| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20080228276 | Intervertebral Prosthesis, Instruments, and Methods of Implanting - A method of implanting an intervertebral prosthesis in an intervertebral space between a first and a second vertebra of a patient's spinal column may include making a first aperture at a first location to permit access to the intervertebral disc space. The first aperture may be sized to allow passage of at least a portion of the intervertebral prosthesis. A second aperture may be made at a second location to permit access to the intervertebral disc space. The second aperture may be sized to allow passage of a surgical instrument. An intervertebral prosthesis for implantation into an intervertebral space between a first and a second vertebra of a patient's spinal column is also disclosed, along with a surgical instrument for implanting the an intervertebral prosthesis. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080269806 | Prostheses for locking an artificial disc in an intervertebral disc space - A surgical implant for locking a spinal motion segment includes an anterior plate portion with laterally spaced interbody members extending posteriorly therefrom. The plate portion has passages to receive surgical fixing screws or other securing elements engaged in holes drilled in the vertebrae for securing the plate portion to the anterior faces of the vertebrae to be locked. The arms extend into a space between lateral portions of the vertebrae to be locked. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080300685 | Posterior Total Joint Replacement - A prosthetic system for implantation between upper and lower vertebrae comprises an upper joint component. The upper joint component comprises an upper contact surface and an upper articulation surface. The system further includes a lower joint component. The lower joint component comprises a lower contact surface and a lower articulation surface configured to movably engage the upper articulation surface to form an articulating joint. The articulating joint is adapted for implantation within a disc space between the upper and lower vertebrae, allowing the upper and lower vertebrae to move relative to one another. The system further includes a bridge component extending posteriorly from one of either the upper or lower joint components and from the disc space. The bridge component has a distal end opposite the one of the either upper or lower joint components. The distal end of the bridge component comprises a connection component adapted to receive a fastener. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090105718 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR USE WITH BREAK-OFF DEVICE AND AN ASSOICATED SURGICAL METHOD - A surgical instrument for use with a break-off device including a proximal portion removably attached to a distal portion by a region of reduced strength to allow selective removal of the proximal portion from the distal portion. The surgical instrument includes an inner drive shaft extending generally along a longitudinal axis and having a distal end portion engaged with the proximal portion of the break-off device, and an outer retention sleeve positioned about the drive shaft and including a distal receiver portion engaged about the proximal portion of the break-off device. A force applied to the proximal portion of the break-off device by the drive shaft causes the break-off device to fracture at the region of reduced strength to separate the proximal portion from the distal portion, with the proximal portion maintained in engagement with the surgical instrument by the retention sleeve. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090222011 | Targeting surgical instrument for use in spinal disc replacement and methods for use in spinal disc replacement - A targeting surgical instrument for use in spinal disc replacement includes a first arm, a second arm and a body portion. The first arm is configured to be longitudinally aligned with a mid-line of a spine and to be at least partially received on an endplate of a lower vertebra of spinal cavity. The spinal cavity is defined by a lower vertebra and an upper vertebra of the spinal cavity. The second arm is positioned at an angle relative to the first arm. The second arm defines an insertion angle for a spinal implant. The body portion connects the first arm and the second arm. The body portion includes a plurality of radial opaque markers located to allow alignment of the first arm on the mid-line of the spine. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090287255 | Methods and Devices for insertion of Tethers Through Subcutaneous Screw Heads - A method of securing vertebrae includes inserting a first pedicle screw into a first pedicle of a first vertebra. The first pedicle screw includes a first channel running perpendicular to a first central axis of the first pedicle screw. The first pedicle screw has a first engagement structure. The method further includes inserting a second pedicle screw into a second pedicle of a second vertebra. The second pedicle screw includes a second channel running perpendicular to a second central axis of the second pedicle screw. The second pedicle screw has a second engagement structure. The method also includes inserting a guidewire through the first and second channels, threading a tether attached to an end of the guidewire through the first and second channels, securing the tether to the first pedicle screw, applying tension to the tether, and securing the tether to the second pedicle screw. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090312837 | EXPANDABLE INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT - An expandable intervertebral implant including a body having a longitudinal axis and including first and second axial walls spaced apart along a transverse axis, and first and second transverse end walls extending between and interconnecting the first and second axial walls. The intervertebral implant includes an expansion member co-acting with the axial walls to expand the body along the transverse axis. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100198268 | LOW PROFILE BONE SCREW EXTENDER AND ITS APPLICATION IN MINIMUM INVASIVE SPINAL SURGERIES - A tissue extender includes a ring defining a proximal end opening to engage a head of a subcutaneous screw, a first extender portion coupled to the ring at a proximal end of the first extender portion, and a second extender portion coupled to the ring at a proximal end of the second extender portion. The first extender portion includes a first coupling portion disposed at a distal end of the first extender portion, and the second extender portion includes a second coupling portion at a distal end of the second extender portion. The first and second extender portions define two side openings disposed on opposite sides of the tissue extender. The distal ends of the first and second extender portions together define a distal end opening. The first coupling portion engages the second coupling portion when the tissue extender is in an extended state. The distal end opening is larger in the extended state than in an unextended state. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20110098745 | INTERSPINOUS PROCESS IMPLANT AND METHOD OF IMPLANTATION - Medical devices for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. The medical device of this invention includes a spacer that is disposed between adjacent spinous processes and has a proximal retention member and a distal retention member, which may be rotated with respect to the proximal retention member between an initial implantation configuration and a final locked configuration. | 04-28-2011 |