Abstract: A bone saw and a method for using the bone saw. The bone saw includes a saw blade comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a distal tip comprising a cutting edge. The flexible saw blade is rectangular in shape over at least a portion thereof. The bone saw further includes a saw handle base insert a saw shaft tip assembly comprising an opening through which the flexible saw blade is advanced. The saw shaft tip assembly may comprise a saw shaft tip comprising a channel comprising a distal end and a proximal end and a saw channel insert disposed within the channel of the saw shaft tip to form a lumen between the saw shift tip and the saw channel insert. The bone saw may further comprise a saw blade advancement mechanism coupled to the flexible saw blade for moving the flexible saw blade in discrete amounts.

Abstract: An implant to separate a vertebral cut has an upper portion, lower portion, and inner member. The inner member communicates with a swivelable coupling located at each end of the inner member. Each swivelable coupling also interacts with a respective one of the upper and lower portion, within an inner bore thereof. Movement of the inner member relative to one or both of the upper and the lower portions, via one or both swivelable couplings, translates the upper portion away from the lower portion, about a vertebral cut, to widen the vertebral cut and expand the spinal canal. Swivelable action of the couplings allows angulation of the inner member, relative to a longitudinal axis of the implant, to accommodate a natural lateral shift occurring during a widening of a vertebral cut.

Abstract: A system for simulating a surgical procedure, which includes a housing covering an anatomical model. The model is made up of simulated tissue supported on a base assembly that allows pivoting and rotation of the simulated tissue. The simulated tissue includes a portion that represents soft tissue, such as dermal tissue, muscle, connective tissue and the like, and a portion that represents hard tissue, such as osseous tissue. The housing includes apertures through which a surgical instrument may be inserted for simulating a procedure on the simulated tissue. Cannulas may be set within the apertures.

Abstract: Implant for stabilizing a spinal column including a pedicle screw, an elongated member, and a retainer for a stabilizing rod. The elongated member can be polyaxially movably connected to the pedicle screw, and have external threads over a longitudinal periphery thereof. The retainer can be one piece, or can include an upper retainer portion and a lower retainer portion. The retainer, or the upper and lower retainer portions, can each have an opening therethrough to receive a stabilization rod to fix one implant to another. In one aspect, the upper retainer portion is internally threaded to engage external threads of the elongated member, the upper retainer portion threadably translating longitudinally along the elongated member by rotation of the elongated member about a longitudinal axis thereof. The upper retainer portion translates toward the lower retainer portion to secure and retain the rod therebetween.

Abstract: A system for simulating a surgical procedure, which includes a housing covering an anatomical model. The model is made up of simulated tissue supported on a base assembly that allows pivoting and rotation of the simulated tissue. The simulated tissue includes a portion that represents soft tissue, such as dermal tissue, muscle, connective tissue and the like, and a portion that represents hard tissue, such as osseous tissue. The housing includes apertures through which a surgical instrument may be inserted for simulating a procedure on the simulated tissue. Cannulas may be set within the apertures.

Abstract: Spinal canal expansion through pedicle lengthening in combination with spinal column stabilization, to treat spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, kyphosis, scoliosis or a major spinal rotational deformity, with or without a spinal fusion. A device or implant that includes a pedicle lengthening implant to decompress (expand) the spinal canal, and a bridge to connect two or more pedicle lengthening implants and/or pedicle screws or bone anchors to achieve simultaneous spinal stabilization across one or more vertebral segments. The bridge across the vertebral segments can include a longitudinal member, such as a plate or rod. The pedicle lengthening implant is originally made, or can be modified to, connect to the longitudinal member.

Abstract: A bone saw including a flexible, rectangular saw blade having a central longitudinal axis and a cutting edge at a distal tip, and a shaft. The shaft has a central longitudinal axis, and a blade passage within the shaft that houses the saw blade, where the central longitudinal axis of the saw blade, of the shaft, and of the blade passage, are parallel. Further included is a blade opening located through a distal end of the shaft and of the blade passage, the blade opening being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Also, a curved abutment can exist within the blade passage, aligning the saw blade with the blade opening. Distally translating the saw blade within the blade passage can cause the saw blade to conform to the curved abutment and exit the blade opening with the cutting edge essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: Expanding a spinal canal by drilling a cylindrical passage in each pedicle of a vertebra, making a circumferential pedicle cut (osteotomy) through each pedicle from within the passage, separating each pedicle cut by inserting an implant into the passage to distract the pedicle cut (i.e., lengthen the pedicle) to expand the spinal canal, and securing each pedicle cut, allowing the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded. The implant can include an outer sleeve, an inner bolt, and expandable flanges. The outer sleeve includes an upper and a lower portion, with the expandable flanges therein. Rotation of the inner bolt causes the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve to separate, causing the pedicle cut to widen and the expandable flanges to radially extend into and stabilize the widened pedicle cut for expansion of the spinal canal.

Abstract: A bone saw including a flexible, rectangular saw blade having a central longitudinal axis and a cutting edge at a distal tip, and a shaft. The shaft has a central longitudinal axis, and a blade passage within the shaft that houses the saw blade, where the central longitudinal axis of the saw blade, of the shaft, and of the blade passage, are parallel. Further included is a blade opening located through a distal end of the shaft and of the blade passage, the blade opening being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Also, a curved abutment can exist within the blade passage, aligning the saw blade with the blade opening. Distally translating the saw blade within the blade passage can cause the saw blade to conform to the curved abutment and exit the blade opening with the cutting edge essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A system for simulating a surgical procedure that includes a housing covering an anatomical model. The model is made up of simulated tissue supported on a base assembly that allows pivoting and rotation of the simulated tissue. The simulated tissue includes a portion that represents soft tissue, such as dermal tissue, muscle, connective tissue and the like, and a portion that represents hard tissue, such as osseous tissue. The housing includes apertures through which a surgical instrument may be inserted for simulating a procedure on the simulated tissue. Cannulas may be set within the apertures.

Abstract: An implant for expanding a spinal canal having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an inner member. The inner member communicates with a swivelable coupling located at each end of the inner member within the implant. Each swivelable coupling also interacts with a respective one of the upper and lower portion, within an inner bore thereof. Accordingly, movement of the inner member relative to one or both of the upper and the lower portions, via one or both swivelable couplings, translates the upper portion away from the lower portion, about a vertebral cut, to widen the vertebral cut and expand the spinal canal. The swivelable action of the couplings during translation allows angulation of the inner member, relative to a longitudinal axis of the implant, to accommodate a natural lateral shift occurring during a widening of a vertebral cut.

Abstract: Expanding a spinal canal by drilling a cylindrical passage in each pedicle of a vertebra, making a circumferential pedicle cut (osteotomy) through each pedicle from within the passage, separating each pedicle cut by inserting an implant into the passage to distract the pedicle cut (i.e., lengthen the pedicle) to expand the spinal canal, and securing each pedicle cut, allowing the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded. The implant can include an outer sleeve, an inner bolt, and expandable flanges. The outer sleeve includes an upper and a lower portion, with the expandable flanges therein. Rotation of the inner bolt causes the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve to separate, causing the pedicle cut to widen and the expandable flanges to radially extend into and stabilize the widened pedicle cut for expansion of the spinal canal.

Abstract: A system for simulating a surgical procedure that includes a housing covering an anatomical model. The model is made up of simulated tissue supported on a base assembly that allows pivoting and rotation of the simulated tissue. The simulated tissue includes a portion that represents soft tissue, such as dermal tissue, muscle, connective tissue and the like, and a portion that represents hard tissue, such as osseous tissue. The housing includes apertures through which a surgical instrument may be inserted for simulating a procedure on the simulated tissue. Cannulas may be set within the apertures.