Abstract: A control member for mounting to an end of an access tube includes a body that defines a proximal end and a distal end spaced from each other along a central axis. The control member defines a bore extending between the proximal and distal ends along the central axis, a handle portion that extends to the proximal end, and a mounting formation that extends to the distal end. The mounting formation includes an insertion portion that is insertable within the access tube and a lip that is opposed to the insertion portion so as to define a receptacle configured to receive an end portion of the access tube.

Abstract: A control member for mounting to an end of an access tube includes a body that defines a proximal end and a distal end spaced from each other along a central axis. The control member defines a bore extending between the proximal and distal ends along the central axis, a handle portion that extends to the proximal end, and a mounting formation that extends to the distal end. The mounting formation includes an insertion portion that is insertable within the access tube and a lip that is opposed to the insertion portion so as to define a receptacle configured to receive an end portion of the access tube.

Abstract: A method of delivering a fusion cage to an intervertebral disc space bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates, comprising the step of delivering the fusion cage into the disc space without contacting its teeth to the vertebral endplates during delivery, wherein a sheath is interposed between a cage surface and the endplates to prevent contact therebetween during delivery.

Abstract: A retractor member is configured for insertion through a channel of an access member and for moving soft tissue at a treatment site that is accessible through the channel. The retractor includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and spaced from each other along a longitudinal direction. The distal end defines a retractor blade and the body defines a first surface and a second surface opposite each other along a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The retractor includes an attachment device configured to selectively attach the body to a portion of the access member such that the body is extendable through the working channel while the body is attached to the portion of the access member.

Abstract: A retractor member is configured for insertion through a channel of an access member and for moving soft tissue at a treatment site that is accessible through the channel. The retractor includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and spaced from each other along a longitudinal direction. The distal end defines a retractor blade and the body defines a first surface and a second surface opposite each other along a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The retractor includes an attachment device configured to selectively attach the body to a portion of the access member such that the body is extendable through the working channel while the body is attached to the portion of the access member.

Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Abstract: An interbody fusion cage having upper and lower canals for receiving the heads of bone screws that have been pre-installed in opposing vertebral body endplates. The proximal wall of the cage preferably has a vertical slot that communicates with each canal and is adapted to allow access by a screwdriver and tightening of the screws.

Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Abstract: An interbody fusion cage having upper and lower canals for receiving the heads of bone screws that have been pre-installed in opposing vertebral body endplates. The proximal wall of the cage preferably has a vertical slot that communicates with each canal and is adapted to allow access by a screwdriver and tightening of the screws.

Abstract: Embodiments of bone and tissue resection devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device can include a blade having a distal cutting edge configured to perform a cutting action that produces a plug or core from a media being cut by the cutting edge, a drive mechanism arranged to transfer an oscillating force to the cutting edge for oscillating the cutting edge, a shield positioned to block contact with a portion of the cutting edge, and a depth adjustment mechanism configured to translate the cutting edge along a proximal-distal axis of the shield to adjust an axial position of the cutting edge relative to the shield.

Abstract: An interbody fusion cage having upper and lower canals for receiving the heads of bone screws that have been pre-installed in opposing vertebral body endplates. The proximal wall of the cage preferably has a vertical slot that communicates with each canal and is adapted to allow access by a screwdriver and tightening of the screws.

Abstract: Embodiments of bone and tissue resection devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device can include a stationary assembly having a housing, an elongated sleeve extending distally from the housing, and a cutting region disposed distal to the sleeve. The device can further include a drive assembly having a blade shaft extending through the elongated sleeve, the blade shaft having a distal tip with a cutting surface configured to extend into the cutting region when the drive assembly advances distally relative to the stationary assembly. The drive assembly can further include an oscillator coupled to the blade shaft and configured to engage with a source of continuous rotational motion to convert the continuous rotational motion into oscillating motion of the drive shaft. Further, the drive assembly can be configured to slidably couple to the stationary assembly to permit selective translation of the drive assembly relative to the stationary assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of bone and tissue resection devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device can include a blade having a distal cutting edge configured to perform a cutting action that produces a plug or core from a media being cut by the cutting edge, a drive mechanism arranged to transfer an oscillating force to the cutting edge for oscillating the cutting edge, a shield positioned to block contact with a portion of the cutting edge, and a depth adjustment mechanism configured to translate the cutting edge along a proximal-distal axis of the shield to adjust an axial position of the cutting edge relative to the shield.

Abstract: Embodiments of bone and tissue resection devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device can include a stationary assembly having a housing, an elongated sleeve extending distally from the housing, and a cutting region disposed distal to the sleeve. The device can further include a drive assembly having a blade shaft extending through the elongated sleeve, the blade shaft having a distal tip with a cutting surface configured to extend into the cutting region when the drive assembly advances distally relative to the stationary assembly. The drive assembly can further include an oscillator coupled to the blade shaft and configured to engage with a source of continuous rotational motion to convert the continuous rotational motion into oscillating motion of the drive shaft. Further, the drive assembly can be configured to slidably couple to the stationary assembly to permit selective translation of the drive assembly relative to the stationary assembly.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion cage that is adapted to contain an inserter within its inner volume during insertion of the cage.

Abstract: A retractor member is configured for insertion through a channel of an access member and for moving soft tissue at a treatment site that is accessible through the channel. The retractor includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and spaced from each other along a longitudinal direction. The distal end defines a retractor blade and the body defines a first surface and a second surface opposite each other along a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The retractor includes an attachment device configured to selectively attach the body to a portion of the access member such that the body is extendable through the working channel while the body is attached to the portion of the access member.

Abstract: A method of delivering a fusion cage to an intervertebral disc space bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates, comprising the step of delivering the fusion cage into the disc space without contacting its teeth to the vertebral endplates during delivery, wherein a sheath is interposed between a cage surface and the endplates to prevent contact therebetween during delivery.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion cage that is adapted to contain an inserter within its inner volume during insertion of the cage.

Abstract: A control member for mounting to an end of an access tube includes a body that defines a proximal end and a distal end spaced from each other along a central axis. The control member defines a bore extending between the proximal and distal ends along the central axis, a handle portion that extends to the proximal end, and a mounting formation that extends to the distal end. The mounting formation includes an insertion portion that is insertable within the access tube and a lip that is opposed to the insertion portion so as to define a receptacle configured to receive an end portion of the access tube.

Abstract: A method of delivering a fusion cage to an intervertebral disc space bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates, comprising the step of delivering the fusion cage into the disc space without contacting its teeth to the vertebral endplates during delivery, wherein a sheath is interposed between a cage surface and the endplates to prevent contact therebetween during delivery.