including an at least one screw disposed within a wedge body is herein provided. The implant can be configured for placement with a facet joint in an intra-facet delivery. Furthermore, the implant can include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization and/or fusion. Furthermore, a method of placing such an implant within a facet joint in an intra-facet orientation is hereby provided.

Abstract: Spinal fixation plates for maintaining adjacent vertebrae in and fixed position are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate includes opposed superior and inferior portions that are angled in a direction anterior to an anterior face of a mid-portion of the plate. The plate also includes a curvature formed therein about a longitudinal axis in a sagittal plane thereof. In use, when the plate is attached to adjacent vertebrae, the angle of the superior and inferior portions and the curvature in the plate are effective to position one or more thru-bores formed in the superior and inferior portions at the anterior rims of the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a spinal fixation plate is provided that is adapted to engage and mate to a fusion cage or other vertebral implant disposed between adjacent vertebra. The present invention also provides spinal fixation kits or assemblies, and methods for implanting the same.

Abstract: Spinal fixation plates for maintaining adjacent vertebrae in and fixed position are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate includes opposed superior and inferior portions that are angled in a direction anterior to an anterior face of a mid-portion of the plate. The plate also includes a curvature formed therein about a longitudinal axis in a sagittal plane thereof. In use, when the plate is attached to adjacent vertebrae, the angle of the superior and inferior portions and the curvature in the plate are effective to position one or more thru-bores formed in the superior and inferior portions at the anterior rims of the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a spinal fixation plate is provided that is adapted to engage and mate to a fusion cage or other vertebral implant disposed between adjacent vertebra. The present invention also provides spinal fixation kits or assemblies, and methods for implanting the same.

Abstract: A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A spinal implant including an at least one screw disposed within a wedge body is herein provided. The implant can be configured for placement with a facet joint in an intra-facet delivery. Furthermore, the implant can include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization and/or fusion. Furthermore, a method of placing such an implant within a facet joint in an intra-facet orientation is hereby provided.

Abstract: A spinal fixation assembly is provided including a fusion cage with posterior, anterior, superior, and inferior faces, and a plate having at least one aperture for receiving a bone screw and having a mating element adapted to slidably engage and mate to the anterior face of the fusion cage. The cage is adapted to be positioned between adjacent vertebrae, and the plate is effective to mate to the cage and to receive one or more bone screws to fasten the plate and secure the fusion cage to the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A spinal fixation assembly is provided including a fusion cage with posterior, anterior, superior, and inferior faces, and a plate having at least one aperture for receiving a bone screw and having a mating element adapted to slidably engage and mate to the anterior face of the fusion cage. The cage is adapted to be positioned between adjacent vertebrae, and the plate is effective to mate to the cage and to receive one or more bone screws to fasten the plate and secure the fusion cage to the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting a first, slotted, implanted spinal fixation element to a second spinal fixation element includes a post and a head disposed on a distal end of the post. The head of the coupler has a width shorter than a width of a slot in the first, slotted, implanted spinal fixation element, and a length longer than the width of the slot in the first, slotted, implanted spinal fixation element. The coupler with a head so configured can be placed in a first orientation so that the head passes through the slot in the first, slotted, implanted spinal fixation element, and then can be placed in a second orientation wherein the head is trapped beneath the first, slotted, implanted spinal fixation element while the post having a connecting element extends through the slot. Systems and methods for extending a first, implanted spinal fixation element to one or more additional vertebrae while leaving the first, implanted spinal fixation element in place are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device holder for holding a surgical device, such as a surgical syringe, in a relatively fixed position. In one embodiment, the device includes a hollow elongate member having a first end, a second end, and an inner lumen extending therebetween for receiving a medical device. First and second end cap members, each having a central opening formed therein for receiving a portion of the medical device, are removably mated to the first and second ends of the elongate member. In use, the end cap members are effective to retain the medical device within the hollow elongate member. In another embodiment, a medical device holder is provided having first and second members, each member including at least one grasping member for engaging and support a medical device disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting a first, slotted, implanted spinal fixation element to a second spinal fixation element includes a post and a head disposed on a distal end of the post. The head of the coupler has a width shorter than a width of a slot in the first, slotted, implanted spinal fixation element, and a length longer than the width of the slot in the first, slotted, implanted spinal fixation element. The coupler with a head so configured can be placed in a first orientation so that the head passes through the slot in the first, slotted, implanted spinal fixation element, and then can be placed in a second orientation wherein the head is trapped beneath the first, slotted, implanted spinal fixation element while the post having a connecting element extends through the slot. Systems and methods for extending a first, implanted spinal fixation element to one or more additional vertebrae while leaving the first, implanted spinal fixation element in place are also disclosed.