Abstract: A bone saw and a method for using the bone saw. The bone saw includes a saw blade comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a distal tip comprising a cutting edge. The flexible saw blade is rectangular in shape over at least a portion thereof. The bone saw further includes a saw handle base insert a saw shaft tip assembly comprising an opening through which the flexible saw blade is advanced. The saw shaft tip assembly may comprise a saw shaft tip comprising a channel comprising a distal end and a proximal end and a saw channel insert disposed within the channel of the saw shaft tip to form a lumen between the saw shift tip and the saw channel insert. The bone saw may further comprise a saw blade advancement mechanism coupled to the flexible saw blade for moving the flexible saw blade in discrete amounts.

Abstract: An implant to separate a vertebral cut has an upper portion, lower portion, and inner member. The inner member communicates with a swivelable coupling located at each end of the inner member. Each swivelable coupling also interacts with a respective one of the upper and lower portion, within an inner bore thereof. Movement of the inner member relative to one or both of the upper and the lower portions, via one or both swivelable couplings, translates the upper portion away from the lower portion, about a vertebral cut, to widen the vertebral cut and expand the spinal canal. Swivelable action of the couplings allows angulation of the inner member, relative to a longitudinal axis of the implant, to accommodate a natural lateral shift occurring during a widening of a vertebral cut.

Abstract: Implant for stabilizing a spinal column including a pedicle screw, an elongated member, and a retainer for a stabilizing rod. The elongated member can be polyaxially movably connected to the pedicle screw, and have external threads over a longitudinal periphery thereof. The retainer can be one piece, or can include an upper retainer portion and a lower retainer portion. The retainer, or the upper and lower retainer portions, can each have an opening therethrough to receive a stabilization rod to fix one implant to another. In one aspect, the upper retainer portion is internally threaded to engage external threads of the elongated member, the upper retainer portion threadably translating longitudinally along the elongated member by rotation of the elongated member about a longitudinal axis thereof. The upper retainer portion translates toward the lower retainer portion to secure and retain the rod therebetween.

Abstract: A bone saw and a method for using the bone saw. The bone saw includes a saw blade comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a distal tip comprising a cutting edge. The flexible saw blade is rectangular in shape over at least a portion thereof. The bone saw further includes a saw handle base insert a saw shaft tip assembly comprising an opening through which the flexible saw blade is advanced. The saw shaft tip assembly may comprise a saw shaft tip comprising a channel comprising a distal end and a proximal end and a saw channel insert disposed within the channel of the saw shaft tip to form a lumen between the saw shift tip and the saw channel insert. The bone saw may further comprise a saw blade advancement mechanism coupled to the flexible saw blade for moving the flexible saw blade in discrete amounts.

Abstract: A bone saw including a flexible, rectangular saw blade having a central longitudinal axis and a cutting edge at a distal tip, and a shaft. The shaft has a central longitudinal axis, and a blade passage within the shaft that houses the saw blade, where the central longitudinal axis of the saw blade, of the shaft, and of the blade passage, are parallel. Further included is a blade opening located through a distal end of the shaft and of the blade passage, the blade opening being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Also, a curved abutment can exist within the blade passage, aligning the saw blade with the blade opening. Distally translating the saw blade within the blade passage can cause the saw blade to conform to the curved abutment and exit the blade opening with the cutting edge essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A method for correcting spinal stenosis involves cannulating a passage in a vertebra, and placing a distal portion of an implant therein. Then, a circumferential vertebral cut is performed from within the passage, using a proximal end of the distal portion of the implant to align the vertebral cut. Then, a proximal portion of the implant is placed into the passage, positioned against the distal portion at the vertebral cut. Operation of the distal and the proximal portions of the implant relative to one another widens the vertebral cut and expands the spinal canal. The proximal portion can then be secured to the distal portion to stabilize the vertebral cut, allowing vertebral healing with the spinal canal expanded. Flanges may exist that radially extend outward from the implant and into the vertebral cut, or into the passage walls, to assist vertebral cut widening and stabilization.