Abstract: A bone plate having a first, bone-facing surface and an opposing second surface has an elongate shaft portion and a head portion that is shorter and wider in comparison thereto, with at least one through hole extending through the bone plate from the first surface to the second surface in the shaft portion. The through hole comprises a variable-angle portion with a hole axis configured to receive a threaded head of a locking screw therein at a desired angle within a permitted range of angulation relative to the hole axis. The second surface has at least one depression which extends therein along a portion of the second surface between the side wall and the through hole, the depression extending about a periphery of the through hole.

Abstract: A method of revising a patient having a fusion cage implanted within a spinal column, involving percutaneously delivering a first end of a tube to the spinal column, fluidly connecting the first end of the tube to the fusion cage, and delivering a bone growth agent into the fusion cage through the tube.

Abstract: An expandable stent and delivery system are provided for treating body vessel defects, such as partially occluded blood vessels and aneurysms. The delivery system includes a core member having a threaded core member portion configured to interlock with a threaded strut member portion of the expandable stent. The expandable stent is mounted thusly onto the core member for movement within a delivery catheter and deployment to a body vessel defect. The deployment catheter is used to compress the interlocked threaded strut member portion into engagement with the threaded core member portion.

Abstract: A dilator system includes a series of sequential dilators. A first dilator has an elongated body having a major axis and a minor axis, the minor axis being substantially normal to the major axis. A second dilator has an elongated body having a major axis and a minor axis, the minor axis of the second dilator being substantially normal to the major axis of the second dilator. A bore of the second dilator is configured to matingly receive the first dilator in such a way that the major axis of the second dilator is aligned with the minor axis of the first dilator and the minor axis of the second dilator is aligned with the major axis of the first dilator.

Abstract: A method and device are for attaching a bone plate to a bone includes the steps of placing a first surface of a wire insertion device against the bone, inserting a reference wire through an opening of the wire insertion device extending therethrough from the first surface of the wire insertion device to a second surface of the wire insertion device, removing the wire insertion device from the reference wire and positioning a bone plate on the bone by moving the bone plate in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the reference wire so that the reference wire is received within a slot of the bone plate, the bone plate including a first surface facing toward the bone and a second surface opposing the first surface, the slot open to a lateral side surface connecting edges of the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for registering objects with a surgical navigation system are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for registering objects with a surgical navigation system can include detecting identification information associated with an object using a sensing device coupled to a digital data processor and detecting a position-tracking array using the sensing device. The method can also include searching a digital data store coupled to the digital data processor that contains a listing of objects and associated identification information to identify an object having identification information that matches the identification information detected by the sensing device, and registering with the surgical navigation system an association between the position-tracking array and the identified object.

Abstract: A bone plate includes a first surface which, when the bone plate is positioned over a bone, faces the bone, and a second surface opposing the first surface, the bone plate comprising an elongate shaft portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the bone plate and including a plurality of through holes extending therethrough from the first surface to the second surface to receive a bone anchor therethrough and a head portion extending from an end of the elongate shaft portion along a length smaller than a length of the elongate shaft portion, a width of the head between lateral walls connecting edges of the first and second surface being greater than a width of the shaft distance between the lateral walls, wherein the second surface includes a cavity extending between a first one of the plurality of through holes situated closest to the head portion and the head portion.

Abstract: An aiming device for targeted drilling of a hole into bone includes a slot hole extending through the aiming device, the slot hole being configured to receive a guide sleeve therein at different locations therein and at different angles each of which corresponds with one of the locations along a longitudinal extension of the slot hole. The aiming device can be positioned relative to a bone plate using a positioning device including a base having a guide hole extending therethrough from a first side of the base to a second side of the base. The guide hole is formed as an elongated hole and is configured to receive the guide sleeve therein at different angles relative to the positioning device.

Abstract: A kneadable and moldable bone-replacement material includes a mixture of calcium-containing ceramic particles and a hydrogel or a substance which can be swelled into a hydrogel. The ceramic particles are of fully synthetic origin and the individual ceramic particles have a structure which is at least partially cohesive and porous. In addition, the majority of the ceramic particles have a non-spheric shape.

Abstract: An anti-siphon drainage device having a housing forming an internal chamber, an inlet and outlet ports part of the internal chamber and fluidly connected by a primary flow path. A valve seat is associated with the primary flow path, a sloped section extends from the valve seat, and a valve element disposed in the sloped section and can seat in the valve seat to restrict a fluid flow into the primary flow path from the inlet port. A secondary flow path can have an opening near the inlet port and an orifice near the outlet port. A regulator has an aperture to selectively open and close the opening of the secondary flow path. When the valve element is seated in the valve seat and restricting the fluid flow into the primary flow path, the fluid flows into the secondary flow path.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for positioning a rod includes a rod holder, a sleeve, and a pusher rod. The rod holder is configured to releasably grip a first end of a rod therebetween. The sleeve is disposed about the rod holder and slideable between an extended position to hold the tines in a rod gripping position and a retracted position to permit release of the rod from the tines. The pusher rod is slidably disposed within the rod holder and has a plurality of rod receiving notches configured to engage the rod such that the rod is held at a selected angle with respect to the pusher rod.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant (10) for implantation in an intervertebral disc space (D) in-between adjacent vertebral bodies (V). The intervertebral implant includes a plate (40) preferably coupled to a spacer (20). The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile (hs) of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.

Abstract: A surgical access system for providing access to a surgical site in a patient includes a surgical access device defining a port and a light emitter coupled to the surgical access device for illuminating the port. The light emitter preferably comprises an elongated shaft having a light transmitting element housed therein, which emits light transmitted to the elongated shaft from a light source. The elongated shaft is configured to be inserted in an elongated channel in the access device. The elongated channel has or forms a window for transmitting light emitted by the light emitter into the interior of the access device.

Abstract: An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body is provided. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a detachment member and a heat-responsive coupling attached to a delivery member for holding the coil during positioning of the coil. The heating element is heated to reduce the strength of and sever the heat-responsive coupling for releasing the coil at a desired position within the body vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a release mechanism for removing and/or releasing a locking cap from the head of a bone anchor in situ. The release mechanism includes a sleeve, an anchor coupling member and a knob. The anchor coupling member is located within the sleeve and the knob engages both the anchor coupling member and the sleeve. The distal end of the sleeve and anchor coupling member engage the bone anchor causing the bone anchor to splay from the locking cap. A driver may be inserted into the central bore of the release mechanism to release any further threaded engagement of the locking cap and the bone anchor.

Abstract: An assembly tool for assembly of a first component of a prosthesis to a second component of the prosthesis for use in joint arthroplasty is provided. The tool includes a first member in contact with the first component and a second member connected to the second component. The first member defines a first member longitudinal axis. The first member and the second member provide for the assembly of the first component of the prosthesis to the second component of the prosthesis. The second member provides relative motion of the second member with respect to the first member when the second member is rotated relative to the first member about the first member longitudinal axis. The first member and the second member have relative motion features adapted to reduce friction that cooperate with each other to provide the relative motion of the first member with respect to the second member.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant component of an intervertebral implant includes an outer surface for engaging an adjacent vertebra and an inner surface. A keel extends from the outer surface and is designed to be disposed in a slot provided in the adjacent vertebra. This keel extends in a plane which is non-perpendicular to the outer surface; and preferably there are two of the keels extending from the outer surface which are preferably offset laterally from one another. In another embodiment, an anterior shelf is provided at an anterior end of the outer surface, and this anterior shelf extends vertically away from the inner surface in order to help prevent bone growth from the adjacent vertebra towards the inner surface. Further in accordance with disclosed embodiments, various materials, shapes and forms of construction of the component and/or keel provide various benefits.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for tagging and tracking surgical devices using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. In general, the systems and methods allow for tracking surgical devices throughout distribution and sterilization thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a tray configured to seat a plurality of surgical devices and having a parent RFID tag attached thereto that contains information and/or facilitates access to information about the tray and each of the surgical devices seated therein. Each of the surgical devices seated in the instrument tray can have attached thereto a child RFID tag containing information and/or facilitating access to information about the surgical device.

Abstract: An adjustable height tool for locating a magnetically readable and settable valve implanted in a living being. The locator can include a wall having a first perimeter. A platform can be disposed within the first perimeter. A valve cut-out can disposed within the platform and can approximate at least a portion of the shape of the valve. A movable foot can be disposed below the platform by which a displacement element moves the foot at least one of toward or away from the platform. This movement increases or decreases the distance between the platform and the skin/valve. Two or more recesses can be disposed in the foot and the recesses can be aligned with the valve cut-out. The displacement element can maintain the alignment of the recesses and the cut-out while moving the foot.

Abstract: Various spinal plating systems for use in treating spinal pathologies are provided. In certain exemplary embodiments, the spinal plating systems can be configured to allow a surgeon to select a bone screw construct having a particular range of motion for attaching a spinal plate to bone as needed based on the intended use. In one exemplary embodiment, the spinal plating system includes a first bone screw that is polyaxially movable relative to the spinal plate, and a second bone screw that has a range of motion that is substantially limited to a single plane.