Abstract: Implants and methods for augmentation, preferably by minimally invasive procedures and means, of body tissue, including in some embodiments repositioning of body tissue, for example, bone and, preferably vertebrae are described. The implant may comprise one or more chain linked bodies inserted into the interior of body tissue. As linked bodies are inserted into body tissue, they may fill a central portion thereof and for example in bone can push against the inner sides of the cortical exterior surface layer, for example the end plates of a vertebral body, thereby providing structural support and tending to restore the body tissue to its original or desired treatment height. A bone cement or other filler can be added to further augment and stabilize the body tissue. The preferred implant comprises a single flexible monolithic chain formed of allograft cortical bone having a plurality of substantially non-flexible bodies connected by substantially flexible links.

Abstract: A C-arm, or a mobile intensifier device, is one example of a medical imaging device that is based on X-ray technology. Because a C-arm device can display high-resolution X-ray images in real time, a physician can monitor progress at any time during an operation, and thus can take appropriate actions based on the displayed images. Monitoring the images, however, is often challenging during certain procedures, for instance during procedures in which attention must be paid to the patient's anatomy as well as a medical imaging device display. In an example, a surgical instrument assembly includes a processor, a surgical instrument configured to operate on an anatomical structure, and a display coupled to the processor and attached to the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Devices can generally include a fan portion for occluding an aneurysm neck, a channel orifice opening in the fan portion, and an agent channel for delivering a coagulating agent through the orifice into the aneurysm. Devices can be delivered through a catheter to the aneurysm, the fan portion can expand to occlude the aneurysm neck, and coagulating agent can be injected into the aneurysm. During injection of the coagulating agent, the fan portion can inhibit the coagulating agent from exiting the aneurysm. After injection of the coagulation agent, the fan portion can collapse and the device can be extracted from the patient.

Abstract: A delivery member is provided for delivering and deploying an intravascular medical device. The delivery member includes a flexible distal portion including a wound wire coil surrounded by a flexible sleeve and inhibited from extending lengthwise by a support tube positioned through the lumen of the coil. The delivery member can include hypotubes positioned on either side (distally and proximally) from the wound wire coil to which the stretch resistant member and the wound wire coil can be attached. The distal hypotube can include attachment slots for positioning and attaching a loop wire to the distal hypotube. The distal hypotube can further include one or more tube windows for visualization of proper placement of the support tube within a lumen of the distal hypotube.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for guiding surgical instruments using radio frequency (RF) technology. In general, the methods, systems, and devices can allow a trajectory, e.g., an angular approach, of a surgical instrument relative to a patient to be identified during use of the instrument in a surgical procedure being performed on the patient. The trajectory can be identified using a plurality of RF modules. The methods, systems, and devices can allow the trajectory to be compared to a predetermined trajectory so as to identify whether the trajectory matches the predetermined trajectory. A result of the matching can be communicated to a user of the instrument. Based on the result, the user can maintain the trajectory, e.g., if the trajectory matches the predetermined trajectory, or can adjust the trajectory to closer align the trajectory with the predetermined trajectory, e.g., if the trajectory does not match the predetermined trajectory.

Abstract: A neuromuscular sensing method includes transmitting an electrical stimulus from a distal end portion of an elongate stimulator extending within an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject and detecting an artificially induced response of at least two muscles of the subject in response to the transmitted electrical stimulus, each response being detected by a respective sensor in mechanical communication with the muscle. A graphical user interface (GUI) is transitioned from a first state to a second state; the first state indicating to the transmission of a stimulus with no artificially induced response detected, and the second state indicating the detection of the artificially induced response of the at least two muscles, and further identifying one of the at least two muscles as a primary muscle response.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for surgically manipulating tissue. In general, the methods and devices can include an elongate retractor shaft having a distal retractor tip that is configured to manipulate tissue, for example the tip can be configured to separate muscle and nerve fibers surrounding a vertebra. The elongate retractor shaft can include an illumination source such that at least a portion of the surgical field is illuminated by the device when the device is used in the body. A sensor can also or alternatively be included on the elongate retractor shaft, for example on the blunt retraction tip, such that the sensor can monitor physiological parameters of the tissue in or adjacent to the surgical field.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which changes in the position and/or orientation of an anatomical structure or of a surgical tool can be measured quantitatively during surgery. In some embodiments, a surgical electronic module can be configured to attach to a surgical device, to continually detect changes in a position and/or orientation of the surgical device during surgery, and to communicate the changes to a user. In this way, where the surgical device is attached to a portion of a patient's anatomy and/or is used to manipulate the patient's anatomy, the surgical electronic module can detect changes in the position and/or orientation of said anatomy. In embodiments where more than one module is used during surgery, the modules can continually detect changes in their positions and/or orientations relative to one another, which correspond to changes in relative positions and/or orientations of the surgical devices to which the modules are attached.

Abstract: A diagnostic system is provided that provides sensing and transmitting of fusion indicia to determine whether fusion has occurred. In some embodiments, a diagnostic system comprises a spinal implant or graft material; an antenna configured for sending signals to a remote location; a sensor configured for measuring at least one fusion indicia; and a receiver for receiving signals at the remote location. In some embodiments, a method of utilizing a diagnostic system comprises the steps of inserting a spinal implant or graft material within a disc space between two vertebrae; measuring at least one fusion indicia; sending signals to a remote location with an antenna; and receiving signals with a receiver at the remote location.

Abstract: A composite implant is provided for repairing a tissue defect in a patient. In one embodiment, the implant is a porous tissue scaffold having at least one pocket formed therein and adapted to contain a viable tissue. The tissue scaffold can have a variety of configurations, and in one embodiment it includes top and bottom portions that can be at least partially mated to one another, and in an exemplary embodiment that are heated sealed to one another around a perimeter thereof to form an enclosed pocket therebetween. The pocket is preferably sealed with a viable tissue disposed therein. In another embodiment, the tissue scaffold is substantially wedge-shaped and the pocket comprises a hollow interior formed in the tissue scaffold, and/or at least one lumen extending into the tissue scaffold. The tissue scaffold can also optionally include at least one surface feature formed thereof to promote blood vessel formation.

Abstract: A clot retrieval cleaning instrument can have bristles, fluid sprays, or other techniques to liberate captured clot material from a clot retrieval device so that it can be reinserted into a patient's vasculature for successive capture attempts. The cleaning instrument can be conveniently integrated or connected to a hemostasis valve assembly so that the cleaning function can be performed without completely removing the clot retrieval device from the delivery system. Aspiration can be applied to remove the freed thrombus material. The cleaning instrument can be removable from the delivery system to facilitate the instrument's washing or disposal.

Abstract: A tool useful for deploying a flip anchor connected to a cable includes a housing with a first end and a second end; and a guiding tube having a bore therethrough. The guiding tube has a proximal end releasably connected to the first end of said housing, and a distal end configured to hold said flip anchor. The housing includes a mechanism having a low resistance surface and a slider having a high friction surface facing the low resistance surface, where the slider is movable between a) a clamping position configured to clamp the cable between the low resistance surface and the high friction surface; and b) a release position configured to allow the cable to move freely on the low resistance surface. A safety button on said housing is movable between an elevated position where the safety button holds the slider in said first position, and a depressed position where the safety button releases the slider, allowing it to enter the second position.

Abstract: An implant having an elongated portion and an expandable braided sack portion can be delivered through a catheter and implanted in an aneurysm such that elongated portion loops within the braided sack, the braided sack contacts a majority or all of the aneurysm wall, and the braided sack at least partially occludes the aneurysm neck.

Abstract: Methods of applying a locking cap to a bone anchor assembly. The bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor and an elongate rod. The bone anchor includes a body that defines a channel and has a tissue retractor coupled thereto that defines a partial pathway to the channel.

Abstract: A pre-assembled, telescoping needle system comprising an outer needle surrounding a finer gauge needle which, after percutaneous penetration by the outer needle, extends to penetrate the intervertebral disc into which the injectable is to be delivered.

Abstract: Non-load-bearing, drug-eluting components, such as a rod cover, that can be added to load bearing spinal implants.

Abstract: A cylindrical shaft may be gripped with an apparatus including a housing having an axis and an inner surface with multiple asymmetric cam surfaces, a proximal end including a means to rotate the housing, and a distal end having an opening configured to receive the cylindrical shaft, at least two cylindrical gripping members configured to grip the cylindrical shaft, where each cylindrical gripping member contacts a corresponding asymmetric cam surface at a first rest position, and a rotatable frame which holds each pair of cylindrical gripping members at a fixed angular orientation relative to each other. The rotatable frame is configured to rotate upon insertion of the cylindrical shaft into a space defined by the gripping members so that each gripping member moves away from the axis of the housing along a first portion of the corresponding asymmetric cam surface.

Abstract: A bone plate is provided that is configured to provide compression to comminuted bone fragments, so as to reduce the respective bone gaps and promote healing. The bone plate can be moved from a first position to a loaded position, and placed against bone in the loaded position. The bone plate can then be secured to underlying bone. The bone plate then moves to an intermediate compression position that compresses bone fragments of a comminuted bone fracture together. An insertion instrument is also described that can be used to place the bone plate against the underlying bone, and guide insertion of a bone anchor to secure the bone plate to the underlying bone.

Abstract: Skin compression devices are disclosed that are formed of a shape memory material and that have multiple tensioning members. Disposal of one or more skin compression devices on the skin of a subject increases the temperature of the shape memory material and causes the tensioning members to bend inward, thereby compressing the area of skin disposed between the tensioning members; this compression shields the compressed skin from tensile loading. Methods of production and use of the skin compression devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical saw blade including a cutting edge, blade body and a coupling for connecting the blade body to a handpiece. The blade body at least partially includes a composite material that helps to confer optimal weight and rigidity to the saw blade to allow for minimal vibration during use and minimal mechanical load on the handpiece.