Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.

Meditech Spine, LLC

Sangwook Tim Yoon

William F McKay

Scott D Boden

Eric Flickinger

Adam C Sclafani

Jason John Gromek

Systems for improved methods of performing a spinal fusion procedure that include an implant having an alignment guide system. The alignment guide system may include one or more guide lines configured to provide a visual indication when the implant is properly aligned within the disc space. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more tamp levelers that also aid with the proper alignment of the implant within the disc space.

Spinal implant alignment guide systems

Methods of expressing LIM mineralization protein in non-osseous mammalian cells, such as stem cells or intervertebral disc cells (e.g., cells of the annulus fibrosus, or cells of the nucleus pulposus) are described. The methods involve transfecting the cells with an isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a LIM mineralization protein operably linked to a promoter. Transfection may be accomplished ex vivo or in vivo by direct injection of virus or naked DNA, or by a nonviral vector such as a plasmid. Expression of the LIM mineralization protein can stimulate proteoglycan and/or collagen production in cells capable of producing proteoglycyan and/or collagen. Methods for treating disc disease associated with trauma or disc degeneration are also described.

Methods of expressing LIM mineralization protein in non-osseous cells

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Decatur, GA, United States of America

Sangwook Tim Yoon