Abstract: A lumbar interbody fusion device includes a first wing, a second wing, and a bridge. The bridge has an arcuate resting shape and include a first end connected to the first wing, a second end connected to the second wing, and at least one aperture extending through the bridge in a radial direction relative to the arcuate resting shape of the bridge. The bridge is elastically deformable such that a distance between the first wing and the second wing may vary according to elastic deformation of the bridge.

Abstract: Guides, systems, and methods for maintaining, correcting and/or fusing joint deformities are disclosed. The guide system including a cut guide, an alignment guide, and at least one directional wire. The cut guide including a base portion, an extension member extending away from a bottom surface of the base portion, and at least one arm extending away from an end of the base portion. The alignment guide, including a base portion, a first extension member extending away from a bottom surface of the base portion in a first direction, and a second extension member extending away from the bottom surface of the base portion in a second direction. Methods of using a guide system for maintaining, correcting and/or fusing joint deformities are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fusing a first bone and a second bone. An abrading and harvesting device is provided that includes a needle portion having a sharpened tip. The needle portion has a central bore extending therethrough. The needle portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The sharpened tip is attached to the distal end of the needle portion. A probe is provided having an unsharpened tip portion. The probe is extended between the first bone and the second bone. The needle portion is extended over the probe by passing the proximal end of the probe through the central bore. The first bone and the second bone are abraded with the sharpened tip to cause bleeding bone to be exposed on the first bone and the second bone. A device is placed along a path formed by the needle portion between the first bone and the second bone.

Abstract: An ear examination tool comprises a handle and a speculum mount coupled to the handle. The speculum mount is configured for retaining a disposable speculum. An spacing element is coupled to the handle and extends from the handle. A smartphone mount is coupled to the spacing element, and the spacing element is configured to maintain an optical separation distance between the speculum mount and the smartphone mount. The tool enables a clear view of the ear canal while allowing access by, and manipulation of, a microsuction tool being inserted into the ear canal. The extensive optical and data processing functionality of a “smartphone” can be integrated at low cost into an ear examination tool to provide a substantially improved piece of equipment for assisting in ear examination and microsuction of the ear.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument system for use during a surgical procedure to implant an orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial trial component adapted to be positioned on a surgically-prepared proximal end of a patient's tibia. The tibial trial component has a base plate and a central post extending upwardly from a superior surface of the base plate. A superior surface of the central post has a ramp surface defined therein, with the ramp surface inclining superiorly in the anterior-to-posterior direction.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.

Abstract: A system for dilating tissue includes a retractor having a pair of retractor blades that are movable towards and away from each other to retract tissue of a patient. The retractor blades have longitudinal guide channels. A first pin is attachable to a first vertebra. The system also includes an interbody spacer insertion device that has a guide channel for slidably engaging the longitudinal channel guide and is releasably attachable to an interbody spacer. The interbody spacer insertion device is configured to guide the interbody spacer into a space between adjacent vertebrae. A method for using the system includes advancing the retractor blades towards first and second vertebrae. The first retractor blade is attached to the first vertebra using the first pin and the retractor blades are moved away from each other. The interbody spacer insertion device is translated towards the vertebrae to position the interbody spacer between the vertebrae.

Abstract: A flexible shaft includes a tubular body extending along a central longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends opposite one another. The flexible shaft also includes a slot defined by the tubular body and extending along a helical path around and along at least a portion of the body between the proximal and distal ends. The helical path extends around the portion of the body for a plurality of rotations. The slot defines at least two teeth adjacent one another along a direction parallel to the central axis. Each tooth of the two teeth has a feature. In some implementations, a line extending through center points of the features on the two teeth is angularly offset from the central longitudinal axis. In some implementations, a line parallel to the central longitudinal axis intersects a different point on each feature of the two teeth.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an adjustable endoscopic surgical device for illuminating a tissue surface with diffuse and oblique light. In some embodiments, light emanates from the sides of an optical fiber, which is optionally formed at least in part into a loop shape.

Abstract: A spinal fusion implant includes a leading end, an opposite trailing end, an upper portion extending between the leading and trailing ends, a lower portion extending between the leading and trailing ends, and opposed first and second side portions extending between the leading and trailing ends. The upper portion includes at least two rails extending between the leading and trailing ends, the at least two rails including a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from one another, the first rail of the upper portion including a bone-contacting surface being at least partially smoothened. The lower portion includes at least two rails extending between the leading and trailing ends, the at least two rails including a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from one another, the first rail of the lower portion including a bone-contacting surface being at least partially smoothened.

Abstract: Alignment guide systems, fixation guide devices, and methods for positioning and inserting an intramedullary nail are disclosed. The alignment guide system includes a targeting guide with a first end and a second end, an alignment wire rotatably engaging a second end of the targeting guide, and a guide sleeve insert engaging an opening in the first end of the targeting guide. The fixation guide device including a frame including a first end and a second end, a compression device slidingly coupled to the first end of the frame, and the intramedullary nail secured to a nail attachment apparatus of the frame. A method of inserting an intramedullary nail into two bones for fixation of the two bones is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for computer assisted orthopedic feedback of at least one surgical object relative a pre-operative plan are disclosed. The pre-operative plan includes a virtual object, which is the virtual representation of the surgical object, and a virtual structure, which is the virtual representation of the patient structure.

Abstract: An apparatus or a system employs a fixation assembly to stabilize and prevent migration of an interbody fusion device placed between adjacent vertebral bodies, and/or provide supplemental fixation of adjacent vertebral bodies. The fixation assembly may include modular fixation plates insertable and attachable to the interbody fusion device in situ. In certain embodiments, the fixation assembly may include a single fixation plate insertable and/or attachable to the interbody fusion device in situ. In certain embodiments, fixation plates are integrally formed with the interbody fusion device.

Abstract: Disclosed are radially expanding debridement tools configured to pass through an access channel present in a first tissue of a living being, expand radially, and create a void in a second tissue of the living being upon being advanced distally through the access channel and into the second tissue while being rotated, wherein the shape of the void comprises at least one step. Further disclosed are debridement systems and methods of treating tissue defects in living beings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for dilating tissue for placement of a pedicle screw without the use of guide wires. The tissue dilation system includes, generally, a stylet and trocar which are used for the initial placement of the tissue dilation system. A second dilator is passed over the first. A second dilator is passed over the first dilator, and further includes a serrated edge for engaging with a target surface. The second dilator may be secured to the target surface by the serrated edge alone, or may additional be secured using one or more temporary fixation pins, which operably couple to the second dilator.

Abstract: Tools for cutting bone, specifically cutting a hemispherical cavity in bone. Preferably, tools including an adaptor device configured to provide independent control of the cutting orientation.

Abstract: A fixator of a cranial flap to a skull, the fixator comprising a rigid rod, a lower disk placed at a distal extremity of said rigid rod, an upper disk mounted so as to be mobile along said rigid rod and a grip connected to the proximal extremity of said rigid rod enabling said upper disk to be made to slide towards said lower disk, said distal extremity of said rigid rod being provided with a ball-joint element and said lower disk comprising a recess for receiving said ball-joint element; said lower disk and said upper disk have convex shapes and are made out of a material enabling them to get deformed and adapt to shapes of the skull and the cranial flap, the lower and upper disks are placed flat against and secured to the internal and external surfaces of the skull and of the cranial flap.

Abstract: A standalone anterior cervical interbody spacer (ACIF) that includes a spacer body and plate rigidly couple via flexible pins.

Abstract: A rotatable surgical instrument and method includes an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member contained, at least in part, within the outer tubular member and configured to rotate relative to the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member and outer tubular member forming a gap therebetween. A distal tip is coupled to and configured to rotate with the inner tubular member. Bearings, each positioned in the gap and encircling the inner tubular member, are configured to maintain a separation between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. A spacer is positioned within the gap and between two of the bearings, wherein the spacer is configured to maintain a spacing between the bearings.

Abstract: A cutting guide includes a body and a rotatable device. The body includes a top portion, a bottom portion parallel to the top portion, and a side portion connecting the top and the bottom portions. The rotatable device is coupled to one end of the top portion of the body, and includes a pivotal element and a handle. The handle in the rotatable device has a first portion coupled to the pivotal element, and a second portion configured to be rotated around an axis of the pivotal element. Each of the top portion of the body, the side portion of the body, the bottom portion of the body, and the handle has one respective edge providing a respective guide surface for cutting a bone in a surgical procedure.