Abstract: A spinal fixation construct for aligning vertebral bodies includes a bone screw, a spinal rod, a flexible member, and a fixation member. The spinal rod is disposed within a saddle portion of a housing of the bone screw, and includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The spinal rod is formed from a first material having a first modulus of elasticity. The flexible member is coupled to the spinal rod, and includes an elongated body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The flexible member is formed from a second material having a second modulus of elasticity that is different from the first modulus of elasticity. The fixation member includes a threaded body portion and a head portion defining a hole therethrough. A portion of the flexible member extends through the hole of the head portion.

Abstract: An access apparatus includes an access housing, an access member extending from the access housing, a fluid connector mounted to the access housing and a control valve mounted to the fluid connector. The control valve is positionable relative to the fluid connector between a first position corresponding to a desufflation operative state permitting rapid desufflation of the underlying body cavity, a second position corresponding to an insufflation operative state permitting insufflation fluid flow into the access member and into the underlying body cavity, and a third position corresponding to a closed operative state.

Abstract: A surgical implant and a method for the making the surgical implant is provided. The surgical implant includes various granules incorporated into an upper surface and a lower surface of a body portion thereof. The granules can be pressed into the upper surface and the lower surface via physical force using at least one mold portion. The physical force applied by the at least one mold portion can deform and/or extrude the upper surface and the lower surface to impregnate these surfaces with the granules. The granules can provide the implant with bioresorbable and/or mechanically-reinforced properties.

Abstract: Bone attachment shim device composed of a biomaterial compatible with bone and provides an enhanced surface area on the outer surface of the device for engaging the bone, an enhanced surface area within the device for engaging the bone screw, and is composed of a partial shaft design which is greater than 180 but less than 270 degrees around when viewed in cross section. The device preferably has a biased tip for facilitating placement into bone tissue.

Abstract: A surgical kit includes a shield for covering a portion of the spine of a subject. The shield can include an attachment portion adapted to engage a bone fixation assembly which is adapted to be fixed on multiple vertebra bones of the subject. The bone fixation assembly can include a vertebra joining member secured between two bone anchors. Each bone anchor can include a fastener portion adapted to be implanted into a vertebra bone and a head coupling portion adapted to secure the vertebra joining member. The shield can be coupled to the bone fixation assembly via separate coupling elements, such as a clip or an adjustable link secured between two vertebra joining members of the bone fixation assembly. Alternatively, the shield can include an integral attachment portion configured to engage the bone fixation assembly directly.

Abstract: A surgical system for use in correcting hammer toe or otherwise straightening toes or fusing other bones to one another includes a male drill bit and a female drill bit, as well as an absorbable pin. The male and female drill bits are configured to define complementary features from opposed, or facing, ends of bones that are to be fused to one another. The male and female drill bits may also be configured to define channels through the lengths of the bones that are to be fused to one another, with the channels being configured to align and define a continuous channel through the bones when they are assembled. The absorbable pin, which may be absorbed by a subject's body over time, is configured to be positioned in the continuous channel, and may hold the bones in an assembled relationship before and while they fuse to one another.

Abstract: A hand grip system for a surgical retractor includes a grip region of a rigid surgical retractor tool having at least two holes passing there through. The hand grip system also includes a monolithic hand grip encasing the grip region and filling the holes. The monolithic hand grip includes a first elongate region having a convex cylindrical shape adjoining a second elongate region having a concave cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method are provided for removal of a spinal implant from the intervertebral disc space. The instrument includes a carriage body for interfacing with the implant, a housing for interfacing with the vertebrae, and a handle portion having a first portion rotatably coupled with a proximal end of the housing and a second portion rotatably engageable with a proximal attachment portion of the carriage body. A central passage of the housing extends between the proximal end and a distal engagement surface of the housing. The central passage is dimensioned to mate with the carriage body. Rotation of the handle portion about an axis causes translational movement of the carriage body along the axis. A modular inserter/distractor apparatus and method and an anchor remover and method are also provided.

Abstract: A system includes a screw tower, an instrument, and a housing. The instrument includes a driver shaft extendable longitudinally through the screw tower, and a threaded sleeve mounted on a proximal portion of the driver shaft. The housing includes one or more retention members coupleable to the screw tower, and a threaded button threadably coupleable to the threaded sleeve. The threaded sleeve is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to urge the driver shaft longitudinally relative to the screw tower.

Abstract: Connector assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. One or more modular connectors has a first portion that clamps to a first rod in an existing construct and a second portion that clamps to a second rod in a new construct such that the new construct can be extended from the existing construct.

Abstract: A receptacle for receiving a medical device and a method of making and using the receptacle. The receptacle includes an elongate base, a cover, the cover and elongate base hingedly secured to one another, the cover and the elongate base cooperating to define an envelope having mouth extending into an interior area of the envelope, and a biasing member communicating with the cover and configured to bias the mouth in an open position for receiving the medical device through the mouth into the interior area.

Abstract: A system for non-invasively adjusting the curvature of a spine includes a housing having a first end and a second end, a first rod having a first end telescopically disposed within a cavity of the housing along a first longitudinal axis at the first end of the housing and having a first threaded portion extending thereon, and a second end configured to be coupled to a first portion of a spinal system of a subject, a second rod having a first end telescopically disposed within the cavity along a second longitudinal axis at the second end of the housing and having a second threaded portion extending thereon, and a second end configured to be coupled to a second portion of the spinal system of the subject, a driving member rotatably disposed within the cavity and configured to be activated from a location external to the body of the subject.

Abstract: An interspinous process device is configured for placement between adjacent spinous processes on a subject's spine. The device includes a housing configured for mounting to a first spinal process, the housing having a lead screw fixedly secured at one end thereof. A magnetic assembly is at least partially disposed within the housing and configured for mounting to a second spinal process. The magnetic assembly includes a hollow magnet configured for rotation within the magnetic assembly, the hollow magnet comprising a threaded insert configured to engage with the lead screw. An externally applied magnetic field rotates the hollow magnet in a first direction or a second, opposite direction. Rotation of the hollow magnet in the first direction causes telescopic movement of the magnetic assembly out of the housing (i.e., elongation) and rotation in the second direction causes telescopic movement of the magnetic assembly into the housing (i.e., shortening).

Abstract: A pivotal bone anchor system includes a plurality of bone anchors having rounded capture portions with circumferentially extending capture recesses. The system also includes multi-planar receiver sub-assemblies, each comprising a multi-planar receiver defining a cavity with a multi-planar seating surface, and a multi-planar pivoting retainer configured for multi-planar motion upon engagement with the multi-planar seating surface and to snap into a capture recess to capture a bone anchor within the multi-planar receiver. The system further includes uni-planar receiver sub-assemblies, each comprising a uni-planar receiver defining a cavity with a uni-planar seating surface, and a uni-planar pivoting retainer configured for uni-planar motion upon engagement with the uni-planar seating surface and to snap into a capture recess to capture a bone anchor within the uni-planar receiver.

Abstract: An implant device (100d) for engagement with a bone of a subject, said the implant device (100d) comprising a distal end (102d), a proximal end (104d), a central shaft (106d), a longitudinal central axis (108d) and a helical thread portion (110d) having a leading edge (114d) and a trailing edge (116d). A portion of the leading edge (114d) extends in a direction towards the distal end (102d) of the implant further than the most distal portion of the root (112d) of the thread portion (110d); and wherein the trailing edge (116d) extends in a direction of from the most proximal portion of the root (112d) in a radial outward direction and towards the distal end (102d); and a crest portion (118d) disposed between the leading edge (114d) and the trailing edge (116d) and wherein said the crest portion (118d) forms a radially outward portion of the thread portion (110d). Hence, the implant device (100d) improved the axial pull-out strength and reduced stress concentration.

Abstract: A surgical retractor assembly for providing surgical exposure. The surgical retractor assembly consists of two frame segments connected by adjustable ratchet mechanisms to form a retractor frame. The ratchet mechanisms can be attached to tissue retractor blades that provide exposure of the wound when expanded, without the requirement of a direct connection/attachment to an operating table or bed frame. The tissue retractor blades are attached in a manner that is adjustable and facilitates the ability of the overall surgical retractor assembly to be raised or lowered with respect to the patient. The retractor frame also allows attachments of additional retractor blades or other surgical retractor accessories for additional surgical exposure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic recognition method for spatial position and pose of parallel external fixator, including the following steps of: installing three markers on each of the two fixation rings of the parallel external fixator; obtaining 3D images of six marker balls after scanning and reconstruction by a common 3D clinical imaging system; recognizing the sphere center coordinates of the six marker balls by sphere fitting algorithm; according to the mounting configuration of the markers on the two fixation rings, establishing coordinate systems of two fixation rings and determining the spatial position and pose of the external fixator; in addition, by obtaining the 3D images of the fracture bone segments with the 3D clinical imaging system and simulating the movement of the fracture deformity correction, the adjustment schedule of the external fixator struts can be achieved.

Abstract: A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. An access cannula may be introduced over the first dilator tube. A drill may be inserted through the access cannula and used to perform a foraminoplasty. Surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for securing a spinal rod are provided. A clamp assembly comprises a tulip comprising an opening comprising an inner surface, wherein the inner surface is threaded; and a threaded locking cap disposed in the opening, wherein threads of the locking cap and the inner surface include various geometries.

Abstract: An implantable, modular spine stabilization system that allows for multi-level treatment of the spine by providing either rigid fixation or dynamic stabilization at different levels to be treated is provided. This modular spine stabilization system may be configured to span multiple spine levels, and have a curvature that closely matches the curvature of the spine over those multiple levels to be treated. Further, the modular spine stabilization system allows adjustment of the curvature of the overall system such that the system may be adapted for a patient for a customized fit. Instruments are also provided for the assembly and/or implantation of the modular spine stabilization system. The associated instruments may include instruments for adjusting the curvature of the system to the patient, and for implanting the curved system into the patient. The instruments may be configured for implantation of the system in a minimally invasive surgery.