Abstract: A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

Abstract: A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

Abstract: A pull wire can be retracted from a catheter by using a retraction system having an opening sized to pass through the pull wire and engage the catheter, two clamps positioned around the pull wire, a shuttle on which the clamps are mounted, and a slider having at least one contact for contacting and moving one or both clamps. To retract the pull wire, the slider can be moved proximally, the contact(s) can engage one or both clamps on the shuttle, the clamps can move so that the clamps come together and grip the pull wire, and the slider can then be moved further proximally to translate the shuttle, clamps, and pull wire proximally thereby extracting the pull wire from the catheter. The shuttle and slider can subsequently be moved distally without translating the pull wire.

Abstract: A device (25) for drilling holes in bone and configured to determine bone screw length, the device (25) including a surgical power drill (2) comprising: a) a housing (12) and; b) a measuring device (1) releasably attached or fixed to the housing (12), wherein the measuring device (1) is configured to measure the distance (x) covered by the housing (12) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (7) and relative to a surface of an implant (26) or a bone during a drilling process, wherein the measuring device (1) comprises a processing unit (14) to record the distance (x) covered with respect to time; the processing unit (14) comprises one or more differentiators to determine at least the first and second derivatives of the distance (x) covered with respect to time; and the processing unit (14) further comprises a peak detector to analyze one or more peaks occurring in the graph of the highest derivative with respect to time, and wherein the measuring device (1) comprises a laser device or an ultrasound position

Abstract: A spinal distractor for distracting opposed vertebrae in which a pair of elements are threadably connected by a screw having opposing threads, wherein actuating the screw spreads the elements apart and pushes the vertebrae apart.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for widening dynamic range within an image in a light deficient environment.

Abstract: A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

Abstract: The device includes a net portion for occluding an aneurysm neck and an adhesive to secure the net portion. The device can further include a channel orifice opening in the net portion, and an agent channel for delivering a rapid-curing agent through the orifice into the aneurysm. Devices can be delivered through a catheter to the aneurysm, the net can expand to occlude the aneurysm neck, the net can be adhered to the aneurysm neck. In devices including a channel orifice and agent channel, the rapid-curing agent can be injected into the aneurysm. During injection of the rapid-curing agent, the net portion can create a barrier to inhibit the rapid-curing agent from exiting the aneurysm. After injection of the coagulation agent, portions of the treatment device, excluding the net portion, can be extracted from the patient.

Abstract: A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

Abstract: An interspinous process spacer for implantation in an interspinous space between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process includes a balloon-like body, a first deployable protrusion and a second deployable protrusion. The body has a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. The spacer is arrangeable in an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The first deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the proximal end and the second deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the distal end. The first and second deployable protrusions are oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis in the unexpanded configuration and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An expandable implant is made via a central strut having a pivotable arm on each end. The implant can be inserted into a disc space either horizontally or vertically with the arms in a closed position and then (if inserted horizontally) optionally rotated up into place. The arms are then pivoted out, thereby increasing the foot print of a horizontally inserted implant. The expanded implant can be locked in place through the use of an additional insert or ratchet that fits between the arms and locks the arms in place.

Abstract: A method of connecting an expansion ring to at least one end of a braided implant, the method including positioning the braided implant about a tube; everting an end portion of the braided implant over a first end of the tube; assembling an expansion ring to the braided implant, the expansion ring being a multi-leaved expansion ring comprising clips terminating with an open-ended coupling opening, wherein the openings are pushed over a set of intersecting wires of the braided implant at respective circumferential locations on or adjacent the first end of the tube; closing the openings over the set of intersecting wire; trimming ends of the braided implant; and reversing eversion of the braided implant thereby positioning the expansion ring internal to the braided implant.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for detecting allogeneic therapeutic cells (such as human umbilical cord tissue-derived cells (hUTC)) in blood. The methods includes the steps of identifying one or more one or more markers positive for allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC) and one or more markers positive for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); providing a blood sample from a patient that has been treated with allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC), analyzing the sample using an assay method to detect one or more markers positive for PBMC and one or more markers positive for allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC); and distinguishing between the PBMC and one or more markers positive for allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC). In one embodiment, the cells are hUTC and the markers positive of hUTC include CD10 and/or CD13 and the one or more markers positive for PBMC includes CD45.

Abstract: A suture crimp plate includes a body including a first bone-facing surface and a second opposing surface; a central hole extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface and sized and shaped to receive a bone fixation device; and a first suture hole extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface and sized and shaped to receive a suture therethrough. The first suture hole is open to the central hole via a first slot, a first deformable member being formed between the first suture hole and the central hole. When a bone fixation element is inserted into the central hole, the first deformable member is configured to be deflected away from a central longitudinal axis of the central hole and into the first suture hole to clamp the suture therein relative to the crimp plate.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant is disclosed. The implant can be made of Titanium or alloys thereof. A kit of intervertebral implants can be included having different lordotic profiles or having no lordotic profile. The intervertebral implants of the kit have endplates with thicknesses suitable to prevent the titanium endplates from being too stiff. The intervertebral implants can have apertures that extend through the endplates, but sufficient surface area at the outer surfaces of the endplates to avoid subsidence into the respective vertebral body.

Abstract: Methods of designing and manufacturing a number of low-profile metallic customized, patient-specific orthopaedic surgical instruments are disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible chain implant for insertion into an interior volume of a vertebral body. The implant may be implanted in an insertion position for sliding through a cannula and is flexible for packing into the interior volume in an implanted configuration. The implant randomly separates in the implanted configuration. The implant includes a top member and a bottom member, wherein the top and bottom members are coupled to one another at a coupled portion. The top and bottom members preferably each include an inner surface such that the inner surfaces include a plurality of alternating projections and recesses so that the projections are received within the recesses in an insertion position. Alternatively, the implant may include a plurality of substantially non-flexible bodies and a plurality of substantially flexible links interconnecting the bodies. The non-flexible bodies include a plurality of facets and/or abutment surfaces.

Abstract: A bone fixation system has a bone implant with an implant body. The implant body defines an upper surface, a bone-facing surface spaced from the upper surface along a transverse direction, and at least one aperture defined by an inner wall. A bone fixation element is configured for insertion at least partially through the aperture. The bone fixation element has a head and a shaft that extends relative to the head in a distal direction. The head defines a ridge and at least one thread that is spaced from the ridge in the distal direction. The ridge is configured to compress a bone implant against the at least one thread so as to fixedly retain the bone implant with respect to the head.

Abstract: Arcuate fixation members with varying configurations and/or features are provided, along with additional components for use therewith in provided fixation systems and intervertebral implant systems. The arcuate fixation members may be of varying lengths, cross sectional geometries, and/or cross sectional areas, and may be configured with various features such as heads configured to accept other fixation system components, tabs to allow arcuate fixation member-in-arcuate fixation member or fixation anchor-in-arcuate fixation member configurations. Applications of fixation systems and intervertebral implants systems utilizing arcuate fixation members are particularly suitable when a linear line-of-approach for delivering fixation members is undesirable.