Abstract: Scalpel guides for use with a tool guide of a surgical system are described. In one version, the scalpel guide includes a body defining a first guide slot sized and shaped to receive a body of a scalpel to guide a blade of the scalpel along a central axis without any lateral movement of the scalpel. The body also defines a second guide slot arranged such that the body of the scalpel inserted in the second guide slot is guided vertically by the sides of the second guide slot and allowed to move horizontally across the channel along the trajectory plane. Other versions of the scalpel guide are also described.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for robotic surgical systems including a non-contact marking device, comprising a body sized and shaped to be at least partially inserted into a guide slot of a scalpel guide; a shoulder extending outwardly from the body configured to limit a distance the body may be at least partially inserted into the guide slot of the scalpel guide; and a marking device configured to emit a light, the marking device configured to project light from a bottom face of the body such that the light projected by the marking device is coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis of a tool guide of a surgical system when the non-contact marking device is at least partially inserted in the guide slot of the scalpel guide while the scalpel guide is inserted in the tool guide of the surgical system.

Abstract: A robot connector, including: a connector configured to connect to a mounting surface of a robot; a guiding insert that is compressible, wherein the guiding insert has an opening configured to receive a guide tube; a guide tube holder with an opening wherein the guide tube is attached to the connector and the opening is configured to receive the compressible guiding insert; and a locking mechanism configured to lock the guiding insert and the guide tube to the connector.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for robotic surgical systems including a robotic arm, the systems comprising an end effector attached to the robotic arm and retaining an access guide, and an initial access tool detachably connected to the access guide, wherein the initial access tool comprises a housing, a shaft extending from the housing coaxially through the access guide, and a distal tip attached to the shaft and protruding from a portion of the access guide distal to the end effector, wherein the housing is adapted to prevent rotation with respect to the access guide. In some embodiments, the access guide is adapted to retain an initial access tool and one or more of a burring tool, a drilling tool, or a tapping tool.

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: A flexible surgical access port is provided that includes a flexible body. The flexible body is configured to elastically expand in response to passage of a surgical equipment therethrough, and thus retracts as the surgical equipment moves past. Thus, the flexible body can provide a surgical access path through Kambin's Triangle, and large surgical equipment passed through the flexible body does not compress the exiting nerve or the traversing nerve root for a prolonged period of time.

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: A system and method for providing enhanced information to a surgeon is described. A three-dimensional reconstruction of a patient's anatomical structure selected for surgery and a representation of a surgical treatment apparatus are rendered on a display device. At least one attachment metric for a proposed attachment between the surgical treatment apparatus and the patient's anatomical structure is calculated using the three-dimensional position of the surgical treatment apparatus relative to the patient's anatomical structure. And, an indication of the attachment metric is rendered on the display device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to material removal instrument for forming cavities in interior body regions, particularly cavities in intervertebral discs and vertebrae. The instrument includes a cannula and a rotation mechanism disposed at least partially within the cannula. A cutting element extends from the rotation mechanism and impacts and dislocates tissue as the rotation mechanism is rotated within the body. Dislocated tissue with withdrawn from the body via the cannula.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system attaches a patient reference array of a computer-assisted surgery system to a patient. The system includes a fixation post having a shaft having proximal and distal ends that are offset from. A threaded fastener is coupled to the shaft at the distal end that rotates relative to the shaft so as to engage internal threads of a pedicle screw, thereby causing the distal end of the shaft to translate in the anchor seat and urge the pedicle screw to transition from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration. The attachment assembly has an arm that supports the patient reference array, and a coupler supported by the arm. The coupler has a fixation body that defines a recess that receives at least a portion of the fixation post, and an actuator that secures the attachment assembly to the fixation post.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system attaches a patient reference array of a computer-assisted surgery system to a patient. The system includes a fixation post having a shaft having proximal and distal ends that are offset from. A threaded fastener is coupled to the shaft at the distal end that rotates relative to the shaft so as to engage internal threads of a pedicle screw, thereby causing the distal end of the shaft to translate in the anchor seat and urge the pedicle screw to transition from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration. The attachment assembly has an arm that supports the patient reference array, and a coupler supported by the arm. The coupler has a fixation body that defines a recess that receives at least a portion of the fixation post, and an actuator that secures the attachment assembly to the fixation post.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system attaches a patient reference array of a computer-assisted surgery system to a patient. The system includes a fixation post having a shaft having proximal and distal ends that are offset from. A threaded fastener is coupled to the shaft at the distal end that rotates relative to the shaft so as to engage internal threads of a pedicle screw, thereby causing the distal end of the shaft to translate in the anchor seat and urge the pedicle screw to transition from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration. The attachment assembly has an arm that supports the patient reference array, and a coupler supported by the arm. The coupler has a fixation body that defines a recess that receives at least a portion of the fixation post, and an actuator that secures the attachment assembly to the fixation post.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to material removal instrument for forming cavities in interior body regions, particularly cavities in intervertebral discs and vertebrae. The instrument includes a cannula and a rotation mechanism disposed at least partially within the cannula. A cutting element extends from the rotation mechanism and impacts and dislocates tissue as the rotation mechanism is rotated within the body. Dislocated tissue with withdrawn from the body via the cannula.

Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced information to a surgeon is described. A three-dimensional reconstruction of a patient's anatomical structure selected for surgery and a representation of a surgical treatment apparatus are rendered on a display device. At least one attachment metric for a proposed attachment between the surgical treatment apparatus and the patient's anatomical structure is calculated using the three-dimensional position of the surgical treatment apparatus relative to the patient's anatomical structure. And, an indication of the attachment metric is rendered on the display device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to material removal instrument for forming cavities in interior body regions, particularly cavities in intervertebral discs and vertebrae. The instrument includes a cannula and a rotation mechanism disposed at least partially within the cannula. A cutting element extends from the rotation mechanism and impacts and dislocates tissue as the rotation mechanism is rotated within the body. Dislocated tissue with withdrawn from the body via the cannula.

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: 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: 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: The present invention is directed to material removal instrument for forming cavities in interior body regions, particularly cavities in intervertebral discs and vertebrae. The instrument includes a cannula and a rotation mechanism disposed at least partially within the cannula. A cutting element extends from the rotation mechanism and impacts and dislocates tissue as the rotation mechanism is rotated within the body. Dislocated tissue with withdrawn from the body via the cannula.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to material removal instrument for forming cavities in interior body regions, particularly cavities in intervertebral discs and vertebrae. The instrument includes a cannula and a rotation mechanism disposed at least partially within the cannula. A cutting element extends from the rotation mechanism and impacts and dislocates tissue as the rotation mechanism is rotated within the body. Dislocated tissue with withdrawn from the body via the cannula.