The present invention is a specialized implant having opposed surfaces for engaging each of the vertebral bodies adjacent a disc space into which the implant is implanted. The surface comprises arrayed projections having at least one forward facing facet directed at least in part toward the leading end of the implant and at least one rearward portion directed at least in part toward the opposite trailing end of the implant. Each of the forward facet and rearward portion has a length and a slope. The length of the forward facet is longer than the length of the rearward facet. The slope of the rearward facet is steeper than the slope of the forward facet. The surface projections also have opposed side facets directed generally toward the sides of the implant. The side facets are located between the forward facet and rearward facet and converge toward each other in a direction away from the base of the surface projections. The surface may also include projections having left and right forward side facets and a rearward facet. The surface further may include projections having left and right rearward side facets and a forward facet.

An interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion across a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine has a body two top side and two bottom side junctions, with at least a pair of diagonally opposed junctions having a distance therebetween that does not significantly exceed the implant body height. The implant also includes one or more bone penetrating protrusions extending outwardly from at least the upper and lower walls of the implant. The implant is inserted on its side between adjacent vertebral bodies and then rotated 90 degrees into place. The protrusions penetrate the endplates upon rotation, thereby securing the implant within the spine. The implant has at least one passage therethrough from the upper wall to the lower wall to promote fusion through the implant. Because of the specialized opposed junctions overdistraction between the adjacent vertebral bodies is avoided when the implant is rotated from an initial insertion position to a final deployed position. In one suggested implant set, two implants are rotated in opposite directions into their respective final deployed positions, and a third specialized implant is positioned therebetween to lock the three implants together along cooperating surfaces. A method for deploying the push-in implants is also disclosed.

The present invention is directed to methods of inserting a variety of interbody spinal fusion implants across a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The variety of implants have at least a partially frusto-conical configuration or opposed arcuate portions in an angular relationship to one another along the length of the implant. One of the methods of the present invention contemplates distracting the adjacent vertebral bodies, forming a bore from the anterior or posterior aspect of the spinal column across a distracted disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies and into the adjacent vertebral bodies, and inserting into the bore the spinal implant having opposed arcuate portions in an angular relationship to one another along the length of the implant and oriented toward the adjacent vertebral bodies.

The present application is directed to interbody spinal fusion implants having a structural configuration that provides for the maintaining and creating of the normal anatomic angular relationship of two adjacent vertebrae of the spine to maintain and create spinal lordosis. The spinal fusion implants are sized to fit within the disc space created by the removal of disc material between two adjacent vertebrae and conform wholly or in part to the disc space created. The spinal fusion implants of the present invention have upper and lower surfaces that form a support structure for bearing against the end plates of the adjacent vertebrae. The upper and lower surfaces are disposed in a converging angular relationship to each other such that the implants have an overall "wedged-shape" in an elevational side view. The angular relationship of the upper and lower surfaces places and maintains the vertebrae adjacent to those surfaces in an angular relationship to each other, creating and maintaining the desired lordosis.

An electrical bone growth promotion apparatus and method for the delivery of electrical current to an implant surgically implanted within the intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae of the spine to promote bone growth and the fusion process to areas adjacent to the implant is disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a self contained implant having a surgically implantable, renewable power supply and related control circuitry for delivering electrical current directly to the implant and thus directly to the area in which the promotion of bone growth is desired. The desired areas of bone growth promotion may be controlled by conducting negative charge only to the desired location of bone growth promotion.

An improved bilge drain system for an inboard motorboat is disclosed having a drain closure assembly that is operated from a position external to the engine compartment. The drain closure can be a valve operable by a handle, wherein the handle is accessible outside of the engine compartment when closed by an engine compartment cover. The handle, which may be located adjacent to the engine compartment or on a dashboard of the motorboat, may also be configured to provide the user with a visual indication of the open and closed status of the drain closure.

An interbody spinal fusion implant adapted for placement at least in part across an intervertebral space formed across a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies and for penetrating engagement into each of those vertebral bodies, the implant having a trailing end adapted to sit upon and not protrude from the anterolateral peripheral rim of bone of the vertebral body.

An improved lifting assembly for removing contents from containers consistent with mechanized containerizing operations are disclosed. The lifting assembly of the present invention comprises a support plate for lifting contents coupled to the top of a container by a connector.

A spinal fixation device for stabilizing one or more segments of the human spine and for preventing the dislodgement of intervertebral spinal fusion implants, which remains permanently fixated once applied. The spinal fixation device of the present invention comprises of a staple member made of material appropriate for human surgical implantation which is of sufficient length to span the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and to engage, via essentially perpendicular extending projections, the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. A portion of the staple of the spinal fixation device interdigitates with an already implanted intervertebral spinal fusion implant which itself spans the disc space to engage the adjacent vertebrae, and the spinal fixation deice is bound to the spinal fusion implant by a locking means. The spinal fixation device of the present invention is of great utility in restraining the vertebrae adjacent to the spinal fusion implant from moving apart as the pine is extended and also serves as an anchor for a multi-segmental spinal alignment means for aligning more that one segment of the spine.

A device and method for use in a human spine to prepare a space between adjacent vertebral bodies and into the vertebral end plates to receive an implantable insert. The device includes a handle, a shaft, and a mounting member at one end of the shaft. An abrading element is mounted on the mounting member and is coupled to a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is operable to move the abrading element in at least one degree of freedom to create surfaces having predetermined contours in the end plates of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

A system and method for anterior fixation of the spine utilizes a cylindrical implant engaged in the intradiscal space at the cephalad and caudal ends of the construct. The implants are cylindrical fusion devices (10) filled with bone material to promote bone ingrowth and fusion of the disc space. An attachment member (40) is connected to each of the fusion devices (10) and a spinal rod (50) is connected to each of the attachment members using an eyebolt assembly (53, 54, 55). In a further inventive method, a revision of the construct is achieved by removing the fusion devices. Each fusion device is engaged by an elongated guide member (62) over which a cylindrical trephine (70) is advanced. The trephine (70) is used to extract a core (84) of bone material around the fusion implant, while the guide member (62) is used to remove the bone core (84) containing the fusion implant (10). In another aspect of the invention, a removal insert (90, 90') is provided that engages an implanted fusion device (10). The removal insert (90, 90') can be used to guide the trephine (70) around the fusion device, and is connected to a removal tool (100) once the bone core is created. The removal tool (100) includes a shaft (101) attached to the removal insert (90, 90'), and a slap hammer (104) slidably mounted on the shaft.

An artificial spinal implant is disclosed which when place between two adjacent vertebrae directly participates and is incorporated in the insuing fusion. Instrumentation and procedure is also disclosed.

An artificial spinal implant is disclosed which when placed between two adjacent vertebrae directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. Instrumentation and procedure is also disclosed.

An artificial spinal implant is disclosed which when placed between two adjacent vertebrae directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. Instrumentation and procedure is also disclosed.

Anatomically contoured anterior cervical plates with bone ingrowth surfaces, providing for intersegmental compressive preloading, and a rigid and locked interface to all of the bone screws, with those engaging the vertebrae deployed in highly convergent pairs. The bone screws have a tapered self-tapping leading end, an increasing root diameter with a generally constant outer diameter with a thread that is narrow and sharp throughout and an enlarged head portion capable of an interference fit to the receiving holes of the plate. Instrumentation consists of plate holders, a compression apparatus and a pilot hole forming device that interlocks with the plate. Methods for spinal compression and bone hole preparation are provided.

The present invention is directed to (1) a plating system having multiple and single locking mechanisms for general skeletal use other than in the anterior cervical spine; (2) an orthopedic plating system that permits a pair of bone screws to be inserted into a bone in a crossed over orientation and locked to the plate; (3) a segmentable plating system which can be made to a selected length by the surgeon; and (4) a combination screw-lock-plating system for allowing and/or causing intersegmental compression of bone portions.