Abstract: Placement jigs for osteosynthesis systems and related methods are disclosed. Medical intervention may require fusing vertebrae of a diseased spinal column together. This often includes securing an interbody within an intervertebral space and anchoring an anterior cervical plate to the vertebrae. A placement jig may be received through the plate, removably coupled to the secured interbody with a press fit coupling, and used to abut the plate against the vertebrae to hold desired plate positioning so the plate may be anchored to the vertebrae with precision. By positioning the plate relative to the interbody using the placement jig, higher stress concentrations causing undesirable loosening associated with a misaligned plate may be avoided. In this manner, the useful life of the plate within a patient may be lengthened.

Abstract: Surgical tables employing lordosis adjustment subassemblies connected by hinge portions to rigid support frames, and related systems and methods are disclosed. A surgical table includes a frame supporting a patient in a prone position through subassemblies including body and leg pads. Relative positions of the pads determine a lumbar sagittal lordosis for the patient, and movements of the frame may disrupt a sterile field during surgery and increase opportunities for infections. By rotatably coupling the leg pad as part of a lordosis adjustment subassembly to the frame, a distal end of the leg pad may pass through an inner space defined by the frame to change the relative position of the pads according to the surgical procedures performed while minimizing frame movement. In this manner, post-operative long-term patient outcomes may be improved by providing optimal degrees of lordosis for the surgical procedures occurring during a surgical visit while minimizing infections.

Abstract: Anterior cervical plates for spinal surgery employing anchor backout prevention devices, and related systems and methods are disclosed. A spinal column includes vertebrae in an articulating structure. Medical intervention may involve limiting the relative motion between vertebrae by fusing at least first and second vertebrae together with osteosynthesis systems. The systems include a plate attached to anterior surfaces of the first and second vertebrae with anchors extending through passageways in the plate. By including one or more anchor backout prevention devices to the plate, movements causing the anchors to disengage from the vertebrae may be avoided. The devices may include a positioning guide, and locking magnets. The implementation of a combination of these devices into the plate may provide greater robustness against failure than any of the devices individually. In this manner, the useful life of the plate within a patient may be lengthened.

Abstract: Intervertebral inflatable distractors employing thecal sac retractors, and related systems and methods are disclosed. Adjacent vertebrae are spaced apart or distracted to prepare for the installation of intervertebral cages during spine surgery. An intervertebral inflatable distractor may include a inflatable portion having first and second inflation modes. In the lower-volume first mode, the inflatable portion may be efficiently received within the intervertebral space, then the higher-volume second mode may be used to abut against vertebrae endplates to urge them apart and thereby provide space to receive the cages. A thecal sac retractor of the intervertebral inflatable distractor may also be used to abut against the thecal sac to provide space for larger cages. In this manner, an interbody cage may be efficiently installed between vertebrae while minimizing injury to the vertebrae and the thecal sac.