Abstract: A valve controller includes a housing, and a lever extending from the housing. The lever includes a protrusion rigidly attached to the lever, and the lever is biased to an initial position. A switch has an open and a closed position. A linkage is pivotally connected to the switch, and the linkage includes a centrally disposed slot configured to receive the protrusion such that movement of the switch controls movement of the linkage and the lever such that moving the switch to the closed position closes a valve controlled by the lever regardless of a position of the lever.

Abstract: The risk of bone cement extravaation can be reduced by delivering a calcium-dependent polymerizing sealant into a bone structure prior to delivery of bone cement into that structure. The polymerization of the sealant in response to the calcium within the bone structure can fill cracks and any other potential cement leakage paths, thereby minimizing the potential for subsequent extravaation. The benefits of the use of a calcium-dependent polymerizing sealant can be provided in any procedure involving the use of bone cement, such as spinal fixation, vertebroplasty, and kyphoplasty, among others.

Abstract: A manual mixer serves to facilitate mixing and agitating materials for use during surgery. For example, the manual mixer includes a body portion defining an interior area, a mixing assembly provided in the interior area of the body portion, a crank assembly for actuating the mixing assembly, and a valve assembly. The mixing assembly serves to mix and agitate the materials provided in the interior through rotation of a plunger portion and a spring attached thereto, and through upwards and downwards movement of the plunger portion in the interior area. Rotation of the crank assembly serves to rotate the plunger portion and the spring attached thereto, and effectuate upwards and downwards movement of the plunger portion. The valve assembly can be opened to facilitate dispensing of the materials from the interior area.

Abstract: A cutting device is provided that includes an outer tube. The outer tube includes an inner surface defining a passageway. An inner tube is movably disposed in the passageway such that a distal end of the inner tube extends beyond a distal end of the outer tube. The distal end of the inner tube includes a first cutting element. An inner surface of the inner tube defines a lumen. A shaft is slidably disposed in the lumen. The shaft has a distal end including a second cutting element. A deployment mechanism is coupled to a proximal end of the outer tube. The deployment mechanism includes a body, a push button disposed within the body and a collar disposed about the body. The shaft is fixed relative to the collar and the inner tube is fixed relative to the push button. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for assessing an intervertebral disc space comprises an elongated catheter with proximal and distal ends and an expandable body carried at the distal end of the elongated catheter. The expandable body includes a distal cap portion. The system further includes a mandrel extending through the elongated catheter and the expandable body and attached to the distal cap portion. The mandrel is movable within the elongated catheter and the expandable body to reposition the distal cap portion relative to the distal end of the elongated catheter while the expandable body is positioned within the intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an outer shaft defining a passageway. An inner shaft is disposed within the passageway and defines a lumen. An expandable structure has a first end coupled to a second end of the outer shaft and a second end coupled to a second end of the inner shaft. The expandable member defines a chamber. A delivery shaft includes a first end positioned within the passageway and a second end positioned within the chamber. The delivery shaft defines a channel configured to deliver a coolant out of an opening in the second end of the delivery shaft and into the chamber to move the expandable structure from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration. A variable exhaust valve is in communication with the passageway and is configured to regulate pressure within the chamber. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical system including an expandable device is provided, including an inflatable body, an inner shaft and an outer shaft. The inflatable body has at least one folded segment, which are housed in a distal portion of the outer shaft. The inflatable body is tethered to a portion of the outer shaft. The inner shaft is affixed to a portion of the inflatable body, and is configured to control an axial and/or a radial inflation pattern of the folded inflatable body.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first member defining a passageway defining a first axis. A second member is positioned in the passageway and includes a lip extending at an angle relative to a second axis defined by the second member that engages a flange of the first member. A third member engages an outer surface of the first member. The third member includes an end surface. A fourth member defines a pathway having the first and second members disposed therein. The fourth member includes a first locking element. A fifth member includes a body including an inner surface that engages the third member. The fifth member includes a plurality of straps extending outwardly from the body. At least one of the straps includes a second locking element that engages the first locking element to fix the fourth member relative to the fifth member. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a cannula and a member coupled to the cannula. The member includes a first locking element. The surgical instrument further includes a patient attachable ring having a second locking element configured to engage the first locking element to fix the cannula relative to the patient attachable ring. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A valve controller includes a housing, and a lever extending from the housing. The lever includes a protrusion rigidly attached to the lever, and the lever is biased to an initial position. A switch has an open and a closed position. A linkage is pivotally connected to the switch, and the linkage includes a centrally disposed slot configured to receive the protrusion such that movement of the switch controls movement of the linkage and the lever such that moving the switch to the closed position closes a valve controlled by the lever regardless of a position of the lever.

Abstract: Devices, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed for preventing tumor seeding when withdrawing the device along an entry-exit path. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of withdrawing a probe through a tissue via a path that traverses at least some bone tissue, the method including withdrawing the probe through the path, and at least partially concurrently delivering energy in a bipolar manner from the probe to heat a layer of tissue surrounding the probe to a temperature sufficient for thermal coagulation necrosis of cells. The device may be withdrawn incrementally.

Abstract: A device for performing a surgical procedure comprises an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end and defines an outer surface and an inner surface. An expandable member is disposed at the distal end and is configured to receive inflation material. At least one electrode is disposed with the inflatable member. A cooling mechanism is configured to cool surrounding tissue that the device comes in contact.

Abstract: A device for performing a surgical procedure includes an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft includes an outer surface and an inner surface. An expandable member is disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The expandable member is configured to receive inflation material. At least one electrode is disposed with the inflatable member. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first member including a groove. A second member includes an aperture and teeth configured to slidably engage the groove. A third member is positioned in the aperture and includes a passageway defining a first longitudinal axis and a flange. A fourth member is positioned in the passageway and includes a lip that engages the flange. The lip extends at an acute angle relative to a second longitudinal axis defined by the fourth member. A fifth member is rotatably disposed in the passageway and includes a first end surface that engages a second end surface of the fourth member defined by the lip. In a first configuration, the fourth member extends perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. In a second configuration, the fourth member extends at an acute angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A mixer gun system includes a holder cap configured to separately store components in separate chambers. The components are selectively releasable through channels fluidly communicating with the separate chambers. The components are constituent materials for a bone cement mixture. A body forms a mixing chamber and is configured to receive the holder cap. The mixing chamber includes an opening corresponding with the channels for the separate chambers. A piston is disposed within the mixing chamber. A plunger is coupled to the piston and is configured to be biased toward the mixing chamber such that when the components are released into the mixing chamber a pressure developed by a biased motion of the plunger and piston infuses the components to form bone cement. Upon resetting the plunger and the piston, the bone cement is dispensed from the mixing chamber by the same biased motion. Methods of use are disclosed.