Abstract: A tissue splitter for creating a subcutaneous cut is disclosed. The tissue splitter includes a retractable blade located at the distal end. The tissue splitter is configured to be insertable into a slotted cannula that is placed via an incision to a location proximate a patient's spine. An actuator at the proximal end of the instrument projects the blade located at the distal end from its retracted state through the slot of the cannula to an extracted state to subcutaneously cut tissue at a location outside the cannula. The instrument is configured such that the blade is movable inside the slot of the cannula by a distance such that the cut created by the blade remains subcutaneous and does not puncture the skin of the patient. The distance is adjustable for the size and depth of the cut and is limited by an adjustment collar.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system in which a knee prosthesis is capable of conversion from a cruciate retaining type prosthesis to a posterior stabilizing type prosthesis. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a system in which a knee prosthesis is converted from a cruciate retaining type prosthesis to a posterior stabilizing type prosthesis. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method in which a knee prosthesis is capable of conversion from a cruciate retaining type prosthesis to a posterior stabilizing type prosthesis. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method in which a knee prosthesis is converted from a cruciate retaining type prosthesis to a posterior stabilizing type prosthesis. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of making a knee prosthesis that is capable of conversion from a cruciate retaining type prosthesis to a posterior stabilizing type prosthesis.

Abstract: This disclosure describes devices and methods for performing spinal surgical procedures. In some embodiments, a method may include positioning at least a portion of at least one surgical instrument in at least one naturally occurring orifice of a human by a user. In some embodiments, a method may include accessing an interior space of the human using at least one of the surgical instruments. The method may include performing at least a portion of a spinal surgical procedure using at least one of the surgical instruments positioned in at least one of the naturally occurring orifices of the human. The method may include removing at least one of the surgical instruments from at least one of the naturally occurring orifices upon completion of at least a portion of the spinal surgical procedure.

Abstract: Provided is an intervertebral implant to be implanted within an intervertebral space between endplates of adjacent vertebra during use. The implant includes an upper member having an inferior surface including an upper guide track and a superior surface to contact an endplate of an upper one of the adjacent vertebra during use, a lower member having a superior surface including a lower guide track and an inferior surface to contact an endplate of a lower one of the adjacent vertebra during use, and an insert having a superior surface including an upper guide rail to engage the upper guide track during use and an inferior surface including a lower guide rail to engage the lower guide track during use. Engagement of the upper and lower guide rails with the upper and lower guide tracks, respectively, guides insertion of the insert between the upper and lower members during use, and insertion of the insert between the upper and lower members facilitates expansion of the intervertebral implant.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a knee prosthesis system with at least a first tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial) and a second tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial), wherein each of the first tibial portion element and the second tibial portion element has a different slope. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of implanting a knee prosthesis, wherein the method utilizes at least a first tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial) and a second tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial), wherein each of the first tibial portion element and the second tibial portion element has a different slope.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the methodology of the present invention is based on the use of an intraoperative navigation system and of a compact alignment guide for alignment of implant components. In an embodiment, an alignment guide of the present invention includes a first component fixable to a bone element; a second mobile component, and a third mobile component, wherein the second mobile component and two control mechanisms form a first link, wherein the two control mechanisms are working in parallel to perform adjustments in two degrees of freedom, wherein the third mobile component and three control mechanisms form a second link, wherein the three control mechanisms are working in parallel to perform adjustments in three additional degrees of freedom, and wherein the first link adjustments and the second link adjustments are performed in series to provide a total adjustment of five degrees of freedom relative to the first component.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a reverse shoulder assembly. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a reverse shoulder assembly method of use. In one example, a reverse shoulder assembly of the present invention may be provided such that the reverse shoulder assembly alters the abduction force created by a patient's deltoid to a forward flexion force. In one example, a reverse shoulder assembly of the present invention may be provided such that the reverse shoulder assembly alters the abduction force created by a patient's deltoid to an external rotation force. In one example, a reverse shoulder assembly of the present invention may be provided such that the reverse shoulder assembly alters the abduction force created by a patient's deltoid to an external rotation force and a forward flexion force.

Abstract: A femoral component of a knee prosthesis, wherein the femoral component includes a sharp radius at each end (e.g., the anterior end and the posterior end) of the femoral component is disclosed herein. The sharp radius at each end may form a “claw” at each end. Each of these claws may “dig” through the patient's cartilage into the bone (or may “dig” directly into bone if there is no intervening cartilage). One benefit provided by a claw may be facilitating a smooth transition of cartilage/poly bearing to femoral implant/poly bearing (e.g., during knee extension). A femoral component of a knee prosthesis, wherein the femoral component includes a raised rib having a bulbous terminus at a free edge is disclosed herein. This raised rib having a bulbous terminus at a free edge may, for example, simultaneously create sufficient implant strength and adequate cement fixation while minimizing the component's thickness.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a reverse shoulder assembly. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a reverse shoulder assembly method of use. In one example, a reverse shoulder assembly of the present invention may be provided such that the reverse shoulder assembly alters the abduction force created by a patient's deltoid to a forward flexion force. In one example, a reverse shoulder assembly of the present invention may be provided such that the reverse shoulder assembly alters the abduction force created by a patient's deltoid to an external rotation force. In one example, a reverse shoulder assembly of the present invention may be provided such that the reverse shoulder assembly alters the abduction force created by a patient's deltoid to an external rotation force and a forward flexion force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting system and method for enhancing implant fixation to bone. That is, the present invention relates generally to the field of orthopaedics. Various embodiments of the present invention relate to the replacement (totally or partially) of a joint. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the present invention provides a modular system with different anchoring mechanisms for optimized fixation of a joint implant to the bone (wherein “optimized” fixation may be as desired by a surgeon).

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and tools for placing bone stabilization components in a patient are provided. The systems and devices have a reduced number of discrete components that allow placement through small incisions and tubes. More particularly, the present invention is directed to screws for use in systems and methods of treating the spine, which eliminate pain and enable spinal motion, which effectively mimics that of a normally functioning spine. Methods are also provided for installation of the screw and other subject systems.

Abstract: Adjustable reverse shoulder prostheses are disclosed herein. A glenoid assembly includes a glenoid plate configured for fixation to a glenoid bone for a reverse shoulder prosthesis; a glenosphere configured for connection to the glenoid plate; and an adjustment plate, wherein the adjustment plate has a connection for directly engaging the glenosphere, and wherein the adjustment plate has an articulation for directly engaging the glenoid plate at a variable angular orientation. During a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty method, a glenoid plate is fixated to a glenoid bone; an adjustment plate, configured for interfacing with both the glenoid plate and a glenosphere, is locked to the glenoid plate, wherein the adjustment plate is configured for angular orientation or positional change relative to the glenoid plate; a glenosphere is connected to the adjustment plate; and an angular orientation and position of the glenosphere relative to the fixated glenoid plate is independently adjusted.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a reverse shoulder assembly. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a reverse shoulder assembly method of use. In one example, a reverse shoulder assembly of the present invention may be provided such that the reverse shoulder assembly alters the abduction force created by a patient's deltoid to a forward flexion force. In one example, a reverse shoulder assembly of the present invention may be provided such that the reverse shoulder assembly alters the abduction force created by a patient's deltoid to an external rotation force. In one example, a reverse shoulder assembly of the present invention may be provided such that the reverse shoulder assembly alters the abduction force created by a patient's deltoid to an external rotation force and a forward flexion force.

Abstract: The retractor system for use in spinal surgery and other types of surgical procedures that is a simple and efficient solution for minimally invasive access to thoracolumbar spine is disclosed. The fully customizable design allows the surgeon to independently angle the retractor blades and expand the retractor in both cephalad-caudal and medial-lateral directions. With an offering of a range of blade lengths, access can be tailored to the patient's anatomy. Auxiliary instruments such as the retractor inserter, universal hex driver and blade removal instrument allow quick and controlled access to the surgical site. The retractor system provides versatility and control ensuring minimal tissue trauma.

Abstract: An inserter for implanting an intervertebral spacer into a spinal disc space is disclosed. The inserter comprises a jaw assembly connected to a shaft assembly that is connected to a handle assembly. The user operates the handle assembly to open and close the jaw assembly to thereby connect to and release from the intervertebral spacer. Furthermore, the handle assembly is operable to lock and unlock rotation of the jaw assembly while still connected thereto to permit angulation of the jaw assembly relative to the shaft assembly without losing hold of the intervertebral spacer.

Abstract: A rod reduction instrument for position a rod relative to a seat of a bone anchor in a spinal implant system is provided. The instrument includes three concentric cannulas with circumferentially aligned rod receiving portions formed therein. One cannula is movable with respect to another to lock and unlock the seat of a bone anchor to the rod reduction instrument. The rod to be reduced is positioned inside at least one of the rod receiving portion. One cannula is moved with respect to another to lock the seat of the bone anchor to the rod reduction instrument. Once locked to the bone anchor, the remaining cannula is moved to reduce the distance between the rod and the seat within at least one of the rod receiving portions. The distance between the rod and the seat is reduced until the rod is position inside the seat. A secondary instrument is inserted through a central bore of the rod reduction instrument to introduce a cap and lock the cap to the seat securing the rod to the bone anchor.

Abstract: A dynamic bone stabilization system is provided. The system may be placed through small incisions and tubes. The system provides systems and methods of treating the spine, which eliminate pain and enable spinal motion, which effectively mimics that of a normally functioning spine. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the spine and for implanting the subject systems.

Abstract: Systems and devices for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The systems include a superior component for attachment to a superior vertebra of a spinal motion segment and an inferior component for attachment to an inferior vertebral of a spinal motion segment. The interconnection between the two components enables the spinal motion segment to move in a manner that mimics the natural motion of the spinal motion segment while substantially offloading the facet joints of the spine. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the spine and for implanting the subject systems.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a prosthesis including a mechanism for attaching a first component to a second component is provided. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the first component may be a femoral head component and the second component may be a femoral stem component. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the femoral head component may comprise a ceramic material and the femoral stem component may comprise a metallic material (e.g., any desired orthopedic alloy, such as Cobalt Chromium).

Abstract: A dynamic bone stabilization system is provided. The system may be placed through small incisions and tubes. The system provides systems and methods of treating the spine, which eliminate pain and enable spinal motion, which effectively mimics that of a normally functioning spine. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the spine and for implanting the subject systems.