Abstract: A method for syndesmosis fixation including at least one suture anchor configured to be implanted into bone and at least one suture assembly configured to extend from the suture anchor and about at least a portion of a fibula when the suture anchor is implanted in a tibia on either side of a fibular notch of the tibia. The suture assembly is selectively adjustable from a non-tensioned condition to a tensioned condition to stabilize and reduce the fibula relative to the tibia.

Abstract: In one example, a system has an insertion handle that can be coupled to an intramedullary nail and includes a first coupler that defines one of a recess and a projection, and one of a latch and an abutment surface. The system has an aiming guide that includes a guide body that defines at least one alignment aperture therethrough. The aiming guide includes a second coupler that can couple the guide body to the first coupler such that the at least one alignment aperture is positioned to guide an instrument towards at least one bone-anchor fixation hole of the intramedullary nail. The second coupler defines another of the recess and the projection, and another of the latch and the abutment surface. The first and second couplers can couple to one another by receiving the projection in the recess and by engaging the latch with the abutment surface.

Abstract: An intraoperative neuromonitoring system for evaluating nerve function via a plurality of neural monitoring modalities includes an invasive medical instrument, a plurality of stimulating electrodes, a plurality of peripheral sensors, a patient module, and a control unit in communication with the patient module. The control unit is configured to maintain a range of acceptable values for each of a plurality of different neural monitoring modalities, determine, for each of the plurality of different neural monitoring modalities, whether the respective modality is within the range of acceptable values for that respective modality based on the indication of neuromuscular activity from one or more of the plurality of peripheral sensors, and provide an indication on a common screen displayed via the display, whether each respective neural monitoring modality is inside or outside of the range of acceptable values for that modality.

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 disclosure relates generally to surgical instruments for spinal surgery. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a bi-planar rod persuader for urging a spinal rod into a screw, and methods regarding the same. The bi-planar rod persuader may include an implant holder, which may also include a holding sleeve. A securing foot may be attached to the distal end of the holding sleeve, and the holding sleeve may also include a threaded opening at the proximal end for receiving a stem that drives the securing foot between a first position and second position. The implant holder may also include a threaded part to engage a reduction knob. A handle assembly may also be provided, which may include two pivotally attached arms. A rod hook may be connected to one of the arms and a guide attached to the other of the arms.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a three-dimensional body and a securing plate. The three-dimensional body includes a front surface and a rear surface. The three-dimensional body further includes a plurality of boreholes for accommodating fixation elements. The intervertebral implant also includes a front plate disposed at the front surface of the three-dimensional body and has a plurality of boreholes. A securing plate can be fastened to the front plate.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for delivering bone anchor assemblies into bone are disclosed herein. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. In general, a surgical instrument can include a handle assembly having an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle assembly can be configured to axially translate a stylet extending therethrough relative to a bone anchor assembly coupled to the elongate shaft, and it can be configured to move the stylet proximally in response to distal advancement of a bone anchor assembly into bone. The surgical instruments can include various mechanisms for adjusting the position of the stylet.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring a ligament or tendon to bone. In general, various inserter tools are provided for simultaneously delivering an expandable sheath and an expander into bone. With both components of the implant mounted on the same tool, the sheath and a ligament can be advanced into a bone hole and the expander, which trails behind the sheath during delivery of the sheath, can be advanced into the sheath to expand the sheath and anchor the sheath and ligament within the bone hole.

Abstract: An isolated mammalian internal mammary artery-derived cell is disclosed. Furthermore, methods of isolating the mammalian internal mammary artery-derived cell are disclosed. The cell is useful in tissue engineering technologies, specifically in vascular tissue engineering.

Abstract: A delivery system including a distal capture device that has a sleeve with a passageway defined axially therethrough and one or more elastically deformable sections. Each of the one or more elastically deformable sections has a free terminating end and an opposite end mounted to the distal end of the sleeve. The elastically deformable sections transition between: (i) a fully expanded state in which the elastically deformable section is distally biased in a direction away from the sleeve; and (ii) a retracted state in which the free terminating end of each of the elastically deformable sections is proximally deflected backwards over itself in a direction toward the proximal end of the sleeve.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a connector can be configured to couple a first fixation element (e.g., a first rod) to a second fixation element (e.g., a second rod). One or both of the first and second fixation elements can be included with the connector, or one or both can be separately provided. In some instances, at least one of the fixation elements is previously implanted in a patient. The connector can provide one or more degrees of freedom between the first and second fixation elements. The connector can also include a locking element configured to (1) lock one or more of the fixation elements to the connector, and (2) lock one or more of the degrees of freedom between the fixation elements. The connector can be configured to snap onto or otherwise engage a fixation element in a manner that provides tactile and/or audible feedback to the surgeon.

Abstract: An CUSA having a cannula with an ultrasonic frequency vibrating tip with a flue disposed around the cannula. A first electrode is disposed on an outside of the flue and an RF generator provides current to the first electrode. A current flow is formed between the electrode and the tip and the tip acts as a ground. The first electrode can take the shape of a complete circumferential ring or a partially circumferential ring. The first electrode can be removably disposed on and/or movable along a length of the flue to allow the surgeon to “clip-on” or adjust the electrode at the position of their choice. A second electrode can be disposed on the outside of the flue and proximal to the first. A second current flow can be formed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A mechanism can include a step feature guidewire having a guidewire with a proximal end, a distal end, and a diameter. A self-expanding element can be disposed approximate to the distal end of the guidewire and can have at least two states which include a contracted diameter and an expanded diameter. The self-expanding element can be expandable under its inherent proprieties, based at least on its original shape and the nature of the materials that make up the element. Further, the expanded diameter can be approximately 70% to 280% of the guidewire diameter. While the guidewire is designed for passing through a body lumen while treating a patient, the expanded diameter is less than any body lumen diameter the guidewire is determined to pass through.

Abstract: An embolic device deployment system includes a catheter having a first lumen and proximal and distal ends. A notch is disposed in the first lumen, forming a second lumen. An embolic device has a retaining ring at the proximal end. An engagement member includes a distal loop extending through the retaining ring, and a proximal loop extending into the first lumen. An elongated detachment member can be disposed through the loops and have a detachment member bump disposed between the loops. When the detachment member is disposed within the distal loop and the distal loop is disposed within the retaining ring, the embolic device is engaged. When the detachment member is pulled proximally, the detachment member is withdrawn from the distal loop, and the detachment member bump contacts the proximal loop. These acts assist in the disengagement of the distal loop from the retaining ring to release the embolic device.

Abstract: The improvement is a spinal instrument (preferably, a bone screw driver) having a flexible shaft comprising a plurality of interlocking segments carried on a malleable core rod. The flexible shaft allows a screwdriver handle to be perfectly in-line with the cage inserter if desired, while still taking advantage of the tactile feel and torque transmission of the flex segment in its bent position. Accordingly, a surgeon can limit the amount of retraction and keep the driver handle close to the inserter without having to overcome the forces of the flexible segments' natural straight configuration.

Abstract: Devices and methods useful for sensing or measuring a pressure and remotely indicating or communicating that pressure are provided. The devices and methods have particular utility in sensing pressures in implantable medical devices and more particularly in hydrocephalus shunts. In one exemplary embodiment, an implantable valve can include a housing having a reservoir adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough between an inlet port and an outlet port. The implantable valve can also include a needle-penetrable septum to allow fluid delivery to the reservoir and/or a needle guard disposed within the housing and adapted to protect the radio frequency tag from a needle penetrating into the housing. A radio frequency (RF) tag can be disposed within the reservoir and can be adapted to change one or more of its electromagnetic characteristics in response pressure applied thereto by fluid in or flowing through the reservoir.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes an elongated introducer navigable through body vessels of a human subject and a pusher component for incorporation within the introducer. The pusher component includes a tubular portion with a slotted section. A radiopaque marker is secured to at least a portion of the slotted section such that an outer surface of the radiopaque marker is substantially flush with an outer surface of the tubular portion immediately proximal and/or immediately distal the radiopaque marker. According to a method of manufacturing such a component, the slotted section is formed by a laser cutting operation and a pre-assembly radiopaque marker member is crimped onto the slotted section.

Abstract: A method of determining disc space geometry with the use of an expandable trial having endplate-mapping capabilities. An expandable trial is inserted into the disc space and its height is adjusted to obtain the desired decompression and spinal alignment (which is typically confirmed with the use of CT or Fluoroscopic imaging). The endplate dome/geometry dome is then determined by one of the following three methods: a) direct imaging through the trial, b) balloon moldings filled with flowable in-situ fluid (for example, silicon, polyurethane, or PMMA) from superior/inferior endplates or c) light-based imaging through superior & inferior balloons.

Abstract: A system and method for draining at least one type of bodily fluid from a patient, including a chamber capable of being adjusted to hold one of at least a first volume of fluid and a second, smaller volume of fluid. The chamber has an inlet end with a barrier defining an opening and has an outlet end defining an outlet passage. The system further includes a valve with a valve seat and a valve closure member to define a usable volume within the chamber, and a movable adjustment member with a shaft passable through the opening in the barrier and terminating within the chamber at a first end. The first end of the shaft is connected to the valve seat, and the shaft has a plurality of features along its length engagable with corresponding engagement features in a fixed relationship with the barrier to enable the shaft to be advanced into the chamber to reduce the usable volume to be less than the first volume.

Abstract: An occlusion device suitable for endovascular treatment of an aneurysm in a blood vessel in a patient, including a substantially tubular structure having a proximal end region and a distal end region, having a first, expanded condition and a second, collapsed condition. The device has dimensions in the second, collapsed condition suitable for insertion through vasculature of the patient and through a neck of the aneurysm. The device further includes a control ring having a substantially annular body disposed on the proximal end region of the structure and at least substantially circumscribing the proximal end region to prevent radial expansion of the proximal end region and to provide an engagement feature during manipulation of the occlusion device.