Abstract: A method of providing a Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR) device for placement into a cervical spine between two endplates of a single vertebra during the course of an anterior spinal surgical procedure upon the cervical spine, wherein the VBR device has been given a PLR product code from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Abstract: A method of providing a guidance device for guiding a bone removal instrument for the removal of bone from a cervical vertebra and providing a vertebral body replacement device for placement into a void in a cervical spine between two endplates of a single vertebra during the course of an anterior spinal surgical procedure upon the cervical spine wherein the vertebral body replacement device has been given a PLR product code from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Abstract: A method of providing a Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR) device for placement into a cervical spine between two endplates of a single vertebra during the course of an anterior spinal surgical procedure upon the cervical spine, wherein the VBR device has been given a PLR product code from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Abstract: A method of performing a transcorporeal procedure including placement of a vertebral body replacement device into a transcorporeal void within a cervical spine is disclosed. The method includes creating a working channel through a vertebral body of a vertebra by removing at least a portion of the vertebral body of the vertebra, beginning anteriorly and extending inwardly toward the epidural space, the working channel extending from an anterior wall through a posterior wall, and placing the vertebral body replacement device within the working channel, the placement of the vertebral body replacement device leaving the inferior and superior endplates to perform their function and leaving at least a portion of the intervertebral disc functional thereby avoiding an intervertebral fusion to an adjacent vertebra.

Abstract: A method of performing a transcorporeal procedure including placement of a Vertebral Body Replacement device into a transcorporeal void within a cervical spine is disclosed. The method includes creating a working channel through a vertebral body of a vertebra by removing at least a portion of the vertebral body of the vertebra, beginning anteriorly and extending inwardly toward the epidural space, the working channel extending from an anterior wall through a posterior wall, and placing the Vertebral Body Replacement device within the working channel, the placement of the Vertebral Body Replacement device leaving the inferior and superior endplates to perform their function and leaving at least a portion of the intervertebral disc functional thereby avoiding an intervertebral fusion to an adjacent vertebra, where the Vertebral Body Replacement device has at least one of a width of less than 12 millimeters and a diameter of less than 12 millimeters.

Abstract: An implant preshaped before placement anteriorly between a superior endplate and an inferior endplate within a void created by a transcorporeal procedure in a vertebra, the implant having no circular cross-sectional dimension.

Abstract: A method of performing an anterior cervical fusion procedure is provided. The method includes creating a void in a first vertebral body of a cervical vertebra, the void beginning anteriorly and directed posteriorly creating an exit at a posterior aspect of the vertebral body, after the creation of the void in the first vertebral body, removing at least a portion of a cervical intervertebral disc, the disc located between and adjacent to the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, and performing a fusion procedure between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body.

Abstract: This invention is the method of treating an ailment associated with the cervical portion of the spine by performing an intravertebral corpectomy that includes the steps of removing the vertebral corpus to define a working channel for the surgeon to gain access to the epidural space so as to attend to and perform a procedure on the pathology. This method obviates the problems incidental to more radical cervical spine operations such as discectomy or corpectomy which requires removal of a portion of the vertebra and adjacent intervertebral discs for decompression of the cervical spinal cord and spinal nerves and using a bone graft with or without a metal plate and screws to reconstruct the spine and provide stability. Prior to terminating the surgery, the opening formed by the removed vertebral corpus is fitted and/or filled with a suitable implant.

Abstract: An implant preshaped before placement anteriorly between a superior endplate and an inferior endplate within a void created by a transcorporeal procedure in a vertebra, the implant having no circular cross-sectional dimension.

Abstract: A dilator retractor and the dilators that are used for minimally invasive spinal surgery or other surgery are configured to accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient as by configuring the cross sectional area in an elliptical shape, or by forming a funnel configuration with the wider end at the proximate end. In some embodiments the distal end is contoured to also accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient so that a cylindrically shaped, funnel shaped, ovoid shaped dilator retractor can be sloped or tunneled to accommodate the bone structure of the patient or provide access for implants. The dilator retractor is made with different lengths to accommodate the depth of the cavity formed by the dilators.

Abstract: This invention relates to an implant having the capability of being adjusted to fit symmetrical and asymmetrical shaped voids formed in the bone or outside the bone of a patient. The implant can be individualized so as to accommodate various distortion in the void and can be disposed as a series of similar shaped implants that have different dimensions and/or characteristics to allow the surgeon to select an appropriate implant from said series.

Abstract: An implant preshaped before placement anteriorly between a superior endplate and an inferior endplate within a void created by a transcorporeal procedure in a vertebra, the implant having no circular cross-sectional dimension.

Abstract: A dilator retractor and the dilators that are used for minimally invasive spinal surgery or other surgery are configured to accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient as by configuring the cross sectional area in an elliptical shape, or by forming a funnel configuration with the wider end at the proximate end. In some embodiments the distal end is contoured to also accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient so that a cylindrically shaped, funnel shaped, ovoid shaped dilator retractor can be sloped or tunneled to accommodate the bone structure of the patient or provide access for implants. The dilator retractor is made with different lengths to accommodate the depth of the cavity formed by the dilators.

Abstract: This invention is the method of treating an ailment associated with the cervical portion of the spine by performing an intravertebral corpectomy that includes the steps of removing the vertebral corpus to define a working channel for the surgeon to gain access to the epidural space so as to attend to and perform a procedure on the pathology. This method obviates the problems incidental to more radical cervical spine operations such as discectomy or corpectomy which requires removal of a portion of the vertebra and adjacent intervertebral discs for decompression of the cervical spinal cord and spinal nerves and using a bone graft with or without a metal plate and screws to reconstruct the spine and provide stability. Prior to terminating the surgery, the opening formed by the removed vertebral corpus is fitted and/or filled with a suitable implant.

Abstract: A dilator retractor and the dilators that are used for minimally invasive spinal surgery or other surgery are configured to accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient as by configuring the cross sectional area in an elliptical shape, or by forming a funnel configuration with the wider end at the proximate end. In some embodiments the distal end is contoured to also accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient so that a cylindrically shaped, funnel shaped, ovoid shaped dilator retractor can be sloped or tunneled to accommodate the bone structure of the patient or provide access for implants. The dilator retractor is made with different lengths to accommodate the depth of the cavity formed by the dilators.

Abstract: A dilator retractor and the dilators that are used for minimally invasive spinal surgery or other surgery are configured to accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient as by configuring the cross sectional area in an elliptical shape, or by forming a funnel configuration with the wider end at the proximate end. In some embodiments the distal end is contoured to also accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient so that a cylindrically shaped, funnel shaped, ovoid shaped dilator retractor can be sloped or tunneled to accommodate the bone structure of the patient or provide access for implants. The dilator retractor is made with different lengths to accommodate the depth of the cavity formed by the dilators.

Abstract: A system for minimally invasive spine surgery includes a plurality of bone anchors, a spinal rod, a plurality of dilators of differing lengths and diameters, and a surgical access port. The surgical access port includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The port may include a first opening formed in the sidewall that defines a passageway for medical hardware from the lumen to external to the port. The system can include first instrument for creating a subcutaneous pathway from the opening in the port.

Abstract: A dilator retractor and the dilators that are used for minimally invasive spinal surgery or other surgery are configured to accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient as by configuring the cross sectional area in an elliptical shape, or by forming a funnel configuration with the wider end at the proximate end. In some embodiments the distal end is contoured to also accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient so that a cylindrically shaped, funnel shaped, ovoid shaped dilator retractor can be sloped or tunneled to accommodate the bone structure of the patient or provide access for implants. The dilator retractor is made with different lengths to accommodate the depth of the cavity formed by the dilators.

Abstract: A relatively inexpensive cannula is sized by including indica on a cannulated dilator that is used to measure the depth of a body cavity, and in one embodiment with the use of a cuttable fixture inserted into an initially enlarged dilator retractor made from a cuttable material the excess of the dilator retractor is snipped by a commercial cutter. A tool engaging the end of the cannulated dilator provides leverage on the cannulated dilator for rotation as it is forced into the body cavity, a pusher tool provides leverage on the dilator retractor for inserting the dilator retractor into the body cavity. A clamp that fits the top of the dilator retractor serves to support the dilator retractor through an arm to a rigid structure. In an alternate embodiment one of a series of sized dilator retractors are selected commensurate with the measurement attained by the scaled cannulated dilator.

Abstract: A relatively inexpensive cannula is sized by including indica on a cannulated dilator that is used to measure the depth of a body cavity, and in one embodiment with the use of a cuttable fixture inserted into an initially enlarged dilator retractor made from a cuttable material the excess of the dilator retractor is snipped by a commercial cutter. A tool engaging the end of the cannulated dilator provides leverage on the cannulated dilator for rotation as it is forced into the body cavity, a pusher tool provides leverage on the dilator retractor for inserting the dilator retractor into the body cavity. A clamp that fits the top of the dilator retractor serves to support the dilator retractor through an arm to a rigid structure. In an alternate embodiment one of a series of sized dilator retractors are selected commensurate with the measurement attained by the scaled cannulated dilator.