Abstract: A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes that spinal segment and materially participates in, and is incorporated in, the ensuing fusion.

Abstract: A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes that spinal segment and materially participates in, and is incorporated in, the ensuing fusion.

Abstract: A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes that spinal segment and materially participates in, and is incorporated in, the ensuing fusion.

Abstract: An endoscope with a coupling device for the connection of a video camera, wherein the endoscope has, at its needle-shaped tube, a distal end which is provided for insertion into the body and a lens system and has a proximal end provided for looking into the endoscope and having a field diaphragm, the coupling device being attached to the proximal end, and wherein a lens system is arranged following the field diaphragm and, like the lens system at the distal end, is sealed off from the outside completely and tightly and is constructed so as to be non-adjustable and non-focusable. The coupling device has no lenses and is adjustable with respect to its axial length in the manner of a telescope.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the location of a medical instrument relative to features of a medical workspace including a patient's body region are described. Pairs of two-dimensional images are obtained, preferably by means of two video cameras making images of the workspace along different sightlines which intersect. A fiducial structure is positioned in the workspace for defining a three dimensional coordinate framework, and a calibration image pair is made. The calibration image pair comprises two 2D projections from different locations of the fiducial structure. After the calibration image pair is made, the fiducial structure is removed. A standard projection algorithm is used to reconstruct the 3D framework of the fiducial structure from the calibration image pair. Appropriate image pairs can then be used to locate and track any other feature such as a medical instrument, in the workspace, so long as the cameras remain fixed in their positions relative to the workspace.

Abstract: The plug (1) comprises two coaxial parts (2, 3) separated by a fracture initiating line (4). A respective print (6, 7) is provided on each part and is coaxial with the other print. The first part (1) permits the screwing of the second part (3) which is provided with a screw thread (5) in an implant to which it must remain fixed after fracture of the two parts on the line (4), when a predetermined fracture torque is exceeded. The print (7) of the second part (3) permits a subsequent unscrewing, if necessary, for disassembling the instrumentation, which constitutes an essential advantage of this plug. Further, the clamping can be achieved with high precision in conformity with the wishes of the manufacturer, since the fracture torque can be adjusted to the intended value by machining the fracture intiating line (4) in a precise manner.

Abstract: A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes that spinal segment and materially participates in, and is incorporated in, the ensuing fusion.

Abstract: A spinal implant for an osteosynthesis device having a bone anchorage portion, a connector portion adapted for connection to an elongate rod, an extension portion extending from the connector portion, and a threaded fastener operable to secure the implant to the elongate rod. The connector portion includes a pair of flanges extending axially from the anchorage portion and spaced apart to define a channel for receiving the elongate rod therein. The extension portion includes a first segment extending axially from one of the flanges and a second segment extending transversely from the first segment toward the other of the flanges so as to define a transverse opening capable of receiving the elongate rod therethrough. The fastener is advanced along a continuous thread extending between the extension portion and the opposing flanges to secure the elongate rod within the channel. In one embodiment, the extension portion is selectively separable from the connector portion.

Abstract: A fluoroscopic image guided surgery system, comprising a C-arm fluoroscope for obtaining fluoroscopic images of an object bone, the C-arm fluoroscope including at least one set of emitters; a reference bar capable of attaching to an object bone, the reference bar including emitters; a surgical instrument for performing an operation, the instrument including emitters; a digitizer system in communication with the at least one set of emitters of the C-arm fluoroscope, the emitters of the reference bar, and the emitters of the surgical instrument so that the digitizer system can determine a position of each of the C-arm fluoroscope, the reference bar, and the surgical instrument; and a single fiducial marker for attachment to an object bone, the single fiducial marker being visible in the fluoroscopic images for determining a position of an object bone relative to the digitizer system.

Abstract: A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes that spinal segment and materially participates in, and is incorporated in, the ensuing fusion.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device in one embodiment includes a cylindrical body (10) defining a hollow interior (17) for receiving bone graft or bone substitute material. The body (10) is divided into a number of branches (24, 26, 40 and 41) connected to one another at a fixed end (20) and separated at an expandable end (18). The expandable cage may be inserted in its substantially cylindrical form and may be expanded by movement of an expansion member (50) to establish lordosis of the spine. The present invention provides an expansion member (50) that interacts with the interior surfaces of the device to maintain the cage in the expanded condition and provide a large internal chamber (17) for receiving bone in-growth material. Methods for insertion of the fusion device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention concerns a prosthesis (2) designed to be inserted between two neighboring vertebrae, comprising a core (4) made of an elastic material and covered, over part of its periphery, with a rigid material coating (6) designed to be in contact with the two neighboring vertebrae. The core (4) comprises, in transverse cross-section, two end portions (8) linked by a median portion (12) and said coating includes two caps provided with a threading and covering at least partially the external periphery of the end portions (8), the distance separating the caps increasing towards the prosthesis front part.

Abstract: Image processing operations are used to improve images that include visual artifacts generated by calibration markers used in intrinsic calibration of an x-ray image. Artifacts introduced by opaque or semi-transparent calibration markers may be completely or partially removed from the image. More particularly, artifacts caused by opaque calibration markers are removed by changing the pixels corresponding to the projections of the calibration markers to blend in with pixels surrounding the calibration markers. Artifacts may also be generated with semi-transparent calibration markers. These artifacts may be eliminated from the image, while leaving intact the underlying image, by subtracting a constant offset from each marker projection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the location of a medical instrument relative to features of a medical workspace including a patient's body region are described. Pairs of two-dimensional images are obtained, preferably by means of two video cameras making images of the workspace along different sightlines which intersect. A fiducial structure is positioned in the workspace for defining a three dimensional coordinate framework, and a calibration image pair is made. The calibration image pair comprises two 2D projections from different locations of the fiducial structure. After the calibration image pair is made, the fiducial structure is removed. A standard projection algorithm is used to reconstruct the 3D framework of the fiducial structure from the calibration image pair. Appropriate image pairs can then be used to locate and track any other feature such as a medical instrument, in the workspace, so long as the cameras remain fixed in their positions relative to the workspace.

Abstract: An artificial spinal implant is disclosed which when placed between two adjacent vertebrae directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. Instrumentation and procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The plug (1) comprises two coaxial parts (2, 3) separated by a fracture initiating line (4). A respective print (6, 7) is provided on each part and is coaxial with the other print. The first part (1) permits the screwing of the second part (3) which is provided with a screw thread (5) in an implant to which it must remain fixed after fracture of the two parts on the line (4), when a predetermined fracture torque is exceeded. The print (7) of the second part (3) permits a subsequent unscrewing, if necessary, for disassembling the instrumentation, which constitutes an essential advantage of this plug. Further, the clamping can be achieved with high precision in conformity with the wishes of the manufacturer, since the fracture torque can be adjusted to the intended value by machining the fracture intiating line (4) in a precise manner.

Abstract: An improved set screw with a break off head for use in an osteosynthesis apparatus. The set screw comprising a head or stem preferably having a hexagonal external cross-section, a lower portion having a thread extending around an outer surface thereof and a shank connecting the head to the threaded lower portion. An outer diameter of the shank is equal to a minor diameter of the threaded lower portion, i.e. the outer diameter of the threaded lower portion at the base of the thread. A bore extends into the set screw from an upper surface thereof. The bore has a first bore section and a second bore section wherein the second bore section has a reduced diameter relative to the first bore section and is separated from the first bore section by an internal shoulder. The internal shoulder extends into the bore below an upper end of the thread.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the location of a medical instrument relative to features of a medical workspace including a patient's body region are described. Pairs of two-dimensional images are obtained, preferably by means of two video cameras making images of the workspace along different sightlines which intersect. A fiducial structure is positioned in the workspace for defining a three dimensional coordinate framework, and a calibration image pair is made. The calibration image pair comprises two 2D projections from different locations of the fiducial structure. After the calibration image pair is made, the fiducial structure is removed. A standard projection algorithm is used to reconstruct the 3D framework of the fiducial structure from the calibration image pair. Appropriate image pairs can then be used to locate and track any other feature such as a medical instrument, in the workspace, so long as the cameras remain fixed in their positions relative to the workspace.