Spinal implant apparatuses and methods of implanting and using same

1. An adjustable spinal implant device, comprising:

a sliding portion provided with a tongue;

a non-sliding portion provided with a slot adapted for receipt of the tongue and a screw hole adapted for receipt of a tightening screw therein, wherein the tongue is slidably and rotatably positionable within the slot; and

a cam screw configured to be inserted into one of the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion, the cam screw having a tapered surface that is of varying camber configured to match fusion rods of different sizes;

wherein the tightening screw defines an axis for rotation of the sliding and non-sliding portions with respect to each other.

2. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one loop adapted for receipt of a bone screw therethrough on the anterior of at least one of the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion.

3. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one cam screw bracket adapted for receipt of the cam screw therethrough on the anterior of at least one of the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion.

4. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 1 , wherein the tapered surface tapers from large to small in the tightening rotational direction.

5. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 1 , wherein the cam screw is provided with a cam retaining pin groove.

6. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 1 , wherein the spinal implant is between 20.0 mm to 45.0 mm in the anterior/posterior axis, between 10.0 mm to 30.0 mm in the superior/inferior axis, and between 25.0 mm to 55.0 mm in the dextra/sinistral axis.

7. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 6 , wherein the spinal implant is adapted for use with cervical vertebrae and is between 20.0 mm to 30.0 mm in the anterior/posterior axis, 10.0 mm to 20.0 mm in the superior/inferior axis and 25.0 mm to 35.0mm in the dextro/sinistral axis.

8. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 6 , wherein the spinal implant is adapted for use with thoracic vertebrae and is 25.0 mm to 35.0 mm in the anterior/posterior axis, 15.0 mm to 25.0 mm in the superior/inferior axis and 35.0 mm to 45.0 mm in the dextra/sinistral axis.

9. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 6 , wherein the spinal implant is adapted for use with lumbar vertebrae and is 35.0 mm to 45.0 mm in the anterior/posterior axis, 20.0 mm to 30.0 mm in the superior/inferior axis and 45.0 mm to 55.0 mm in the dextro/sinistral axis.

10. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 6 , wherein the spinal implant is adapted for use with the thoracolumbar section of the spine and is between 25.0 mm to 45.0mm in the anterior/posterior axis, between 15.0 mm to 30.0 mm in the superior/inferior axis and between 35.0 mm to 55.0 mm in the dextro/sinistral axis.

11. An adjustable spinal implant according to claim 1 , wherein the implant is at least partially constructed of titanium.

12. An adjustable implant according to claim 1 , wherein the implant is at least partially constructed of stainless steel.

13. An adjustable spinal implant according to claim 1 , wherein the implant is at least partially constructed of polyetheretherketone.

14. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 1 , wherein a sliding track located within the tongue is adapted for receipt of the tightening screw.

15. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 1 , further comprising a prosthetic spinous process.

16. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 15 , further comprising at least one soft tissue attachment hole located on the prosthetic spinous process.

17. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 15 , wherein the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion extend transversely from the prosthetic spinous process.

18. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 15 , wherein the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion are arched at least as much as the natural portions of the vertebra being replaced.

19. An adjustable spinal implant device, comprising;

a sliding portion provided with a tongue;

a non-sliding portion provided with a slot adapted for receipt of the tongue and a screw hole adapted for receipt of a tightening screw therein, wherein the tongue is slidably and rotatably positionable within the slot and

a cam screw confi ured to be inserted into one of the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion, the cam screw having a tapered surface that is of varying camber configured to match fusion rods of different sizes;

wherein a sliding track located within the tongue is adapted for receipt of the tightening screw.

20. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 19 , wherein the tightening screw defines an axis for rotation of the sliding and non-sliding portions with respect to each other.

21. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 19 , further comprising at least one cam screw bracket adapted for receipt of a cam screw therethrough on the anterior of at least one of the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion.

22. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 19 , wherein the tapered and cambered surface tapers from large to small in the tightening rotational direction.

23. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 19 , further comprising a prosthetic spinous process.

24. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 23 , further comprising at least one soft tissue attachment hole located on the prosthetic spinous process.

25. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 23 , wherein the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion extend transversely from the prosthetic spinous process.

26. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 23 , wherein the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion are arched at least as much as the natural portions of the vertebra being replaced.

27. An adjustable implant device, comprising;

a sliding portion provided with a tongue;

a non-sliding portion provided with a slot adapted for receipt of the tongue, wherein the tongue is slidably and rotatably positionable within the slot; and

a cam screw confi ured to be inserted into one of the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion, the cam screw having a tapered surface that is of varying camber configured to match fusion rods of different sizes;

wherein the cam screw is provided with a cam retaining pin groove that has at least one locking point.

28. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 27 , wherein a screw hole is provided in the non-sliding portion adapted for receipt of a tightening screw therein.

29. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 27 , further comprising a prosthetic spinous process.

30. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 29 , further comprising at least one soft tissue attachment hole located on the prosthetic spinous process.

31. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 29 , wherein the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion extend transversely from the prosthetic spinous process.

32. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 29 , wherein the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion are arched at least as much as the natural portions of the vertebra being replaced.

33. An adjustable spinal implant device, comprising;

a sliding portion provided with a tongue;

a non-sliding portion provided with a slot adapted for receipt of the tongue, wherein the tongue is slidabl and rotatably positionable within the slot and

a cam screw confi ured to be inserted into one of the slidin ortion and the non-sliding portion, the cam screw having a tapered surface that is of varying camber configured to match fusion rods of different sizes;

wherein the tapered surface does not extend completely around a perimeter of the cam screw.

34. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 33 , wherein the cam screw includes a cam retaining pin groove.

35. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 34 , wherein the cam retaining pin groove has at least one locking point.

36. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 33 , further comprising a prosthetic spinous process.

37. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 36 , further comprising at least one soft tissue attachment hole located on the prosthetic spinous process.

38. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 36 , wherein the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion extend transversely from the prosthetic spinous process.

39. An adjustable spinal implant device according to claim 36 , wherein the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion are arched at least as much as the natural portions of the vertebra being replaced.