Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical navigation marker having a shaft with a head at one end and a point at the other. The point is adapted for easy insertion of the navigation marker in a portion of a patient's anatomy, such as bone. The head of the navigation marker has a depression formed therein that is sized and shaped for precise registration by an imaging or tracking system.

Abstract: A fusion cage of the present invention includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and an insert portion adapted to be received therebetween, wherein the geometry of the fusion cage corresponds substantially to the geometry of a void into which the fusion cage is to be inserted. Also described is a novel tool for insertion of a fusion cage and a novel method for designing a fusion cage or other surgical implant for filling a void identified within a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attachment for an operating table preferably including two base portions adapted to rest on the frame of an operating table, a frame portion adapted to support a tray within the sterile field during surgery, and at least two support portions extending upwards from the first and second base portions, respectively, in order to support the frame portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fusion cage comprising a first housing, a second housing, and an alignment portion adapted to be received between the first and second housings such that the first and second housings are held in place by said alignment portion. The alignment portion can be varied in shape such that the fusion cage is wedge-like in shaped, or slanted to one side. Further, the alignment portion is constructed of a radiolucent material to allow for visualization of a bone fusion within the fusion cage.

Abstract: A surgical port and dilator is disclosed that are useful for creating access to surgical sites having tortuous geometries and/or requiring relatively long and narrow access to the surgical site. The surgical port or dilator can be provided with an oblique distal end to facilitate placement and the displace tissue near angled surfaces. The surgical port can be inserted into the operative site following dilation in the same fashion as a conventional port. Once inserted, however, the surgical port may then be elongated to provide relatively long and narrow, elliptically-shaped access to the surgical site. The elongation of the port allows the surgeon access to long and narrow surgical sites, such as the spine, without having to expand radially. This reduces trauma to the patient. A locking means is also provided to hold the surgical port in the open position until a release mechanism is activated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for drilling and tapping a bore for receiving a bone screw. The device includes a drill tip portion for creating a bore, a threaded shank portion for creating female threads within the bore so that the bore can receive a bone screw, and a handle or attachment portion for the purpose of manipulating the device. The present invention is also directed to a method of using the device.