Zimmer Spine, Inc.

Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.

Kevin V Guenther

John J Grabowski

Jason Piehl

James Ryan Mujwid

Peter J Pohndorf

Paul F Boschert

Ross A Longhini

Erik E Emstad

Angela L Hillyard

Leanne B Dittmer

Gene Newcomb

Craig Hahne

Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for guiding medical instruments, including a handle with a handle shaft, an alignment stand configured to interface with a receptacle of a cervical plate, an instrument guide tube coupled to the alignment stand and having a lumen therethrough, such that when the alignment stand is in communication with the receptacle, the instrument guide tube is positioned over a bone screw receiving hole in the cervical plate and an axial centerline of the instrument guide tube passes through the bone screw receiving hole. Instrument guide tube may swivel about the alignment stand via a rotational coupling, or may be one of two fixed instrument guide tubes. Alignment stand may include an angle-limiting post to interface with the receptacle to permit ranges of tilting, or a stem and optional bone pin for holding the alignment stand at a substantially constant angle in the receptacle.

All through one drill guide for cervical plating

A bone fixation device is provided that includes one or more plates and one or more screws having an arcuate outer surface. One or more fastener-receiving apertures with frustoconical inner surface extend through the plate. The bone fixation device may also include one or more locking arrangements that are configured to secure on or more screws in one or more fastener-receiving apertures.

Bone fixation device

A self-drilling bone screw includes a screw body centered on a longitudinal axis and having an external thread winding. The bone screw has a head portion at one end of the screw body and a drill point at the other end. The drill point has two blades, each having a cutting lip and a primary relief surface trailing from the cutting lip. The two blades defining a flute between them. The flute has an opening to the side of the screw body, which opening spans an obtuse angle, such as about 120&#xb0;, about the longitudinal axis. The primary relief surfaces have a lip relief angle of about 30&#xb0;. The drill point has a point angle of about 100&#xb0;.

Self drilling bone screw

Bone fixation systems for stabilizing bones such as vertebral bodies are disclosed. The fixation systems include fixation connectors that preferably are equipped with bone anchors (e.g., screws, hooks, pins or like structures) for securing the fixation connectors to bones desired to be stabilized. The fixation systems also include linking elements (e.g., rods, plates or other members) for linking the fixation connectors together to form a stabilizing construct capable of maintaining a desired spacial relationship between bones desired to be stabilized.

Fastening system for spinal stabilization system

A bone fixation device is provided that includes one or more plates and one or more screws having an acruate outer surface. One or more fastener-receiving apertures with a frustoconical inner surface extend through the plate. The bone fixation device may also include one or more locking arrangements that are configured to secure one or more screws in one or more fastener-receiving apertures.

Instruments and methods for insertion of one or more spinal implants into an intervertebral space between opposing vertebral bodies are disclosed. Instruments according to the invention include a guide for preparing a spinal fusion implant site, a guide starter, implant depth gauges, reamers, taps and implant drivers. The instruments and methods disclosed provide improved visualization of the surgical field and enhanced precision of placement of spinal fusion implants between vertebral bodies.

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Carver, MN, United States of America

Kevin V Guenther