Other

Smith & Nephew Richards Inc.

James W Simmons, Jr

David L Brumfield

Laura C Small

An artificial disc for replacement of a spinal three-joint complex of a mammal includes a generally spinal disc-shaped upper plate having an anterior section and a posterior section and a generally spinal disc-shaped lower plate also having an anterior section and a posterior section. The anterior section of the upper plate is selectively separable from the posterior section of the upper plate and the anterior section of the lower plate is likewise selectively separable from the posterior section of the lower plate. A ball is interposed the lower face of the upper plate and the upper face of the lower plate and a plurality of posts, each projecting from one of the faces toward the other of the faces corresponds to a plurality of detents provided on the one of the faces opposite the face from which the corresponding post projects for engaging the posts.

Disc and facet replacement

An expandable stabilizing cage includes a body having a fixed cage section, an expandable cage section, formed as a number of elongate blocks, and a relief between the fixed and expandable cage sections. An orifice, which through the expandable cage section decreases in diameter with increased distance along the central axis of the body away from the fixed cage section, is provided through the body. The expandable stabilizing cage also includes a wafer, which, when inserted into the orifice through the body, causes outward flaring of the elongate bars for fixing the expandable stabilizing cage securely in place in the intervertebral disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies. Upper elongate blocks have substantially planar upper surfaces. Lower elongate blocks have substantially planar lower surfaces. The surfaces may be provided with surface irregularities for facilitating stable engagement with adjacent vertebral bodies, exemplary irregularities including denticles, dimples, scores, grooves or small protuberances.

Expandable lordosis stabilizing cage

Combined docking cannula hub and mating stylet hub

A surgical spinal fixation system includes a bone bolt having first end portions that are adapted to be surgically implanted into a patient's spine at first and second spaced apart positions and a central portion of the bone bolt defining a load transfer surface, the bone bolt having a second upper threaded sections for threadably receiving a nut at a shaped, countersunk interface. As an alternate embodiment, a bone screw provides an upper enlarged head with a lower coarsely threaded shank. A plate having upper and lower surfaces and outer opposed edges is provided with an elongated slot for accommodating a selected bone bolt or bone screw. The plate edges carry fine adjustments extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the plate and a load transfer washer interfaces the plate and the selected bone bolt or bone screw for distributing load (and reducing stress) from the bone bolt (or screw) to the plate.

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

James W Simmons, Jr