Abstract: An implant device for the spine suitable for the fixation and support of adjacent vertebrae includes a base member for implantation at a location between the two vertebrae and one or more protrusions extending from the base member. The protrusion(s) are configured for engagement with one of the vertebrae upon implantation and for progressive penetration into the vertebrae over a period of time subsequent to the implantation. The implant device includes a lateral mounting portion to accommodate fixation of the device to a lateral side of the vertebrae. The implant device is configured for insertion between the adjacent vertebrae through a posterior lateral or lateral opening that exposes a lateral side of the disc space.

Abstract: A vertebral stabilization plate assembly is provided. The plate assembly includes a flexible core located in a mid-portion section of the plate assembly; at least a first and a second attachment portion positioned above and below (or above and below—depending on orientation of flexible core) the flexible core, wherein the first and the second attachment portions comprise a plurality of fastener holes through which a plurality of fasteners are inserted to attach the plate assembly to at least two vertebral bone structures; and at least one flexible cable that extends through at least a first portion of the flexible core to maintain a position of the flexible core within the plate assembly, wherein the plate assembly is weight-bearing and attaches to the at least two vertebral bone structures and extends across a disc space located between the at least two vertebral bone structures.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bone plate system. The bone plate system comprises a base plate having two generally parallel elongated screw slots extending therethrough. Two bone screws are provided that are capable of securing the base plate to a bone by insertion through the screw slots into the bone. Each bone screw has a screw head and a threaded portion extending therefrom. An interference device is attached to the base plate and retains the bone screws while permitting the bone screws to toggle and to controllably slide in the screw slots of the base plate. This design is particularly useful for joining adjacent vertebral bodies, as it permits controlled settling of the vertebral bodies, thereby enhancing the healing process.

Abstract: An interbody device for the fixation and support of adjacent bone bodies includes a body for implantation at a location between the two vertebrae and one or more protrusions extending from the body. The protrusion(s) are configured for engagement with one of the vertebrae upon implantation and for progressive penetration into the vertebra over a period of time subsequent to the implantation.

Abstract: An interbody device for the fixation and support of adjacent bone bodies includes a body for implantation at a location between the two vertebrae and one or more protrusions extending from the body. The protrusion(s) are configured for engagement with one of the vertebrae upon implantation and for progressive penetration into the vertebra over a period of time subsequent to the implantation.

Abstract: Kit and associated method with at least one tool for achieving selective implantation. The kit includes a fixation device for implant location intermediate the two bone bodies, a spacer for implant location intermediate the two bone bodies and adjacent the fixation device, and at least one implantation tool. The at least one tool has a portion for engaging and holding at least one of the device and the spacer during implantation of the at least one of the device and the spacer for implant location intermediate the two bone bodies and for releasing the held at least one of the device and the spacer subsequent to implantation. The at least one tool may be a single tool for engaging and holding both.

Abstract: The magnitude of the force that can be created when each of a plurality of bone elements, such as the vertebrae of the human spine, is brought into alignment and stabilized by a corrective appliance comprising bone fasteners, such as pedicle screws attached to the bone elements, and one or more aligning devices, such as fixation rods, is measured and constrained. The force required to bring the bone element into alignment with the aligning device is maintained below a selected magnitude. In some instances, in order to maintain the magnitude of the force below the selected magnitude, it may be necessary to make an adjustment so that the bone fastener can be secured to a respective aligning device without increasing the force to or beyond the selected magnitude.

Abstract: An insertion tool has a curved fastener guide for allowing a user to safely insert bone fasteners and associated tools at the surgical site for securing an implant device to a bone body. The insertion tool has an elongate cannula and attachment shaft coupled to the distal end of the fastener guide. The attachment shaft can be docked to an implant device and the insertion tool can be used to locate the implant device at the surgical site. The fastener guide can be aligned with fastener holes in the implant device for accurate placement of the bone fasteners.

Abstract: An assembly, comprising a bone fastener, an adjusting member and a securing fastener for fastening an appliance to a bone body so that a plurality of the bone fastener assemblies and the appliance constitute an apparatus that retain a plurality of bone bodies. Each fastener has an attaching portion for attaching the bone fastener to a bone body, a supporting portion for supporting the adjusting member for universal movement relative to the supporting portion, and a securing portion for securing the bone fastener to the fastener. The fastener has a first end that passes through an aperture in the appliance and an opening in the adjusting member and is secured to the securing portion of the bone fastener. A second end of the fastener has a bearing surface that adjustably bears against the appliance in opposition to an engaging surface of the adjusting member that engages the appliance.

Abstract: A vertebral stabilization plate assembly is provided. The plate assembly includes a flexible core located in a mid-portion section of the plate assembly; at least a first and a second attachment portion positioned above and below (or above and below—depending on orientation of flexible core) the flexible core, wherein the first and the second attachment portions comprise a plurality of fastener holes through which a plurality of fasteners are inserted to attach the plate assembly to at least two vertebral bone structures; and at least one flexible cable that extends through at least a first portion of the flexible core to maintain a position of the flexible core within the plate assembly, wherein the plate assembly is weight-bearing and attaches to the at least two vertebral bone structures and extends across a disc space located between the at least two vertebral bone structures.

Abstract: An example device for the fixation and support of bone bodies includes a base member for implantation into a patient at a location between two bone bodies. The base member of the device includes an enclosed chamber for receiving fusion material and apertures for receiving bone fasteners that can be embedded into the adjacent bone bodies. The device further includes protrusions extending from the base member, wherein the protrusions are configured for engagement with one or more bone bodes upon implantation and for progressive penetration into at least one bone body over a period of time subsequent to the implantation.

Abstract: An implant device for the spine suitable for the fixation and support of adjacent vertebrae includes a base member for implantation at a location between the two vertebrae and one or more protrusions extending from the base member. The protrusion(s) are configured for engagement with one of the vertebrae upon implantation and for progressive penetration into the vertebrae over a period of time subsequent to the implantation. The implant device includes a lateral mounting portion to accommodate fixation of the device to a lateral side of the vertebrae. The implant device is configured for insertion between the adjacent vertebrae through a posterior lateral or lateral opening that exposes a lateral side of the disc space.

Abstract: A method for joining first and second bones is provided. The method comprises inserting between the side surfaces of the bones a base plate having a first end nearer the first bone and a second end nearer the second bone. The base plate has a first screw hole extending through the first end and a second screw hole extending through the second end. A first bone screw is introduced through the first screw hole and into the first bone. The first bone screw is introduced at an angle relative to the top surface of the bone ranging from about 20° to about 60°. A second bone screw is introduced through the second screw hole and into the second bone. The second bone screw is introduced at an angle relative to the top surface of the bone ranging from about 20° to about 70°. At least a part of the first bone screw and at least a part of the second bone screw are covered to prevent the first and second bone screws from backing out of the first and second bones, respectively.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bone plate system. The bone plate system comprises a base plate having two generally parallel elongated screw slots extending therethrough. Two bone screws are provided that are capable of securing the base plate to a bone by insertion through the screw slots into the bone. Each bone screw has a screw head and a threaded portion extending therefrom. An interference device is attached to the base plate and retains the bone screws while permitting the bone screws to toggle and to controllably slide in the screw slots of the base plate. This design is particularly useful for joining adjacent vertebral bodies, as it permits controlled settling of the vertebral bodies, thereby enhancing the healing process.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bone plate system. The bone plate system comprises a base plate having two generally parallel elongated screw slots extending therethrough. Two bone screws are provided that are capable of securing the base plate to a bone by insertion through the screw slots into the bone. Each bone screw has a screw head and a threaded portion extending therefrom. An interference device is attached to the base plate and retains the bone screws while permitting the bone screws to toggle and to controllably slide in the screw slots of the base plate. This design is particularly useful for joining adjacent vertebral bodies, as it permits controlled settling of the vertebral bodies, thereby enhancing the healing process.

Abstract: A method for joining first and second bones is provided. The method comprises inserting between the side surfaces of the bones a base plate having a first end nearer the first bone and a second end nearer the second bone. The base plate has a first screw hole extending through the first end and a second screw hole extending through the second end. A first bone screw is introduced through the first screw hole and into the first bone. The first bone screw is introduced at an angle relative to the top surface of the bone ranging from about 20° to about 60°. A second bone screw is introduced through the second screw hole and into the second bone. The second bone screw is introduced at an angle relative to the top surface of the bone ranging from about 20° to about 70°. At least a part of the first bone screw and at least a part of the second bone screw are covered to prevent the first and second bone screws from backing out of the first and second bones, respectively.

Abstract: A bone plate comprises a base plate having at least two screw holes and at least two bone screws capable of securing the bone plate to a bone by insertion through the screw holes into the bone. The bone screws have heads shaped to toggle within the screw holes. A retaining plate is provided that is fixedly attachable to the base plate. The retaining plate covers at least a portion of each of the bone screws. The retaining plate and base plate each contain set screw apertures. A set screw is provided to retain the retaining plate in place over the base plate by screwing the set screw through the set screw apertures in the retaining plate and base plate. This design prevents the bone screw from backing out from the bone once screwed in through the base plate.

Abstract: An anterior fixation device comprises an oval shaped intervertebral spacer and a retaining plate. The spacer has a side wall and superior and inferior walls. The superior and inferior walls are dome-shaped and porous to allow bone to grow through the device to achieve fusion of two adjacent vertebral bodies. Extending from the anterior side of the spacer are superior and inferior lips through which bone screws 16 extend. The bone screws are non-weight bearing and screw into the strongest areas of bone within the vertebral bodies. The intervertebral spacer is hollow inside to allow for bone grafts, bone morphogenic protein, or other bone stimulating substances to be inserted therein. The retaining plate is attachable to the anterior surface of the spacer to prevent the bone screws from backing out once the device is installed.

Abstract: A bone shaver comprises a top plate with a fixed handle fixedly attached to the top plate and a bottom plate slidably attached to the top plate. The top plate further comprises an anvil at its end. The bottom plate comprises a foot plate and a cutting edge on the foot plate. A movable handle is attached to the bottom plate. Movement of the movable handle towards the fixed handle results in movement of the bottom plate towards the top plate. A cutting edge is provided on the foot plate to thereby cut tissue when the handles are squeezed together.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing physiological conditions in an organ of a living body is disclosed. The pressure within the organ is measured over a period of time and converted to digital electrical signals via a pressure transducer and a digital to analog converter. The digital electrical signals are mathematically analyzed with Fourier transforms and centroid analysis to obtain information concerning changes in physiological conditions in the organ.