Abstract: A method for creating a segmented alignment rod, the method including receiving a request for a segmented alignment rod, receiving at least one image of a deformed spine, generating, a normal spinal curvature, and generating a segmented alignment rod design.

Abstract: A bone fixation system comprises a first fastener configured to anchor into a first vertebrae, a second fastener configured to anchor into a second vertebrae, and a set screw to retain the second fastener to the first fastener. The first fastener includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and a head. The shaft includes a first cylindrical body. The head of the first fastener includes a second cylindrical body defining a passageway having an interior surface. The passageway defines a longitudinal axis that is different than the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first cylindrical body of the shaft and the second cylindrical body of the head are angled relative to each other. A head of the second fastener is configured to engage the interior surface of the passageway of the head of the first fastener. The set screw retains the head of the second fastener in the passageway.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to methods and systems for fusing a joint. The disclosure includes mechanically immobilizing the joint by insertion of a bone screw, the bone screw including a screw shaft operatively coupled to a screw head, the screw shaft including a longitudinal axis, a channel extending along the longitudinal axis, a first shaft wall section, a second shaft wall section and a third shaft wall section. Fusing of the joint includes inserting the screw into a first bone, a second bone and a joint formed between the first bone and the second bone. Insertion further includes cutting bone pieces away from the first bone using the third shaft wall section of the bone screw and directing the first bone pieces into a helical depression formed in the third shaft wall section.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and apparatus of surgical instruments engineered for integration with robotic surgical systems to enhance precision in surgical procedures. Also described herein are methods of using such surgical instruments in performing surgical procedures. The use of such surgical instruments reduce complications arising from misalignment during surgery. The disclosed technology assists in stages of a surgical procedure that require a precise trajectory to be followed. Surgical instrument guides are attached to a universal surgical instrument guide, which is engineered to attach directly or indirectly with a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system. Surgical instruments can then be precisely guided along an axis defined by the universal surgical instrument guide. Individual instruments are easily inserted and removed from the channel of the universal surgical instrument guide, thus allowing a range of instruments to be used throughout a procedure while maintaining the surgical trajectory.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to material removal instrument for forming cavities in interior body regions, particularly cavities in intervertebral discs and vertebrae. The instrument includes a cannula and a rotation mechanism disposed at least partially within the cannula. A cutting element extends from the rotation mechanism and impacts and dislocates tissue as the rotation mechanism is rotated within the body. Dislocated tissue with withdrawn from the body via the cannula.

Abstract: The fracture fixation plate (1) is suitable for application to the proximal humerus, wherein •a) the fracture fixation plate (1) has an elongate body section (2) which has a free distal end (3) and a proximal end (4) to which there are adjoined, on each side, a right wing (5) having the center line (11) and a left wing (6) having the center line (12); •b) the body section (2) and the two wings (5, 6) are provided with a number of screw holes (7) for receiving bone-fastening elements (8), and the fracture fixation plate (1) has a bone contact face (9) and an opposite surface (10), and •c) the two wings (5, 6) have different lengths. Furthermore, •d) the two wings (5, 6) are curved, and •e) the extensions of the two curved center lines (11, 12) form an obtuse angle a.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery (CAS) system comprises a cup implanting device including a shaft having a tooling end and a handle end with a handle for being manipulated, the shaft having a longitudinal axis, the tooling end adapted to support a cup for being received in an acetabulum of a patient, and a rotation indicator having a visual guide representative of a device plane, wherein the device plane is in a known position and orientation relative to a center of the cup on the tooling end.

Abstract: In order to apply, with a simple and easy means, proper pressure between bone segments spaced apart as a result of osteotomy or a bone fracture, without lowering the fixing force at the screw meshing portion, without increasing a dead space, and without increasing the thickness of the plate, the present invention provides a bone plate having an upper face, which is to be in contact with bone, a lower face, which is to be in contact with the bone, and a plurality of holes arranged to receive bone screws and connecting the upper face and the lower face. In at least one of the holes, a portion of an edge, on the upper face, of the hole is formed so as to be raised in the form of a protrusion higher than the upper face around the hole.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for creating a bore in bone. The devices and methods described involve driving a rotating bit in an axial direction such that both rotation and linear movement are controlled and measurable. The instrument is useful for a surgeon to control and simultaneously measure the travel of the tool into the bone and prevent injury to surrounding structures.

Abstract: A compression device made of a superelastic material having a peripheral portion with an upper surface, a lower surface, and a central opening extending therethrough is provided. One or more resilient teeth project inward of the peripheral portion into the central opening and are configured to exert a biasing force in an axial direction when deformed in a direction opposite the axial direction.

Abstract: A fixation device includes a first anchor portion configured to join to a first bone portion, a second anchor portion configured to join to a second bone portion, and an intermediate component that extends between the first anchor portion and the second anchor portion. The intermediate component is configured to expand, contract, and angulate enabling constrained movement of the second bone portion with respect to the first bone portion. The second anchor portion has a larger configuration relative to the first anchor portion, thereby preventing the second bone portion from depressing below the first bone portion.

Abstract: A surgical screw for fixation into bone or soft tissue. The surgical screw includes a cannulated body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the cannulated body has a tapered tip and a plurality of threads extend around the exterior of the cannulated body. An introducer extends distally from the tapered tip and has a diameter (which can be variable or constant) which is less than a diameter of the tapered tip. The surgical screw is cannulated such that a channel extends through the body from the proximal end to (and sometimes through) the distal end.

Abstract: A surgical probe and a method for forming and enlarging an access opening through a psoas muscle to provide for minimally invasive lateral approach for surgical access to a lumber intervertebral disc. A distal end portion of the probe is equipped with an electrode useful for confirming proper location of the probe and includes an inflatable dilator body for enlarging an access opening through tissue adjacent to a spinal column. The probe includes a cannula through which a K wire can be extended to anchor the probe to a patient.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery including a system for performing minimally invasive procedures including a flexible catheter having a first lumen, a first flexible tube positioned in the first lumen, and a second flexible tube positioned in the first lumen. The first lumen defines a first space configured and dimensioned to receive an endoscope. The first flexible tube and second flexible tube are fixed at a proximal portion and configured to float within the first lumen of the catheter. First and second flexible guides are slidably positioned within the first and second flexible tubes and dimensioned to receive a first instrument for axial movement therein, the first and second flexible guides movable to an angled position with respect to a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: This disclosure includes apparatus and methods to attach an orthopedic device to a bone. The method can comprise locating a baseplate on a glenoid of a patient, the base plate including at least a first fastener bore, creating a first post hole in the glenoid for locating a first fixation post, the first fixation post including a quasi-spherical head and a porous metal sleeve, and driving the first fixation post through the first fastener bore and into the first post hole. The porous metal sleeve can engage the first post hole and the quasi-spherical head can contact at least the first wall of the first fastener bore to removeably lock the quasi-spherical head to the baseplate. Driving the first fixation post can create an initial compression between the baseplate and the glenoid. The porous metal sleeve can receive bone ingrowth to maintain the initial compression.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one aspect, a bone fixation device, the bone fixation device having a shaft, the shaft including a drive end and a tip end, at least a portion of the shaft configured to anchor into bone. The shaft further includes a first non-resorbable section extending from the tip end of the shaft, a second non-resorbable section extending from the drive end of the shaft, and a resorbable section. The resorbable section includes a tip side and a drive side, the resorbable section is between the first non-resorbable section and the second non-resorbable section, with the tip side of the resorbable section coupling to the first non-resorbable section and the drive side coupling to the second non-resorbable section.

Abstract: A system and method for improving installation of a prosthesis, particularly an acetabular cup. The system and method may include implementation of a constant velocity relative motion between a prosthesis and an installation site. For example, an installation system may be fixed relative to the installation site, with the prosthesis fixed into an initial position. The prosthesis is moved at constant speed (i.e., with minimal if any acceleration or applied impulses) relative to the installation site. That is, one or both of the prosthesis or the installation site may be in motion. Resistive forces to installation of a prosthesis may thus be reduced by maintaining the prosthesis constantly in motion relative to the installation site. Securing a processing/implanting tool directly to the installation site may offer advantages.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bone plate system comprising: a bone fastening element comprising a shaft with a first thread with a first lead length, the fastening element further comprising a head with a second thread on its outer surface, the second thread having a second lead length, the outer surface having a first hardness; and a bone plate with a second hardness which is smaller than the first hardness, the bone plate comprising a non-threaded through hole in a non-assembled state for receiving the bone fastening element, the hole comprising a first hole portion with a first three-dimensional shape and a second hole portion with a second, different three-dimensional shape. The first lead length substantially equals the second lead length, and the second thread is arranged to irreversible deform the wall of the hole to form a female thread on the wall.

Abstract: A resilient washer has a one-piece washer body. The washer body has a central opening, an upper fastener interfacing section or bowl, a lower structure interfacing section or bowl and a resilient middle portion. The resilient middle portion connects the upper fastener interfacing section or bowl and the lower structure interfacing section or bowl. The resilient middle portion is configured to be locally collapsed when a fastener in the central opening is tightened into a structure. In one embodiment, the upper fastener interfacing section or bowl is annular, wherein the upper fastener interfacing section or bowl has a concavity for holding a head of the fastener. The concavity can be of a hemispherical shape. Preferably, the concavity has a smooth surface to allow polyaxial movement of a fastener.

Abstract: A surgical procedure of preparing bone holes to dispose an implanted tendon to a femur when performing reconstruction of a ligament in a knee joint, includes: forming a first bone hole in the femur; and applying ultrasonic vibration from a treatment portion of an ultrasonic treatment instrument to the femur, thereby cutting and expanding the first bone hole from the inside of the knee joint to the first bone hole of the femur along a predetermined depth, and forming a second bone hole having a polygonal shape, an approximately polygonal shape, an elliptical shape or an approximately elliptical shape to receive the implanted tendon.