Abstract: A crimp defines separate parallel bores extending therethrough to receive a wire or cable portion. The crimp has a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of circumferentially-spaced, outwardly projecting flanges respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp. Thus, the flanges may rest against a bone while providing spacing for crimping jaws between a central portion of the crimp and the bone. A design of crimping pliers for use with the crimp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system is provided that, in one form, includes a coupling member having a cam lock member that is fixed against translation therealong as it is turned with turning of the cam lock member causing an elongate member such as a spinal rod to be pushed downward in the coupling member for fixing the rod therein. In another aspect, the rod is fixed against a low profile insert that seats in a recess formed in the head of an anchor member projecting from the coupling member. The insert has an upper surface against which the rod is fixed and that in one form is flat to provide for line contact against the rod so as to minimize damage thereto.

Abstract: An implantable, spinal, vertebral replacement device comprises a tubular cage for fitting into a space left by a missing vertebral body and for optionally retaining bone graft material. First and second transverse plates are respectively positioned at opposed ends of the tubular cage for supporting the respective cage ends and for pressing a plate face against an adjacent vertebral body in spinal column-supporting relation. The transverse plates are each joined in transverse relation to a vertebral attachment plate which, in use, extends generally parallel to the spine. The vertebral attachment plate defines screw holes for preferably open helix screw securance to the pair of adjacent vertebral bodies that bracket the space left by the missing vertebral body.

Abstract: Artificial disc devices are disclosed that restore correct anatomical intervertebral spacing for damaged discs while maintaining a substantially normal range of biomechanical movement for the vertebrae between which they are implanted. The disc devices include center bearing and outer or annular bearing portions with the center bearing portion including generally axially extending locating surfaces which cooperate with the facing vertebral surfaces to resist migration. The outer bearing portion is for load bearing or load sharing with the center bearing portion and includes surfaces that extend radially toward the periphery of the vertebrae so that subsidence about the center bearing portion is minimized. Alternate forms of the disc devices include one with an axially enlarged center ball bearing having an annular ring bearing extending thereabout and another having upper and lower plate members with a central bumper member and a surrounding resilient annular member therebetween.

Abstract: A crimp defines separate parallel bores extending therethrough to receive a wire or cable portion. The crimp has a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of circumferentially-spaced, outwardly projecting flanges respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp. Thus, the flanges may rest against a bone while providing spacing for crimping jaws between a central portion of the crimp and the bone. A design of crimping pliers for use with the crimp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: A bone connector system includes first and second connector members, at least one and preferably both, of which carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a boss having an outer end with at least one slot therein to form flexible fingers, the boss having flanges which may be formed by an external screw thread adjacent to the outer end, and an external hexagonal engagement surface spaced from the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having grooves which may formed by an internal screw thread proportioned to engage the flanges on the boss, and a hexagonal engagement portion proportioned to mateably receive and engage the hexagonal engagement surface when the connectors are brought together. Each of the flanges and grooves may have first and second flanks respectively disposed at relatively small and relatively large acute angles to the longitudinal axis of the system.

Abstract: An implantable, spinal, vertebral replacement device comprises a tubular cage for fitting into a space left by a missing vertebral body and for optionally retaining bone graft material. First and second transverse plates are respectively positioned at opposed ends of the tubular cage for supporting the respective cage ends and for pressing a plate face against an adjacent vertebral body in spinal column-supporting relation. The transverse plates are each joined in transverse relation to a vertebral attachment plate which, in use, extends generally parallel to the spine. The vertebral attachment plate defines screw holes for preferably open helix screw securance to the pair of adjacent vertebral bodies that bracket the space left by the missing vertebral body.

Abstract: A bone connector system comprises first and second connector members. At least one, and preferably both, of the connector members carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a boss having an outer end with intersecting slots therein to form flexible fingers, the boss having flanges which may be formed by an external screw thread adjacent to the outer end and an external hexagonal engagement surface spaced from the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having grooves which may be formed by an internal screw thread proportioned to engage the flanges on the boss, and a hexagonal engagement portion proportioned to mateably receive and engage the hexagonal engagement surface, when the connectors are brought together. Either or both of the connector members may define guidewire lumens.

Abstract: A crimp defines separate parallel bores extending therethrough to receive a wire or cable portion. The crimp has a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of circumferentially-spaced, outwardly projecting flanges respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp. Thus, the flanges may rest against a bone while providing spacing for crimping jaws between a central portion of the crimp and the bone. A design of crimping pliers for use with the crimp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bone connector system comprises first and second connector members. At least one and preferably both of the connector members carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a sleeve having an outer end with longitudinal slots extending through the outer end, and a plurality of loops of an external screw thread positioned adjacent to the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having a multiple loop, internal screw thread proportioned to engage the external thread when the connectors are brought together. Either or both of said connector members may define guidewire lumens.

Abstract: An implantable, spinal, vertebral replacement device comprises a tubular cage for fitting into a space left by a missing vertebral body and for optionally retaining bone graft material. First and second transverse plates are respectively positioned at opposed ends of the tubular cage for supporting the respective cage ends and for pressing a plate face against an adjacent vertebral body in spinal column-supporting relation. The transverse plates are each joined in transverse relation to at least one vertebral attachment plate which, in use, extends generally parallel to the spine. The vertebral attachment plate defines screw holes for screw securance to at least one vertebral body adjacent to the space. Preferably, one or more vertebral attachment plates are connected to the pair of adjacent vertebral bodies that bracket the space left by the missing vertebral body.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: A device for clamping cables or wires or other elongate members used in surgical fastening procedures includes a generally cylindrical housing having a bore for receiving a cable. A saddle member is movably mounted with respect to the housing and includes a saddle jaw that may selectively be moved into engagement with a cable disposed in the bore. A cam lever having a cam surface engages a cam support surface on the housing for actuating the saddle member and thereby selectively clamping the cable. The saddle jaw cooperates with a housing jaw on the housing for redirecting the cable into an undulating path when the cam lever is moved to a clamping position. The cam lever is provided with multiple facets dimensioned to provide optimum clamping force to different sized cables. The facets also provide a positive tactile indication to a user that the cam lever is in one of multiple clamping positions.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clamp for securing cables or other elongate members used in surgical fastening procedures. The clamp advantageously applies a clamping force to the cable without direct contact with the cable, thereby reducing abrasion and shear forces applied to the cable. The claims have a saddle member, platen or both that are movably mounted with respect to the housing and a lever, in cooperation with a cam surface, that allows the saddle member, platen or both to selectively clamp the cable. The lever may have several locking positions to provide optimum clamping force to different sized cables.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: A surgical connector for cable comprises a body having a pair of opposed ends and a first side extending between the ends. Outwardly extending projections adjacent the first side and ends may be provided to facilitate securance of the connector in a desired position. Cable-receiving bores extend from each of the ends inwardly toward each other, typically at an obtuse angle of less than 180.degree.. The bores have inner ends that communicate with a central aperture which is open to at least the side of the body which is opposed to the first side. Alternatively, the central aperture may extend entirely through the body and be open to both the first side and the opposed side. Also, a novel retention technique for cable is disclosed, for more general use, if desired.

Abstract: A cable winding for retention of bone in surgery having a crimp for retaining the cables together. The crimp has a bore of oval cross section, with its exterior being preferably oval in cross section as well. The cable sections extend through the single bore in side-by-side relation. Outwardly projecting flanges extend from the crimp ends for at least about 120.degree. about the periphery to create a space between the flanges when the flanges rest on bone. This space may be used to receive the crimping jaws during the crimping process so that the crimp does not have to be forced outwardly from the bone during the crimping process. Thus, a more consistent, predetermined tension can be provided to the cable on crimping.