Abstract: A minimally invasive fixation system and installation method is provided. The system includes a rod having an anchor fixation head, an anchor system for anchoring the rod using the anchor fixation head, and a guide system configured to attach to the anchor fixation head of the rod for the insertion of the additional anchor systems. In one embodiment, a method for placing a spinal fixation element relative to a vertebra is provided.

Abstract: A rod anchoring system including a bone anchor and a connector is provided. The connector of the rod anchoring system is configured to be inserted in one orientation and then transitioned to a second orientation to connect the rod to the anchor. The bone anchor includes a detachable extension shaft that acts a guide for inserting the connector. In use, once the bone anchor has been implanted at a target site on a vertebra, the connector is placed onto the extension shaft and slid along its length in a first orientation to insert the connector. Once the connector is at the implant site, it is transitioned from the first orientation to the second orientation to connect the rod to the anchor.

Abstract: A bone anchor assembly for coupling an offset bone anchor with a previously inserted spinal fixation element and method of use is provided. Exemplary embodiments of a bone anchor assembly are particularly suited for use in a rod-first spinal surgical technique in which a bone anchor inserted into a patient vertebra may be separated from a previously inserted spinal fixation element by a separation distance.

Abstract: An adaptable clamping mechanism for coupling an elongate spinal fixation element to a bone anchor is provided. A seat element and a clamp element of the adaptable clamping mechanism adapt to seat and clamp an elongate spinal fixation element whose longitudinal axis is non-perpendicular relative to the as central axis of the bone anchor. One or both of the seat element and the clamp element may adjust to an out-of-plane orientation of the elongate spinal fixation element by pivoting or rotating in one or more directions. One or both of the seat element and the clamp element may have a deformable portion configured to deform to the orientation of a surface of the elongate spinal fixation element.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a bone plate for stabilizing bony structures. More particularly, the invention is directed to bone plates having an elongate body to which an integrated rod is formed. Integrated rod portion may be captured by a bone anchor with a receiving member. The bone plate is movable from a first position to a second position and may have an aperture for lagging the bone plate to the bone.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for using operation codes to control a decoder to generate data from an input data stream into an output data stream. An encoder generates an input data stream for a decoder comprising at least one operation code and compressed data for an output device. The at least one operation code instructs the decoder on how to process the compressed data. The decoder receives the input data stream and processes the data in the input data stream according to the at least one operation code. The decoder decodes the compressed data into decompressed data to send to an output data stream to the output device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a fast, color printer architecture are disclosed. A print processor comprises a plurality of processing units operating in parallel to process data for different layers or color planes. A connection can be formed between any processing unit and any print head of one or more printers. Any one of a plurality of the parallel processing units may be assigned to process one, some, or all of the colors of data. Consequently, each one of a plurality of print heads can be assigned to receive data from any one of a plurality of processing units.

Abstract: Methods and devices for implanting spinal fixation implants and devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method for implanting a spinal fixation system is provided and it includes the steps of positioning a spinal fixation element to extend along a patient's spinal column adjacent to one or more vertebrae, determining an implant site on at least one vertebra, implanting at least one spinal anchor at the implant site on at least one vertebra, and coupling the spinal fixation element to each implant.

Abstract: Exemplary spinal fixation devices, systems, and method are provided for stabilizing vertebrae in a patient's spine. In one exemplary embodiment, methods and devices are provided for coupling one or more bone anchors, such as hooks, screws, etc., and/or one or more spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, cables, plates, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, a cross connector is provided for connecting and stabilizing two bone anchors, a bone anchor and a spinal fixation element, or a bone anchor and bone.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system comprising at least two bone anchors, a rod connecting the bone anchors and a connecting plate extending from a proximal surface of at least one of the bone anchors. A method of fixing vertebrae relative to each other comprising the steps of: implanting bone anchors in two adjacent vertebrae, each bone anchor having a rod receiving portion; placing a rod in the rod receiving portions, thereby connecting the bone anchors; threadably engaging set screws in the rod receiving portions of at least a portion of the bone anchors, thereby fixing the rod to the bone anchors; mating one end of a connecting plate to a proximal bearing surface of at least a portion of the bone anchors; and engaging a cap with at least a portion of the set screws, thereby fixing the connecting plate to the bone anchors.