Spinal Elements, Inc.

Nuvasive, Inc.

Eric Kovach

Jason Daniel Blain

Bryan D Hildebrand

Matthew Curran

Troy B Woolley

Scot Martinelli

Patrick Miles

Jared Arambula

Dan K Ahlgren

Chester Sutterlin, Iii

Jeff Castleberry

Matt Lake

Jason Blain

Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An implant for treating the spine is provided comprising at least two articulations between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. Another implant for treating the spine is also provided, comprising two or more fixation plates attached to a spacer with two or more articulations, wherein the fixation plates are independently movable.

Flanged interbody fusion device

Devices and methods for creating holes in the articular process of the vertebra are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a drill head comprising a frame, punch arm with punch tip and opposing plate. Methods of using the resulting holes to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided.

Vertebral facet joint drill and method of use

A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis. The retractor further comprises a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In operation, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, thereby stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.) The retractor thus forms an aperture for passage of surgical instruments and viewing of the surgical field by surgical personnel. In some embodiments, the retractor features a pair of removable handles that may be removed from the arms during surgery in order to afford the surgeon improved space management about the incision. In specific embodiments, the invention provides a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed retractor.

Retractor

Devices and methods for creating lumens in the articular process of the vertebra are provided. An embodiment of the invention can be a tool that can cut a curved lumen through the articular process. The tool can have a lumen-forming arm with a rotating drill contained within that can be powered by a drill motor. The lumen-forming arm can be axially translated to cut a path through the articular process. Methods of using the resulting lumens to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided.

Methods for creating holes in the articular process of the vertebra using a vertebral facet joint drill tool are provided. Methods of using the resulting holes to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided.

Method of using a vertebral facet joint drill

A rod reducer instrument is configured to be secured to a fixation element and to force a rod into engagement with the fixation element. The rod reducer instrument can have a pliers to secure the rod reducer to the fixation element and a threaded shaft with a handle and a pusher member. The pliers can form a threaded channel that engages the threaded shaft and directs a movement of the shaft. The threaded shaft can translate a rotational movement at the handle into a linear movement at the pusher member and in this way force a rod into engagement with a fixation element.

Rod reducer instrument for spinal surgery

A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision).

Method of using a surgical tissue retractor

A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.).

Surgical tissue retractor

An improved implant inserter and implant where the inserter includes a set of prongs for gripping the implant and the implant includes a plurality of recesses for mating with the set of prongs.

Spinal implant inserter, implant, and method

Devices and methods for removing body tissue involving the use of a brush member () having a plurality of bristle members defining a capacity for carrying body tissue. The brush member () is capable of being manipulated within said body to thereby receive body tissue within said brush member () such that said body tissue may be carried and thereafter removed from said body. Also provided are protective devices () dimensioned to be positioned near an entrance into the target site, the protective devices () for establishing a barrier between the brush member () and at least a portion of the body tissue adjacent to the entrance. The protective devices () may comprise one of a cannula assembly () and a retractor assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Carlsbad, CA, United States of America

Eric Kovach