Abstract: Tracked mobile X-ray imaging equipment is used to produce single or stereo long calibrated views of the anatomy of a patient on the operating table. The system estimates the position and orientation of the anatomical planes, virtually places measurement grids over these reference planes, and transforms any radiographic views taking by the X-ray imaging system onto these calibrated planes. The system may apply information about the depth of the anatomy to remove parallax artifacts. This system enables displaying and evaluation of the entire radiographic length of the anatomical planes using a mobile X-ray equipment. It also provides a platform for overlaying the real time X-ray images taken during operation with radiographic images of the patient or schematic of the surgical plan developed before the surgery for quick evaluation of a surgical plan.

Abstract: A surgical system may include a conductive stylet with a distal end advanceable into bone material and a proximal end coupled to a stylet hub. A handle is non-removably attached to the stylet hub, and removably attachable to an insulative cannula hub. The cannula hub is non-removably attached to a conductive cannula that surrounds the stylet when the handle is attached to the proximal end of the insulative cannula hub. An outer insulative sheath is slideably engaged to insulative cannula hub, and has a radio-opaque distal tip. An electrical signal source may be applied to the stylet hub to conduct a pedicle integrity assessment. The handle and stylet may be removed from the cannula assembly, leaving the cannula assembly in place at the surgical site.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to expandable interbodies that include superior and inferior shells and a control assembly positioned between and inside of the shells, the control assembly including nested cages operably connected to each other with an adjustment screw. Rotation of the adjustment screw translates the cages relative to each other, which in turn causes the shells to open or expand.

Abstract: A system for interchangeable retractor blades includes a shell, a first retractor blade, and a second retractor blade. The shell includes a rigid proximal end configured to attach to a surgical retractor and an opening, a distal closed end, and a pliable portion including a pocket in communication with the opening and extending along a length of the shell to the distal closed end. The first retractor blade includes a first geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shell in a first configuration. The second retractor blade includes a second geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shell in a second configuration.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite titanium body for use in forming spinal implant interbodies includes selecting a metal alloy body, carving out a top portion and a bottom portion from the metal alloy body, and bonding a porous material to the carved-out top and bottom portions. Multiple pieces may be cut from the composite titanium body, each having a front face formed of the metal alloy, top and bottom portions formed of the porous material, and with a medial portion of the metal alloy extending from the front face to the back. Methods and devices for spinal interbodies having locking mechanisms to prevent bone screw back-out are also described.

Abstract: An instrument includes a distraction mechanism having a proximal end and an opposed distal end. The distal end includes opposed first and second end members. A first vertebral endplate spreader includes a proximal spreader section mounted to the first end member of the distraction mechanism. The first spreader also includes a distal spreader section operatively connected to the proximal spreader section for lateral movement relative to the proximal spreader section. A second vertebral endplate spreader is mounted to the second end member of the distraction mechanism. The distraction mechanism is configured and adapted to distract the spreaders apart and to retract the spreaders together along a distraction axis. The distal spreader section of the first spreader is configured to move relative to the second spreader in a lateral direction relative to the distraction axis for correction of vertebral alignment, as in treatment of spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, and the like.

Abstract: Tracked mobile X-ray imaging equipment is used to produce single or stereo long calibrated views of the anatomy of a patient on the operating table. The system estimates the position and orientation of the anatomical planes, virtually places measurement grids over these reference planes, and transforms any radiographic views taking by the X-ray imaging system onto these calibrated planes. The system may apply information about the depth of the anatomy to remove parallax artifacts. This system enables displaying and evaluation of the entire radiographic length of the anatomical planes using a mobile X-ray equipment. It also provides a platform for overlaying the real time X-ray images taken during operation with radiographic images of the patient or schematic of the surgical plan developed before the surgery for quick evaluation of a surgical plan.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are occipital plates that include a fixation plate portion and at least two extensions integrally connected to the fixation plate portion and extending away from the fixation plate portion. The fixation plate portion has a plurality of through-holes for receiving bone screws that secure the occipital plate to a patient's skull or, specifically, the occiput. Each extension includes a slot for removably receiving a rod connector or a rod-to-rod connector, the slots having an entry area or portion for receiving a connector and a holding area or portion for maintaining the connector in the slot.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to expandable interbodies that include superior and inferior shells and a control assembly positioned between and inside of the shells, the control assembly including nested cages operably connected to each other with an adjustment screw. Rotation of the adjustment screw translates the cages relative to each other, which in turn causes the shells to open or expand.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are occipital plates that include a fixation plate portion and at least two extensions integrally connected to the fixation plate portion and extending away from the fixation plate portion. The fixation plate portion has a plurality of through-holes for receiving bone screws that secure the occipital plate to a patient's skull or, specifically, the occiput. Each extension includes a slot for removably receiving a rod connector or a rod-to-rod connector, the slots having an entry area or portion for receiving a connector and a holding area or portion for maintaining the connector in the slot.

Abstract: Tracked mobile x-ray imaging equipment is used to produce single or stereo long calibrated views of the anatomy of a patient on the operating table. The system estimates the position and orientation of the anatomical planes, virtually places measurement grids over these reference planes, and transforms any radiographic views taking by the x-ray imaging system onto these calibrated planes. The system may apply information about the depth of the anatomy to remove parallax artifacts. This system enables displaying and evaluation of the entire radiographic length of the anatomical planes using a mobile x-ray equipment. It also provides a platform for overlaying the real time x-ray images taken during operation with radiographic images of the patient or schematic of the surgical plan developed before the surgery for quick evaluation of a surgical plan.

Abstract: A retractor assembly that includes a base portion in slidable engagement with two or more retractor arms with at least one of the retractor arms releasably securing a retractor blade configured to be anchored to a bone anchor. The retractor blade includes an elongate blade portion with a retractor engagement portion positioned at the proximal end of the elongate blade portion and an anchor mechanism positioned at the distal end of the elongate blade portion. The anchor mechanism includes a first jaw and second jaw configured to engage the bone implant. When closed around or anchored to the bone implant—which may be a shank of a modular screw system—the components of the modular screw are able to be assembled to the shank without adjusting, loosening, or opening the anchor mechanism.

Abstract: A tissue retractor device within the scope of the present invention generally includes a frame, an actuating mechanism, and a plurality of blades. The actuating mechanism generally includes at least one cam that encourages automatic toe-out of the blades. The tissue retractor eliminates the need for bulky secondary blade mechanisms to prevent undesired blade deformation at the surgical site. The toe-out motion occurs simultaneously along with the opening of the blades. The present invention further provides for depth adjustment of the blades by means of an adjustable screw assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are retractor blade devices, such as blade extenders and tissue shims, as well as drivers and kits for utilizing such retractor blade devices. Exemplary retractor blade devices include a retractor blade engagement portion having a body portion configured to sit at least partially in a channel of a retractor blade. The body portion has a first retention component extending therefrom. Exemplary retractor blade devices also include an extension portion extending from the body portion of the retractor blade engagement portion.

Abstract: A tissue retractor device within the scope of the present invention generally includes a frame, an actuating mechanism, and a plurality of blades. The actuating mechanism generally includes at least one cam that encourages automatic toe-out of the blades. The tissue retractor eliminates the need for bulky secondary blade mechanisms to prevent undesired blade deformation at the surgical site. The toe-out motion occurs simultaneously along with the opening of the blades. The present invention further provides for depth adjustment of the blades by means of an adjustable screw assembly.

Abstract: A retractor assembly that includes a base portion in slidable engagement with two or more retractor arms with at least one of the retractor arms releasably securing a retractor blade configured to be anchored to a bone anchor. The retractor blade includes an elongate blade portion with a retractor engagement portion positioned at the proximal end of the elongate blade portion and an anchor mechanism positioned at the distal end of the elongate blade portion. The anchor mechanism includes a first jaw and second jaw configured to engage the bone implant. When closed around or anchored to the bone implant—which may be a shank of a modular screw system—the components of the modular screw are able to be assembled to the shank without adjusting, loosening, or opening the anchor mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical system may include a conductive stylet with a distal end advanceable into bone material and a proximal end coupled to a stylet hub. A handle is non-removably attached to the stylet hub, and removably attachable to an insulative cannula hub. The cannula hub is non-removably attached to a conductive cannula that surrounds the stylet when the handle is attached to the proximal end of the insulative cannula hub. An outer insulative sheath is slideably engaged to insulative cannula hub, and has a radio-opaque distal tip. An electrical signal source may be applied to the stylet hub to conduct a pedicle integrity assessment. The handle and stylet may be removed from the cannula assembly, leaving the cannula assembly in place at the surgical site.

Abstract: A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a body member with upright arms defining a channel for receiving a fixation rod, an axial bore having a bottom opening, a lower interior surface disposed about the bottom opening, and a downwardly facing recessed surface above the lower interior surface. The assembly also includes a shank comprising a partial spherical head positionable into the axial bore and an anchor portion for attachment to the bone. The assembly further includes a bushing insertable into the axial bore having an outer surface configured to resiliently snap under the downwardly facing surface so as to inhibit the bushing from moving upward in the axial bore, and a lower surface configured for biased engagement with the partial spherical head of the bone anchor, with the biased engagement providing a pre-lock press fitment about the partial spherical head so that the bone anchor and body member do not move freely with respect to each other prior to insert and securement of the fixation rod.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are retractor blade devices, such as blade extenders and tissue shims, as well as drivers and kits for utilizing such retractor blade devices. Exemplary retractor blade devices include a retractor blade engagement portion having a body portion configured to sit at least partially in a channel of a retractor blade. The body portion has a first retention component extending therefrom. Exemplary retractor blade devices also include an extension portion extending from the body portion of the retractor blade engagement portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an expandable interbody that includes superior and inferior shells enclosing a control mechanism that includes interlocking proximal and distal cages as well as an adjustment screw that longitudinally translates the distal cage relative to the proximal cage and thereby expands interbody by pushing apart the distal ends of the superior and inferior shells.