Abstract: A computer process including receiving first patient bone data of a patient leg and foot in a first pose, the first pose comprising a position and orientation of the patient leg relative to the patient foot as defined in the first patient bone data. The computer process may further include receiving second patient bone data of the patient leg and foot in a second pose, the second pose comprising a position and orientation of the patient leg relative to the patient foot as defined in the second patient bone data. The computer process may further include generating a 3D bone model of the patient leg and foot. Finally, the computer process may include modifying the 3D bone model of the patient leg and foot such that the plurality of 3D bone models are reoriented into a third pose that matches the second pose.

Abstract: Vaso-occlusive apparatuses, including implants, and methods of using them to treat aneurysms. The vaso-occlusive implants described herein include one or more soft and expandable braided member coupled to a pushable member such as a coil that maybe inserted and retrieved from within an aneurism using a delivery catheter as well as a friction element between the soft braided member and the coil. The friction element allows the relatively soft and elongate implant to be pushed out of a cannula without binding up within the cannula.

Abstract: A tracker, a surgical tool system, a surgical navigation system, and a method for operating a surgical navigation system are provided. The tracker is configured to be associated with a patient or a surgical tool that is to be tracked by the surgical navigation system. The tracker comprises an optical fibre having a longitudinal extension and configured to be optically coupled to a light source such that the optical fibre transmits light emitted by the light source. The optical fibre has a lateral surface along its longitudinal extension and is configured to emit light via at least a portion of the lateral surface.

Abstract: An optical tracking device, a surgical navigation system and a surgical navigation method are disclosed. The optical tracking device comprises a body having at least two optically distinguishable lines, wherein at least one of the lines is an edge of the body. The lines are configured to be detected by an optical detection system simultaneously. They have a fixed spatial relationship between each other. The method comprises providing the optical tracking device, acquiring data describing the fixed spatial relationship, detecting the lines and determining the spatial position and/or orientation of the optical tracking device based on the detected lines and the fixed spatial relationship.

Abstract: A blade cartridge for use with a surgical saw includes a bar and a rack. The bar includes a first holding feature for removably holding the bar static to the saw. The rack includes a base moveably disposed in the bar and has cutting teeth defining extending beyond the bar. A drive link extends from the base, providing a second holding feature for releasably engaging a reciprocating drive integral with the saw. One of the base and the bar includes a guide slot. The other of the base and the bar includes a static member extending into the guide slot. The guide slot and the static member allow the rack to reciprocally move from proximal to distal to proximal along a longitudinal axis of the bar. The bar includes two plates and a spacer between the plates. The base is located between the plates.

Abstract: A load distributor for a sternum closure device comprises a wire receiving section configured to be attached to a wire of the sternum closure device, and a load distributing section. A tool for cutting the load distributor comprises a pair of jaws movable between a load distributor receiving position and a cutting position, wherein at least one of the jaws has substantially V-shaped cutting edges tapered towards the other jaw in an angle to the longitudinal extension of the tool.

Abstract: A method of percutaneous implantation of a pedicle screw system comprising the steps of implanting a first pedicle screw assembly in a first vertebra, the first pedicle screw assembly including a first coupling element connected with a first extension defining a first space and implanting a second pedicle screw assembly in a second vertebra, the second pedicle screw assembly including a second coupling element connected with a second extension and intersecting at least one a portion of the second extension with the first space.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a spinal fixation assembly and method to provide adequate rigidity and support for a vertebral column without requiring additional pedicle screws and spinal rods. The spinal fixation assembly includes a spinal rod loop with multiple sides configured to be attached to a vertebral body with two or more pedicle screws. Each pedicle screw is adapted to fit at various locations along the spinal rod loop.

Abstract: A surgical saw blade for being coupled to a drive hub of a surgical saw assembly. The blade includes an attachment portion configured to be removably coupled to the drive hub and a cutting portion opposite the attachment portion. The cutting portion includes a plurality of teeth. The blade also includes a pivot portion configured to engage a pivot structure of the surgical saw assembly. Additionally, the cutting portion has a follower which engages a blade support of the surgical saw assembly and is configured to limit deflection of the blade during use.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw cartridge that includes a guide bar formed form an inner plate and opposed outer plates, the inner plate having a head. The cartridge has a blade that is disposed against the head of the inner plate. The inner plate is formed to have an inner tine and two opposed outer tines. The inner tine is formed to define the head against which the blade is disposed. The outer tines extend forward of the inner tine so as to define a space between the outer tines in which the blade is seated.

Abstract: An implant delivery system comprises an elongate tubular member having a lumen, a tubular implant coaxially disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular member, and a delivery assembly having a distal portion coaxially disposed within tubular implant. The delivery assembly comprises a delivery wire, an engaging bumper fixedly coupled to the delivery wire, a stopper bumper fixedly coupled to the delivery wire, and a floating element slidably coupled around the delivery wire and disposed between the bumpers, thereby limiting linear translation of the floating element therebetween. The floating element has an engaging portion configured to engage the engaging bumper when the delivery wire is axially translated relative to the elongate member in a first direction. The floating element is configured to radially expand outward to frictionally engage the implant when the engaging portion of the floating element engages the engaging bumper.

Abstract: A computer process including receiving first patient bone data of a patient leg and foot in a first pose, the first pose comprising a position and orientation of the patient leg relative to the patient foot as defined in the first patient bone data. The computer process may further include receiving second patient bone data of the patient leg and foot in a second pose, the second pose comprising a position and orientation of the patient leg relative to the patient foot as defined in the second patient bone data. The computer process may further include generating a 3D bone model of the patient leg and foot. Finally, the computer process may include modifying the 3D bone model of the patient leg and foot such that the plurality of 3D bone models are reoriented into a third pose that matches the second pose.

Abstract: A surgical saw and complementary blade. The blade has lock teeth that are more ductal than the cutting teeth. The saw coupling assembly has an anvil and a press. The saw coupling assembly holds the blade to the saw by compressing the saw lock teeth between the anvil and the press so as to result the coining of the lock teeth.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for a surgical instrument. The cutting assembly comprises a tube assembly having an inner tube adapted to be rotated by a drive assembly, and an outer tube disposed over the inner tube. An aperture within each of the inner and outer tubes may define a cutting window adapted to be applied to a surgical site of a patient. A grip is coupled to the tube assembly and configured to be engaged by a hand of a user. A manually movable member for rotating the outer tube may be provided and rotated with an index finger or a thumb of the hand while the grip is engaged by a web of the hand. A web portion of the grip may be engaged by the web of the hand without being engaged by a palm of the hand. Methods of gripping a cutting assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polyaxial screwdriver for inserting a bone screw in a vertebra. A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a coupling element. When a screw engaging end of the polyaxial screwdriver is lowered on the head of the bone screw, the complimentary surfaces of the screw engaging end of the screwdriver and the head of the screw self-align. A ratchet mechanism formed in the screwdriver provides progressive and automatic locking of the polyaxial screwdriver to the coupling element and prevents the accidental unthreading from the coupling element. In another embodiment of the polyaxial screwdriver, a collet slides over the outside surface of the upper end of the coupling element and locks on to the coupling element. In yet another embodiment of a polyaxial screwdriver, the outer sleeve of the polyaxial screwdriver has a split end that securely engages the coupling element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tip and methods of operating the same. The ultrasonic tip comprises a shaft including a base and a flexible body. The body comprises a first portion and a second portion. The body is coupled to the base at the first portion and extends from the first portion to the second portion along a longitudinal axis. The second portion includes a cutting portion comprising a neck, and a head extending radially from the longitudinal axis. The head is coupled to the neck. A circular aperture is disposed between the head and the neck to define an inner circumferential surface. The head and the neck form an outer circumferential surface comprising a plurality of cutting teeth, the outer circumferential surface having a first thickness at the head that is greater than a second thickness at the neck.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compressing and/or distracting bones are described herein. In one such method, a tap marker is engaged with a bone and a compressor/distractor device. The tap marker can be removed after moving the bone and a bone screw can be inserted into the space previously occupied by the tap marker. A rod or other fixation element can then be attached to the bone screw.

Abstract: The present invention includes devices, systems and methods for the storage, retrieval and placement of plates having wedges. A wedge plate tray includes an upper portion and at least one recessed portion, the recessed portion including a cavity sized to house the wedge and an additional cavity sized to accommodate placement and movement of an arm of an insertion instrument. The insertion instrument includes two arms connected at a hinge, a tip of each arm including a mating connector sized to engage a complementary mating connector on the wedge. In one embodiment of the method, the insertion instrument can be used to place the wedge plate in an osteotomy and where the wedge is a mobile wedge, a plate component can be adjusted to a desired position for securement while using the insertion instrument to hold the wedge in place in the osteotomy.

Abstract: A surgical bur with a head that defined a single flute. The flute has a rake surface with a cutting edge and an opposed recess edge. The cutting edge is spaced further from axis of shaft of the bur than the recess edge. The rake surface is often, but not always, planar.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a synthetic (virtual) orthopedic treatment device (e.g. a virtual external fixator representing a physical fixator attachable to a patient anatomic structure) is displayed concurrently in two views (e.g. anterior-posterior and lateral) along corresponding digital medical images (e.g. X-rays), and rotation/translation user input received along one of the images is used to concurrently control both displays of the orthopedic treatment device to reflect the rotation/translation user input.