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 |
20090062822 | Adaptable clamping mechanism for coupling a spinal fixation element to a bone anchor - An adaptable clamping mechanism for coupling an elongate spinal fixation element to a bone anchor is provided. A seat element and a clamp element of the adaptable clamping mechanism adapt to seat and clamp an elongate spinal fixation element whose longitudinal axis is non-perpendicular relative to the as central axis of the bone anchor. One or both of the seat element and the clamp element may adjust to an out-of-plane orientation of the elongate spinal fixation element by pivoting or rotating in one or more directions. One or both of the seat element and the clamp element may have a deformable portion configured to deform to the orientation of a surface of the elongate spinal fixation element. In addition, the seat element may be configured to provide tactile and/or auditory feedback to a surgeon when the seat element and the elongate spinal fixation element are in contact, facilitating proper positioning of the elongate spinal fixation element in the rod seat when using a minimally invasive rod-first surgical technique. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062857 | Minimally invasive guide system - A minimally invasive fixation system and installation method is provided. The system includes a rod having an anchor fixation head, an anchor system for anchoring the rod using the anchor fixation head, and a guide system configured to attach to the anchor fixation head of the rod for the insertion of the additional anchor systems. In one embodiment, a method for placing a spinal fixation element relative to a vertebra is provided. The method includes inserting the spinal fixation element relative to the vertebra; connecting the spinal fixation element to a first vertebra with a first anchor; manipulating the spinal fixation element relative to the first anchor to align the spinal fixation element with a second vertebra; fixing the position of the spinal fixation element relative to the first bone anchor; determining an anchor site on a second vertebra using a guide system connected to the spinal fixation element; inserting a second anchor at an anchor site on second vertebra; and connecting the second anchor to the spinal fixation element to fix the spinal fixation element relative to the first vertebra and second vertebra. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062858 | Methods and instruments for approximating misaligned - Methods and instruments are provided for connecting a rod extending along a patient's spinal column to a misaligned vertebra. The method comprises implanting a bone anchor in the misaligned vertebra, attaching an approximating device to the implanted bone anchor and rod, approximating the vertebra toward the rod using the approximating device, and connecting the rod to the bone anchor on the approximated vertebra. In certain embodiments the approximating device may include a winch mechanism. In other embodiments the approximating device is a cannula used in conjunction with a guide system. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062859 | Method and system for securing a rod to a bone anchor with a connector - A rod anchoring system including a bone anchor and a connector is provided. The connector of the rod anchoring system is configured to be inserted in one orientation and then transitioned to a second orientation to connect the rod to the anchor. The bone anchor includes a detachable extension shaft that acts a guide for inserting the connector. In use, once the bone anchor has been implanted at a target site on a vertebra, the connector is placed onto the extension shaft and slid along its length in a first orientation to insert the connector. Once the connector is at the implant site, it is transitioned from the first orientation to the second orientation to connect the rod to the anchor. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062860 | Spinal fixation implants - The present invention provides an implant that can be inserted on top of a previously placed spinal fixation element. The implant includes a bone anchor and a connector body. The bone anchor includes a proximal head and a distal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis configured to engage bone. The connector body is configured to engage the proximal head of bone anchor and engage a spinal fixation element offset from longitudinal axis of the bone anchor shaft. Because, the implant is inserted over the spinal fixation element, direct visualization of the surgical site is available during insertion. In addition, the implant may provide tactile or audible feedback indicating that the spinal fixation element has been engaged by the implant. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062861 | Spanning connector for connecting a spinal fixation element and an offset bone anchor - A spanning connector for connecting an offset bone anchor to a previously inserted spinal fixation element and method of use is provided. The spanning connector includes a first connecting mechanism for connecting the spanning connector to the bone anchor, and a second connecting mechanism for connector the spanning connector to the previously inserted spinal fixation element. The spanning connector also includes a connector body for coupling the first connecting mechanism and the second connecting mechanism. Embodiments of a spanning connector may also reduce a separation distance between the bone anchor and the spinal fixation element. Embodiments of a spanning connector are configured, sized and dimensioned for use in a minimally invasive surgical technique, such as a rod-first spinal surgical technique. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062864 | Offset connection bone anchor assembly - A bone anchor assembly for coupling an offset bone anchor with a previously inserted spinal fixation element and method of use is provided. Exemplary embodiments of a bone anchor assembly are particularly suited for use in a rod-first spinal surgical technique in which a bone anchor inserted into a patient vertebra may be separated from a previously inserted spinal fixation element by a separation distance. | 03-05-2009 |
20090270916 | IMPLANTS FOR SECURING SPINAL FIXATION ELEMENTS - Embodiments of the present invention provide an implant having a protrusion. The protrusion aids in the insertion and placement of the implant as well as the spinal fixation element. In certain embodiments the protrusion may be configured as a guide for the insertion of the spinal fixation element as well as closure mechanisms for connecting the spinal fixation element to the implant. | 10-29-2009 |
20110093015 | SPINAL IMPLANT WITH A FLEXIBLE EXTENSION ELEMENT - A spinal implant with at least one flexible elongated extension element is provided. The spinal implant has a profile that is lower than standard spinal implants. The spinal implant includes a bone anchor with a head portion and a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis of the bone anchor. A head plate is coupled to the bone anchor. The head plate includes a first elongated extension element and a second elongated extension element. The first elongated extension element and the second elongated extension element may be formed as a single monolithic element that is attached to the head plate by passing through a pair of openings provided on the head plate. At least one of the first elongated extension element and the second elongated extension element is flexible. | 04-21-2011 |
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 |
20110320002 | SPINAL FUSION IMPLANT - The present invention provides a device and methodology for use in spinal fusion surgeries. An implant is proved for forming a rigid structure between adjoining vertebrae in a patient. The implant is a cage defined by at least a first end, second end, first side, and second side surface, wherein first and second side surfaces extend substantially parallel to each other to span a space between adjoining vertebrae and first and second ends interconnect said first side surface and second side surface. The cage incorporates one or more flexible joints that allow the cage to be deformed for insertion into a patient. The ability to deform the cage allows a greater ease and flexibility in inserting and positioning the implant. | 12-29-2011 |
20120271356 | SPINAL IMPLANT WITH A FLEXIBLE EXTENSION ELEMENT - A spinal implant with at least one flexible elongated extension element is provided. The spinal implant has a profile that is lower than standard spinal implants. The spinal implant includes a bone anchor with a head portion and a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis of the bone anchor. A head plate is coupled to the bone anchor. The head plate includes a first elongated extension element and a second elongated extension element. The first elongated extension element and the second elongated extension element may be formed as a single monolithic element that is attached to the head plate by passing through a pair of openings provided on the head plate. At least one of the first elongated extension element and the second elongated extension element is flexible. | 10-25-2012 |
20140052259 | Spinal Fusion Implant - The present invention provides a device and methodology for use in spinal fusion surgeries. An implant is proved for forming a rigid structure between adjoining vertebrae in a patient. The implant is a cage defined by at least a first end, second end, first side, and second side surface, wherein first and second side surfaces extend substantially parallel to each other to span a space between adjoining vertebrae and first and second ends interconnect said first side surface and second side surface. The cage incorporates one or more flexible joints that allow the cage to be deformed for insertion into a patient. The ability to deform the cage allows a greater ease and flexibility in inserting and positioning the implant. | 02-20-2014 |