The University of Toledo

Spinal Balance, Inc.

Aakash Agarwal

Anand K Agarwal

Vijay K Goel

David Dick

Arthur Sotere Karas

Christian Ferdinand Ludwig Schultz

Joel M Gerber

An intervertebral cage includes a plurality of segments that are connected together by one or more members formed from a shape memory alloy material such that the segments are automatically moved from an initial orientation before implantation/insertion in an intervertebral space to an expanded orientation after implantation/insertion in the intervertebral space. Each of the plurality of segments may have a plurality of passageways or recesses formed therethrough, and wherein a wire formed from a shape memory alloy material extends through each of the plurality of passageways or recesses. The member may be formed from a shape memory alloy material that demonstrates shape memory effects and superelasticity properties, such as nitinol.

Expandable inter-vertebral cage and method of installing same

A metering delivery apparatus for injecting bone graft cement includes a body portion, a material containment vessel, an actuator, and a control unit. The body portion includes a drive housing that supports an actuator drivetrain and receiver end that supports the material containment vessel. The actuator has a first end connected to the actuator drivetrain and a second end that supports a moveable portion of the vessel to dispense material in the vessel and a retracting movement that relieves pressure applied to the material. The control unit receives actuator parameter inputs and includes a sensor to detect a signal of at least one of a pressure level and a time period. The sensor provides the detected signal to the control unit such that the control unit operates the actuator between the dispensing and retracting movements based on the detected signal and the actuator parameter inputs.

Apparatus and method for injecting bone graft substitute and other materials

A pedicle screw assembly includes a threaded shank portion formed from a polymer material and a head assembly. The head assembly includes a tulip having extending arms, the tulip engaging a reaction bar such that loads applied to the pedicle screw assembly can be transferred to another pedicle screw assembly in order to immobilize a section of a spinal column.

Pedicle screw assembly

This invention relates to an improved structure for an interspinous stabilization device that more evenly distributes loads throughout the adjacent vertebrae than known interspinous stabilization devices, and further readily compensates for graft settling so as to maintain continued axial loading of the graft. More specifically, this invention relates to a medical device that helps in performing a spinal fusion procedure by holding the bone graft in place and stabilizing the facet screw by a plate that is attached to it. The invention also performs a dynamic function that compensates for settling of the bone graft over time. This dynamic function may, if desired, be enhanced by a movement-limiting mechanism that allows extension but not flexion such that the bone graft fusion remains in contact and fusion takes place.

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Toledo, OH, United States of America

Aakash Agarwal