Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.

Depuy Spine, Inc.

Medos International Sarl

Depuy Spine Sarl

Dupuy Spine, Inc.

Ramon Alberto Ruberte

Christopher W Sicvol

Sara Dziedzic

Michael Mahoney

Ronald Garner

Sean P Selover

Erasmo A Lopez

David Greg Anderson

George Joseph Ross

Erasmo Lopez

Michael J O'Neil

John Riley Hawkins

Shawn D Stad

Paul Joseph Birkmeyer

Michael Zajack

Christopher L Ramsay

Douglas Raymond

Bryan S Jones

James J Roveda

Brian Murphy

Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In general, the method involves advancing a spinal fixation element in a first, lengthwise orientation along a pathway extending from a minimally invasive percutaneous incision to a spinal anchor site. As the spinal fixation element approaches the spinal anchor site, the fixation element can be manipulated to extend in a second orientation, which is preferably substantially transverse to the first orientation, to position the fixation element in relation to one or more spinal anchors.

Methods and devices for minimally invasive spinal fixation element placement

A percutaneous access device includes an inner tube and an outer tube disposed about at least a portion of the inner tube. The outer tube may be sized to span from a skin incision in a patient to a site proximate the spine of the patient. The distal end of the outer tube may be adapted to releasably engage a bone anchor. The inner tube may be adjustable relative to the outer tube between a first position and a second position in which the distal end of the inner tube contacts the bone anchor. A bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor having a distal bone engaging portion and a receiving member having a recess for receiving a spinal fixation element. The proximal end of the receiving member may have an arcuate groove formed on an exterior surface thereof to facilitate connection of an instrument to the receiving member.

Percutaneous access devices and bone anchor assemblies

The present invention provides a device and methodology for use in spinal fusion surgeries. An implant is proved for forming a rigid structure between adjoining vertebrae in a patient. The implant is a cage defined by at least a first end, second end, first side, and second side surface, wherein first and second side surfaces extend substantially parallel to each other to span a space between adjoining vertebrae and first and second ends interconnect said first side surface and second side surface. The cage incorporates one or more flexible joints that allow the cage to be deformed for insertion into a patient. The ability to deform the cage allows a greater ease and flexibility in inserting and positioning the implant.

Spinal fusion implant

A bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor having a distal bone engaging portion and a receiving member having a recess for receiving a spinal fixation element. The proximal end of the receiving member may have a groove formed on an exterior surface thereof to facilitate connection of an instrument to the receiving member.

A system and method for manipulating intervertebral tissue in one embodiment includes a conduit, a segmented expansion media configured to pass through the conduit, and an expandable node comprising a plurality of abrading strands and operably connected to the intervertebral tissue removal system conduit so as to receive the segmented expansion media therein, the expandable node expandable from a first condition whereat the plurality of abrading strands define at least one opening having a first maximum diameter, to an expanded condition whereat the at least one opening has a second maximum diameter larger than the first maximum diameter, wherein the second maximum diameter is less than a minimum diameter of the segmented expansion media, such that insertion of the segmented expansion media through the intervertebral tissue removal system conduit and into the expandable node causes the expandable node to expand from the first condition to the expanded condition.

Device and method for manipulating intervertebral tissue

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Ramon Alberto Ruberte