Abstract: Methods for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. The methods involve (a) applying an electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (b) electrically monitoring a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (c) automatically increasing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected; and (d) communicating to a user via at least one of visual and audible means information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response.

Abstract: Total disc replacement systems and related methods involving a lateral, trans-psoas surgical approach to the spine while performing at least one of continuous and intermittent intra-operative neural monitoring of the psoas muscle to avoid injury during introduction.

Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. The tissue retraction assembly has a plurality of blades which may be introduced while in a closed configuration, after which point they may be opened to create an operation corridor to the surgical target site, including pivoting at least one blade to expand the operative corridor adjacent to the operative site. The surgical access system further includes pressure sensing technology to measure the pressure being exerted upon body tissues before, during, and/or after retraction and/or distraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

Abstract: A surgical barrier to be introduced during spinal fusion surgery in order to protect a specified area of the patient from adverse effects associated with surgical techniques. A method of using the surgical barrier including: establishing an operative corridor to a target surgical site; introducing a spinal fusion implant into the through said operative corridor, the fusion implant including fusion-enhancing material; introducing at least a portion of an intraoperative surgical barrier through the operative corridor to the surgical target site, the intraoperative surgical barrier including an expandable seal member; and expanding the expandable seal member to establish a barrier between the fusion implant and at least a portion of the surgical target site and the operative corridor.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the replacement of an intervertebral disc of the spine comprises a block of an elastomeric material, which is held under compression by an encapsulating textile fabric. A preferred version of the invention has flanges that are continuations of the encapsulating fabric forming an interdigitation, with the continuation of the upper fabric passing through a hole in the lower fabric and being attached to the lower vertebral body and the continuation of the lower fabric crossing to its fixation site on the upper vertebral body. Optionally, the flanges are resorbable, over time leaving only the implant core and encapsulation fabric in the intervertebral space.

Abstract: A system and related methods for manned and/or unmanned marine transportation involving equipping a vessel capable with a linear pump for propelling the vessel through or substantially over a body of water.

Abstract: The present invention involves systems and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to: (a) determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments employed in accessing a surgical target site; (b) assess the pathology (health or status) of a nerve or nerve root before, during, or after a surgical procedure; and/or (c) assess pedicle integrity before, during or after pedicle screw placement, all in an automated, easy to use, and easy to interpret fashion so as to provide a surgeon-driven system.

Abstract: The present invention involves systems and related methods for performing dynamic pedicle integrity assessments involving the use of neurophysiology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methods generally aimed at surgery. More particularly, the present invention is directed at a system and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments involving the use of neurophysiology.

Abstract: The present application describes a spinal cross-connector and related methods for augmenting and stiffening spinal fixation constructs. The cross connector may include multiple rod-stabilization members that simultaneously engage respective rods of a fixation construct. Simultaneous engagement by the rod-stabilization members may be effectuated by a single locking step.

Abstract: Systems and methods of treating spinal deformity, including one or more intervertebral implants to be introduced laterally into respective intervertebral spaces, a plurality of bone screws introduced generally laterally into vertebral bodies adjacent to the intervertebral implants and/or the intervertebral implants themselves, and a cable dimensioned to be coupled to the bone screws and manipulated to adjust and/or correct the spinal deformity.

Abstract: System (20) and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments (30) employed in accessing a surgical target site.

Abstract: A system and method for discriminating tissue types, controlling the level of therapy to tissue, and determining the health of a known tissue by measuring the characteristics of an electrical signal applied to a conductive element located within or by the tissue. Additionally, the system and method may be used for determining whether the conductive tip of a pedicle probe or pedicle screw is located in one of cortical bone, cancellous bone, and cortical bone near a boundary with soft tissue, whether the conductive tip of a cannula is located adjacent to one of nerve tissue and annulus tissue, and whether the conductive tip of a cathode is located adjacent to one of nerve tissue and prostate gland tissue.

Abstract: The present invention involves systems and methods for determining nerve proximity, nerve direction, and pathology relative to a surgical instrument based on an identified relationship between neuromuscular responses and the stimulation signal that caused the neuromuscular responses.

Abstract: An expandable tip cannula system, comprising: a hollow cannula shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an expandable tip mounted at the distal end of the hollow cannula shaft, the expandable tip comprising a plurality of generally-triangular shaped petals held together in a radially-inwardly tapered arrangement between adjacent petals, each petal comprising a nerve sensing electrode disposed therein.

Abstract: An embroidery process allowing for extra lengths of stitched thread pairs to be laid down in a zigzag pattern while embroidering on a dissolvable substrate such that when the substrate is removed, the extra length allows the two-dimensional embroidered structure to relax into a three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: The method and apparatus as shown in FIGS. 8-10 in which a fluid expandable member (208) is positioned in concentric relation about a needle (202). The fluid expandable member (208) is expanded into the nucleus pulposus potential space bordered by the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disk. Then, thermoplastic material in a flowing state is injected by a needle (202) within the annulus fibrosus to collapse the fluid expandable member (208) and occupy the space formerly occupied by the fluid expandable member (208).