Abstract: The present application is directed to devices and methods for treating vertebral fractures with one or more bone pins. In one embodiment of a method, a fractured vertebral body may be accessed through a pedicle portion and an opening may be created therethrough. One or more bone pins may be inserted through the opening. In one embodiment, at least one of the inserted bone pins is inserted to extend across a fracture zone with a proximal portion of the pin engaging a first bone segment and a distal portion engaging a second bone segment. The pin or pins may be manipulated to immobilize the first and second portions of the fractured vertebra.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods, devices, systems and kits for repairing, replacing and/or augmenting natural facet joint surfaces and/or facet capsules. An implantable facet joint device of one embodiment comprises a cephalad facet joint element and a caudal facet joint element. The cephalad facet joint element includes a member adapted to engage a first vertebra, and an artificial cephalad bearing member. The caudal facet joint element includes a connector adapted for fixation to a second vertebra at a fixation point and an artificial caudal bearing member adapted to engage the cephalad bearing member. The artificial caudal bearing member is adapted for a location lateral to the fixation point.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of revising an implanted spinal device, such as an implanted arthroplasty device having a cephalad component fixed to a first vertebra and a caudal component fixed to a second vertebra inferior to the first vertebra. The method includes the following steps: removing a portion of a previously implanted spinal arthroplasty device; and attaching a revision component to a remaining portion of the previously implanted spinal arthroplasty device to alter a biomechanical characteristic of the implanted arthroplasty device.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and devices for repairing, replacing and/or augmenting natural facet joint surfaces and/or facet capsules. A facet joint restoration device of the invention for use in a restoring a facet joint surface comprises: a cephalad facet joint element comprising a flexible member adapted to engage a first vertebrae and an artificial cephalad joint; and a caudad facet joint element comprising a connector adapted for fixation to a second vertebrae and an artificial caudad joint adapted to engage the cephalad facet joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with bone fasteners comprises a first fixation device having a slot configured to receive a bone fastener, and a second fixation device having another slot configured to receive another bone fastener. The first and second fixation devices are interconnected for rotation relative to each other when the bone fasteners are in the slots. Summarized differently, an apparatus for use with bone fasteners comprises a first fixation device having a first pair of openings defining bone fastener locations, and a second fixation device having a second pair of openings defining bone fastener locations. The first and second fixation devices are interconnected for movement relative to each other such that the bone fastener locations defined by the first and second pairs of openings are located at four corners of a rectangular array.

Abstract: An assembly for use with a bone fastener includes a fixation device and a bone fastener retainer device. The fixation device has an opening configured to receive a bone fastener in an installed position in which an outer end portion of the bone fastener is located within the opening. The retainer device is receivable over the fixation device in a closed position extending over the location taken by the outer end portion of the bone fastener within the opening. Additionally, the fixation device and the retainer device together have first and second locking structures. The locking structures are configured to engage each other in an undeflected condition when the retainer device is in a partially closed position, and to snap into interlocked engagement with each other under an applied force that moves the retainer device from the partially closed position to the closed position.

Abstract: A fixation system may comprise at least one carriage element being capable of receiving one or more bone fasteners, the carriage element being mountable on a plate, the plate having an engaging portion for adjustably securing the carriage element to the main plate, the engaging portion allowing translational movement of the carriage plate with respect to the plate in only one axial direction. In one embodiment, the plate includes arms for receiving the carriage element and the carriage element includes channels mountable on the arms, with the engaging portion disposed within the channels. A method of use and kit is also described.

Abstract: A fixation assembly is described, comprising a fixation plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, a longitudinal axis, and a first opening extending from the upper surface through to the lower surface; a first resilient element extending through at least a portion of the first opening; wherein the first opening is configured to receive a first bone fastener, the first bone fastener having a head and a shaft; wherein the first resilient element is deflectable from a first condition to a second condition; and wherein the first resilient element is configured to engage at least a portion of the head of the first bone fastener when the first bone fastener is at least partially inserted into the first opening. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bone fastener, a bone fixation device and a bone fastener retainer device. The head of the fastener has a convex lower surface with a first arcuate contour, and has a convex upper surface with a second arcuate contour. The fixation device is configured to receive the fastener in an installed position in which the convex lower surface of the fastener head rests on a concave surface of the bone fixation device that also has the first arcuate contour. Additionally, the retainer device is configured to be mounted on the fixation device in a position in which a concave surface of the retainer device overlies the convex upper surface of the fastener head. The concave surface of the retainer device also has the second arcuate contour. The bone fastener retainer device may be receivable over the fixation device in a mechanical interlock with the fixation device.

Abstract: A fixation system includes a plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a central longitudinal axis, at least one fixation hole extending between the top and bottom surfaces and comprising an undercut therein, and at least one passage intersecting one of the undercuts. At least one resilient clip is disposed in at least a portion of the undercut, with the at least one clip having a pair of generally parallel sides and an end tab. At least one fastener is provided and comprises a head and a threaded shaft, with the head comprising a perimetral groove extending around at least a portion thereof and an instrument receiving portion. The at least one clip is configured and dimensioned to seat in the undercut with the end tab extending within the passage, and the at least one fastener is configured and dimensioned to be received in the at least one fixation hole and securable therein when the at least one clip abuts the perimetral groove of the head.

Abstract: A surgical drill guide for use with a bone plate having fastener holes oriented at predetermined angles with respect to the plate, the surgical drill guide having at least one alignment drill guiding barrel that is aligned with the respective fastener holes in the bone plate for drilling the holes at the desired range of angles permitted by the plate hole.

Abstract: Translational bone fixation assemblies, kits containing such assemblies, and methods of use are described herein. The described assemblies may be used in spinal fusion procedures in which a damaged or diseased disc (or part of a disc) is removed from between a pair of vertebrae and a spinal fusion spacer is placed between the vertebrae. The assemblies may be applied to an anterior portion of the affected vertebrae to span the affected disc space, and may be fixed to the vertebrae using bone screws. The assemblies may function to maintain the vertebrae aligned during the initial period following fixation in which fusion of the spacer to the adjacent vertebrae occurs. The assemblies may also function to share some of the axial spinal load applied to the fusion spacer to prevent extreme subsidence of the spacer into the vertebral body, such as where the patient has poor bone quality.

Abstract: The invention discloses devices, methods and systems for an implantable revision device useful for altering the biomechanics of an implanted spinal arthroplasty device. The revision device has a first surface adapted to communicate with a natural anatomical surface; and a second surface adapted to engage a portion of the arthroplasty device. The device alters the biomechanics of the implanted spinal arthroplasty device permanently semi-permanently and/or temporarily.

Abstract: A surgical drill guide for use with a bone plate having fastener holes oriented at predetermined angles with respect to the plate, the surgical drill guide having at least one alignment drill guiding barrel that is aligned with the respective fastener holes in the bone plate for drilling the holes at the desired range of angles permitted by the plate hole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simplified bone fastener removal tool which allows the surgeon to remove bone screws or other bone fasteners from bone, and from bone plates incorporating fastener locking elements. The tool includes an inner shaft which axially engages the bone fastener, a drive shaft which allows the fastener to be rotated using the tool, and an internally threaded outer sleeve which, in combination with the drive shaft, allows for a controlled removal of the fastener from the bone plate and bone. In particular, the internal threads of the outer sleeve engage external threads on the drive shaft, such that rotating the drive shaft while maintaining the outer sleeve fixed causes the drive shaft to translate with respect to the sleeve. Thus, when a fastener is axially engaged with the drive shaft, a controlled removal of the fastener from the bone and bone plate is accomplished simply by rotating the drive shaft with respect to the outer sleeve. No pulling on the fastener is necessary.

Abstract: Translational bone fixation assemblies, kits containing such assemblies, and methods of use are described herein. The described assemblies may be used in spinal fusion procedures in which a damaged or diseased disc (or part of a disc) is removed from between a pair of vertebrae and a spinal fusion spacer is placed between the vertebrae. The assemblies may be applied to an anterior portion of the affected vertebrae to span the affected disc space, and may be fixed to the vertebrae using bone screws. The assemblies may function to maintain the vertebrae aligned during the initial period following fixation in which fusion of the spacer to the adjacent vertebrae occurs. The assemblies may also function to share some of the axial spinal load applied to the fusion spacer to prevent extreme subsidence of the spacer into the vertebral body, such as where the patient has poor bone quality.

Abstract: A fixation system includes a plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a central longitudinal axis, at least one fixation hole extending between the top and bottom surfaces and comprising an undercut therein, and at least one passage intersecting one of the undercuts. At least one resilient clip is disposed in at least a portion of the undercut, with the at least one clip having a pair of generally parallel sides and an end tab. At least one fastener is provided and comprises a head and a threaded shaft, with the head comprising a perimetral groove extending around at least a portion thereof and an instrument receiving portion. The at least one clip is configured and dimensioned to seat in the undercut with the end tab extending within the passage, and the at least one fastener is configured and dimensioned to be received in the at least one fixation hole and securable therein when the at least one clip abuts the perimetral groove of the head.

Abstract: A bone fixation system including a bone plate and surgical drill guide is provided. The drill guide assembly includes one or more alignment drill tubes that are remotely aligned with corresponding fastener holes in the bone plate, and a plate holder to engage a hole in the bone plate. The surgical drill guide is releasably lockable to the plate holder.

Abstract: A drill guide, drill guide system and method of use is disclosed. The drill guide assembly includes one or more alignment drill tubes that are remotely alignable with corresponding fastener holes of a bone plate to which the drill guide is releasably lockable. The drill guide is configured to allow a bone hole to be drilled slightly off-center with respect to the fastener holes of the plate so that fasteners inserted in those holes may be used to compress the underlying bone segments together when the fasteners are tightened in the bone and plate. In one embodiment, the drill guide is disclosed for use in compressing and fixing adjacent vertebra as part of a spinal fusion procedure.