158 results about "Spinal fusion" patented technology

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for aligning and implanting orthopedic fixation or stabilization implants within the body. In one embodiment, the system includes at least two bone anchors, at least one of which is provided with a transverse portal and a locking member. In one aspect, the system also includes at least one linkage rod, for linking two or more bone anchors through their respective locking members. The linking rod may include at least one angularly adjustable joint, which may be fixed by actuating the locking member. The bone anchors and the linkage rod may be locked into place to form a spinal fusion or fixation prosthesis.

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for aligning and implanting orthopedic fixation or stabilization implants within the body. In one embodiment, the system includes at least two bone anchors, at least one of which is provided with a transverse portal and a locking member. In one aspect, the system also includes at least one linkage rod, for linking two or more bone anchors through their respective locking members. The linking rod may include at least one angularly adjustable joint, which may be fixed by actuating the locking member. The bone anchors and the linkage rod may be locked into place to form a spinal fusion or fixation prosthesis.

Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair / regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats. The polyhydroxyalkanoates can contain additives, be formed of mixtures of monomers or include pendant groups or modifications in their backbones, or can be chemically modified, all to alter the degradation rates. The polyhydroxyalkanoate compositions also provide favorable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and degradation times within desirable time frames under physiological conditions.

Described herein are methods, devices and systems for performing an interspinous fusion, in particular for performing an interspinous fusion unilaterally. In general an interspinous fusion system may include a first fixation plate configured to couple to a first lateral side of a spinous process, a rod extending from the first fixation plate at a joint such that the rod is pivotable with respect to the first fixation plate, and a second fixation plate configured to couple to a second lateral side of a spinous process opposite from the first fixation plate. In general, a method of performing an interspinous fusion unilaterally may include the steps of placing a first fixation plate, having a rod extending from the fixation plate, between two adjacent spinous processes from a fist lateral side of the spinous processes, pivoting the rod with respect to the first fixation plate such that the plate abuts the second, opposite, lateral side of at least one of the spinous processes, and placing a second fixation plate such that it abuts the fist lateral side of at least one of the spinous processes.

An allogenic implant for use in intervertebral fusion is formed from one or more two pieces. The pieces are made from bone, and are joined together to form an implant having sufficient strength and stability to maintain a desired distance between first and second vertebrae in a spinal fusion procedure. The implant pieces may be formed of cortical bone and connected by dovetail joints, and at least one cortical bone pin may be provided to lock the pieces together and to add strength to the implant. Teeth are formed on the vertebra engaging surfaces of the implant prevent short-term slippage of the implant.

A spinal facet fusion implant comprising:an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis; andat least one stabilizer extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis;wherein the elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the spinal facets making up a facet joint;and further wherein the at least one stabilizer has a width which is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the spinal facets making up a facet joint.

The present invention relates to a device comprising a cell carrier portion containing regenerative cells, e.g., stem and progenitor cells, and a cell carrier containment portion. The device is useful for the treatment of bone related disorders, including spinal fusion related disorders and long bone or flat bone related defects. The device may be used in conjunction with disclosed automated systems and methods for separating and concentrating regenerative cells.

An apparatus supports the spine between vertebrae and promotes spinal fusion. The apparatus generally includes a first supporting member, a second support member, and an expansion member. The first support member has a first longitudinal passage extending therethrough, a first supporting end configured to engage tissue, and a rack configured to engage a tool. The second supporting member contains a second longitudinal passage extending therethrough and a second supporting end configured to engage tissue. The second longitudinal passage is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the first supporting member. The first and second supporting members are configured to move with respect to each other. The expansion member is removably positioned between the first and second supporting members and is adapted to maintain the first and second supporting members in a fixed relative position.

A cage to separate and support adjacent vertebrae in the spine that have undergone orthopedic spinal fusion procedures. The cage has first and second spacer members for insertion between adjacent vertebrae with a hinge located between the spacers. An advancing mechanism is located between the first and second spacer members that pivotally moves the first and second spacer members relative to each other at an angle which facilitates the insertion of the cage around the spinal cord. After insertion, the advancing mechanism is operable to position the first and second spacer members in the desired position between the two adjacent vertebrae.

Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders (180, 182, 188). The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is positioned proximate the anatomic points using a slotted cannula (143). Such an implant may be a rod (270) for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders (180, 182, 188) may have rod interfaces (214, 216, 218) that receive the rod (270) in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) so that the selected or configured contoured rod (270) will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148).

A medical device containing an inflatable balloon structure for use in minimally invasive surgery and minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are described herein. The device is delivered by a catheter and expanded using gases, liquids or liquids that solidify in situ. The inflatable balloon may be constructed from a wide variety of materials and may be reinforced by supporting structures, when necessary. The device may form an endoprosthesis in a patient. In the preferred embodiment, the device is used in spinal fusion. Optionally, the device may also be used in combination with bone graft materials and bioactive factors.

A spinal facet fusion implant comprising:an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis; andat least one stabilizer extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis;wherein the elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the spinal facets making up a facet joint;and further wherein the at least one stabilizer has a width which is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the spinal facets making up a facet joint.

A spinal implant for treating lumbar spinal stenosis or as an adjunct to spinal fusion. The implant includes a body portion having an interior cavity. A plurality of locking wings are adapted and configured to move between a stowed position retracted within the interior cavity of the body portion and a deployed position extended from the interior cavity of the body portion. In the deployed position, the wings fix the implant in a selected interspinous space. A cable and wheel arrangement moves the plurality of locking wings from the stowed position to the deployed position and a ratchet / pawl assembly prevents backward movement of the wings.

A surgical device is disclosed which may advantageously perform the functions of both a retractor and a distractor. The device has two retractor blades facing each other and held in a common frame, the retractor blades are insertable into a surgical incision in a patient and moveable away from each other along a main axis (x) so as to widen the surgical incision; and a connecting pin attached at a distal end of each retractor blade. Each connecting pin is attachable to a pedicle screw anchored to respective vertebrae of the patient, so that moving away the two retractor blades along the main axis (x) determines a distraction of the vertebrae.

A surgical method and apparatus for implanting a spinal fusion implant includes a rigid centering guide having a distal end sized to be inserted into the disc space with the guide extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end. The guide includes a first external guide surface which extends at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end. The external guide surface is shaped complimentary to an external guided surface of a drill guide. The external guide surface and the guided surface are nested such that the guided surface slides against the external guide surface along a path of travel parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Spinal fusion system and method utilizing an implant and screw, wherein at least one pawl is mounted on or integral with the screw to prevent said plate or screw from moving in at least one of an axial direction or a rotational direction.

An apparatus supports the spine between vertebrae and promotes spinal fusion. The apparatus generally includes a first supporting member, a second support member, and an expansion member. The first support member has a first longitudinal passage extending there through and a first supporting end configured to engage tissue. The second supporting member contains a second longitudinal passage extending there through and a second supporting end configured to engage tissue. The second longitudinal passage is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the first supporting member. The first and second supporting members are configured to move with respect to each other. The expansion member is removably positioned between the first and second supporting members and is adapted to maintain the first and second supporting members in a fixed relative position.

A precisely size matched intervertebral plate and spacer assembly for ensuring a tight fit within a disc space to promote spinal fusion, comprising: a “U-shaped” spacer configured to fit within the intervertebral space; and, a matching countersunk low profile “H-shaped” anterior plate joined perpendicularly to the spacer. The plate further comprises: a plurality of anchor members configured to attach to the junctions of the anterior cortex faces and the endplates; and, channels individually traversing through the anchor members for inserting screws into the vertebral bodies' cortical bone. The spacer comprises a hollow three-sided U-shaped member, comprising two opposing parallel side walls, and a perpendicular posterior wall, while lacking a superior, inferior, and anterior wall. The exterior walls of the plate and spacer are planar, while the interior walls of the spacer are curved to house a precisely fitting cylindrical graft, or other insert such as DBM, bone dust, bone paste, bone dowel with direct contact to the endplates to promote fusion.