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.

Abstract: A patient support system may include a pelvic bolster assembly and a thoracic bolster assembly. Each of the assemblies may be attached to a conventional surgical table frame by the surgical table frame's longitudinal rails. A plurality of adjustment mechanisms and components are provided to allow for easy and safe manipulation of a patient before and during surgery.

Abstract: A method for determining a lowest stimulation threshold current level in a group of channels of a neuromonitoring device. The method includes stimulating tissue at a current level from a predetermined range of current levels as a sequence of pulses delivered at a frequency. The stimulating includes increasing the current level of each pulse in the sequence of pulses from an immediately preceding pulse by a first current increment. The method includes determining that a first evocation pulse from the sequence of pulses evokes a first muscular response. The method includes stimulating the tissue with a second evocation pulse from the sequence of pulses to evoke a second muscular response. The stimulating includes decreasing the frequency of the delivery of each pulse in the sequence of pulses and increasing the current level of each pulse in the sequence of pulses from the immediately preceding pulse by a second current increment.

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.

Abstract: An intervertebral cage with an outer frame, an open inner core region and a porosity gradient within the outer frame is provided. The outer frame includes a posterior wall, an anterior wall, a pair of side walls extending between the posterior wall and the anterior wall and the porosity gradient may comprise at least one of: a decreasing average pore diameter in a direction from an outer surface to an inner surface of at least one of the pair of side walls; an increasing average pore diameter in a direction from an outer surface to an inner surface of at least one of the pair of side walls; a decreasing average pore diameter in a direction from an upper surface to a lower surface of at least one of the side walls; and an increasing average pore diameter in a direction from an upper surface to a lower surface of at least one of the side walls.

Abstract: A system for reducing deformities of the vertebrae in the spine includes a first reduction assembly, a second reduction assembly, and a reduction drive assembly. The first reduction assembly is configured for attachment to a first reduction tower that attaches to a first vertebra. The second reduction assembly is configured for attachment to a second reduction tower that attaches to a second vertebra. The reduction drive assembly includes an arcuate rack gear operably coupling the first reduction assembly to the second reduction assembly to translate the first reduction assembly relative to the second reduction assembly along an arcuate path in a first plane.

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: An intervertebral cage with an outer frame, an open inner core region and a porosity gradient within the outer frame is provided. The outer frame includes a posterior wall, an anterior wall, a pair of side walls extending between the posterior wall and the anterior wall and the porosity gradient may comprise at least one of: a decreasing average pore diameter in a direction from an outer surface to an inner surface of at least one of the pair of side walls; an increasing average pore diameter in a direction from an outer surface to an inner surface of at least one of the pair of side walls; a decreasing average pore diameter in a direction from an upper surface to a lower surface of at least one of the side walls; and an increasing average pore diameter in a direction from an upper surface to a lower surface of at least one of the side walls.

Abstract: A surgical screw configured to expand and prevent or minimize bone growth inside of the surgical screw is provided. Accordingly, the surgical screw is configured to increase the purchase of the surgical screw with respect to the bone, but also to be withdrawn from the bone without damaging the bone as a result of bone ingrowth. The surgical screw includes a center post with an inner bore and an outer sleeve concentric to the center post. An outer surface of the outer sleeve includes a thread to engage bone. The outer sleeve includes a cut pattern defining an expandable region configurable between a first state with a first radius measured from a longitudinal axis of the surgical screw to the outer surface and a second state having a second radius measured from the longitudinal axis to the outer surface.

Abstract: An instrument and inserter kit for providing a load to insert or retract an implant 2000 is provided. The instrument includes a cover having an engagement end opposite a distal end. The engagement end is configured to mount to an engagement feature of a handle of an inserter. The cover is an elongated member having a C-shaped profile having a dimension configured to receive a sliding member. The sliding member is seated over the cover and is weighted. The sliding member is configured to slide between a first radial lip and a second radial lip so as to provide an impacting force or retracting force on the instrument.

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: An implant insertion instrument, and an implant are provided. The instrument includes a handle, a sleeve mounted to a distal end of the handle, and an implant rod disposed within the sleeve. The implant rod includes a gripper disposed on a distal end of the implant rod. The gripper has a first prong spaced apart from a second prong, the second prong being longer than the first prong. The implant includes an implant body, the implant body having a convex surface opposite a concave surface wherein an outer surface of the implant is continuous so as to prevent bone growth within the implant. Accordingly, the instrument facilitates the engagement of the implant by a simple push of the sleeve. Further, the implant has a continuous surface so as to inhibit bone growth and facilitate removal of the implant from the surgical site.

Abstract: A tool for delivery and/or compaction of bone graft material includes a cannula with an inner lumen extending along a longitudinal axis from a hopper end of the cannula to a delivery tip of the cannula. A hopper with an internal volume for storing bone graft material is connected to the hopper end of the cannula with the internal volume of the hopper in communication with the inner lumen of the cannula for delivery of bone graft material from the hopper to the delivery tip of the cannula. An output shaft within the inner lumen extends along the longitudinal axis. The output shaft includes a helical screw thread extending radially outward from the output shaft toward an inner surface of the cannula. An actuator is connected to the hopper and to the output shaft to drive the output shaft rotationally relative to the hopper and to the cannula.

Abstract: A surgical screw configured to expand and prevent or minimize bone growth inside of the surgical screw is provided. Accordingly, the surgical screw is configured to increase the purchase of the surgical screw with respect to the bone, but also to be withdrawn from the bone without damaging the bone as a result of bone ingrowth. The surgical screw includes a center post with an inner bore and an outer sleeve concentric to the center post. An outer surface of the outer sleeve includes a thread to engage bone. The outer sleeve includes a cut pattern defining an expandable region configurable between a first state with a first radius measured from a longitudinal axis of the surgical screw to the outer surface and a second state having a second radius measured from the longitudinal axis to the outer surface.