Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure on a body includes providing a cannula having a tubular structure with first and second tubular portions defining first and second passages for receiving surgical instruments. The second tubular portion is inserted inside the body and the first tubular portion is inserted so that the first tubular portion extends from an exterior of the body to inside the body. The second tubular portion expands to increase the cross-sectional area of the second passage in the second tubular portion while the second tubular portion is inside the body. The cross-sectional area of the first passage in the first tubular portion is maintained. The first tubular portion has a first thickness and the second tubular portion has a second thickness different than the first thickness.

Abstract: A housing (40) has a first passage (42) through which a longitudinal member (12) extends and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. A fastener (16) extends through an opening (50) in the housing (40) into the second passage (44). An axis (18) of the fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to an axis (46) of the second passage (44). A spacer (60) received in the second passage (44) engages the fastener (16) and the longitudinal member (12). A pin member (70) fixedly connected to the housing (40) extends into engagement with the spacer (60) to retain the spacer and the fastener (16) in the housing and maintain the spacer in frictional engagement with the fastener to prevent relative movement between the fastener (16) and the housing when the longitudinal member (12) is disengaged from the spacer. The fastener (16) and the housing (40) are manually movable relative to each other in opposition to the frictional engagement.

Abstract: A structure for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a passage through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The passage has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable portion enables an increase in the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the passage. The expandable portion has a contracted condition in which the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the passage has a first cross-sectional area. The expandable portion has an expanded condition in which the distal end of the passage has a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is greater than a cross-sectional area of the proximal end of the passage when the expandable portion is in the expanded condition. A retaining mechanism resists movement of the expandable portion from the expanded condition toward the contracted condition during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion to connect a longitudinal member (12) to the bone portion. A housing (40) has a first passage (42) configured to receive the longitudinal member (12) and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. The fastener (16) extends through an opening (50) in the housing (40) into the second passage (44). A longitudinal axis (18) of the fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to a longitudinal axis (46) of the second passage (44). A spacer (60) received in the second passage (44) of the housing (40) is engageable with the fastener (16) and the longitudinal member (12). A member (70) applies a force to prevent relative movement between the fastener (16) and the housing (40) and permit manual movement of the fastener (16) relative to the housing (40) against the force when the longitudinal member (12) is disengaged from the spacer (60).

Abstract: A transverse connector (10) for interconnecting first and second spine rods (12) extending along a spinal column includes a first connecting member (30) connectable with the first spine rod (12). A second connecting member (44) is connectable with the second spine rod (12). A connecting rod (42) connected to the first and second connecting members (30, 44) extends between the first and second connecting members. The connecting rod (42) is rotatable about a longitudinal axis (51) of said connecting rod relative to said first connecting member and pivotable about a pivot axis (54) extending transverse to said longitudinal axis. A fastener (58) connects the connecting rod (42) to the first connecting member (30) in any one of a plurality of positions about the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod and in any one of a plurality of pivot positions about the pivot axis. The connecting rod (42) is also positionable along the longitudinal axis (51) of the connecting rod relative to the first connecting member (30).

Abstract: A method of fixing first and second vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes inserting a first cannula into the body of the patient. A fusion device is moved through the cannula and inserted between the first and second vertebrae. A first fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the first vertebra. A second fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the second vertebra. A first fixation element is moved through the cannula. The first fixation element is fixed to the first and second fasteners. The fusion device has first and second ends, upper and lower surfaces for engaging the first and second vertebrae, and first and second side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces. Each of the first and second side surfaces extend along an arc from the first end of the fusion device to the second end.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) supports an endoscope (200) for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient. The apparatus (10) includes a base (118), a part (140) adapted to be fixed to the endoscope (200), and a screw mechanism (160). The base (118) has a guide portion (128). The part (140) engages the guide portion (128) and is movable relative to the guide portion (128). The screw mechanism (160) connects between the base (118) and the part (140). At least a portion (610) of the screw mechanism (160) is rotatable to slide the part (140) relative to the guide portion (128) to change a position of the endoscope (200) relative to the patient. In another feature of the apparatus (10), the apparatus (10) may include a cannula clamp 180 secured to a cannula (11) and rotatable relative to the part (140).

Abstract: A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) supports an endoscope (99) for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient. The apparatus (100) includes a base (110), a first part (200), a second part (300), and a mechanism (400). The base (110) has a guide portion (130). The first part (200) is adapted to be fixed to the endoscope (99). The second part (300) engages the guide portion (130) and is movable relative to the guide portion (130). The second part (300) is secured to the first part (200) such that the first part (200) is movable relative to the guide portion (130). The mechanism (400) is connected between the base (110) and the second part (300). At least a portion of the mechanism (400) is rotatable to slide the first and second parts (200, 300) relative to the guide portion (130) to change a position of the endoscope (99) relative to the patient.

Abstract: A cannula (10) for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a tubular structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The tubular structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16). The expandable portion (40) of the tubular structure (12) has a slot (100) and a guide member (114) disposed in the slot. The guide member (114) is movable from a first end (102) of the slot (100) toward a second end (104) of the slot to enable the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) to increase. The expandable portion (40) has a stop (106) between the first and second ends (102 and 104) of the slot (100) engageable with the guide member (114) to retain the guide member in a position relative to the slot and resist movement of the guide member from the position relative to the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (12) and a fastener (16) that connects the member to a bone portion. The fastener (16) has a first end portion (22) engageable with the bone portion, a second end portion (26) extending through an opening (50) in the member (12), and an intermediate portion (32) engageable with the member between the first and second end portions. A connecting ring (42) connects the member (12) to the fastener (16). The connecting ring (42) extends into the opening (50) in the member (12). The connecting ring (42) has a passage (54) with a longitudinal axis (56) through which the second end portion (26) of the fastener (16) extends. A clamping member (28) engages the second end portion (26) of the fastener (16) and the connecting ring (42) to connect the connecting ring to the member (12) and connect the fastener to the connecting ring in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to the connecting ring.

Abstract: A cannula (10) for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a tubular structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The tubular structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16). The expandable portion (40) of the tubular structure (12) has a slot (100) and a guide member (114) disposed in the slot. The guide member (114) is movable from a first end (102) of the slot (100) toward a second end (104) of the slot to enable the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) to increase. The expandable portion (40) has a stop (106) between the first and second ends (102 and 104) of the slot (100) engageable with the guide member (114) to retain the guide member in a position relative to the slot and resist movement of the guide member from the position relative to the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in spinal corrective surgery includes two spinal rods (14, 16) at least partially extending along a vertebral column (18). A plurality of fixation elements fix the spinal rods (14, 16) to the vertebral column (18). A transverse connector (12) connects the spinal rods (14, 16) to each other. The transverse connector (12) has a first clamping member (24) with a spinal rod receiving channel for receiving one of the spinal rods (14). A connecting rod (28) integral with the first clamping member (24) extends transverse to the spinal rods (14, 16). The connecting rod (24) has a tapered portion (60) extending from the first clamping member (24). A first fastener (44) connects one of the spinal rods (14) to the first clamping member (24). A second clamping member (26) includes a spinal rod receiving channel (80) for receiving the other one of the spinal rods (16). The second clamping member (26) includes an opening (65) for receiving the connecting rod (28).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) supports an endoscope (200) for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient. The apparatus (10) includes a base (118), a part (140) adapted to be fixed to the endoscope (200), and a screw mechanism (160). The base (118) has a guide portion (128). The part (140) engages the guide portion (128) and is movable relative to the guide portion (128). The screw mechanism (160) connects between the base (118) and the part (140). At least a portion (610) of the screw mechanism (160) is rotatable to slide the part (140) relative to the guide portion (128) to change a position of the endoscope (200) relative to the patient. In another feature of the apparatus (10), the apparatus (10) may include a cannula clamp 180 secured to a cannula (11) and rotatable relative to the part (140).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (12) having an elongate slot (50). A fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion has an end portion (26) extending through the elongate slot (50). A connecting ring (42) connects the member (12) to the fastener (16). The connecting ring (42) is positionable in any one of a plurality of positions along the elongate slot (50). The connecting ring (42) has a passage (54) through which the end portion (26) of the fastener (16) extends. The fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to the connecting ring (42). First and second portions (64, 66) of the connecting ring (42) engage each other to connect the first and second portions together and prevent relative movement between the first and second portions.

Abstract: A transverse connector (10) for interconnecting first and second spine rods (12) extending along a spinal column includes a first connecting member (30) connectable with the first spine rod (12). A second connecting member (44) is connectable with the second spine rod (12). A connecting rod (42) connected to the first and second connecting members (30, 44) extends between the first and second connecting members. The connecting rod (42) is rotatable about a longitudinal axis (51) of said connecting rod relative to said first connecting member and pivotable about a pivot axis (54) extending transverse to said longitudinal axis. A fastener (58) connects the connecting rod (42) to the first connecting member (30) in any one of a plurality of positions about the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod and in any one of a plurality of pivot positions about the pivot axis. The connecting rod (42) is also positionable along the longitudinal axis (51) of the connecting rod relative to the first connecting member (30).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in percutaneous surgery includes a cannula (11), a first support (20), and a second support (40). The cannula (11) has a channel (12) extending into the cannula (11). The channel (12) has a central axis (14). The first support (20) is associated to the cannula (11) and has a circular perimeter (21) which has a center (22) on the central axis (14). The second support (40) supports a viewing element (200) which extends into the channel (12). The second support (40) is rotatable about the center (22) of the circular perimeter (21) of the first support (20) relative to the first support (20).

Abstract: A surgical tool (112, 410) for use in expanding a cannula (10, 150, 250) includes a first leg (114, 414) having a first end (118, 418) engageable with an inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula. A second leg (114, 414) is connected with the first leg (114, 414). The second leg (114, 414) has a second end (118, 418) engageable with the inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula (10, 150, 250). The first and second ends (118, 418) are movable away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula (10, 150, 250) and cause expansion of the cannula.

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure on a body includes providing a cannula having a tubular structure with first and second tubular portions defining first and second passages for receiving surgical instruments. The second tubular portion is inserted inside the body and the first tubular portion is inserted so that the first tubular portion extends from an exterior of the body to inside the body. The second tubular portion expands to increase the cross-sectional area of the second passage in the second tubular portion while the second tubular portion is inside the body. The cross-sectional area of the first passage in the first tubular portion is maintained. The first tubular portion has a first thickness and the second tubular portion has a second thickness different than the first thickness.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.