Bi-directional fixating/locking transvertebral body screw/intervertebral cage stand-alone constructs and posterior cervical and lumbar interarticulating joint stapling guns and devices for spinal fusion

A bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus, comprising:

• an intervertebral cage for maintaining disc height, the intervertebral cage including a first internal screw guide, a second internal screw guide, a third internal screw guide, and a fourth internal screw guide, each having a predetermined angled trajectory;
• a first screw member, a second screw member, a first screw member, and a fourth screw member, each having a tapered end and a threaded body disposed within the intervertebral cage;
• and
• a screw locking mechanism that prevents the first screw member, the second screw member, the third screw member, and/or the fourth screw from pulling-out of the first internal screw guide, the second internal screw guide, the third internal screw guide, and/or the fourth internal screw guide respectively.

An integral intervertebral cage spacer and bi-directional fixating/fusion transvertebral body screw apparatus, comprising:

• an intervertebral cage including a plurality of internal angled screw guides;
• a plurality of screw members having a tapered end and a threaded body disposed within the plurality of internal angled screw guides of the intervertebral cage;
• and
• a screw locking mechanism that prevents the plurality of screw members from pulling out of the plurality of internal angled screw guides,
• wherein the plurality of internal angled screw guides orients a first screw member of the plurality of screw members rostrally (superiorly) and a second screw member of the plurality of screw members caudally (inferiorly).

A posterior lumbar facet joint staple, comprising:

• a top claw;
• a bottom claw;
• a staple pin pivotally connecting the top claw and the bottom claw;
• and
• a ratchet mechanism that limits an opening force of the top claw with respect to the bottom claw.

A staple gun for a posterior lumbar facet joint staple, comprising:

• a handle having a first grip and a second grip;
• a cylinder body having a first end for receiving the posterior lumbar facet joint staple and a second end adjacent to the handle;
• a connector that connects the cylinder body to the handle;
• and
• a spring return mechanism that biases the first grip and the second grip back to an original position.

A posterior cervical facet joint staple, comprising:

• a staple body having a first surface extending along a longitudinal axis;
• wherein a first surface includes:
• a plurality of prongs;
• and
• a groove extending along an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and disposed at a center point along the longitudinal axis.

A staple gun for a posterior cervical facet joint staple, comprising:

• a handle;
• a staple guide having a first end for receiving the posterior cervical facet joint staple and a second end mounted to the handle;
• a plurality of supports disposed on each side of the first end of the staple guide, and for engaging the posterior cervical facet joint staple;
• a staple plunger disposed in the staple guide,
• wherein the staple plunger has a first end for contacting the posterior cervical facet joint staple and a second end that is adjacent to the handle, and
• wherein the plunger is translatable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
• a torsional spring that applies force to the second end of the plunger along a direction of translation of the plunger from the locked position to the unlocked position;
• and
• a trigger assembly mounted to the handle for releasing the torsional spring and plunger from the locked position.

A method of inserting a bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, the method comprising:

• measuring a dimension of a disc space between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body;
• determining that the disc space is a posterior lumbar disc space, an anterior lumbar disc space, or an anterior cervical disc space;
• selecting an intervertebral cage based on the measured dimension of the disc space and based on the determination of the disc space being the posterior lumbar disc space, the anterior lumbar disc space, or the anterior cervical disc space;
• inserting the selected intervertebral cage into a midline of the disc space until the selected intervertebral cage is flush or countersunk relative to the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body;
• inserting a first screw member into a first internal screw guide of the selected intervertebral cage;
• inserting a second screw member into a second internal screw guide of the selected intervertebral cage;
• screwing the first screw member and the second screw member into the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body respectively;
• confirming a position and placement of the intervertebral cage relative to the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body;
• and
• locking the first screw member and the second screw member in a final position by embedding a portion of the first screw member and the second screw member into a screw locking mechanism of the selected intervertebral cage.