Spine Projects

Method for preventing onset of junctional joint disease, involves coupling bone anchor housing to shank in multi-axial configuration in which housing initially rotates and pivots relative to shank to locking rod within housing. Abstract: This disclosure describes a variety of transitional or terminal components that may be implanted as part of a spinal fixation construct to decrease the potential for subsequent development of junctional disease. The fixation construct may extend any number of levels from a single level construct to a long construct spanning multiple spinal levels and multiple spinal regions from the lumbosacral to cervical regions, and with any. MORE

Rod attachment for securing spinal rod to bone structure, has lumen for receiving spinal rod, aperture for intersecting lumen along second axis perpendicular to first axis and tether connector for receiving tether offset from second axis. Abstract: This disclosure describes a variety of transitional or terminal components that may be implanted as part of a spinal fixation construct to decrease the potential for subsequent development of junctional disease. The fixation construct may extend any number of levels from a single level construct to a long construct spanning multiple spinal levels and multiple spinal regions from the lumbosacral to cervical regions,. MORE

Screw retaining system for maintaining position of screw relative to vertebral plate, has elastic member extending outward from opposing sections of cap in one of shapes, where member is positioned away from apertures in another shape. Abstract: A retention system for maintaining a screw to a vertebral plate is described herein. One or more screws extend through apertures within the vertebral plate. A cavity is positioned adjacent to and overlaps into the aperture. A ring is positioned within the cavity and held in position by a cap. The cap attaches to the plate to prevent removal of the ring. The. MORE

Anterior plating system or fixation assembly has plate defining screw holes for screws with locking assemblies for fixing having variable angle screws in form of differing patterns. Abstract: An anterior fixation system includes a plate defining a plurality of screw holes, a number of screws and a number of locking assemblies for fixing the screws to the plate. The system includes two bone screws, a fixed angle screw and a variable angle screw, that are configured to extend through the same screw openings in the fixation plate. The surgeon can select either the fixed or variable angled screws to be. MORE

Prosthesis for engaging a vertebral body forms outer surface of component similar to anatomical shape of the vertebral body at a location of an area of a junction between vertical surface and endplate surface of vertebral body. Abstract: A prosthesis comprising a component for engaging a surface of a vertebral body is disclosed. The component comprises a bone-engaging surface and an outer surface that is not bone-engaging, wherein the bone-engaging surface is configured to engage a portion of the surface of the vertebral body, wherein the vertebral body has been configured to engage with the bone-engaging surface, and wherein after. MORE

Retaining system for affixing component e.g. prostheses, to vertebral i.e. bone, body, has inner surface of retaining mechanism comprising face directed away from vertebral body, and outer surface of retaining mechanism to receive fastener. Abstract: A retaining system for affixing a component to a vertebral body is disclosed. The system comprises a component and a retaining mechanism. The component comprises an inner surface configured to engage at least a portion of an endplate surface of the vertebral body, and an outer surface configured to engage the retaining mechanism, wherein the outer surface of the component comprises a first face directed. MORE

Hollow spinal spacer for engagement between vertebrae, preventing e.g. allo-grafting has anterior and posterior walls connected by 2 lateral walls each with vertebral engaging surface opening to internal chamber. Abstract: One embodiment of a hollow spinal spacer (10) includes a curved anterior wall (11) having opposite ends (12, 13), a posterior wall (15) having opposite ends (16, 17), two lateral walls (20, 21), each integrally connected between the opposite ends (12, 13, 16, 17) of the anterior (11) and posterior (15) walls to define a chamber (30). The walls (11, 15, 20, 21) include a superior face (35) and an. MORE

Retractor structure used for insertion of spinal implant in lumbar disc surgery. Abstract: A method and instrumentation for spinal interbody fusion is disclosed. The instruments and methods are particularly adapted for interbody fusion from a posterior approach to the spine. One instrument is a retractor having a lockable pivotally mounted handle. Another instrument is a template for straddling the dura. A modular distractor is also provided and preferably includes a tapered shaft with a visualization window disposed therein. Yet another instrument is a depth gauge to verify bone opening depth and dimension, preferably including a radiopaque portion. A method contemplates. MORE

Vertebral bodies linking device for spine of patient, has flexible member with two ends, and connector apparatus for securing ends of flexible member to one of vertebral bodies. Abstract: Various embodiments of a vertebral tension band assembly and associated connection structure are provided. The tension band assemblies may be attached to vertebral bodies to, for example, connect one vertebrae to another, retain the band in approximately a preferred position by application of tension to the band during insertion and/or limit, impede, inhibit, reduce or interfere with the separation from one vertebra to another and may further block, impede, interfere with,. MORE

Stabilization system for performing occipital and cervical stabilization, has curved rod sized to be positioned through pathway formed from opening in lateral mass of vertebra, into vertebra and into adjacent bony structure. Abstract: A spinal stabilization system comprises an elongated stabilization device including a curved configuration along a longitudinal axis thereof. The elongated stabilization device includes a length and cross-section sized for positioning through a pathway formed from an opening in a lateral mass of a first vertebra and into the first vertebra, through the facet joint formed by adjacent articular surfaces of the first vertebra and an adjacent bony. MORE