Abstract: An expandable cage system for use in spinal surgery includes a top portion having an outwardly extending top arm, and a bottom portion having an outwardly extending bottom arm. The bottom arm is configured to engage with the top arm such that upon engagement, the top portion and the bottom portion are substantially restricted from movement relative to each other in an anterior-posterior direction, and in a medial-lateral direction. The expandable cage system further includes a removable shim configured to be positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion to hold the expandable cage in an expanded position within a spinal cavity.

Abstract: A cervical spine plate attachment system includes a cervical spine plate that has a first surface configured to rest upon a first vertebra and a second vertebra, a second surface opposite the first surface and facing away from the first vertebra and the second vertebra, and a plurality of holes configured to receive fasteners to secure the cervical spine plate to the first vertebra and the second vertebra. The system also includes an alignment guide that detachably mounts to the cervical spine plate. The alignment guide comprises a pair of bars that rest upon the second surface of the cervical spine plate when the alignment guide is mounted to the cervical spine plate. The system also includes a fastener configured to secure the alignment guide to the cervical spine plate.

Abstract: A spinal rod extension system includes a rod portion and a connector portion connected to the rod portion. The connector portion is configured for insertion through a screw head of an existing pedicle screw that is used to secure an existing spinal rod. The spinal rod extension system also includes a screw head connector configured to mount to the screw head of the existing pedicle screw to secure the connector portion to the existing spinal rod. The screw head connector includes a first end wall and a second end wall that are connected to one another by a pair of cross connectors.

Abstract: A method of making a retractor blade attachment system includes forming a probe such that a shaft of the probe includes a pointed tip. The pointed tip is configured to puncture tissue in a disk space of a disk and anchor the probe to the tissue. The method further includes forming a retractor blade that includes an end portion and a slot. The slot is formed to receive at least a portion of the shaft of the probe, and at least a portion of the end portion is designed to rest upon the disk when the retractor blade is mounted on the probe.

Abstract: An expandable cage system for use in spinal surgery includes a top portion having an outwardly extending top arm, and a bottom portion having an outwardly extending bottom arm. The bottom arm is configured to engage with the top arm such that upon engagement, the top portion and the bottom portion are substantially restricted from movement relative to each other in an anterior-posterior direction, and in a medial-lateral direction. The expandable cage system further includes a removable shim configured to be positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion to hold the expandable cage in an expanded position within a spinal cavity.

Abstract: A cervical spine plate attachment system includes a cervical spine plate that has a first surface configured to rest upon a first vertebra and a second vertebra, a second surface opposite the first surface and facing away from the first vertebra and the second vertebra, and a plurality of holes configured to receive fasteners to secure the cervical spine plate to the first vertebra and the second vertebra. The system also includes an alignment guide that detachably mounts to the cervical spine plate. The alignment guide comprises a pair of bars that rest upon the second surface of the cervical spine plate when the alignment guide is mounted to the cervical spine plate. The system also includes a fastener configured to secure the alignment guide to the cervical spine plate.

Abstract: A spinal rod extension system includes a rod portion of a spinal rod extension and a connector portion connected to the rod portion. The connector portion is configured for insertion through a screw head of an existing pedicle screw that is used to secure an existing spinal rod. The spinal rod extension system also includes a screw head connector configured to mount to the screw head of the existing pedicle screw to secure the connector portion to the existing spinal rod. The screw head connector includes a first end wall and a second end wall that are connected to one another by a pair of cross connectors.

Abstract: A method of mounting a spinal rod extension includes accessing at least a portion of an existing spinal rod. The method also includes removing a locking cap from an existing pedicle screw that secures the existing spinal rod. The method also includes placing a connector portion of the spinal rod extension through a screw head of the existing pedicle screw. The method further includes using a connector to secure the connector portion to the existing spinal rod.

Abstract: A lumbar spine fusion system includes a probe and a retractor blade. The probe includes a shaft, a pointed tip, and a collar. The pointed tip is configured to puncture tissue in a disk space of a disk and anchor the probe to the tissue. The collar is configured to act as a stop to control a distance through which the shaft of the probe traverses the tissue. The retractor blade includes an end portion and a slot. The slot is configured to receive at least a portion of the shaft of the probe. At least a portion of the end portion is configured to rest upon one or more of the disk and the collar when the retractor blade is mounted on the probe.

Abstract: A cervical spine plate attachment system includes a bracket and an alignment guide. The bracket is configured to mount to a cervical spine plate. The alignment guide includes a first connector proximate to a first end of the alignment guide, wherein the first connector is configured to attach to a first pin inserted into a first vertebra. The alignment guide also includes a second connector proximate to a second end of the alignment guide, wherein the second connector is configured to attach to a second pin inserted into a second vertebra. The alignment guide further includes a fastener configured to secure the alignment guide to the bracket such that the alignment guide is secured to the cervical spine plate.

Abstract: An expandable cage system for use in spinal surgery includes a top portion having an outwardly extending top arm, and a bottom portion having an outwardly extending bottom arm. The bottom arm is configured to engage with the top arm such that upon engagement, the top portion and the bottom portion are substantially restricted from movement relative to each other in an anterior-posterior direction, and in a medial-lateral direction. The expandable cage system further includes a removable shim configured to be positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion to hold the expandable cage in an expanded position within a spinal cavity.

Abstract: A lumbar spine fusion system includes a probe and a retractor blade. The probe includes a shaft, a pointed tip, and a collar. The pointed tip is configured to puncture tissue in a disk space of a disk and anchor the probe to the tissue. The collar is configured to act as a stop to control a distance through which the shaft of the probe traverses the tissue. The retractor blade includes an end portion and a slot. The slot is configured to receive at least a portion of the shaft of the probe. At least a portion of the end portion is configured to rest upon one or more of the disk and the collar when the retractor blade is mounted on the probe.

Abstract: A cervical spine plate attachment system includes a bracket and an alignment guide. The bracket is configured to mount to a cervical spine plate. The alignment guide includes a first connector proximate to a first end of the alignment guide, wherein the first connector is configured to attach to a first pin inserted into a first vertebra. The alignment guide also includes a second connector proximate to a second end of the alignment guide, wherein the second connector is configured to attach to a second pin inserted into a second vertebra. The alignment guide further includes a fastener configured to secure the alignment guide to the bracket such that the alignment guide is secured to the cervical spine plate.

Abstract: A cervical spine plate attachment system includes a bracket and an alignment guide. The bracket is configured to mount to a cervical spine plate. The alignment guide includes a first connector proximate to a first end of the alignment guide, wherein the first connector is configured to attach to a first pin inserted into a first vertebra. The alignment guide also includes a second connector proximate to a second end of the alignment guide, wherein the second connector is configured to attach to a second pin inserted into a second vertebra. The alignment guide further includes a fastener configured to secure the alignment guide to the bracket such that the alignment guide is secured to the cervical spine plate.

Abstract: A spinal rod extension includes a rod portion, a connector portion, a lip, and a connector. The connector portion is mounted to the rod portion. The connector portion is configured for insertion through a screw head of an existing pedicle screw that is used to secure an existing spinal rod. The lip is mounted to the rod portion, and is configured to engage at least a portion of an end of the existing spinal rod. The connector is configured to secure the connector portion to the existing spinal rod.