Axiomed Spine Corporation

Medtronic Ps Medical, Inc.

K2m, Inc.

Charles Fredrick Birchall, Jr

James M Kuras

Lee A Strnad

Isador H Lieberman

Edward C Benzel

Keith Duke

Kari Zimmers

Raymond S Ross

Michael A Gambale

Orthopedic implants constructs include one or two rigid monolithic plates and a core that is integrally formed within an interior space within a rigid monolithic plate. An exemplary construct that includes two plates between which is a core that is interengaged with each plate, the two plates thereby forming a generally disc-like shaped construct with opposing tissue contacting surfaces. The constructs are suitable, for example for spinal interbody fusion and artificial disc applications.

Orthopedic implant with integrated core

An apparatus for replacing a spinal disc which has a rail extending from the outer surface to connect the apparatus to the first vertebra. The rail extends a first distance from the outer surface adjacent a first end. The rail extends a second distance from the outer surface adjacent a second end. The second distance is greater than the first distance. In another aspect of the apparatus, the first rail extends generally transverse to the first and second ends. The second rail extends generally transverse to the first rail.

Method and apparatus for replacing a spinal disc

An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes an artificial disc. The artificial disc includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, a first retaining member connected to the first surface of the resilient core, and a second retaining member connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The first retaining member has an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. The second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core. A first mounting member is connectable with the first vertebra and the artificial disc to position the artificial disc between the first and second vertebrae. The first mounting member is engageable with the artificial disc after being connected to the first vertebra to guide movement of the artificial disc into position between the first and second vertebrae.

Apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc

A method for replacing a damaged spinal disc between first and second vertebrae of a spinal column includes connecting a first mounting member with the first vertebra of the spinal column. An artificial disc is moved between the first and second vertebrae and into engagement with the first mounting member to guide the artificial disc into position between the first and second vertebrae. The artificial disc includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, a first retaining member connected to the first surface of the resilient core, and a second retaining member connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The first retaining member has an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. The second retaining member has an outer surface engageable with the second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core.

Method for replacing a damaged spinal disc

An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface. A first retaining device is connected to the first surface of the resilient core. The first retaining device includes an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. A second retaining device is connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core. The inner surface of the first retaining device is spaced from the core. The core deflects into engagement with the inner surface of the first retaining device upon relative movement between the first and second retaining devices.

Method and apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc

An apparatus for attaching a cranial flap ( ) to a skull ( ) includes an attachment device ( ) having relatively movable first and second members ( and ). The first member ( ) has first and second surfaces ( and ) for engaging first and second kerf edges ( and ), respectively, of a kerf ( ). The second member ( ) has third and fourth surfaces ( and ) for engaging the first and second kerf edges ( and ), respectively. A shaft ( ) connects the first and second members ( and ). The shaft ( ) is attached to the second member ( ) and extends through an opening ( ) in the first member ( ). The attachment device ( ) is positionable in the kerf ( ) and movable from a first condition in which the first and second members ( and ) are not engaged with the kerf edges ( and ) to a second condition in which the attachment device is wedged in the kerf between the first and third surfaces ( and ) and the first kerf edge ( ) and between the second and fourth surfaces ( and ) and the second kerf edge ( )

Apparatus for attaching a cranial flap

A method and apparatus are provided for attaching a cranial flap ( ) to a skull ( ). The cranial flap ( ) and the skull ( ) are spaced apart by a kerf ( ) defined by a first kerf edge ( ) on the cranial flap and a second kerf edge ( ) on the skull. The apparatus comprises at least one attachment device ( ) made of a bioabsorbable polymeric material and having a head portion ( ), a main body portion ( ), and an end portion ( ). The end portion ( ) is deformable from an axially extending first condition to a radially extending second condition by heating the end portion and forming the end portion around the first kerf edge ( ), which clamps the attachment device ( ) to the cranial flap ( ). The main body portion ( ) includes a first surface portion ( ) that attaches to the first kerf edge ( ) and a second surface portion ( ) that attaches to the second kerf edge ( ). The attachment device ( ) is positionable in the kerf ( ) to secure the cranial flap to the skull by frictional engagement between the first surface portion ( ) against the first kerf edge ( ) and frictional engagement between the second surface portion ( ) against the second kerf edge ( ).

Method and apparatus for attaching a cranial flap

An apparatus ( ) for attaching to bone comprises a one-piece, homogeneous screw ( ) engageable by a driver for driving the screw into bone. The screw ( ) has a shaft portion ( ) and a head portion ( ) extending from the shaft portion. The shaft portion ( ) has an outer surface ( ) with a thread convolution ( ). The head portion ( ) includes oppositely disposed first and second axial ends ( and ) and a peripheral surface ( ) extending between the ends. The first axial end ( ) adjoins the shaft portion ( ). The second axial end ( ) includes an end surface ( ). The head portion ( ) has a plurality of slots ( ) extending axially from the end surface ( ) to the first axial end ( ). The slots ( ) further extend through the peripheral surface ( ) of the head portion ( ) and radially inward from the peripheral surface of the head portion. In accordance with another feature, the apparatus ( ) further comprises a screwdriver ( ) for driving the screw ( ) into bone ( ).

Growing community of inventors

Mentor, OH, United States of America

Charles Fredrick Birchall, Jr