Abstract: A pedicle insulator implant is designed to protect the nerves and surrounding tissue from injury by pedicle screws or other surgical devices and instruments. The implant is configured to shield a fixture, reduce nerve root irritation, and diminish loosening of the fixture, when the fixture is implanted into the void of a target site. The implant includes features for stabilizing and securing the implant within the void at the target site. For example, in one embodiment, the implant includes one or more ridges and one or more teeth sections that stabilize the implant against rotational and extractive forces that could disturb the implant.

Abstract: An expanding, conforming interbody implant includes a plurality of superior and a plurality of inferior segments. The segments are adapted to individually expand, contact, and conform to endplates of vertebral bodies to distribute forces equally over the implant and across the vertebral endplates. Once a proper extension of the segments has been achieved, the segments are locked in position. The implant has a stiffness that approximates the stiffness of bone, and the implant minimizes problems with subsidence, endplate fractures, and stress shielding.

Abstract: A cortical shaft bone fixation apparatus includes a housing having a leading portion and a trailing portion, the leading portion configured to fit within a diameter of an affected cortical shaft bone, the leading portion having first and second sections. The apparatus further includes an expansion mechanism adapted to transition the first and second sections from a first position to a second position, the first and second sections providing an outward force against the inside surface of the cortical shaft bone when the first and second sections transition from the first position to the second position, the trailing portion of the housing abutting a leading end of the affected cortical shaft bone. The trailing portion of the housing includes a pair of angled tapers extending inwardly toward each other to a minimum separation distance at an extreme end of the housing.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade which improves the transmission of light from the laryngoscope to enhance the amount of light reflected from an area of interest in a patient. The laryngoscope blade has a channel which extends at least partially though the blade and receives a light source. The channel has a substantially transparent end face which is situated towards the blade end and has an optical clement adapted to reduce the ambient light signal from the light source in the channel.

Abstract: Interspinous process spacing devices and associated methods are provided. In one embodiment, an interspinous process spacing device includes a first attachment side, a second attachment side, and a spacer. The first attachment side and the second attachment side each include a central portion, a first wing portion, and a second wing portion. The central portion includes an inner surface extending along at least a majority of an anterior-posterior height of the central portion, and the first wing portion includes an inner surface extending along at least a majority of an anterior-posterior height of the first wing portion. The inner surface of the first wing portion extends in a direction transverse to the inner surface of the central portion, and the anterior-posterior height of the first wing portion is less than the anterior-posterior height of the central portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits, and cardiac compression devices that have both passive chambers and active chambers to improve heart function.

Abstract: A plate assembly for engaging at least two vertebral bodies of a human spine along the anterior aspect of the spine has a plate and at least two cam locks. The plate has a lower surface for contacting the vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite to said lower surface. The plate assembly has a plurality of bone fastener receiving holes extending through said plate assembly from said upper surface to said lower surface. The plate has at least a first pair and second pair of said bone fastener receiving holes. The first pair is associated with a first of the vertebral bodies. The second pair is associated with a second of the vertebral bodies. A recess is associated with each of said at least first pair and second pair of said bone fastener receiving holes.

Abstract: An adjustable length strut includes two joints, a threaded rod extending between the joints, and a tube adapted to receive the threaded rod. An actuation mechanism with gear teeth extending radially outward of the strut axis is rotatably fixed to the threaded rod. A protrusion may be coupled to an end of the threaded rod by a rotatable collar, with the protrusion extending through a slot in the tube to mark the length of the strut. A modular attachment member may be adapted to be couple to the first joint and include a worm gear adapted to engage gear teeth of the actuation mechanism. The modular attachment member may include a radiofrequency identity tag mechanism adapted to be read by a tag reader of a tool, the tool adapted to couple to the attachment member to rotate the worm gear to increase or decrease the effective length of the strut.

Abstract: Intramedullary rods, targeting devices, intramedullary rod systems, intramedullary rod kits, and methods of placing an intramedullary rod in a bone are described. An intramedullary rod comprises a head member having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end of the head member and the second end of the head member. The head member is formed of a first material and defines a circumferential flange and a circumferential shoulder. The circumferential flange extends radially outwardly from the head member and the circumferential shoulder is disposed between the first end of the head member and the circumferential flange. A shaft member extends from the head member and a head extension is partially disposed over the head, member. The head extension is formed of a second material that is different than the first material and has an end contacting the circumferential shoulder of the head member.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant including upper and lower body portions each having proximal and distal surfaces at proximal and distal ends thereof. The implant can include a proximal wedge member disposed at the proximal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions, and a distal wedge member disposed at the distal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions. First and second linkages can connect the upper and lower body portions. Rotation of an actuator shaft can cause the distal and proximal wedge members to be drawn together such that longitudinal movement of the distal wedge member against the distal surfaces and the longitudinal movement of the proximal wedge member against the proximal surfaces causes separation of the upper and lower body portions.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a first implant support that is engageable with a receiver of a first fastener having a shaft fixed with vertebral tissue. At least one adaptor includes a first adaptor extending longitudinally along and being engageable with the first implant support. The first adaptor is oriented to releasably engage a surgical instrument to distract and/or compress the vertebral tissue. An angulation module is connected to at least one of the first adaptor, the first implant support and the surgical instrument. Surgical instruments, constructs, implants and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present application provides external bone fixation systems. The systems include one or more pairs of bone fixation platforms in the form of rings or partial rings. The platforms may be coupled to corresponding bone segments. The pair of platforms are configured to accept a plurality of struts extending therebetween. The struts are configured to attach to the platforms via joints that provide three degrees of rotation. The struts are also configured such that their longitudinal length extending between the joints/platforms can be incrementally adjusted while attached to the platforms. The struts are further configured such that their total range of length adjustment can be increased by coupling at least one add-on component to the struts in situ. The lengths of each of the plurality of struts may be adjusted to arrange the platforms, and thereby the bone segment coupled thereto, in particular relative positions and orientations.

Abstract: Articulated instruments that include tools for disrupting and/or distracting tissue, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A multi-portal method for treating a subject's spine includes distracting adjacent vertebrae using a distraction instrument positioned at a first entrance along the subject to enlarge an intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae. An interbody fusion implant can be delivered into the enlarged intervertebral space. The interbody fusion implant can be positioned directly between vertebral bodies of the adjacent vertebrae while endoscopically viewing the interbody fusion implant using an endoscopic instrument. The patient's spine can be visualized using endoscopic techniques to view, for example, the spine, tissue, instruments and implants before, during, and after implantation, or the like. The visualization can help a physician throughout the surgical procedure to improve patient outcome.

Abstract: A spine implant for receipt between and fastened to a lower vertebra and an adjacent upper vertebra is characterized by an expandable cage and an expandable plate attached to the expandable cage. When the expandable cage is expanded, both the expandable cage and the expandable plate expand together at a uniform rate of movement. Engagement features of the expandable cage cooperate with engagement features of the expandable plate such that expansion of the expandable cage carries the expandable plate along during its expansion. The engagement features of the expandable cage may be configured as notches, cavities, or recessed pockets, while the engagement features of the expandable plate may be configured as tangs, flanges, or protuberances styled to be received by the configured notches of the expandable cage. Cam locks on the expandable plate help bone fastener backout.

Abstract: A method of treating a spine includes implanting a spinal implant within a patient. The spinal implant includes a first member having a first wall defining an axial passageway and a first opening, the first opening being in communication with the axial passageway. A second member includes a second wall defining an axial channel having the first member disposed therein, the second wall defining a second opening in communication with the axial channel. Bone graft is injected through the first opening and into the axial passageway and through the second opening and into the axial channel after the spinal implant is implanted within the patient.

Abstract: A stabilization system and implant for preventing relative motion between tissue sections of a patient, for example, an ilium and a sacrum defining a sacroiliac joint. The stabilization system comprises an implant comprising an elongate trunk, a proximal anchor configured to be positioned within the ilium, and a distal anchor configured to be positioned within the sacrum. The proximal anchor comprises a deformable feature configured to engage the ilium and the distal anchor comprises an expandable member configured to engage the sacrum. The stabilization system further comprises a tool removably coupled to the anchor to insert the implant in the patient and selectively engage the anchors with the respective bones. The implant is configured to be implanted through a minimally invasive incision.

Abstract: An implant insertion assembly including an insertion handle extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end including a recessed portion, an outer wall of the recessed portion having a first shape about a perimeter thereof and including an engagement mechanism. The implant insertion assembly also includes an implant extending from a distal end to a proximal end including an opening configured to receive the recessed portion of the insertion handle, the opening having a second shape configured to mechanically interlock with the outer wall of the recessed portion when the recessed portion is inserted therein to transmit torque from the insertion handle to the implant, the proximal end including a receiving structure in a wall thereof, the receiving structure being positioned and oriented to receive the engagement mechanism to removably lock the insertion handle to the implant in the axial direction.

Abstract: A universal surgical instrument includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the second end having flexible prongs with a head cavity to hold therebetween a polyaxial head. The universal surgical instrument includes a cuff member at the first end to interface with interchangeable surgical instruments. The universal surgical instrument includes an I-shaped clamp coupled to the elongated member and being configured to unlock and separate the flexible prongs to expand the head cavity for placement of the polyaxial head therein and to lock the head cavity in response to application of a force to slide the I-shaped claim along the elongated member to a locked position. A system of surgical instruments include the universal instrument and interchangeable surgical instruments that can be interchanged in the cuff member of the universal instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to enable simultaneously driving a bone screw into a boney structure of a patient and delivering of a blade within the patient adjacent the bone screw is disclosed. The surgical instrument may include an elongated outer-sheath extending in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end, for example. The elongated outer-sheath may include an interior cavity that defines a centrally disposed longitudinal axis that extends in the longitudinal direction, for example. The surgical tool may include a central-sheath disposed within the interior cavity that extends in the longitudinal direction, for example. The surgical instrument may further include an inner-shaft rotatably supported by the central-sheath that extends in the longitudinal direction, for example. The inner-shaft may include a driver configured to selectively drive a bone screw upon rotation of the inner-shaft about the longitudinal axis, for example.