Abstract: A spinal connector includes a first seat having a first opening for coupling to a first spinal connecting member along a first longitudinal axis and a second seat having a second opening for coupling to a second spinal connecting member along a second longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal axis is substantially coaxial to the first longitudinal axis for connecting the first and second connecting members end to end. The spinal connector also includes a ball enclosure rotatably received in the second opening of the second seat. The ball enclosure defines a bore along the second longitudinal axis and articulates with the second opening for allowing change of orientation of the second connecting member relative to the first connecting member.

Abstract: An instrument for multi-level percutaneous spinal procedures. The instrument can include a curved rack having length adapted for at least substantially spanning first and second vertebrae and one or more intermediate vertebrae between the first and second vertebrae. The instrument can include first and second towers correspondingly engageable with the first and second vertebrae, and one or more intermediate towers engageable with the intermediate vertebrae. Further, the instrument can include first and second arms adapted for movably connecting the first and second towers to the rack, and one or more intermediate arms adapted for movably connecting the intermediate tower to the rack.

Abstract: A percutaneous tower for the orthopedic procedures. The tower can include an outer elongated member, an inner elongated member received within the outer elongated member, a release actuator operable to move the inner elongated member relative to the outer elongated member between first and second positions, and a fastener engagement member coupled to a distal portion of the tower and operable to engage a bone fastener when the inner elongated member is in the first position, and to disengage the bone fastener when the inner elongated member is in the second position.

Abstract: A surgical retractor device. The surgical retractor device includes a frame having an outer frame member and an inner frame member coupled to the outer frame member for relative movement about a frame pivot axis, and a frame driver operable to rotate the outer frame member relative to the inner frame member about the frame pivot axis.

Abstract: A blade for a surgical retractor. The blade includes a base portion and a distal portion. The base portion may be attached to a frame of a surgical retractor. The distal portion may be removably coupled to the base portion and may be unitarily constructed of a translucent material. A light source may be removably coupled to the distal portion. The distal portion may be disposable.

Abstract: A bone fixation device. The bone fixation device includes a receiver having a deformable portion, a bone fastener having a head, the head insertable into the receiver from the deformable portion, and a retaining member couplable to the deformable portion. The retaining member deforms the deformable portion and angulatably retains the fastener relative to the receiver.

Abstract: A blade for a surgical retractor. The blade includes a base portion and a distal portion. The base portion may be attached to a frame of a surgical retractor. The distal portion may be removably coupled to the base portion and may be unitarily constructed of a translucent material. A light source may be removably coupled to the distal portion. The distal portion may be disposable.

Abstract: A bone plating system has a plate and a locking element. The plate has a bone screw aperture defined by a sidewall including first and second substantially planar segments. The locking element is coupled to the plate and at least partially positioned in the aperture. The locking element has an external geometry defining first and second substantially planar surfaces and an internal geometry for receiving a head of a bone fastener and preventing the bone fastener from backing out of the plate. The locking element is expandable from a first state to a second state. In the first state the locking element is permitted to articulate relative to the plate. In the second state the first and second substantially planar surfaces of the locking element engage the first and second substantially planar segments of the aperture sidewall, respectively, to prevent relative movement between the locking element and the plate.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a portion of a spine includes pivoting first and second members of an expandable spinal implant relative to one another to a closed configuration in which the spinal implant has a compact profile, inserting the spinal implant in the closed configuration into the spine between first and second vertebral bodies, and pivoting the first and second members crosswise to an expanded configuration while the spinal implant is within the spine. The first and second members are separate from and coupled to one another.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant including a first member and a second member. The first member has first and second arms. The first and second members are pivotally coupled to each other for relative movement about a rotation axis between a closed position for inserting the implant into a spine and an expanded position for providing structural support to the spine. The expandable implant includes a locking mechanism for arresting relative movement between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A spinal connector includes a first seat having a first opening for coupling to a first spinal connecting member along a first longitudinal axis and a second seat having a second opening for coupling to a second spinal connecting member along a second longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal axis is substantially coaxial to the first longitudinal axis for connecting the first and second connecting members end to end. The spinal connector also includes a ball enclosure rotatably received in the second opening of the second seat. The ball enclosure defines a bore along the second longitudinal axis and articulates with the second opening for allowing change of orientation of the second connecting member relative to the first connecting member.

Abstract: A percutaneous tower for the orthopedic procedures. The tower can include an outer elongated member, an inner elongated member received within the outer elongated member, a release actuator operable to move the inner elongated member relative to the outer elongated member between first and second positions, and a fastener engagement member coupled to a distal portion of the tower and operable to engage a bone fastener when the inner elongated member is in the first position, and to disengage the bone fastener when the inner elongated member is in the second position.

Abstract: A surgical retractor device. The surgical retractor device includes a frame having an outer frame member and an inner frame member coupled to the outer frame member for relative movement about a frame pivot axis, and a frame driver operable to rotate the outer frame member relative to the inner frame member about the frame pivot axis.

Abstract: A bone fixation device. The bone fixation device includes a receiver having a deformable portion, a bone fastener having a head, the head insertable into the receiver from the deformable portion, and a retaining member couplable to the deformable portion. The retaining member deforms the deformable portion and angulatably retains the fastener relative to the receiver.

Abstract: An instrument for multi-level percutaneous spinal procedures. The instrument can include a curved rack having length adapted for at least substantially spanning first and second vertebrae and one or more intermediate vertebrae between the first and second vertebrae. The instrument can include first and second towers correspondingly engageable with the first and second vertebrae, and one or more intermediate towers engageable with the intermediate vertebrae. Further, the instrument can include first and second arms adapted for movably connecting the first and second towers to the rack, and one or more intermediate arms adapted for movably connecting the intermediate tower to the rack.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant including a first member and a second member. The first member has first and second arms. The first and second arms of the first member both including an upper face partially defining an upper contact area of the implant and a lower face partially defining a lower contact surface of the implant. The second member has first and second arms that both include an upper face partially defining an upper contact area of the implant and a lower face partially defining a lower contact surface of the implant. The first and second members are pivotally coupled to each other for relative movement about a rotation axis between a closed position for inserting the implant into a spine and an expanded position for providing structural support to the spine. The rotation axis extends generally perpendicular to the upper and lower contact surfaces.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device. The spinal fixation device includes a plurality of arm assemblies. Each arm assembly can be attached to a single vertebra. Pairs of adjacent arm assemblies can be movably coupled to one another by one or more telescopic assemblies. The telescopic assemblies can oriented substantially transversely to the vertebrae and allow relative movement between the vertebrae.

Abstract: An allograft spinal implant includes a generally planar superior end face, a generally planar inferior end face and a generally cylindrical sidewall. The generally cylindrical sidewall extends between the superior end face and the inferior end face. At least one of the superior end face and the inferior end face includes a plurality of concentric circular ridges.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plating system for securing multiple bone segments relative to each other includes a plate member having multiple pairs of nodes. Each node defines a bone screw aperture. Linking segments connect the pairs of nodes to one another. Between adjacent linking segments are elongated viewing windows. The bone screw apertures each include an integral locking mechanism to ensure that the bone screws do not back out of the plate member. The locking mechanisms and the bone screw apertures allow for angular freedom of insertion of the bone screws into a vertebral body or other bone portion.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plating system for securing multiple bone segments relative to each other includes a plate member having multiple pairs of nodes. Each node defines a bone screw aperture. Linking segments connect the pairs of nodes to one another. Between adjacent linking segments are elongated viewing windows. The bone screw apertures each include an integral locking mechanism to ensure that the bone screws do not back out of the plate member. The locking mechanisms and the bone screw apertures allow for angular freedom of insertion of the bone screws into a vertebral body or other bone portion.