Abstract: A head frame apparatus is secured to a human head during maxillofacial surgery and includes devices to easily position and secure an endotracheal (breathing) tube and an anesthesia delivery circuit for the patient that reduces the likelihood that the flow of oxygen through the tube is restricted thereby reducing the risk of severe injury or death. The head frame apparatus also includes a removable reference indicator, which may be easily attached and removed while identifying a reference point of the patient's face. Also the reference indicator includes a universal joint and pointer with an attached ruler. A transport apparatus positions multiple preset reference indicators and allows for preoperative transportation and removal, while protecting the preset reference indicators from inadvertent adjustment. A bendable reference indicator used in an articulator for preoperative modeling allows for easily identifying reference points in a cast model.

Abstract: A surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a stem having a proximate end and a distal end, the stem disposed about a channel, a suction head extending from the stem and defining a suction chamber in fluid communication with the channel, the suction head having a contact surface, and an articulating joint disposed between the contact surface of the suction head and the distal end of the stem. The articulating joint may be an annular joint and a living hinge. The surgical device may also include a handle disposed about the channel directly or may be disposed about the stem which is disposed about the channel. The handle may include a plurality of ribs extending outward which form a profile matching a profile of a user's hand.

Abstract: A bone plate for treating periprosthetic fractures includes a head portion to be positioned along a greater trochanter of a bone. The head portion includes pairs of bone fixation element receiving openings extending therethrough from a first surface of the plate which, when the plate is in an operative position, faces away from the bone, and a second surface which, when the plate is in the operative position, faces toward the bone. A pair of cable holes extend through the head portion from a first longitudinal side connecting the first and second surfaces to a second longitudinal side connecting the first and second surfaces. The head portion includes a pair of hooks for engaging a superior ridge of the greater trochanter. The plate also includes a shaft portion extending distally from the head portion to extend along a portion of the bone distal of the greater trochanter.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum is provided to improve upon the poor convenience of operating the conventional vaginal speculum. The vaginal speculum includes a connecting member having a first end and a second end, and two supporting members. Each of the two supporting members has a coupling end and an insertion end opposite to the coupling end. The coupling ends of the two supporting members respectively connect to the first end and the second end of the connecting member. The two supporting members are configured to be pushed towards or pulled away from each other.

Abstract: A modular jaw for attachment to an orthopedic implant extraction tool that includes an elongated body, a claw about a distal end of the elongated body for engaging an object, and a locking mechanism about a posterior end of the elongated body for engaging the orthopedic implant extraction tool. The locking mechanism includes a dovetail lock, a detent mounted to the dovetail lock, and a distally facing surface about a proximal end of the elongated body.

Abstract: A surgical burr includes prevention part, a shaft and a working part including at least one cutting or grinding surface for processing of a material selected from a bone, a cartilage, a calcified tissue, a tooth and a foreign object within a patient body. The prevention part is configured to have a first position and a second position. In the first position, it at least partially prevents the cutting or grinding surface from processing the material, when a force applied to the prevention part is less than a predetermined amount of force. In the second position, it allows the cutting or grinding surface to process the material, when the force applied to the prevention part is equal or higher than the predetermined amount of force.

Abstract: Instruments, devices, systems and methods for maintaining, correcting and/or fusing joint deformities are disclosed. The system includes a first translation mechanism, a second translation mechanism coupled to the first translation mechanism, and a third translation mechanism coupled to the second translation mechanism. Methods of assembling and using the alignment guides for maintaining, correcting and/or fusing joint deformities are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a half pin for use in conjunction with external fixators, in which the half pin has a thin hydroxyapatite coating over a substantial portion thereof, a not-sharp hole-finding tip, and a variable pitch pattern in the threaded portion of the half pin. The hydroxyapatite coating must be thin—40-70 microns, deposited by plasma spray—and with limited porosity and pore size, and must extend not only over all the threads of the half pin but also a substantial portion of the unthreaded shaft proximal to the threaded end. The invention also includes a pin cube for use in association with the coated half pins. Wires may also be coated with the hydroxyapatite coating.

Abstract: Intervertebral spacer assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. A method of insertion includes inserting an intervertebral spacer and plate together using an insertion tool and, upon removal of the insertion tool, the intervertebral spacer and plate are no longer considered connected/coupled and act as separate components.

Abstract: A device including a first plate configured to interface with a first bone structure of a joint; a second plate configured to interface with a second bone structure of the joint opposite the first bone structure; and at least one mechanical actuation mechanism disposed between the first plate and the second plate and configured to apply a distraction force along an axis between the first plate and the second plate so as to urge the first plate and the second plate away from one another, wherein the device is configured so as to have a range of motion ranging from a minimum distance between the first plate and the second plate to a maximum distance between the first plate and the second plate, and wherein the mechanical actuation mechanism is configured such that the distraction force is substantially constant distraction force across the range of motion.

Abstract: A vertebral implant device is described comprising a wedge, a plate having an external surface configuration and one or more plate tine, a staple having one or more staple tine and a coupling device. The coupling devices is configured to couple the wedge, the plate and the staple whereby when the vertebral implant is secured in a vertebral body, the external surface configuration of the plate alters the relative orientation of a superior endplate surface plane and an inferior endplate surface plane of the vertebral body and alters the alignment of the spine. In some embodiments, plate tines and staple tine are configured to frictionally engage the vertebral body. In some embodiments, the coupling device is a screw and a nut. In some embodiments, interchangeable wedges are used to provide multiple implant device configurations.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to medical devices and methods of manufacturing medical devices. An orthopedic screw includes an inner core member having a head having a first outer diameter, a tip having a second outer diameter, and a body extending between the head and the tip and having a third outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter. An outer body member is disposed circumferentially around the body of the inner core member and defines an outer body member external thread. The tip of the inner core member can define an inner core member external thread that forms an interrupted thread with the outer body member external thread.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw cartridge that includes a guide bar formed from an inner plate and opposed outer plates, the inner plate defining a head. The cartridge has a blade that is disposed against the head of the inner plate. The inner plate may comprise an inner tine and/or two opposed outer tines. The inner tine may be formed to define the head against which the blade is disposed. The outer tines extend distally so as to define a space between the outer tines in which the blade is seated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing a discectomy are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a surgical tool for use in a therapeutic treatment of a patient includes a handle; an upper arm coupled to the handle; a lower arm coupled to the handle; a pivot arm coupled to one of the upper arm or the lower arm via a first pivot pin; and an end effector pivotably coupled to the pivot arm via a second pivot pin, wherein actuation of the handle causes movement of the pivot arm and articulation of the end effector.

Abstract: An instrument configured to attach to a bone anchoring element during surgery includes an elongate portion and an end portion having a first side and an opposite second side, where the elongate portion extends away from the first side, and where an opening is defined at the second side to accommodate at least a portion of a head of the bone anchoring element. The opening of the end portion has a first section sized to permit insertion and removal of the head therethrough, and a second section forming a seat for the head. When the head is held in the seat, the seat prevents removal of the head through the opening, while the head is movable unobstructedly from the second section back towards the first section.

Abstract: There is provided a patient specific access retractor for use in surgery, for example, minimally invasive spinal surgery. There are also provided methods of using the access retractor in surgery.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at minimally invasive systems in which the proximal end portion of the working channel has either zero or a limited range of movement in the lateral direction. A first embodiment has a slidable collar attached to a pair of flanges, wherein movement of the collar is bounded by an annular frame. A second embodiment has a substantially spherical element attached to the tube. A third embodiment has a plurality of caps. A fourth embodiment is adapted for a larger working channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool bit for an ultrasonic osteotome, comprising a cutting portion (1) located at a front end of the tool bit for an ultrasonic osteotome, a connecting portion (2) located at a rear end of the tool bit for an ultrasonic osteotome and connected with the cutting portion (1). The cutting portion (1) has a grinding part (3) for grinding and a blade part (4) for cutting at a front end thereof, and the grinding part (3) and the blade (4) are integrally formed. The tool bit for an ultrasonic osteotome is of an integral structure formed by grinding part (3) and blade (4). During an operation, a medical worker can use the tool bit for an ultrasonic osteotome for multiple uses with no need to replace the tool bit frequently, thus reducing the operation time, greatly improving the efficiency of surgery, reducing the risk of surgery and the sufferings of a patient. At the same time, the integration of two different types of tool bits can also lower production costs and save manpower and material resources.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple cannulas defining a lumen sized and dimensioned to receive one or more medical instruments, an inflatable outer membrane attached to an outer surface of the cannula, and at least one activator that reversibly pressurizes a fluid contained in the outer membrane to fill or pressurize the outer membrane.

Abstract: Bone fusion system, plate system, guide, implant, kit and methods for using the bone fusion system, plate system, guide and implant are disclosed. The bone fusion system includes an alignment guide, an implant, and at least one fastener inserted through the implant. The alignment guide includes a body portion, a first lobe positioned at a first end of the body portion, a second lobe positioned at a second end of the body portion, and an extension member extending away from a first side of the body portion. The implant includes a body portion, a first arm extending away from the body portion in a first direction, a second arm extending away from the body portion in a second direction, and a third arm extending away from the body portion laterally between the first and second arms. Finally, methods for using the bone fusion system, plate system, guide and implant are disclosed.