A facet joint replacement system includes a facet joint replacement device including an enclosing body and an articulating body. The enclosing body includes an interior surface defining an inner cavity of the enclosing body. The interior surface includes a first articulating surface and a projection extending inwardly relative to a surrounding area of the interior surface. The articulating body is positioned within the inner cavity of the enclosing body and is configured to move within the enclosing body. The articulating body includes a second articulating surface and a recess extending inwardly relative to a surrounding area of the articulating body and aligned with the projection of the interior surface of the enclosing body so as to allow movement of the projection along the recess of the enclosing body while constraining rotational motion of the articulating body within the enclosing body.

Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation as compared with traditional bone anchor assemblies. An exemplary assembly can include a bracket or wing that extends down from the receiver member and accommodates one or more auxiliary bone anchors that augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Another exemplary assembly can include a plate that is seated between the receiver member and the rod and accommodates one or more auxiliary bone anchors that augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Another exemplary assembly can include a hook that extends out from the receiver member to hook onto an anatomical structure or another implant to augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Surgical methods using the bone anchor assemblies described herein are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for monitoring/measuring parameters related to the use of devices/systems in various diagnostic/therapeutic applications are provided. The systems/methods communicate monitored/measured parameters to data processing and/or data display units for review and/or responsive action. Modular units may be provided for use with orthotic devices, e.g., arm slings and orthotic boots for foot and lower leg immobilization, and in conjunction with prosthetic devices, e.g., prosthetic arms and/or legs. The sensing/feedback mechanisms may be strap-based, or mounted/associated with webbing, ratchet systems and/or other tensioning mechanisms. The sensing/feedback mechanism may include an inductive sensor that interacts with conductive material embedded in a strap to produce a signal indicating the location of the inductive sensor with respect to the strap. The position sensor may include multiple coils and multiple conductive materials may be imbedded in the strap. The conductive material may define a variable width along the X-axis (as defined by the strap). The inductive sensor may also be used to measure the distance from the coil and a conductive material that interacts with a section of the orthotic or prosthetic device along the z-axis.

The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.

A facet joint replacement device includes an enclosing element including an enclosing body and an inferior attachment member. The enclosing body includes an inner cavity defined by an interior surface of the enclosing body, wherein a portion of the interior surface of the enclosing body forms a superior articulating surface. The facet joint replacement device also includes an inferior articulating element including an articulating body and a superior attachment member. The inferior articulating body is positioned within the inner cavity of the enclosing body of the enclosing element and is configured to move within the inner cavity of the enclosing body of the enclosing element. The inferior articulating body includes an inferior articulating surface. The movement of the articulating body of the inferior articulating element is constrained in at least one direction within the inner cavity of the enclosing body of the enclosing element.

The present invention relates to a surgical screw capable of self-locking and a fusion device using the same. The screw includes: a screw body having a body main thread formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, a body locking thread spaced apart from the body main thread with an offset portion interposed therebetween, and a body driving groove formed in the upper portion thereof; and a sleeve having a sleeve thread formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof to be screwed with the body locking thread, and a sleeve stopper spaced downwards from the sleeve thread so as to support the body locking thread. The surgical screw may also be included in a fusion device in a different form by coupling with a plate or a cage.

Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation as compared with traditional bone anchor assemblies. An exemplary assembly can include a bracket or wing that extends down from the receiver member. The distal portion of the wing can define a bone anchor opening through which one or more auxiliary bone anchors can be disposed to augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to a proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a caudal direction or a cephalad direction. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to the proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a medial direction or a lateral direction. Surgical methods using the bone anchor assemblies described herein are also disclosed.

Spinal pedicle screws are placed into vertebrae from the same approach and the same anterior, anterolateral or anterior/lateral exposure that is used for an anterior/lateral spine operation, during the same surgical procedure as the spine operation. Once the anterior spine operation is complete, pedicle screws areplaced into the vertebrae with a front-to-back trajectory, in a generally anterior, lateral, anterolateral, or contralateral trajectory, avoiding the need for a second operation exposing the posterior spine.

A surgical implant includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a body and connector assemblies. The body includes a posterior surface and defines a first bore defining an acute angle with respect to a first axis that is orthogonal to the posterior surface. The connector assemblies are disposed on opposing lateral sides of the body. Each connector assembly is selectively rotatable relative to the body. The second portion includes a base extending in a cephalad direction from the first portion, and an extension extending in the cephalad direction from the base. The base defines second bores configured to receive respective bone screws. The extension defines a third bore. The first bore of the body and the third bore of the extension define a second axis. The second bores are defined along a third axis orthogonal to the second axis.

An anchoring system for implanting in bone, the system comprising a first coupling assembly having a first clamp and a first coupling body that receives and holds a first stabilization element; a second coupling assembly that receives and holds a second stabilization element; and a plate that attaches to the first coupling assembly and the second coupling assembly, wherein the first coupling assembly attaches to a bone fastener, and wherein the first coupling body includes a cap retainer that receives a locking cap that applies a directional force to force the first coupling body toward the plate, and applies another directional force to force the first clamp toward the plate, thereby fixedly securing the first coupling body and the first clamp to the plate.