Abstract: A surgical tool for use in gaining access to the spine and including a part which is arranged to avoid other anatomical structures when the tool is in use; the tool comprising: a distal working end formation, a proximal end and intermediate said ends a formation displaced from a longitudinal axis and extending between said distal and proximal ends wherein the displaced formation is arranged to avoid said other anatomical structures anatomy during use of the working end of the tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a surgical insertion tool that may have a handle having a longitudinal axis, an extended arm that may be fixed to the handle and have at least two bends to avoid bony features during insertion of an instrument, and an attachment feature configured to attach the instrument to the insertion tool such that the longitudinal axis of the handle intersects the instrument.

Abstract: A device for use in a surgical distraction and retraction assembly, the assembly including the device and at least one bone anchoring pin for securing the device against a bearing surface. The device has an integral frame defining an internal space, the frame having a first pair of opposing side arms and a second pair of opposing side arms. At least one of said side arms of said first pair of opposing side arms including at least one recess each having one of its ends open to the internal space defined by the frame and an opposite closed end terminating within said at least one side arm. Each said recess retains one said at least one bone anchoring pin and is configured to enable relative movement between the frame and the bone anchoring pins. The relative movement allows selective locking of said at least one anchor pin against the frame at a user selected location to maintain a selected extent of vertebral distraction.

Abstract: An assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical incision is provided, the assembly including a supporting member having first and second ends; a retractor blade having a first distal end and a second proximal end retained at the first end of the support member; a retaining arm which co-operates with the support member and receives and supports a clamping assembly; and an adjusting assembly which engages the support member and allows the clamping assembly to advance and retract relative to the retractor blade.

Abstract: A retraction assembly for use in retracting soft tissue during spine surgery having a reactor blade having a blade body and proximal and distal ends, a support member engagable with the blade body and having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end engages a passage in the blade body and the second end of the support member includes an anchorage capable of anchoring the assembly to an anatomical structure while allowing movement of the support member. The retractor blade is capable of detachable engagement with and movement relative to the support member. The retractor blade is capable of detachable engagement with and movement relative to the support member. The first end of the support member includes operating nuts to adjust the support member rotationally and vertically.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for a spine comprising, a plurality of transverse rods, each of the transverse rods attached to a respective vertebra and a single link having an elongated through-hole, the single link enjoining a plurality of the transverse rods, wherein the single link enables longitudinal translation between enjoined transverse rods and substantially prevents lateral translation between enjoined transverse rods.

Abstract: A retractor blade comprising a blade body having first and second ends, the first end including means to allow connection of the blade body to a support member, the second end including a first part disposed in a first plane and a second part disposed in a second plane, wherein the first and second parts are orthogonal and at least one of said first and second parts terminates in an end at least part of which includes a contour which generally conforms to a contour of a spinal vertebrae.

Abstract: An assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical incision, the assembly comprising; a supporting member having first and second ends; a refractor blade having a first distal end and a second proximal end retained at the first end of the support member; a retaining arm which co operates with the support member and receives and supports a clamping assembly; an adjusting assembly which engages the support member and allows the clamping assembly to advance and retract relative to the retractor blade.