Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a manually engageable handle and a first stem section having a longitudinal axis and extending from the handle. A tip portion of the surgical instrument has a suction port for applying suction to tissue and a fluid outlet port for directing fluid to tissue. A second stem section is connected between the first stem section and the tip portion and has at least a portion which is bendable. The second stem section supports the tip portion for movement between a plurality of orientations relative to the axis and to the first stem section. The surgical instrument includes means for bending the bendable portion of the second stem section to change the orientation of the tip portion of the surgical instrument relative to the axis and to the first stem section from a first orientation to a second orientation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a manually engageable handle. A first stem section having a longitudinal axis extends from the handle. A second stem section is connected between the first stem section and a cutting tool. The cutting tool includes a rotatable shaver. The second stem section has at least a portion which is bendable. A rotatable drive shaft is connected with the shaver and extends axially through the first stem section and the second stem section. The drive shaft has a flexible portion disposed in the flexible stem section. A passage extends axially through the drive shaft for conducting tissue from a location adjacent to the cutting tool through the second stem section toward the handle. A mechanism is connected to the bendable portion of the second stem section for bending the bendable portion to change the orientation of the cutting tool relative to the axis and to the first stem section from a first orientation to a second orientation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle, a first stem section having a longitudinal axis and extending from the handle, and a tissue engaging member for engaging tissue. A second stem section, connected between the first stem section and the tissue engaging member, has a portion which is bendable and supports the tissue engaging member for movement between a plurality of orientations relative to the axis and to the first stem section. The surgical instrument includes a system for bending the bendable portion of the second stem section to change the orientation of the tissue engaging member relative to the axis and to the first stem section from a first orientation to a second orientation. The bendable portion of the second stem section includes a member for enabling bending movement of the bendable portion to locate the tissue engaging member at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first stem section at more than one location along the length of the bendable portion.

Abstract: An anterior spinal fixation device which provides an anterior lumbar and cervical fusion fixation system which has numerous advantages over existing anterior, posterior and lateral implant systems. Anterior (access from the patient's stomach region) lumbar surgery allows the surgeon to remove the entire intervertebral disc, which is not possible during posterior or lateral surgery. Many interbody fusion operations require removal of disc material, insertion of new graft material and fusion of the adjoining vertebrae. This pate and screw fixation invention provides the ability to perform this function. The novelty of this invention includes overall design allowing for multiple fusions, a bicortical fixation system which is achieved by inserting four screws at a 45 degree angle into two cortical surfaces. It also provides structural integrity by placing more friction on the screws which allows for increased pull out strength.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a tubular stem section which extends from a handle. A tubular articulated section connects a surgical instrument with the stem section. An actuator assembly is connected with the handle and is operable to bend the articulated section to change the orientation of an instrument on an outer end portion of the articulated section relative to body tissue. The instrument on the outer end of the articulated section may be a rotatable cutting tool which is driven by a tubular drive element having a flexible section which extends through the articulated section. The articulated section is bent or flexed by a plurality of flexible elongated elements (wires). In one embodiment of the invention, a pair of elongated elements are provided to flex the articulated section in opposite directions. In another embodiment of the invention, four flexible elongated elements are provided to flex the articulated section in any one of four directions.

Abstract: An arthroscopic or endoscopic surgical instrument includes a manually engageable handle, a rigid stem section extending from the handle, and tissue engaging means for engaging tissue. The tissue engaging means includes first and second tissue engaging members. The first tissue engaging member is pivotable relative to the second tissue engaging member to engage tissue between the first and second tissue engaging members. An articulated shaft is connected between the stem section and the tissue engaging means and supports the tissue engaging means for movement between a plurality of orientations relative to the stem section. First actuator means is connected with the handle for bending the articulated shaft to change the orientation of the tissue engaging means relative to the stem section from a first orientation to a second orientation.

Abstract: An anterior spinal fixation device which provides an anterior lumbar and cervical fusion fixation system which has numerous advantages over existing anterior, posterior and lateral implant systems. Anterior (access from the patients stomach region) lumbar surgery allows the surgeon to remove the entire intervertebral disc, which is not possible during posterior or lateral surgery. Many interbody fusion operations require removal of disc material, insertion of new graft material and fusion of the adjoining vertebrae. This plate and screw fixation invention provides the ability to perform this function. The novelty of this invention includes an "H" shaped overall design allowing for multiple fusions, a bicortical fixation system which is achieved by inserting four screws at a 45 degree angle into two cortical surfaces. It also provides structural integrity by placing more friction on the screws which allows for increased pull out strength.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a tubular stem section which extends from a handle. A tubular articulated section connects a surgical instrument with the stem section. An actuator assembly is connected with the handle and is operable to bend the articulated section to change the orientation of an instrument on an outer end portion of the articulated section relative to body tissue. The instrument on the outer end of the articulated section may be a rotatable cutting tool which is driven by a tubular drive element having a flexible section which extends through the articulated section. The articulated section is bent or flexed by a plurality of flexible elongated elements (wires). In one embodiment of the invention, a pair of elongated elements are provided to flex the articulated section in opposite directions. In another embodiment of the invention, four flexible elongated elements are provided to flex the articulated section in any one of four directions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle, a first stem section having a longitudinal axis and extending from the handle, and a tissue engaging member for engaging tissue. A second stem section, connected between the first stem section and the tissue engaging member, has a portion which is bendable and supports the tissue engaging member for movement between a plurality of orientations relative to the axis and to the first stem section. The surgical instrument includes a system for bending the bendable portion of the second stem section to change the orientation of the tissue engaging member relative to the axis and to the first stem section from a first orientation to a second orientation. The bendable portion of the second stem section includes a member for enabling bending movement of the bendable portion to locate the tissue engaging member at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first stem section at more than one location along the length of the bendable portion.