Synthes Usa, LLC

Other

Spinal Concepts, Inc.

William A Cottle

David C Paul

Max Aebi

Beat Schenk

Thomas Steffen

Robert J Jones

Eric Loveless

An instrument may be used to move a rod attached to vertebrae to an opening of a fixation device. Positioning the rod in the opening may properly align the vertebrae with respect to the vertebra attached to the fixation element. A fixation holder may be coupled to the fixation element. The holder may include a protrusion. The protrusion may engage a guide of the instrument during use. The protrusion and the guide may ensure that the rod is properly positioned within the opening in the connector. The instrument and holder may automatically align the rod to the opening without requiring manual manipulation of the rod or the fixation element. The fixation element may include a connector. The connector may be positioned within the fixation element so that removal of the connector from the fixation element is inhibited.

Spinal rod translation instrument

A distractor for separating adjacent elements, such as vertebrae. The distractor preferably has a scissors-type distracting mechanism, either in a simple scissors or double-acting scissors configuration. The distractor includes blades that are removable from the jaws of the distractor such that different blades may be used depending on the patient and situation with which the distractor is to be used. The jaws include a mating fixture and the blades include a mating portion for removable association with the mating fixture.

Spinal disc space distractor

A distractor for separating adjacent elements, such as vertebrae. The distractor preferably has a scissors-type distracting mechanism, either in a simple scissors or double-acting scissors configuration. Additionally, one or more of the blades, distracting mechanism, and handles are offset with respect to the other to facilitate visualization and to increase the space available for an implant holder. The blades are configured to enhance versatility of the distractor. In a first embodiment, the blades are removable from the jaws of the distractor such that different blades may be used depending on the patient and situation with which the distractor is to be used. In a second embodiment, curved portions are provided between the blades and jaws such that the blades are offset from the jaws in a smooth transition which does not expose sharp edges to internal organs or vasculature of the patient. In a third embodiment, a pair of blades is provided on each jaw such that an implant may be inserted between the spaced apart blades without having a blade engage an external blade-receiving slot in the implant.

Inter-vertebral implant

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Vancouver, Canada

William A Cottle