| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080275504 | Constructs for dynamic spinal stabilization - Devices and methods for spinal stabilization include first and second anchors engageable to respective ones of first and second vertebrae and a connector assembly engageable with the anchors to provide a desired stabilization effect. The connector assembly includes a pair of bumper assemblies extending between the bone anchors and a connecting element extending through the bumper assemblies and connecting the first and second bone anchors to one another. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080281360 | Spinous process implants and methods - Devices and methods for replacing one or more spinous processes of a patient include a replacement body with a lamina portion positionable anteriorly toward the spinal canal along with a spinous process portion extending posteriorly from the lamina portion to replace a removed spinous process. Connecting elements extend from opposite sides of the body for connection to the vertebral body with anchors. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080281361 | Posterior stabilization and spinous process systems and methods - Posterior spinal stabilization devices and methods include first and second elongate elements engageable along the spinal column and a spinous process replacement body positionable between the elongate elements. Connection mechanisms are provided to adjustably connect the spinous process replacement device to the elongate elements so that the spinous process replacement device can be moved to the desired location between the connecting elements and secured in the desired location. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20090105773 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTION OF AN INTERSPINOUS PROCESS DEVICE - A method of inserting an implant between adjacent interspinous processes that includes, in one embodiment, providing an implant that is configurable to a collapsed configuration and to an expanded configuration, collapsing the implant, providing the collapsed implant in a positioning device, positioning a distal end of the positioning device in a patient such that the distal end is located between a pair of adjacent interspinous processes, and pushing the collapsed implant through the positioning device while removing the positioning device from the patient such that the implant is inserted between and adjacent to the interspinous processes to hold the adjacent vertebrae in a corrected position. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090156902 | Instruments and methods for minimally invasive tissue retraction and surgery - Methods and devices retract tissue for minimally invasive surgery in a patient. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from a first configuration for insertion that minimizes trauma to skin and tissue to an enlarged configuration after insertion to further retract skin and tissue in a minimally invasive manner. An optional intermediate retractor assembly is positionable between the first and second retractor portions to provide further tissue retraction capabilities. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090182429 | Total joint Replacement - An artificial vertebral joint for interposition between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprises a pair of bilateral joint subcomponents. Each joint subcomponent includes a superior component including a superior vertebra engaging surface and an inferior component including an inferior vertebra engaging surface. Each joint subcomponent further includes a spacer extending between the superior component and the inferior component. The spacer includes a first modulus of elasticity and a second modulus of elasticity. The first modulus transitions to the second modulus with a gradient change. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090240283 | IMPLANTS AND METHODS FOR INTER-SPINOUS PROCESS DYNAMIC STABILIZATION OF A SPINAL MOTION SEGMENT - An implant assembly for stabilizing a spinal motion segment includes a spacer which is at least partially flexible and positionable between adjacent spinous processes. The spacer member includes upper and lower surfaces structured to receive a respective adjacent one of the upper and lower spinous processes of the spinal motion segment and a body having flexibly distinctive first and second sections relative to one another configured to modify the manner of movement at the spinal motion segment. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090248083 | ELONGATED CONNECTING ELEMENT WITH VARYING MODULUS OF ELASTICITY - A spinal system comprising a spinal rod with an outer wall, a proximal end, a distal end, and a first axis extending centrally through the spinal rod between the proximal and the distal ends. The spinal rod comprises a first region having a first modulus of elasticity, a second region having a second modulus of elasticity different from the first modulus of elasticity, and a third region between the first and second region having a modulus gradation ranging from the first modulus of elasticity to the second modulus of elasticity. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20100057208 | Expandable spinal fusion cage and associated instrumentation - An expandable spinal implant comprising a cage body including at least two movable branches having first end portions that are interconnected to one another and second end portions that are movable relative to one another. The movable branches include a first shell portion having a first pair of longitudinal edges and defining a first hollow region therebetween, and a second shell portion having a second pair of longitudinal edges and defining a second hollow region therebetween, with the first and second hollow regions cooperating to define at least a portion of a hollow interior of the cage body. An expansion member co-acts with the first and second shell portions to transition the cage body to an expanded configuration as the expansion member is axially displaced along said first and second pairs of longitudinal edges. In one embodiment, at least one of the shell portions defines a plurality of retention elements positioned at select axial locations along a corresponding one of the longitudinal edges, with the expansion member engaged with one or more of the retention elements to retain the expansion member at a select axial position to maintain the implant in the expanded configuration. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100114320 | SURGICAL SPACER WITH SHAPE CONTROL - A surgical spacer comprising first and second hollow support members, a flexible container, and a compressible material disposed in the container is disclosed. The first and second support members each have an exterior and an interior cavity. The exteriors of the first and second support members are affixed together and the interior cavities of the first and second support members are connected via a connecting opening. The container is disposed in the interior cavities and extends through the connecting opening. In addition, the container is substantially impermeable to the compressible material. The first and second support members are more rigid than the flexible container. A combination of the first and second support members controls the shape of the flexible container, with the compressible material disposed therein, in response to a compressive load applied to an exterior of the spacer. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100198265 | System, Devices and method for augmenting existing fusion constructs - One technique of the present application includes: evaluating a patient having a previously implanted spinal construct and corresponding spinal fusion from an earlier procedure and determining a spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion is degenerating after completion of the earlier procedure. After this determination, the previously implanted spinal construct is augmented by attaching a flexible polymer elongated member to the spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion with a bone fastener and by coupling the flexible polymer elongated member to one or more elements of the previously implanted spinal construct. In one form, the elongated member is at least partially comprised of polyetheretherketone. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100286780 | Expandable spinal fusion cage and associated instrumentation - An expandable spinal implant comprising a cage body including at least two movable branches having first end portions that are interconnected to one another and second end portions that are movable relative to one another. The movable branches include a first shell portion having a first pair of longitudinal edges and defining a first hollow region therebetween, and a second shell portion having a second pair of longitudinal edges and defining a second hollow region therebetween, with the first and second hollow regions cooperating to define at least a portion of a hollow interior of the cage body. An expansion member co-acts with the first and second shell portions to transition the cage body to an expanded configuration as the expansion member is axially displaced along said first and second pairs of longitudinal edges. In one embodiment, at least one of the shell portions defines a plurality of retention elements positioned at select axial locations along a corresponding one of the longitudinal edges, with the expansion member engaged with one or more of the retention elements to retain the expansion member at a select axial position to maintain the implant in the expanded configuration. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20110015748 | System, device and methods for replacing the intervertebral disc with a magnetic or electromagnetic prosthesis - One embodiment of the present application includes a spinal disk prosthesis with one end portion to form a load transmitting relationship with one vertebra of a patient's spine and another end portion to form a load transmitting relationship with another vertebra of the patient's spine. A tube connects the end portions together and a damping material is positioned inside the tube. The end portions each include a magnet to generate a corresponding magnetic field. These magnetic fields are oriented to provide a repulsive force between the end portions to provide a magnetic bearing. | 01-20-2011 |
