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.

Connector assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. A connector has a first end that clamps to a first rod in an existing construct and a second end, connected to the first end, that clamps to a second rod in a new construct such that the new construct can be extended from the existing construct at an adjacent level as the existing construct.

Spinal fixation systems including a member, a first attachment portion, a second attachment portion, and an intermediate portion. The first attachment portion is attached at a superior end of the member and includes a first opening. The second attachment portion is attached at an inferior end of the member and includes a second opening. The intermediate portion connects the first and second attachment portions. The spinal fixation systems may also include a relief in at least one of the first opening and the second opening. The systems may also include a third attachment portion with a third opening and an intermediate portion with a first and a second elastic mechanism. The first elastic mechanism connects the first and third attachment portions and the second elastic mechanism connects the third and second attachment portions. Surgical methods for inserting the spinal fixation systems in a patient are also disclosed.

An implant containing a structurally encoded region, the implant comprising an implant body defining adjacent first and second encoded regions, the first encoded region comprising a first series of shaped inclusions in a first pattern of relatively differing opacity figures, and the second encoded region comprising a second series of shaped inclusions in a second pattern of relatively differing opacity figures, the first and second encoded regions being disposed such that, when the first encoded region and second encoded regions are viewed by reading illumination from a position wherein the first pattern and second pattern overlap, a third pattern is revealed by the reading illumination, the third pattern being different than the first and second patterns, and comprising shape or surface characteristics representing structurally encoded data. The invention further comprises systems and methods of manufacturing, using and reading the same.

A dynamic fixation medical implant having at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having at least one transition portion and cooperating outer sleeve, both the transition portion and sleeve being disposed between the two bone anchors. In a first embodiment, the transition portion includes a rigid length or rod having apertures therein for tying or otherwise attaching the rigid length to a second rigid length or to a flexible cord. Slender ties or cords extend through a plurality of apertures in the rigid lengths or are threaded, tied or plaited to the larger flexible cord or cable. In a second embodiment, a transition portion includes slender ties of a cord that are imbedded in a molded plastic of a more rigid member. The outer sleeve may include compression grooves. The sleeve surrounds the transition portion and extends between the pair of bone anchors, the sleeve being compressible in a longitudinal direction between the bone anchors.

A bone screw extension assembly for use in placing a connecting rod percutaneously into tissue of a patient comprises a multi-axial bone screw and a screw extension releasably coupled to yoke of the bone screw. The screw extension includes coaxially disposed outer sleeve and inner sleeves that are rotatable relative to each other. A screw engaging member projects radially from the distal end of the inner sleeve and is configured to engage an extension coupling surface on the outer sleeve upon relative rotation of the inner and outer sleeves. A securement member including cooperative surfaces is defined adjacent the distal end of the inner and outer sleeves that is operable upon relative rotation of the inner sleeve and outer sleeve to radially secure the sleeves together to thereby maintain the engagement of the screw engaging member and the bone screw.

Fixation systems including a member, a first attachment portion, a second attachment portion, and an intermediate portion. The first attachment portion is attached at a superior end of the member and includes a first opening. The second attachment portion is attached at an inferior end of the member and includes a second opening. The intermediate portion connects the first and second attachment portions. The fixation systems may also include a relief in at least one of the first opening and the second opening. Surgical methods for inserting the fixation systems in a patient are also disclosed.

Provided are rod coupler devices, systems, kits and methods, which include at least one saddle having a concave configuration that either abuts a bone fastener and/or a locking cap and is shaped so as to contact the rod in two or more lines of contact, which reduces pressure on the rod, and therefore permits use of a rod having various materials, such as PEEK, without significant deformation of the rod. Also provided is the saddle itself and integrated locking caps that include a saddle, the locking cap and a set screw. Also provided are elongate rods having advantageous shapes, configurations, and/or compositions for rod coupler devices, systems and methods. Further provided are screw and cap devices and systems that themselves include a concave configuration so as to contact a rod in two or more lines of contact, which reduces pressure on the rod.

A spinal construct includes an existing spinal rod implant defining a rod dimension and having at least one mating surface. At least one extension includes a mating surface engageable with the at least one mating surface of the existing spinal rod implant to comprise a connection having a dimension the same as the rod dimension. A coupling member is configured to fix the existing spinal rod implant with the at least one extension. Systems, surgical instruments, implants and methods are disclosed.

A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.