| ALPHATEC SPINE, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120123487 | SPINAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SET SCREW LOADING AND RETENTION APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE - A spinal instrument with a set screw loading and retention mechanism includes a first tube, a screw slot, and a retention mechanism. The first tube includes an inner lumen disposed concentric and proximate to a head portion of a bone screw. The screw slot is disposed along a portion of the first tube at a distance from the head portion of the bone screw and is configured for loading of a set screw for locking a spinal rod within the head portion of the bone screw. The retention mechanism is disposed along at least a portion of the inner tube configured to selectively retain the set screw. In other features, the first tube includes either an internal rod reduction tube or a screw extender tube. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120116462 | POLYAXIAL BONE SCREW - A polyaxial bone screw includes a shaft, a body member, and a toroidal member. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis and a proximal end with a head having a generally rounded surface. The body member has a bore disposed longitudinally therethrough and a groove defined by a luminal surface of the bore. The toroidal member has an elliptical cross-section with a major axis and disposed within the groove to engage the generally rounded surface of the head at a point of contact. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120101533 | POLYAXIAL BONE SCREW WITH LATERAL CONNECTOR - A polyaxial screw body includes a side wall defining a lumen having a first end and a second end. An opening disposed at the first end of the lumen, includes an interior surface disposed in the side wall thereabout. The interior surface is adapted to accommodate a head portion of a pedicle screw. A transverse channel extends from a first aperture through the side wall to a second aperture and is adapted to accommodate a portion of a fixation rod therebetween. A lateral connector extending integrally from the side wall. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101506 | TISSUE RETRACTOR APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE - Apparatus and methods of use for a tissue retractor having a first retractor with a first main frame with a first distal blade and a second retractor having a second main frame with a second distal blade, the first distal blade and second distal blade being configured to engage each other on opposite sides of a spinal implant creating an expandable passageway p between the first main frame and second main frame. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120095516 | DISTAL LOADING RECEIVER FOR A POLYAXIAL BONE SCREW AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTATION THEREOF - A distal loading receiver for a polyaxial bone screw includes a body member having a circumferential wall defining a bore disposed longitudinally through the body member. A skirt depends from a distal end of the body member. The skirt defines one or more distally opening slots and an abluminal surface of the skirt includes one or more transverse ribs proximate to a distal end of the skirt. A retaining ring includes a luminal surface having one or more transverse recesses proximate to a distal end of the luminal surface and one or more walls extending inwardly from the luminal surface. The slots accommodate the walls and the recesses accommodate the ribs to attach the body member to the retaining ring when the distal end of the skirt is inserted into a proximal end of the retaining ring. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120089150 | Screw head locker apparatus and methods of use - An apparatus for provisionally locking a polyaxial head on a fixed head of a bone screw using a locking bushing includes an elongated housing with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having couplers for releasably coupling with the polyaxial head; an inner shaft slidably engaged within the housing and including a distal portion, a middle portion, and a proximal portion; and an actuator that selectively positions the inner shaft within the housing to engage at least one of the distal portion, the middle portion, and the proximal portion with at least one of the couplers and the bushing disposed between the distal portion and the fixed head of the bone screw. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120083889 | INTERVERTEBRAL DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE - An intervertebral device comprises a plurality of struts that are rotatably associated with each adjacent strut to form a modifiable inner volume V for bone graft containment. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083887 | INTERVERTEBRAL DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE - A minimally invasive intervertebral implant includes a circuitous body defining a luminal axis extending longitudinally therethrough. The circuitous body includes proximal and distal ends oppositely disposed along a lateral axis of the circuitous body. Each of the proximal and distal ends includes an aperture disposed therethrough such that the circuitous body includes a first configuration wherein the proximal and distal ends are at a maximum separation and a second configuration wherein the proximal and distal ends are closer together than in the first configuration. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120078302 | CLAMPING INTERSPINOUS SPACER APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE - An interspinous process spacer includes a main body, a first wing, and a screw. The main body includes a first securing member extending from a top portion of the main body that engages a first vertebra and a bottom portion of the main body that engages a second vertebra. The first wing pivotably couples to a distal portion of the main body and includes a second securing member extending parallel to the first securing member to form a first clamp. The screw is positionable within the main body and includes a distal end that positions the first wing between a first position and a second position. The first clamp includes a first diameter in the first position and a second diameter in the second position. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120071980 | STEERABLE SPINE IMPLANT AND SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention being disclosed are directed to a spine implant that allows for in situ adjustment or steering during implantation which allows for precise placement. The structure of the device is composed of a series of hinged link components connected by dowel or shear pins allowing for the links to rotate with respect to each other. The steering feature of the device is activated by a series of tension members connected or coupled to the links. As the tension members are placed in tension, typically by pulling the appropriate member, forces are placed on the individual links to actuate/rotate them in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. By controlling the rotation of the links, the device may be steered in the desired direction. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20110035007 | STAND-ALONE INTERBODY FIXATION SYSTEM - A stand-alone interbody fixation system having a cage, anterior fixation blade and posterior fixation blade. The cage includes an annular side wall with an open interior and upper and lower surfaces, the cage being configured to fit between end plates of adjacent vertebrae. The anterior fixation blade includes an anterior alignment boss with two opposing outward extending anterior blades with end plate penetrating tips configured to fit within the open interior of the cage. The posterior fixation blade includes a posterior alignment boss with two opposing outward extending posterior blades with end plate penetrating tips configured to fit within the open interior of the cage. The anterior alignment boss and posterior alignment boss being rotatably coupled to each other and with a first opening and a second opening in the annular side wall opposite the first opening. The anterior and posterior fixation blades are counter-rotating blades and the anterior alignment boss and posterior alignment boss are configured to receive or engage a blade activation tool having an anterior engagement portion and a posterior engagement portion configured to rotate the anterior and posterior fixation blades from a stowed position to a deployed condition. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20100305621 | BONE SCREW ASSEMBLY FOR LIMITED ANGULATION - A limited angulation bone screw assembly adapted to couple a spinal rod with a vertebra including a bone screw, a bushing and a housing. The pedicle screw having a shaft and an upper head portion, the upper head portion comprising a spherical surface with flats disposed on opposite sides of the upper head portion. The bushing comprising a lower rounded surface for mating with the spherical surface and flats of the upper head portion to restrict the angular movement of the bone screw. The coupled bone screw and bushing are inserted into the housing in a first orientation and then rotated to a second orientation to secure the coupled bone screw and bushing to complete the housing. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100298838 | SURGICAL SCREWDRIVER - A surgical screwdriver having two drive modes of operation, an axial mode and a ratcheting mode. The screwdriver includes a handle having a base, a shaft rotatably coupled to the handle proximate the base, the shaft having one or more grooves along a length, an outer sleeve having a ratchet mechanism and an internal bore configured to receive the shaft, and a distal shaft having a proximal end coupled with the outer sleeve and a distal working end configured to couple with a screw. When the screwdriver is in the axial mode of operation, the shaft is moved in axial translation with the outer sleeve and the ratchet mechanism engages the grooves to rotate the working end. When the screwdriver is in the ratcheting mode of operation, the handle base is coupled to outer sleeve and rotation of the handle activates the ratchet mechanism to rotate the working end. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100076502 | Curvilinear spinal access method and device - A curvilinear spinal access device having an expandable working portal. The device includes a slide having a channel with an open top and a movable top sized to cover the open top of the channel forming an expandable working portal with a proximal end and a distal end. The movable top can be moved between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the movable top blocks direct visualization between the proximal end and the distal end of the expandable working portal and in the open position movement of the movable top results in direct visualization from the proximal end to the distal end of the expandable working portal. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100042159 | Bone plate assembly - A lumbar plate assembly for use between at least two vertebral bodies is disclosed. The assembly includes a lumbar plate having at least one opening for each vertebral body, a screw configured to secure the lumbar plate to a vertebra through the at least one opening, and a rotatable locking mechanism proximate the least one opening configured to rotate from a first configuration to a second configuration, the first configuration allowing the screw to pass into the opening and the second configuration engaging the screw to prevent withdrawal of the screw from the opening. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100036443 | Systems and methods for spinal fixation - A spinal stabilization system, method, and a surgical kit having a surgical extender apparatus for implanting a surgical screw are disclosed. The extender includes a housing having a distal end and a proximal end, a hollow interior passageway disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, a channel disposed along an exterior surface of the housing at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end and configured to at least partially expose the hollow interior passageway, an interior locking mechanism disposed on an interior surface of the housing and substantially adjacent the proximal end, wherein the interior locking mechanism is configured to allow attachment of at least one surgical tool, and at least one flexible member disposed substantially adjacent the distal end. The housing is configured to accommodate placement of a surgical screw implant. The surgical screw implant is secured to the housing using a mating feature in the surgical screw implant. The at least one flexible member is configured to retain the surgical screw implant. The mating feature is configured to control axial movement of the surgical screw implant. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100036419 | Spinous process device and method of use - A spinous process device and method are disclosed. The device includes a first plate having a first part slidably coupled to a second part, a second plate having a third part slidably coupled to a fourth part, and first and second connector devices configured to be placed through openings created in spinous processes and rotatably couple respective first and second parts to third and fourth parts of the first and second plates together allowing angular displacement of the second plate with respect to the first plate and secure the spinous processes between the first and second plates. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100004694 | Screw assembly - Apparatus and method of using a screw assembly. The screw assembly includes a pedicle screw having a head portion and a shaft portion adapted to be secured to a vertebrae, and a body having pivotally coupled side portions configured to pivot from a first configuration for receiving the head portion of the screw into the body to a second configuration for engaging the head portion of the screw in a locking arrangement with the body. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20090318928 | Method and Device for Inplant Deployment - A surgical implant insertion system for deployment and removal of an implant into a vertebral body. The system includes an actuation rod, an actuator handle coupled to the actuation rod, and an inserter locking tube disposed over the actuation rod and coupled to an inserter handle. Upon insertion of the implant into the vertebral body using the inserter handle, the actuator handle is turned causing the actuation rod to expand or compress the implant disposed at a distal end of the inserter locking tube. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090306779 | Modular anterior locking interbody cage - Apparatus and method if using a modular spinal implant system for use between adjacent vertebrae near vascular anatomy. The system includes an implant configured the fit between adjacent vertebrae, the implant having annular side walls with upper and lower surfaces configured to enclose a hollow interior, and an attachment plate rotatably coupled to the implant and configured to rotate to variable orientations relative to the implant to avoid the vascular anatomy, the attachment plate having a superior portion that is narrower than an inferior portion, the attachment plate having at least one vertebra attachment hole configured for attaching to at least one adjacent vertebrae using one or more bone screws. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090171391 | Systems and methods for spinal fixation - A spinal stabilization system, method, and a surgical kit having a surgical extender apparatus for implanting a surgical screw are disclosed. The extender includes a housing having a distal end and a proximal end, a hollow interior passageway disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, a channel disposed along an exterior surface of the housing at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end and configured to at least partially expose the hollow interior passageway, an interior locking mechanism disposed on an interior surface of the housing and substantially adjacent the proximal end, wherein the interior locking mechanism is configured to allow attachment of at least one surgical tool, and at least one flexible member disposed substantially adjacent the distal end. The housing is configured to accommodate placement of a surgical screw implant. The surgical screw implant is secured to the housing a mating feature in the surgical screw implant. The at least one flexible member is configured to retain the surgical screw implant. The mating feature is configured to control axial movement of the surgical screw implant. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090030463 | Occipital fixation screw - A surgical implant assembly and a method for securing a fixation rod, where the assembly is capable of being secured to a bone structure are disclosed. The assembly includes at least two rigid structures configured to be secured to the bone structure. The structures include a distal portion for receiving a portion of the fixation rod therebetween, a tab positioned at a distal point of the distal portion, a screw compression nut and a distal expansion member coupled to the screw compression nut that are driven down the rigid structures, and a rod compression nut and a proximal expansion member coupled to the rod compression nut that engage the rigid structures so that the fixation rod is disposed between the combination the screw compression nut and the distal expansion member and the combination of the rod compression nut and the proximal expansion member. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20080243189 | Variable angle spinal screw assembly - A spinal screw assembly providing an adjustable securement of a fixation rod across at least two vertebrae. The assembly includes a pedicle screw having a spherical head portion, a threaded shaft portion and a tool engagement surface in the head portion for use in driving the screw into a vertebrae. The head portion of the screw is positioned in a body member adjacent a curvilinear surface disposed about an aperture in the end of the body member such that the shaft portion of the screw extends therethrough and the curvilinear inner surface abuts and mates with the head portion of the screw so as to define a ball joint therewith. The body member additionally defines a pair of opposed parallel slots therein adapted to receive a portion of the fixation rod and a locking cap bears against the fixation rod to releasably secure the rod within the assembly. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080221586 | Curviliner spinal access method and device - A curvilinear spinal access device for performing a procedure on a spine of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a working portal configured to be advanced toward a surgical site located at the spine of the patient. The working portal includes a distal end and a proximate end, a working portal housing having an open interior channel disposed between the distal end and the proximate end, an exterior channel disposed on an outside surface of the working portal housing and between the distal end and the proximate end. The distal end is configured to be disposed at the surgical site and the proximate end is disposed away from the surgical site. The housing has a curved shape defined between the proximate end and the distal end, wherein the proximate end is disposed with respect to the distal end. The working channel is configured to allow advancement of at least one surgical tool and/or at least one implant toward the surgical site. | 09-11-2008 |
