Abstract: A tension device for applying tension to an orthopedic cable loop system is designed to remain implanted in vivo after completion of the surgical procedure in which the device is used. The tension device may include a spool rotatable in one direction, such as by having outer flanges engageable with ratcheting protrusions along a cavity within the body of the device. The tension device may maintain a biasing force on the cable, which force may be applied by an elastic material. For example, the elastic may be provided in an opening of the body of the device. In another example, the elastic may be provided in the spool, such as by constructing the flanges of the spool from elastic material or by providing elastic material between an inner and an outer ring of the spool. Other biasing components as well as measuring components may be provided in the tension device.

Abstract: A cannula lock for holding a medical device static in a select orientation relative to tissue. The cannula lock includes a shell with anchors. The anchors are deployed to the hold the shell static to the tissue. A pivoting brake (95) is disposed in the shell. The brake holds the medical device. When the orientation of the brake, by extension, the orientation of the device is established, the brake is set. The brake is set by expanding the brake (95) outwardly against the inner surfaces of the shell so as to hold the brake and medical device in the select orientation.

Abstract: A surgical saw blade cartridge includes a bar, a blade and a drive link. The bar includes a first plate and an opposed second plate defining a space therebetween, and an opening in at least one of the plates for releasable connection to a saw. The blade includes a base moveably disposed in the space between the plates and a head integral with the base located outside of the bar. The head has teeth at least as wide as a portion of the bar adjacent the head. The drive link extends through the bar and is moveable therein with a proximal end configured for attachment to a drive component of the saw and a distal end connected to either the base of the blade or a pivot link. The bar includes a structural member adjacent the head that extends forward of the head.

Abstract: A debris collection device includes first and second members that are moveable relative to each other between first and second configurations. In the second configuration, the first and second members interface with each other and define a restraint opening that is configured to receive an elongate element, such as a spinal rod. The first and second members while in the second configuration define a guide opening that intersects the restraint opening. Such guide opening is configured to receive a cutting tool, such as a conical burr, drill bit, mill or saw. The first and second members have walls that, when in the second configuration, collectively define an interior space that has a volume sufficient to collect debris created by cutting the elongate element through the guide opening. Methods of utilizing the debris collection device allow for cutting of a spinal rod or the like in situ while capture debris caused by the cutting procedure.

Abstract: A tracker for surgical navigation is described. The tracker includes a patch being deformable in at least one direction and a tracker element selected from a light source or a coil. The tracker element is supported by the patch. The tracker further includes an electrical connection electrically coupled to the tracker element and supported by the patch. The electrical connection has a meandering shape along the direction in which the patch is deformable.

Abstract: An end cap is provided comprising a head with a tool engagement portion and a shaft with a tip, wherein the shaft comprises a threaded conical portion starting from the tip and extending in a direction to the head. The thread may be provided with a constant pitch, i.e. with a constant distance between the turns of the thread.

Abstract: A condylar fracture fixation system for use with an intramedullary nail includes a longitudinally extending rod having first and second ends, each end having outwardly extending threads or ridges. The rod extends along a first longitudinal axis which extends in a medial-lateral direction in use. A first and second nut is provided each nut having first and second ends. The second end of each nut having an opening formed by a plurality of resilient legs for respectively receiving the first and second ends of the rod. The second end of the first and second nuts include ridges or threads extending into the opening in each nut. The inwardly extending ridges of nuts respectively engaging the outwardly extending threads or ridges of the rod. A flexible washer is connected to the first end of each nut.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an orthopedic rod-to-rod connector and rod-to-rod connector assemblies for spinal fusion surgery. The rod-to-rod connector may include a first connector portion and a second connector portion. The first connector portion may have a first aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a bone-engaging screw and a first spinal rod. The second connector portion may be rotatably connected with the first connector portion and may include a second aperture to receive a second spinal rod. The second connector portion may be L-shaped and may include a set screw to control rotation of the first connector portion with respect to the second connector portion.

Abstract: A technique for processing patient-specific image data for computer assisted surgical navigation. A database is provided including multiple first data sets of two- or three-dimensional image data. Each first data set is representative of first shape data or first biometric data of a skin surface of at least one patient. The method further comprises obtaining, by an optical camera system, a second data set of two- or three-dimensional image data of a skin surface of a particular patient and deriving second shape data or second biometric data of the skin surface from the second data set. By comparing the second shape data or second biometric data with the first shape data or the first biometric data of one or more first data sets, a similarity score is calculated. A signal generated based on the similarity score triggers one of selection and de-selection of a first data set.

Abstract: A method, a controller, and a surgical hybrid navigation system for transferring a registration of three dimensional image data of a surgical object from a first to a second surgical navigation system are described. A first tracker that is detectable by a first detector of the first surgical navigation system is arranged in a fixed spatial relationship with the surgical object and a second tracker that is detectable by a second detector of the second surgical navigation system is arranged in a fixed spatial relationship with the surgical object. The method includes registering the three dimensional image data of the surgical object in a first coordinate system of the first surgical navigation system and determining a first position and orientation of the first tracker in the first coordinate system and a second position and orientation of the second tracker in a second coordinate system of the second surgical navigation system.

Abstract: Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders (180, 182, 188). The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is positioned proximate the anatomic points using a slotted cannula (143). Such an implant may be a rod (270) for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders (180, 182, 188) may have rod interfaces (214, 216, 218) that receive the rod (270) in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) so that the selected or configured contoured rod (270) will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148).

Abstract: A surgical saw comprises a body, a coupling assembly, and a motor. The coupling assembly is mounted to the body and adapted to releasably hold a saw blade. The coupling assembly includes an anvil, a press, and a clamping assembly. The anvil has a channel or a press foot. The press has the other of the press foot and the channel. The press foot is receivable by the channel. The clamping assembly selectively moves the press and the anvil towards and away from each other. When the press is brought towards the anvil, the press foot may press a lock tooth of the saw blade into the channel so that the lock tooth is compressed between the anvil and the press to coin the lock tooth. The motor, internal to the body, is connected to the coupling assembly to reciprocate the coupling assembly and the saw blade.

Abstract: An implant delivery system includes a delivery catheter and a delivery mechanism slidably disposed in a lumen of the delivery catheter. The delivery mechanism includes an annular channel and a compressible annular bushing disposed within the annular channel. The annular bushing is configured for being placed between a compressive profile and an expanded profile. The implant delivery system further includes an implant coaxially disposed between the delivery catheter and the delivery mechanism. The delivery catheter lumen is sized to maintain an engagement element of the implant within the annular channel and to urge the annular bushing into the compressive profile. The implant constrains a distal tip of the delivery mechanism to assume a straight geometry. The distal tip is configured for assuming a curved geometry when the implant is deployed from the delivery catheter.

Abstract: An intramedullary autograft harvesting instrument (100) includes a cutting rod (10) having a body (13) and a cutting head (14), a harvesting member (20) configured to be disposed about the body (13) of the cutting rod (10), and an outer tube (30) configured to be disposed about the harvesting member (20). A method of using the instrument (100) transports harvested tissue from an intramedullary canal.

Abstract: Various surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. The surgical instruments are designed to provide tactile, auditory, and/or visual confirmation to the surgeon that the surgical instrument is being used appropriately and/or fully in accordance with a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A flat embolic braid having a first side comprising a first side surface, and a second side comprising a second side surface facing in an opposite direction than the first side surface, the braid having an elongated constrained configuration for being deployed through a delivery catheter, and a three-dimensional unconstrained configuration, wherein in the three-dimensional unconstrained configuration, the braid assumes a plurality of successive loops in which the braid is at least partially twisted between successive loops of the plurality, so that the first side surface faces externally of each loop, and the second side surface faces an interior of each loop, respectively, regardless of a change in direction and/or orientation of the braid.

Abstract: An implant delivery system includes a delivery catheter and a delivery mechanism slidably disposed in a lumen of the delivery catheter. The delivery mechanism includes an annular channel and a compressible annular bushing disposed within the annular channel. The annular bushing is configured for being placed between a compressive profile and an expanded profile. The implant delivery system further includes an implant coaxially disposed between the delivery catheter and the delivery mechanism. The delivery catheter lumen is sized to maintain an engagement element of the implant within the annular channel and to urge the annular bushing into the compressive profile. The implant constrains a distal tip of the delivery mechanism to assume a straight geometry. The distal tip is configured for assuming a curved geometry when the implant is deployed from the delivery catheter.

Abstract: A bone reduction instrument includes first and second members moveably coupled to each other such that ends of the first and second members are positionable in first and second positions. In the second position the first and second members are closer to each other than in the first position. The instrument also includes a support member disposed at the end of the first member and includes a plate retaining portion extending from the first member in a direction toward the second member. The plate retaining portion includes wall portions that define a space therebetween configured to receive a bone plate so that the bone plate is held between the wall portions when the bone plate is disposed within the space.

Abstract: A motorized surgical handpiece with a chuck. Internal to the chuck are clamping members that releasably hold clamp the shaft of a cutting accessory to a drive shaft so the cutting accessory rotates upon the actuation of the motor. The chuck includes a collar with an opening through which the cutting accessory is inserted. The opening is non-circular in shape. When an accessory shaft with a cross sectional shape that matches the shape of the opening is inserted in the opening, the accessory shaft is appropriate aligned with the chuck clamping members.