Abstract: A retraction system and method are provided for retracting tissues surrounding a surgical site. In one aspect, a method including engaging slide connections between a guide dilator and a plurality of tissue engaging members and sequentially enlarging an incision using the guide dilator and the plurality of tissue engaging members. In another aspect, a method of inserting a plurality of tissue engaging members into an incision including fixing tip portions of the plurality of tissue engaging members in an insertion configuration, advancing the tip portions into an incision, and restricting movement of the tip portions away from the insertion configuration. A guide dilator system comprising an elongate body, a plurality of tissue engaging members, and slide connections between the elongate body and the tissue engaging members is also provided.

Abstract: Bone plate systems are provided for surgical implants and bone repair. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors screws for securing a plurality of bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate members include throughbores for receiving a pivot base therein, with head ends of the bone anchors being secured in the pivot bases. The throughbores may permit and define a translation path for the pivot base and the bone anchor secured therein relative to the plate. Pivot members extending between the pivot base and the plate member facilitate pivoting and optional translation of the pivot base relative to the plate. With the bone anchor seated within the pivot base, an apparatus for inhibiting screw back out is employed.

Abstract: A bone plate system is provided that includes bone plates and bone anchor assemblies for being inserted into bone plate bores to secure the bone plates to one or more bones. In one aspect, the bone plate system includes a bone anchor assembly having a locking cap and a locking fastener connected to a head portion of a bone anchor. The bone anchor assembly is driven into a bone plate bore before the locking fastener is shifted to expand the locking cap and fix the bone anchor assembly within the bore. In another aspect, the bone plate system includes a bone anchor assembly having a locking cap that deflects radially inward due to contact with the bone plate at large bone anchor assembly insertion angles. In addition, a bone anchor assembly having a preassembled condition with a locking cap resisting back out of a locking fastener.

Abstract: A bone plate system is provided that includes bone plates and bone anchor assemblies for being inserted into bone plate bores to secure the bone plates to one or more bones. In one aspect, the bone plate system includes a bone anchor assembly having a locking cap and a locking fastener connected to a head portion of a bone anchor. The bone anchor assembly is driven into a bone plate bore before the locking fastener is shifted to expand the locking cap and fix the bone anchor assembly within the bore. In another aspect, the bone plate system includes a bone anchor assembly having a locking cap that deflects radially inward due to contact with the bone plate at large bone anchor assembly insertion angles. In addition, a bone anchor assembly having a preassembled condition with a locking cap resisting back out of a locking fastener.

Abstract: Bone plate systems for surgical implants and bone repair are provided. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors for securing a plurality of bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate members include throughbores for receiving a pivot base therein, with head ends of the bone anchors being secured within the pivot bases. The throughbores may permit and define a translation path for the pivot base and the bone anchor secured therein relative to the plate. The configuration of the pivot base and the throughbore facilitate pivoting and optional translation of the pivot base relative to the plate. With the bone anchor seated within the pivot base, an apparatus for inhibiting bone anchor back out is employed.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for being implanted between adjacent vertebrae is provided. The implant includes a generally elongate implant body having a length extending between opposite longitudinal ends thereof, a superior face and an inferior face. The superior face and inferior face include cortical teeth adjacent to the implant body longitudinal ends. Additionally, the superior and inferior faces include longitudinally central teeth intermediate the cortical teeth and have bone engaging ends. The central teeth have a sharper configuration than that of the cortical teeth bone engaging ends for biting into the softer central bone material of the vertebrae. The cortical teeth are arranged in a first density per unit area and the central teeth are arranged in a second density per unit area that is less than the first density.

Abstract: A coupling device for securing an elongate member to the spine is provided. The coupling device comprises a compressible inner member that secures an anchor member therein when the inner member is axially shifted within an outer member. Structures are provided to prevent disassembly of the anchor and coupling device prior to locking of the elongate member.

Abstract: Bone plate systems for surgical implants and bone repair are provided. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors for securing a plurality of bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate members include throughbores for receiving a pivot base therein, with head ends of the bone anchors being secured within the pivot bases. The throughbores may permit and define a translation path for the pivot base and the bone anchor secured therein relative to the plate. The configuration of the pivot base and the throughbore facilitate pivoting and optional translation of the pivot base relative to the plate. With the bone anchor seated within the pivot base, an apparatus for inhibiting bone anchor back out is employed.

Abstract: A retraction system and method are provided for retracting tissues surrounding a surgical site. In one aspect, a method including engaging slide connections between a guide dilator and a plurality of tissue engaging members and sequentially enlarging an incision using the guide dilator and the plurality of tissue engaging members. In another aspect, a method of inserting a plurality of tissue engaging members into an incision including fixing tip portions of the plurality of tissue engaging members in an insertion configuration, advancing the tip portions into an incision, and restricting movement of the tip portions away from the insertion configuration. A guide dilator system comprising an elongate body, a plurality of tissue engaging members, and slide connections between the elongate body and the tissue engaging members is also provided.

Abstract: A bone plate system is provided that includes bone plates and bone anchor assemblies for being inserted into bone plate bores to secure the bone plates to one or more bones. In one aspect, the bone plate system includes a bone anchor assembly having a locking cap and a locking fastener connected to a head portion of a bone anchor. The bone anchor assembly is driven into a bone plate bore before the locking fastener is shifted to expand the locking cap and fix the bone anchor assembly within the bore. In another aspect, the bone plate system includes a bone anchor assembly having a locking cap that deflects radially inward due to contact with the bone plate at large bone anchor assembly insertion angles. In addition, a bone anchor assembly having a preassembled condition with a locking cap resisting back out of a locking fastener.

Abstract: A medical instrument apparatus and method is provided for positioning and securing a spinal rod to a coupling device anchored to a vertebra. A reducer assembly shifts the spinal rod into place within the coupling device and a cap inserter assembly shifts a cap member into locking engagement with the coupling device to secure the spinal rod therein.

Abstract: A coupling device for securing an elongate member to the spine is provided. The coupling device comprises a compressible inner member that secures an anchor member therein when the inner member is axially shifted within an outer member. Structures are provided to prevent disassembly of the anchor and coupling device prior to locking of the elongate member.

Abstract: Bone plate systems for surgical implants and bone repair are provided. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors for securing a plurality of bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate members include throughbores for receiving a pivot base therein, with head ends of the bone anchors being secured within the pivot bases. The throughbores may permit and define a translation path for the pivot base and the bone anchor secured therein relative to the plate. The configuration of the pivot base and the throughbore facilitate pivoting and optional translation of the pivot base relative to the plate. With the bone anchor seated within the pivot base, an apparatus for inhibiting bone anchor back out is employed.

Abstract: Bone plate systems are provided for surgical implants and bone repair. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors screws for securing a plurality of bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate members include throughbores for receiving a pivot base therein, with head ends of the bone anchors being secured in the pivot bases. The throughbores may permit and define a translation path for the pivot base and the bone anchor secured therein relative to the plate. Pivot members extending between the pivot base and the plate member facilitate pivoting and optional translation of the pivot base relative to the plate. With the bone anchor seated within the pivot base, an apparatus for inhibiting screw back out is employed.

Abstract: A ball assembly (118) for a tripot-style joint includes an annular outer ball (124) having a central axis (L) extending therethrough and a depression (182) formed therein. A plurality of needle rollers (122) is positioned along an interior of the outer ball (124). A needle roller retainer (140) is provided for retaining the needle rollers (122) within the outer ball (124) during operation of the ball assembly (118). The retainer (140) has a base portion (142) axially opposed to an end portion (121) of the needle roller (122), and a flange portion (144) extending from the base portion (142) into the depression (182), the flange portion (144) of the retainer (140) being resiliently pivotable within the depression (182) in response to application of an axial load to the retainer (140). In a particular embodiment, an inner ball (120) is positioned in the interior of the outer ball (124f), and a series of resilient tabs (148f) extends from the base portion (142f) of the retainer (140f).

Abstract: A needle roller retainer for insertion into an outer ball of a tripot style joint includes a cylindrical portion having an inner end and an outer end, a rib portion extending from the inner end of the cylindrical portion, and a flange portion extending from the outer end of the cylindrical portion. The outer ball includes a groove for receiving the rib portion.

Abstract: A needle roller retainer for insertion into an outer ball of a tripot style joint includes a cylindrical portion having an inner end and an outer end, a rib portion extending from the inner end of the cylindrical portion, and a flange portion extending from the outer end of the cylindrical portion. The outer ball includes a groove for receiving the rib portion.

Abstract: A stroking constant velocity universal joint including a tulip housing having three longitudinal drive channels therein and a spider having three radial trunnions reaching into the drive channels. A cylindrical drive roller is disposed in each drive channel and has a radial bore therein with an inner convex surface around a cylindrical bearing race on the corresponding radial trunnion. A full complement of needle bearings is disposed in the clearance between each cylindrical bearing race and the corresponding inner convex surface. A pair of annular washers are mounted on each radial trunnion at opposite ends of the bearing race thereon. A counterbore in a side of each washer facing the corresponding drive roller has a diameter less than the minimum diameter of the inner convex surface in the drive roller and overlaps an end of the full complement of needle bearings to hold the needle bearings closer to the cylindrical bearing race than the inner convex surface of the drive roller.