Zimmer Spine, Inc.

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation

Sulzer Spine-tech Inc.

Steven L Griffith

Hugh D Hestad

Lawrence William Wales

Ishmael Bentley

Dale Brady

Emily Daley

Michael E Lancial

Robert Garryl Hudgins

Richard A Erickson

Mike E Lancial

Adam Shinbrot

A system and method for securing an implantable medical device to an anatomical feature, such as bony structures and/or soft tissues near the spine. The system includes a tissue fixation device and a tissue fixation device delivery tool. The tissue fixation device includes at least one bone or tissue anchor and a connecting element coupled thereto. The tissue fixation device optionally includes a flexible anchoring strap for engaging the implantable medical device. The bone or tissue anchor are configured to be deployed into the anatomical feature, and the connecting element is tightened to secure the implantable medical device to the anatomical feature.

Tissue fixation and repair systems and methods

The present invention relates to spinal support devices and, more specifically, to a flexible member having variable flexibility for use with a dynamic stabilization system or implant to provide dynamic stability to a person's spine. The flexible member generally includes a first material having a first portion including a first material having a first elasticity and a second portion including a second material having a second elasticity greater than the first to provide the flexible member with a variable flexibility.

Flexible member with variable flexibility for providing dynamic stability to a spine

The present invention is an apparatus and method for stabilizing the facet joints of the spine. One aspect of the present invention is the stabilization of the facet joint by insertion of a facet implant through two opposing facet surfaces. The facet joint is not fixedly frozen by insertion of the screw, but instead the facet surfaces are flexibly and movably anchored to preserve movement because the screw or anchor includes a flexible intermediate portion which is positioned between the facet surfaces. The facet implant may be in the form of a screw or other anchor with the intermediate portion in the form of a polyaxial head, a cord, a spring, etc. The facet implant may furthermore be used in conjunction with a facet spacer that is placed between the first and second facet.

Translaminar facet augmentation and flexible spinal stabilization

The present invention is directed to intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods. The intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods of the invention provides a variable instantaneous axis of rotation. In general, the disclosed devices include two bearing surfaces, a first bearing surface being curved and a second bearing surface being planar. In some embodiments, the curved bearing surface provides at least three degrees of rotational freedom and the planar bearing surface provides at least two degrees of translational freedom and one degree of rotational freedom. Several embodiments with varying degrees of rotational or translational freedom are disclosed.

Intervertebral disc prosthesis and method

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Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Steven L Griffith