Abstract: Disclosed herein are ratchet retracting handles and related methods for automatically retracting a stylet during insertion of a bone anchor.

Abstract: This disclosure describes example embodiments of rod reduction instrumentation and other rod and vertebrae manipulation instruments. The rod reducers can be used during the installation of a rod based surgical fixation system to help urge the rod into the fixation anchors. The reducers described provide various configurations delivering large reduction distance capabilities, strong controlled reduction coupled with an ability to quickly advance the reducer if desired, and reduction of bulk through the surgical corridor.

Abstract: Devices and methods for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer are disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.

Abstract: A bone anchor having a rod housing including a base that has an internal groove oriented at an angle oblique to the longitudinal axis of the base, a capture ring situated within the groove and oriented at an angle oblique to the longitudinal axis, and a bone fastener extending into the rod housing and including a fastener head situated within the base and having a surface that mates with the capture surface of the capture ring to maintain a connection between the bone fastener and the rod housing.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and methods for assembling and implanting a vertebral body implant. The vertebral body implant includes, but is not necessarily limited to, an expandable core body and endplates that can be attached at both ends. End plates of various shapes, sizes and angles are attachable to the expandable core in a plurality of positions so that a suitable vertebral body implant can be implanted between vertebrae from an anterior, anterior-lateral, lateral, posterior or posterior-lateral approach.

Abstract: A method comprising segmenting at least one vertebral body from at least one image of a first three-dimensional image data set. The method comprises receiving at least one image of a second three-dimensional image data set. The method comprises registering the segmented at least one vertebral body from the at least one image of the first three-dimensional image data set with the at least one image of the second three-dimensional image data set. The method comprises determining a position of the at least one surgical implant based on the at least one image of the second three-dimensional image data set and a three-dimensional geometric model of the at least one surgical implant. The method comprises overlaying a virtual representation of the at least one surgical implant on the registered and segmented at least one vertebral body from the at least one image of the first three-dimensional image data set.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are stylet control handles and related methods for extending and retracting a stylet during insertion of a bone anchor, and for providing a visual indication of the extent of extension of the stylet.

Abstract: The present disclosure in one aspect provides a surgical implant comprising an upper bone contacting surface comprising a plurality of irregularly shaped pores having an average pore size, where the pores are formed by a plurality of struts, a lower bone contacting surface comprising a plurality of irregularly shaped pores having an average pore size, wherein the pores are formed by a plurality of struts; and a central body comprising a plurality of irregularly shaped pores having an average pore size, wherein the pores are formed by a plurality of struts, wherein the average pore size on the upper and lower bone contacting surfaces is different than the average pore size on the central body.

Abstract: This application describes surgical instruments and implants, including a rod reduction instrument, for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column. Extension guides are provided that attach to bone anchors implanted within the spine. The extension guides have a guide channel that align with a rod channel in the anchor to help direct the rod to the anchor. The rod reducer may be passed through the interior of the guide assemblies with a distal end arranged in a first position allowing the distal end to pass through the guide. Once through the guide the distal end may be expanded to provide dual contact on the rod at each end of the bone anchor rod channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for adjusting appearance of objects in medical images.

Abstract: This application describes surgical instruments and implants for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column during a medialized posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure.

Abstract: A system for performing interbody fusion surgery including an expandable intervertebral spacer and specialized instruments for choosing the correct size of implant, implanting the device within the intervertebral space, and for delivery of bone graft or bone substitute to the interior of the implant.

Abstract: An expandable spinal fusion implant including first and second endplates coupled to an expansion member that sits within a housing. The expansion member is translated by a drive mechanism, whereby translation of the expansion member by the drive mechanism in a distal and proximal directions causes the distance between the endplates to increase and decrease, respectively.

Abstract: A system includes a first pedicle screw, a second pedicle screw, and an adjustable rod having an outer housing coupled to one of the first pedicle screw and the second pedicle screw, the outer housing having a threaded shaft secured to one end thereof extending along an interior portion thereof. The system farther includes a hollow magnetic assembly disposed within the outer housing and having a magnetic element disposed therein, the hollow magnetic assembly having an internal threaded surface engaged with the threaded shaft, the magnetic assembly being coupled to the other of the first pedicle screw and the second pedicle screw, wherein the hollow magnetic assembly rotates in response to an externally applied magnetic field to thereby lengthen or shorten the distance between the first pedicle screw and the second pedicle screw.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for altering bone sections in a patient. In one embodiment, a system may include an intramedullary implant including: a housing configured to be secured to a first section of bone, where the housing may include one or more shaft engaging grooves axially extending along an inner surface thereof; a distraction shaft configured to be secured to a second section of bone, where the distraction shaft may include one or more grooves axially extending along an inner surface thereof. The system may further include an actuator disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the distraction shaft, and in response to rotation of the actuator, the one or more grooves of the distraction shaft may engage with the one or more shaft engaging grooves of the housing, causing axial displacement of the distraction shaft relative to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and methods for assembling and implanting a vertebral body implant. The vertebral body implant includes, but is not necessarily limited to, an expandable core body and endplates that can be attached at both ends. Endplates of various shapes, sizes and angles are attachable to the expandable core so that a suitable vertebral body implant can be implanted between vertebrae.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a drive gear coupled to a shaft and a dial. The drive gear is configured to rotate along a first axis based on movement of the dial. The assembly includes a first linking member located along a second axis and configured to rotate about the second axis based on contact with the drive gear as the drive gear is rotated. The assembly includes a second linking member located along the second axis and configured to rotate about the second axis based on rotation of the drive gear and a coupling between the first linking member and the second linking member. The assembly includes a linking member selector configured to rotate about the first axis and for selecting at least a position corresponding to the first linking member that causes the coupling between the first linking member and the second linking member.

Abstract: A filter device comprises a frame with interrupted perimeter having a top surface and a bottom surface and a screen having a plurality of pores attached to the frame. The filter device is designed to fit into an interior of a container. The container is configured to contain a mixture of demineralised bone matrix (DBM) containing bone graft material and liquid. The liquid mixture can be poured out of the container through the pores in the screen on the filter device and separated from the bone graft material while the DBM containing the bone graft material remains in the container. The pores are sized smaller than DBM particles to prevent the DBM particles from being separated from the bone graft material with the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are power modules and methods for insertion of a cannulated bone anchor and a stylet. Power modules disclosed herein are configured to adjustably control insertion of a bone anchor and a stylet under power from a motor. In certain embodiments, the motor may be included in a power hand piece. The power modules disclosed herein may be further configured to releasably couple a power hand piece to a driver for insertion of the bone anchor and stylet into the bone of a subject.

Abstract: The present subject disclosure provides a novel design for devices and methods for straightening a curved spine by using a reduction tool to move the spine with respect to an attached bone plate.