Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access into a body cavity. A surgical access port is provided that has an adjustable longitudinal length, such as by being formed from multiple segments configured to move relative to one another. An anchor can be coupled to a distal end of the surgical access port to help secure the surgical access port within a tissue opening by engaging a distal side of the tissue. Optionally, the anchor can be removably coupled to the distal end of the surgical access port, thereby allowing any one of a plurality of anchors to be selectively coupled thereto.

Abstract: Methods and instruments are provided for connecting a rod extending along a patient's spinal column to a misaligned vertebra. The method comprises implanting a bone anchor in the misaligned vertebra, attaching an approximating device to the implanted bone anchor and rod, approximating the vertebra toward the rod using the approximating device, and connecting the rod to the bone anchor on the approximated vertebra. In certain embodiments the approximating device may include a winch mechanism. In other embodiments the approximating device is a cannula used in conjunction with a guide system.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding a chest cavity of a patient includes a tapered member and an expansion assembly coupled to the tapered member. The expansion assembly is configured to engage a sternum.

Abstract: A system and method for attaching soft tissue to bone is provided. In general, the apparatus includes an expandable body that is configured to expand into bone, and an expander pin that is adapted to be driven into the expandable body. The device can also include a tissue attachment apparatus that can be used to secure tissue to the device, thereby providing a method for attaching tissue to bone.

Abstract: A bone plate system includes (a) Bone Plate having a bottom surface for contacting bone, an upper surface and at least one through hole extending from the bottom surface to the upper surface, the through hole having a central axis and a cross-section that extends orthogonally to the central axis and is one of at least partially polygonal, at least partially prismatic, and at least partially elliptical; (b) Bushing within the through hole, Bushing including a central bore designed to receive a bone fixation element, a cross-section of Bushing orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of Bushing is shaped substantially the same as the cross-section of the through hole so that Bushing is secured against rotation about its longitudinal axis; and (c) at least one Bone Fixation Element having a portion for anchoring within bone, Bone Fixation Element configured and dimensioned for insertion into the central bore of Bushing.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system suitable for effecting fixation between adjacent vertebral levels within the spine. The spinal fixation system of the present invention includes a pair single axis or “fixed” pedicle screw assemblies, a pair of poly-axial pedicle screw assemblies, a pair of cannulated rod members, and a transverse connector spanning between the pair of cannulated rod members.

Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The cage enhances spinal arthrodesis by creating a rigid spine segment. Expanding selectively, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. Greater distraction height is achieved without an increase in implant size through the use of interfitted stages.

Abstract: An instrument for inserting an elongated hydrogel prosthesis into an intervertebral disc includes an insertion cannula that is inserted through the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc to provide access to the nucleus region of the disc, an elongated hydrogel prosthesis packaged within a tubular container adapted to be coupled to a proximal end of the insertion cannula, and a source of fluid pressure adapted to be coupled to a proximal end of the tubular container. Auxiliary instruments for use in convenient insertion of the insertion cannula through the nucleus pulposus and providing for a complete and controlled passage of the hydrogel prosthesis through the insertion cannula are provided in a kit with the insertion cannula.

Abstract: A plating system for stabilization of a bony segment includes a plate engageable to at least first and second bony elements. For spinal stabilization, the plate is attached to the antero-lateral portions of at least first and second vertebrae and is structured to facilitate engagement of the plate to the vertebrae from an approach extending in the anterior-posterior directions.

Abstract: Discectomy or disc preparation system that includes a guide member that is changeable from a deployment configuration for insertion into an intervertebral disc space to a deployed configuration upon being deployed into the intervertebral disc. The system also includes at least one tissue manipulator, such as cutting, scraping and extraction elements, that can be moved or tracked longitudinally along the guide member into and through the intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for providing access through tissue to a surgical site. Generally, the methods and devices allow adjustment of a surgical access port's longitudinal length. In one embodiment, a surgical access port is provided that includes a housing having a cannula distally extending therefrom. The housing can be configured to cut a proximal portion of the cannula to adjust a longitudinal length of the cannula and hence of the surgical access port. In another embodiment, a surgical access port is provided that includes a cannula formed of a plurality of modular segments removably coupled together. One or more of the segments can be configured to be removable from the cannula to change the cannula's longitudinal length.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for exerting force on a first bone with respect to a fulcrum, which may be a second bone. A base structure, mechanically coupled to the fulcrum, is coupled to the closure top so that a force may be exerted by the base structure, acting against the fulcrum, in at least one of axial and transverse directions with respect to a pedicle screw inserted into bone. A leg extension, allowing force to be applied through the pedicle screw to a bone, has a first end rotatably coupled to the base structure; and a second end threaded as the closure top. The base structure may also support a retractor in a manner local to the immediate region of surgery.

Abstract: A method and system for fusing a region in the spine involve the use of at least one guide tube to pass instruments and substances into the spinal region in a minimally invasive manner. In the preferred practice of the method, a guide tube is anchored to a vertebra and the guide tube is moved to thereby position the vertebra. A steerable drilling tool is passed through the guide tube and steered into position to abrade at least a portion of an intervertebral disc and thereby create a cavity in the disc. A flowable substance is passed into the cavity and permitted to solidify to establish fusion in the cavity. Optionally, an uninflated balloon is inserted into the cavity and the balloon is filled with the flowable substance to contain the flowable substance.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate improving visualization associated with intubation. A dynamically articulating laryngoscope blade can be controlled to configure to normal anatomic variants and pathologic abnormalities to facilitate placing of an endotracheal tube into a patient's trachea. Further, cameras can be integrated into and/or mounted upon the dynamically articulating laryngoscope blade. The cameras can enable stereoscopic visualization of the laryngeal aperture allowing for depth perception. Moreover, the cameras can be moved independently of the blade allowing for optimal viewing of the laryngeal opening.

Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The cage enhances spinal arthrodesis by creating a rigid spine segment. Expanding selectively, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage shape intends to rest proximate to the anterior column cortices securing the desired spread and fixation, allowing for bone graft in, around, and through the implant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying surgical instruments by use of radio-frequency identification tags (RFID) are disclosed. In the systems and methods, each of a plurality of surgical instruments is provided with at least one RFID transponder tag storing identification information associated with the corresponding instrument. The tag may be adhered to, embedded, or potted within a portion of the instrument. Using an RFID reading device, a user may interrogate the tag, thereby identifying the particular instrument. This identification information may be used to index a database and retrieve a data record unique to that instrument. The systems and methods allow a user to track, inspect, and verify inbound and outbound surgical instruments, to assess, for example, the surgical instruments' duty life cycle usage.

Abstract: A method includes moving a spinal implant such that a central portion of the spinal implant is disposed between adjacent spinous processes, radially extending a proximal portion of the spinal implant on a first side of the adjacent spinous processes such that movement of the proximal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited, and radially extending a distal portion of the spinal implant on a second side of the adjacent spinous processes opposite the first side such that movement of the distal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-retaining laryngoscope composed of a palate brace or blade, a slider, and a tongue blade. The angulated tongue blade puts less force on the blade, reduces trauma, and is not conducive for mechanical failure. The slider interacts with the tongue blade by widening the opening of the mouth, and acts as a bite block. The fenestrated palate blade provides an unobstructed view of the vocal cords during intubation, and allows removal of the laryngoscope over the endotracheal tube without displacing it. The result is a laryngoscope that requires only one hand to use properly, and has superior retraction due to its shape.

Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction 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 before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.

Abstract: A surgical implant insertion device including an inner shaft; shaft threading coupled to the inner shaft; a rotating knob including a channel bored therethrough and internal threading lining the channel, where the internal threading configured to mate with the shaft threading; an actuator including an actuator body and a translation cavity cut through the actuator body and an inner shaft cavity cut through the actuator body, where the inner shaft cavity wraps around the inner shaft; an outer sleeve covering the inner shaft and coupled to the rotating knob; and a base connector wrapping around the outer sleeve, the base connector comprising a pair of connecting arms configured to loosely mate with the translation cavity of the actuator and pivoting and translating the actuator in response to a linear force.