Abstract: A surgical instrument shaft assembly comprising a cannulated outer shaft having an outer shaft flexible section, and a cannulated inner shaft having an inner shaft flexible section. The outer shaft flexible section and the inner shaft flexible section each comprises a respective plurality of segmented floating links. The inner shaft is configured and dimensioned to be inserted into the outer shaft in an operating position in which at least a portion of the inner shaft flexible section is surrounded by at least a portion of the outer shaft flexible section, such that the inner shaft flexible section and the outer shaft flexible section can flex in unison, and the inner shaft is rotatable within the outer shaft. The instrument shaft may be used with a surgical tissue shaver. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical tissue shaver having: a shaft having a tubular body defining a cannula; and a cutter head at a distal shaft end and extending along a longitudinal axis. The cutter head has a cutter opening in fluid communication with the cannula, and at least a portion of the cutter opening extending along the longitudinal axis is defined between a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth opposite the first row of teeth with respect to the longitudinal axis. At least one tooth of the first row of teeth is defined by a respective proximal tooth surface and a respective distal tooth surface that intersect at a respective tooth edge, and wherein the respective tooth edge is oriented at a respective angle of less than 90° relative to the longitudinal axis. Methods of forming a tissue shaver are also provided.

Abstract: An instrument for collecting tissue from a body cavity includes a hollow tubular body. The tubular body has a tubular wall that extends between a proximal-most end and a distal-most end of the tubular body. The tubular wall surrounds a passage that extends to the distal end portion of the tubular body. The tubular body can be a non-bending shaft, or a shaft having an articulating section that allows a portion of the tubular body to articulate relative to the proximal end portion. The distal end portion includes a core drill with a cutting tip. The cutting tip defines a first aperture, a second aperture opposite the first aperture, and a web extending between the first aperture and the second aperture. The web tapers to a drill point at the distal-most end of the tubular body.

Abstract: A reaming instrument includes a reamer head having a cutting face rotatable about a cutting face axis and a drive shaft operably connected to the cutting face at a point spaced radially outwardly from the cutting face axis.

Abstract: A fixation assembly includes a pedicle screw having a screw head, an elongate tulip head inserted over the pedicle screw, and a swivel rocker inserted into the tulip head. The swivel rocker has an axial through passage extending therethrough, an arcuate concave distal face being contoured to match the screw head, and a saddle shaped proximal face. A rod assembly is seated on the saddle shaped proximal face. A retainer ring secures the tulip head around the screw head. A method of implanting the assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An instrument for collecting tissue from a body cavity includes a hollow tubular body having a tubular wall. The hollow tubular body can collect material from a body cavity in a coring mode or an aspiration mode. The tubular wall defines a passage that extends from a proximal end portion of the tubular body to a distal end portion of the tubular body. A middle section of the tubular body includes an articulating section that allows the middle section to articulate relative to the proximal end portion. The distal end portion includes at least one suction port extending from an outer wall surface to an inner wall surface of the tubular wall. The suction port provides a path of fluid communication between the outer wall surface and the passage for drawing in tissue from a body cavity when the tubular body is connected to a source of negative pressure.

Abstract: An instrument for collecting tissue from a body cavity includes a hollow tubular body having a tubular wall. The hollow tubular body can collect material from a body cavity in a coring mode or an aspiration mode. The tubular wall defines a passage that extends from a proximal end portion of the tubular body to a distal end portion of the tubular body. A middle section of the tubular body includes an articulating section that allows the middle section to articulate relative to the proximal end portion. The distal end portion includes at least one suction port extending from an outer wall surface to an inner wall surface of the tubular wall. The suction port provides a path of fluid communication between the outer wall surface and the passage for drawing in tissue from a body cavity when the tubular body is connected to a source of negative pressure.

Abstract: A trocar for preparing pilot holes, tunnels and other spaces within bone includes a piercing tip, a cutting element, and an expansion element for expanding the cutting element radially outwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trocar. The cutting element includes one or more cutting blades. The trocar also includes a hollow shaft. The hollow shaft can include one or more apertures axially and radially aligned with the one or more cutting blades. The expansion element can include an activation rod housed inside the hollow shaft. The one or more cutting blades can be in the form of two opposed cutting blades separated by a gap, the two opposed cutting blades being radially displaceable with respect to the longitudinal axis. The activation rod can include a wedge that partially enters the gap between the two opposed cutting blades to displace the cutting blades to an expanded position.

Abstract: An instrument for cutting bone includes a hollow shaft having a sidewall. A cutting element is at least partially housed in the hollow shaft. The cutting element can include one or more cutting blades that are radially expandable through the sidewall. The instrument can also include a piercing tip on a distal end of the hollow shaft is located distally of the one or more cutting blades. In addition, the instrument can include an expansion element for radially expanding the one or more cutting blades through the sidewall.

Abstract: An instrument for navigating a surgical device includes a hollow shaft having a longitudinal axis and a distal end. The distal end of the hollow shaft includes a flexible section, a handle and an articulation surface positioned adjacent the handle. The handle is polyaxially displaceable against the articulation surface and relative to the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft. At least one tensioning element extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft. The at least one tensioning element is operable to bend the flexible section in response to polyaxial displacement of the handle relative to the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A reaming instrument, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a rotatable cutting head and a cutting face on a distal end of the cutting head. At least one radially displaceable cutting element has a cutting edge projecting in a distal direction from the cutting face. An adjustment element is operable to displace the cutting element toward a fully retracted state, or toward a fully expanded state. In another embodiment, a method of modifying a bone surface includes displacing at least one cutting element on a reamer instrument to a fully retracted state, inserting the instrument into a human or animal, operating an adjustment element to displace the cutting element toward an expanded state, and activating the cutting head to begin cutting the bone.

Abstract: A planing instrument, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a rotatable cutting head and a cutting face on a distal end of the cutting head. At least one radially displaceable cutting element has a cutting edge projecting in a distal direction from the cutting face. An adjustment element is operable to displace the cutting element toward a fully retracted state, or toward a fully expanded state. In another embodiment, a method of modifying a bone surface includes displacing at least one cutting element on a planing instrument to a fully retracted state, inserting the instrument into a human or animal, operating an adjustment element to displace the cutting element toward an expanded state, and activating the cutting head to begin planing the bone.

Abstract: A reaming instrument, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a rotatable cutting head and a cutting face on a distal end of the cutting head. At least one radially displaceable cutting element has a cutting edge projecting in a distal direction from the cutting face. An adjustment element is operable to displace the cutting element toward a fully retracted state, or toward a fully expanded state. In another embodiment, a method of modifying a bone surface includes displacing at least one cutting element on a reamer instrument to a fully retracted state, inserting the instrument into a human or animal, operating an adjustment element to displace the cutting element toward an expanded state, and activating the cutting head to begin cutting the bone.

Abstract: A flexible cannulated drive shaft having a plurality of interlocking sections having multi-angled dovetails cut into the drive shaft. Each dovetail design is made up of substantially triangular-shaped pins and substantially triangular-shaped sockets that alternate around the circumference of each interlocking section. The pins of one interlocking section moveably engage the sockets of a second interlocking section and vice versa. Furthermore, the substantially triangular-shaped pins and substantially triangular-shaped sockets stay locked together whether the drive shaft is being rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. Angled surfaces add greater stability to the drive shaft and prevent the interlocking sections from coming apart.