Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080255622 | FACET FIXATION AND FUSION SCREW AND WASHER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - A spinal implant including a stabilization member coupled to an elongate member is herein provided. The implant can be configured for placement within a facet joint in an intra-facet or trans-facet configuration. Also, the implant can include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization and/or fusion. Furthermore, a method of placing such an implant within a facet joint in an intra-facet or trans-facet orientation is hereby provided. | 10-16-2008 |
20090030421 | Implant engagement method and device - A method and system for engaging an implant with a bone is disclosed. In one method incorporating principles of the invention, a bone is engaged with an implant by placing a first surface of an implant adjacent to a first bone portion, contacting the first bone portion with at least one first engagement member extending from the first surface, controlling an agitator to agitate the first surface of the implant and the at least one first engagement member, generating at least one first surface feature in the first bone portion with the agitated at least one first engagement member, stilling the first surface implant and the at least one first engagement member and settling the stilled at least one first engagement member into engagement with the at least one first surface feature. | 01-29-2009 |
20090216328 | SPINAL FIXATION ELEMENT AND METHODS - A spinal fixation element is provided having a feature formed thereon that facilitates placement of the spinal fixation element through an access device, thus allowing the spinal fixation element to be positioned in relation to a spinal anchor that is coupled to the access device and that is implanted in a vertebra in a patient's spine. The feature also optionally facilitates placement of the spinal fixation element in relation to spinal anchors implanted in adjacent vertebrae. In particular, the spinal fixation element is adapted for use with an access device that has at least one slot or opening formed therein and having a width that is less than a width of the feature, thus preventing the feature from passing therethrough. The spinal fixation element can therefore be inserted through the access device, and a portion of the fixation element can be passed through the slot or opening in the access device while the feature is retained in the access device. As a result, the feature is seated within a spinal anchor that is coupled to the access device, and the remaining portion of the spinal fixation element can extend through the slot, preferably to be positioned within a spinal anchor disposed within an adjacent vertebra. | 08-27-2009 |
20100152777 | Anti-Infective Spinal Rod with Surface Features - Mechanical modifications to a spinal rod that will enable the rod to accept various coating technologies in such a way that the spinal construct's biomechanical performance is not compromised. These modifications preserve construct biomechanics in the presence of a coating and increase the bactericidal payload of an anti-infective spinal rod coating. | 06-17-2010 |
20110276139 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SPINAL SURGERY - Disclosed herein are methods and devices for distracting adjacent vertebrae during surgical procedures for implanting spinal prostheses. In an exemplary embodiment, a distractor is disclosed that maintains the empty space between adjacent vertebrae following a discectomy, and that can removably mate with other surgical instruments, such as, for example, a filler bar, an implanting tool, or a funnel. In other embodiments of the present invention a distractor is disclosed having various features to assist in implanting a spinal prosthesis, such as, for example, an angled distal end and/or an expandable paddle. In another embodiment of the present invention, an articulating inserter is disclosed. Moreover, various implants and funnels are also disclosed herein. | 11-10-2011 |
20120209290 | RIGIDLY GUIDED IMPLANT PLACEMENT - A system for guiding an implant to an optimal placement within a patient includes a trajectory guide for guiding instruments along a selected trajectory and a trajectory fixation device for fixing the trajectory guide in a selected position. The trajectory guide defines a path configured to align with the selected trajectory. A movable support mounts the trajectory guide and selectively moves the trajectory guide to align the trajectory guide with the selected trajectory prior to fixing the trajectory guide in the selected position. After fixing the trajectory guide, instruments can be inserted along the trajectory through the path defined by the trajectory guide. | 08-16-2012 |
20120232407 | SMART PEDICLE TOOL - Various methods and devices are provided for navigating through bone. In one embodiment, a bone navigation device is provided and includes a bone penetrating member configured to be implanted in bone and having at least one optical waveguide extending therethrough. The optical waveguide is adapted to illuminate tissue surrounding the device and to receive reflected/transmitted light from the tissue to determine the optical characteristics of the tissue, thus facilitating navigation through the tissue. At least one window can be formed in the bone penetrating member for allowing light from the at least one optical waveguide to illuminate the tissue, and for receiving the reflected light. | 09-13-2012 |