Abstract: An implant insertion device is adapted for use with a shape memory implant. The shape memory implant includes a bridge interconnecting first and second legs. The shape memory implant is movable between a first shape in which the first and second legs are substantially non-parallel and a second shape in which the first and second legs are substantially parallel. The implant insertion device engages the shape memory implant to maintain the shape memory implant in its second shape until the delivery of the shape memory implant into tissue or bone.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes an outer housing and an end plate assembly coupled with the outer housing. The outer housing defines an aperture and a longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the end plate assembly is slidably received within the outer housing. The end plate assembly includes a first end plate configured to engage a vertebral body, wherein the end plate assembly is selectively movable between a first position in which the first end plate is spaced apart from the outer housing and a second position in which the first end plate is adjacent the outer housing. Further, the first end plate is selectively adjustable to an angular orientation of a plurality of angular orientations with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer housing.

Abstract: An orthopedic distraction device is provides. The orthopedic distraction device includes a first upper paddle for engaging a first bone of a joint, a lower paddle for engaging a second bone of the joint and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism includes a drive assembly operable to move the upper paddle relative to the lower paddle. The lower paddle is releasably connected to the displacement mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method of manufacturing a tissue-integration device, and a tissue-integration device so produced, the method comprising the steps of wrapping a porous sheet of material around a mandrel in order to create overlapping layers of the porous sheet material, the wrapped mandrel then being placed in a mould in order to apply pressure and heat to the overlapping layers in order to effect the lamination thereof such as to form a device having spaces defined by overlapping pores of the adjacent layers.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a member defining a longitudinal axis and including an engagement portion. The engagement portion includes at least one element engageable with an implant fastener. The at least one element includes a drive interface and an arcuate surface spaced from the drive interface. The arcuate surface includes at least one interference point engageable with the implant fastener. Implants, systems, constructs and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A tibial cutting guide includes upper and lower portions having patient-matched surfaces. The upper portion defines resection slots for forming resections about the tibial eminence. The lower portion defines two pin slots for receiving alignment pins such that in use the position of the resection slots relative to the tibial eminence can be adjusted by sliding the cutting guide along the alignment pins placed in the tibia through the pin slots. The lower portion defines a resection slot for guiding a saw blade to form a horizontal plateau resection, and two pin holes for receiving fixation pins. A method includes positioning a patient-matched cutting guide on the proximal tibia; intra-operatively adjusting the position of the cutting guide in two degrees of freedom by sliding the cutting guide along fixation pins placed in the tibia; and resecting the tibia about the tibial eminence.

Abstract: An optical device for illuminating the vasculature of a mammal using ultraviolet, visible, and/or infrared light is described. The optical device includes an optical fiber encased in a biocompatible sheath, and is dimensioned to lie within an intravascular catheter. When placed within a vascular space and coupled with a suitable light source the optical device illuminates the vascular space and its contents. The faces of the optical fiber are configured to optimize the capture of ultraviolet, visible, and/or infrared light from a light source without the use of active optics.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a memory storing a value indicative the remaining available rated capacity of one or more batteries. The stored value is changed in use to reflect reducing capacity. The initial stored value is chosen so that there is a very high (e.g. >99.9%) confidence that the one or more batteries will provide at least the capacity indicated by the initial stored value. This reduces the chance of failure during emergency procedures. The one or more batteries may be integral to the electrical device. An override facility is provided.

Abstract: A system for illumination during a corridor based procedure is provided, comprising: a light source; and, an optical probe comprising: a tube having a distal end, a proximal end and one or more sidewalls there between, the optical probe and the light source arranged so that light from the light source is received by the one or more sidewalls, the one or more sidewalls configured to convey the light to the distal end, the distal end configured to receive the light and illuminate a sample adjacent thereto.

Abstract: An instrument for clamping and trimming the bone tendon portion of a graft to a desired size, comprising a pair of elongated handles each having jaws at one end; the handles being hinged together at a pivot point allowing the jaws to open and close in a scissor arrangement, the jaws defining a generally U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle when the jaws are closed about the bone tendon portion of the graft to be trimmed and the jaws comprising respective upper guide surfaces along their upper edges whereby, when a bone tendon portion is positioned in the U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle, the upper guide surfaces function as a guide for a blade of a saw to trim any excess portion of the bone tendon portion protruding above the upper guide surfaces.

Abstract: Fusion devices include blade anchors. The blade anchors may slidingly penetrate a bone or bone fragment, and may induce compression of one bone to another or one fragment to another. The fusion devices may also include a body to which the blade anchors connect.

Abstract: A fastener includes an elongate fastener body defining a longitudinal axis substantially central thereto. The fastener body has a continuous outer fastener shell laterally surrounding the longitudinal axis. The fastener shell longitudinally separates a fastener head end and a fastener tip end. A tool-engaging feature is provided on the fastener head end. A plurality of teeth are located on the fastener shell and extend substantially laterally outward from the longitudinally axis. The fastener shell is comprised of at least one undulate face and at least one substantially flat face. The plurality of teeth are located only on the undulate faces. Each tooth is longitudinally separated from adjacent teeth along an undulate face. A method of installing the fastener into a receiving structure is also described.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sagittal saw blade mount and corresponding sagittal saw blade. The blade mount is configured to rotationally oscillate along a plane of motion about an axis of rotation which passes through the blade mount crossing the plane of motion at a point of rotation. The blade mount comprises a securing portion comprising two securing faces passing through the plane of motion and a locking member configured to urge a blade towards the securing portion in a first direction parallel to the plane of motion, thereby securing the blade between the locking member and the securing faces. The two securing faces are angled such that the planes of the securing faces intersect with each other and with the plane of motion at a point of intersection which is positioned such that the point of rotation lies between the point of intersection and the securing portion.

Abstract: An arthroscopic bone tunneling and suturing device including a bone-engaging needle driving assembly including a bone-engaging needle and being adapted for arthroscopic insertion into engagement with a patient's bone at a first bone location through an arthroscopic incision and for driving the needle forwardly along a generally arcuate tunneling path through the bone at least to a second bone location and a bone-engaging pin driving assembly arranged for operative engagement with the bone-engaging needle driving assembly and being adapted for arthroscopic insertion into engagement with a patient's bone at a third bone location through the arthroscopic incision.

Abstract: An apparatus for passing a cable through a pass-through hole in a bone that includes a hole-forming tool and a cable. The hole-forming tool has a shank, a cutting portion, and a first connection feature. The cutting portion is interposed between the shank and the first connection feature and the shank is detachably coupleable to a driving tool. The cable has a first-end portion that has a second connection feature. The cable is detachably coupleable to the hole-forming tool via the first connection feature of the hole-forming tool and the second connection feature of the first-end portion of the cable.

Abstract: Bone harvesting tools and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In an embodiment, the tool comprises a chamber having a first aperture, a second aperture, an internal cavity, and a suction source fluidly connected with the chamber. The suction source is effective to generate negative pressure within the internal cavity of the chamber. The tool also has a reamer having a reaming portion, the reamer being sized to extend through the first and second apertures of the chamber, wherein the reamer is movable relative to the chamber. Additionally, the tool includes a storage container fluidly connected to the internal cavity of the chamber and effective to receive bone and/or cellular material extracted from the patient, the bone and/or cellular material being extracted during reaming a bone of the patient with the reamer.

Abstract: A prosthesis for a vertebral column has an upper part (10) for attachment to an upper vertebrae, a lower part (12) for attachment to a lower vertebrae and a middle part (11) located between the upper and the lower parts, wherein the upper part has a lower surface portion with a first radius of curvature, the middle part has an upper surface portion with a second radius of curvature and a lower surface with a third radius of curvature and the lower part has an upper surface with a fourth radius of curvature. The center of the radius of curvature for at least two surfaces is offset rearwardly with respect to a central vertical axis (13) through the upper and lower vertebrae and/or the upper and lower parts. Also defined is device for linking bones, in the form of a band with attachment portions having a number of filaments that provide zones conducive to cellular growth as well as a method of modelling a prosthesis and a process for analyzing performance of a prosthesis.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for illuminating a surgical field includes an ergonomic handle, a retractor blade coupled with the handle, a quick release mechanism, and an illuminator blade. The retractor blade is adapted to engage and retract tissue, and the quick release mechanism is adapted to couple the handle with the retractor blade. The illuminator blade acts as a waveguide to transmit light by total internal reflection. Light is extracted from the illuminator to illuminate the surgical field. The retractor blade is releasable from the handle without requiring uncoupling of the illuminator blade from the handle and also without requiring optical uncoupling of the illuminator blade from a light source. The retractor may also be adapted to evacuate smoke from the surgical field.

Abstract: A spacer for separating bones of a joint, the spacer includes a first endplate configured to engage a first bone of the joint, and comprising a ramped surface; a tissue engaging subassembly disposed in a compartment of the first endplate; a second endplate configured to engage a second bone of the joint; and a frame subassembly that extends between the first endplate and the second endplate. The frame subassembly comprises a drive nut, a drive shaft coupled to the drive nut, a ramped carriage coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the ramped carriage comprises a ramped surface operable to engage the ramped surface of the first endplate, and an actuation bar coupled to the drive nut comprising a plate operable to engage the tissue engaging subassembly.

Abstract: Systems, assemblies, components and methods for correcting alignment of one or more vertebrae of a spine are provided. A first elongate derotator member includes a first elongate element having a first proximal end portion and a first distal end portion. The first distal end portion is releasably engageable with a first implant implanted in one of the vertebrae. A second elongate derotator member comprising a second elongate element is releasably engageable with a second implant implanted in the same vertebra. A transverse member is engageable with the first and second elongate elements.