Abstract: An implantable modular plate system for stabilizing adjacent vertebral bodies in a cervical spine includes at least two plate segments aligned or connected together so as to form a connection at and along adjacent ends. At least one of the plate segments includes a flange at an engagement end and at least one of the plate segments including a flange recess at an engagement end, the flange being configured for overlay engagement with the flange recess when the at least two plate segments are engaged. The plate segments are pivotable out of plane with one another at a common axis of rotation traversing overlapping portions of the adjacent ends and are constrained from rotation by the flanges such that the rotation of each plate segment is limited to up to 90 degrees of rotation away from the contact surfaces of the flange and flange recess.

Abstract: A device for hydrating particulate bone material is provided. The device comprises a tubular member having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface is configured to receive the particulate bone material and a hydration fluid. The exterior surface has a plurality of pores configured to allow the hydration fluid to flow into the interior surface of the tubular member and hydrate the particulate bone material. The plurality of pores are smaller in size than the particulate bone material. Methods of dispensing particulate the bone material are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which intraoperatively acquired surface data is employed to verify the correspondence of an intraoperatively selected spinal level with a spinal level that is pre-selected based on volumetric image data. Segmented surface data corresponding to the pre-selected spinal levels may be obtained from the volumetric image data, such that the segmented surface data corresponds to a spinal segment that is expected to be exposed and identified intraoperatively during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bone plate system comprising: a bone fastening element comprising a shaft with a first thread, the fastening element further comprising a head with a second thread on its outer surface, the outer surface having a first hardness; and a bone plate having a second hardness which is smaller than the first hardness, the bone plate comprising a through hole for receiving the bone fastening element. The head is oxygen diffusion hardened.

Abstract: A bone resection instrument, comprising means of support and positioning for the correct alignment of the tool with respect to the bone to be cut, a cutting guide, connected to the means of support and positioning, comprising a support attachable to a bone to be cut. The cutting guide comprises a gauge block having a cutting surface and removably connected to said support. The instrument is part of a bone resection kit comprising a plurality of gauge blocks, each differing in height from one another.

Abstract: A system and device (110) for determining bone laxity. For example, the system includes a tracked probe (300) comprising at least one probe marker (310) and a computer assisted surgical (CAS) system (100). The CAS system includes a navigation system (130) and a processing device (110) operably connected to the navigation system and a computer readable medium configured to store one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to receive location information from the navigation system, generate (820) a surgical plan comprising a post-operative laxity assumption (720), collect (850) first motion information related to movement of the joint through a first range of motion, collect (860) second motion information related to movement of the joint through a second range of motion, determine (870) a post-operative laxity (710), and compare the post-operative laxity and the post-operative laxity assumption to determine laxity results.

Abstract: Devices and methods for an autovance intraosseous device. The autovance intraosseous device can include a trigger activated system or pressure activated system that causes a needle to advance distally for a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance ensures a needle tip extends through the bone cortex, to access the medullary cavity, without penetrating a far wall of the medullary cavity. The advancement can be driven by a spring based system or an electric motor.

Abstract: Devices and methods for stabilizing bone. An exemplary device may comprise a plate, an arm, and a buttress member. The plate may define one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners that secure the plate onto a first bone region. The arm may project from an edge of the plate. The buttress member may be connected pivotably to an end of the arm. The buttress member may be configured to be pivoted by contact with a second bone region to conform an orientation of the buttress member to the second bone region, and may apply compression to, and/or support, the second bone region.

Abstract: A bone fastener assembly instrument that can assemble a two-component bone fastener during surgery is provided. The bone fastener may be of a type that comprises a threaded bolt and nut for securing an implantable device to bone, such as a spinous process. A method for using the bone fastener assembly instrument is also provided.

Abstract: A laryngopharyngoscope retractor system including: a plurality of components including: a base frame with a coupling region and a spatula holder that is adjustable in terms of position and orientation by way of adjusting screws; a spatula that is releasably fastenable in the spatula holder; two cheek holder adapters that are releasably fastenable to the base frame; and two cheek holders, each of which is releasably fastenable to a respective cheek holder adapter, wherein one or more of the base frame, the spatula holder, the spatula, the cheek holder adapter and the cheek holder, in the respective regions provided for the releasable connection to another one of the plurality of components have a visible unique code that corresponds to the corresponding regions on the other of the plurality of components.

Abstract: An instrument for establishing orientation of a pelvic prosthesis comprises a hub, a first arm attached to and extending from the hub, and a second arm attached to and extending from the hub. The first and second arms define a nominal plane of the apparatus, and may extend from the hub at an angle relative to each other. Distances between the first and second legs and between the first and third legs are adjustable. The first, second, and third legs have tips, and the tips of the first, second, and third legs define a plane having a predefined geometric relationship to the nominal plane of the apparatus.

Abstract: A device includes an outer sleeve of flexible material forming an outer conduit extending longitudinally therethrough for the insertion of a bone treatment device (“BTD”) to target sites within a living body. A distal opening of the outer conduit is open so that, when the outer sleeve is in a desired position within the body, BTD is inserted through the outer conduit exits the outer sleeve adjacent to a target portion of a bone. The device also includes an inner sleeve received within the outer sleeve and defining an inner conduit within the outer conduit to form a protective covering. The inner sleeve is split longitudinally. Portions of the inner sleeve on opposite sides of the split are coupled to one another so that a diameter of the inner conduit is adjustable in response to forces exerted thereon by one of BTD and tissues surrounding the outer sleeve.

Abstract: The invention provides a surgical device for performing a controlled resection of the neck of a femur during a hip replacement procedure. The surgical device comprises a body portion having: a frame comprising an aperture dimension for receipt of a femoral head of the femur to position the body portion with respect to a centre of the femoral head; a resection guide for indicating a position of a resection plane on the femoral neck, and an arm extending between the frame and the resection guide. The body portion includes a linear alignment surface for alignment with a femoral shaft axis of the femur while the frame is mounted on the anterior or posterior aspect of the femoral head.

Abstract: A method facilitates the treatment of the spine of a patient by providing simultaneous access through at least a first opening and a second opening formed in the patient. For example, the method can include the acts of positioning the patient on a surgical table, providing the first opening into a posterior portion of the patient, providing the second opening into a lateral portion of the patient, inserting a first device through the first opening into the patient to contact the spine in a first direction that is transverse to the coronal plane of the patient, and inserting a second device through the second opening into the patient to contact the spine in a second direction that is transverse to the sagittal plane of the patient, where the first and second openings are accessible simultaneously, and, when the first and second devises are inserted into the patient, the position of the patient is stationary with respect to a portion of the table.

Abstract: An electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc having an upper disc plate and a lower disc plate is disclosed. An actuator imparts movement to at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. A control device controls the actuator and the amount of movement between the disc plates. The actuator includes a plurality of either linear actuators or rotary actuators that are driven by electric motors in response to the control device. The control device includes at least a first sensor for detecting the position of the actuator and at least a second sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. The control device also preferably includes a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides a control signal to the actuator to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

Abstract: Implantable fixation devices for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The devices include plates that may be affixed to a rib and realign separated portions of the rib or other body part. The devices may also include various locking mechanisms that receive a cable that may be used to realign and bring together separated portions of a bone or other body part. The devices may further include plates that may be affixed to a sternum and realign separated portions of the sternum or other body part.

Abstract: A surgical access system comprising a tissue dilation assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures.

Abstract: A housing containing an electrical energy source is coupled between a first end cap comprising a control and an interstitial member comprising an LED selectively electrically couplable to the electrical energy source by the control, and a second end cap coupled to the interstitial member comprises an optical filtering component in optical alignment with light emitted by the LED. At least a portion of an exterior of at least one of the housing, the first end cap, the interstitial member, and the second end cap may have a cross-sectional shape that is not substantially circular. The end caps, housing, interstitial member, and optical filtering component may each be sealingly interconnected. A method of using the apparatus may comprise directing light emitted by the apparatus into a human oral cavity without inserting the apparatus into the human oral cavity.

Abstract: A driven fastener guide for guiding a fastener into a hole of a bone plate. The driven fastener guide includes an elongated driver configured for connecting to a drill and a fastener guide member operably connected to the elongated driver. The fastener guide member includes a split body and a through-bore configured for receiving the fastener. The fastener guide member is configured for aligning the fastener relative to the hole of the bone plate.

Abstract: A vertebral insert may include a first linkage, a second linkage, and a third linkage. The first, second, and third linkages may at least partially defining a cavity. The insert may be movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and the movement of the first and second linkages with respect to one another may be configured to reciprocally move the insert between the collapsed and expanded configurations.