Abstract: A passive end effector of a surgical system includes a base, a first mechanism, and a second mechanism. The base attaches to an end effector coupler of a robot arm positioned by a surgical robot. The first mechanism extends between a rotatable connection to the base and a rotatable connection to a tool attachment mechanism. The second mechanism extends between a rotatable connection to the base and a rotatable connection to the tool attachment mechanism. The first and second mechanisms pivot about the rotatable connections to constrain movement of the tool attachment mechanism to a range of movement within a working plane. The tool attachment mechanism is configured to connect to a surgical saw including a saw blade for cutting.

Abstract: In one form, a bone compression device is provided having a shape-retentive bone plate with an initial, unflexed configuration and a flexed configuration. The bone plate may be shifted to the flexed configuration and secured to bones using bone screws of the bone compression device. Once the bone plate has been secured to the bones, the bone plate returns toward its unflexed configuration which compresses the bones.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning and orienting an orthopedic implant that includes an implant body; a sensor system integrated into the implant body, the sensor system comprising of at least a plurality of electrodes positioned within the implant body such there is at least one exposed region on the surface of the implant body for each electrode of the plurality of electrodes; a sensor processing control system communicatively coupled to the sensor system, the sensor processing control system configured with instructions that when executed cause the sensor processing control system to collect sensor data from the sensor system and generate adjacency data from the sensor data; and an implant feedback system, that updates state based in part on the adjacency data.

Abstract: A locking grip extraction tool has plier handles with jaws having sharp beveled edges for moving in a direction so that an axis perpendicular to the plane of movement is oriented at an acute angle to the handles; the axis intersecting the plane of jaw movement at a point midway between the jaws. A locking link coupled to the handles is adapted to releasably lock the jaws onto an orthopedic implant. A connection rod can be threaded into a hole in one of the handles near the jaws, so that a force applying tool such as a slap hammer can be connected to the rod to apply force to remove the implant. The rod is in alignment with the axis, which alignment makes it easier to remove the implant.

Abstract: Methods of delivering bone cement to within a vertebral body. An access cannula is directed into the vertebral body with a stylet disposed within a tube and extending through a valve in an open position. The stylet is removed from the access cannula such that the valve moves from the open position to a closed position in which the valve prevents egress of fluid from the access cannula. The bone cement is delivered through the access cannula with the valve in the open position. A delivery cannula may be directed into the access cannula, and the bone cement may be delivered through the delivery cannula. The delivery cannula may be prefilled with the bone cement. A bone cement mixer may be coupled to the access cannula and operated to direct the bone cement through the access cannula. Pressure from the bone cement may move the valve to the open position.

Abstract: A provisional engagement feature for selectively connecting a fastener such as a screw to a driving tool, the fastener incorporating a head with a recess extending therein and a projection contained within the recess for engagement with a corresponding engagement feature and/or selective locking feature of the driving tool.

Abstract: A single device desirably configured for use at complete cut location of an open door laminoplasty surgical site, and to be adjustable in size and orientation so that they may be adapted to the site at the time of surgery. The device is a one-piece construct of a base with an integrated spacer, with an extension hingedly connected to the base. The base and spacer are integrally formed of material that is not bone or bone-like, such as titanium. The spacer is devoid of void or open areas and includes arched proximal ends.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing and positioning a jig on a human joint includes: a mounting bracket; a first tracking marker coupled to the mounting bracket, configured to generate a first signal representative of the position and orientation in space of the mounting bracket; a mounting head coupled to a distal end of the mounting bracket by an adjustment mechanism configured to permit six degree of freedom of movement of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket; position feedback means configured to generate a second signal representative of the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket; a mounting element coupled to the mounting bracket; an electronic receiving device configured to receive the first and second signals; and a display configured to display the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a body and a plate. The body has an upper surface defining an upper plane and a lower surface defining a lower plane. First and second fastener holes of the plate are configured to retain the heads of first and second fasteners. A portion of each of the shanks of the first and second fasteners extends from the first and second fastener holes beyond the upper plane. The shank portions of the first and second fasteners are curved in a direction away from the upper surface. The third fastener hole is configured to retain the head of the third fastener between the upper and lower planes. A portion of the shank of the third fastener extends from the third fastener hole beyond the lower plane. The shank portion of the third fastener is curved in a direction away from the lower surface.

Abstract: A tibia cutting assembly includes a tibia cut guide with at least one cut slot. A guide rod has a guide holder mountable to the cut guide at a first end of the guide rod, and a second end of the guide rod is mountable non-invasively about a skin of a patient. The guide rod is extendable in length to displace the tibia cut guide and adjust a position thereof with respect to a tibia of the patient. The guide holder cooperates with the tibia cut guide to adjust an orientation of the tibia cut guide. A first inertial sensor is mountable to the guide holder and is displaceable therewith, and a second inertial sensor is mountable to the guide rod at the second end thereof.

Abstract: A system, device, and method is provided that improves the point collection process during bone registration for computer-assisted surgical procedures. A user is guided in the point collection process by projecting a set of points directly on the bone with a tracked digitizer probe following a rough registration of the bone. The system, device, and method therefore negates the need for the user to constantly look-up on an instructional display monitor and make the complicated mappings between the displayed instructions on the monitor and the actual bone.

Abstract: Interbody spacers are expandable horizontally and vertically by an application of axial force, and lockable in an expanded configuration. The spacers include support members interconnected to end bodies by pivotable link members. The spacers are introduced between vertebral bodies in a compressed configuration and expanded to fill the intervertebral space and provide support and selective lordotic correction. Graft material may be introduced into the expanded spacer. Provisional and/or supplementary locking means lock the spacers in the expanded configuration. Embodiments of the spacers include symmetrically and asymmetrically configured spacers. Methods of expansion include symmetric expansion or asymmetric expansion along each of two directions.

Abstract: The removable rubber bracelet for cast cutting is an attachment for a cast cutting saw that greatly reduces the occurrence of both abrasive and thermal injuries to patients during the cast removable process. The rubber bracelet has two parallel, arcuate, generally semicircular bands or arms extending from opposite ends of a crossbar. The bracelet has an inner core of a flexible, malleable, and at least semi-resilient material, such as copper or spring steel, for maintaining the shape of the bracelet, coated by a layer of rubber for protecting the patient's skin. The bracelet has a smaller, saw attachment band adapted for gripping a barrel of the cutting saw, and a larger guard band or arm adapted for being spaced apart from the rear edge of the saw's cutting blade in cantilever fashion to protect the patient from accidental cuts opposite the portion of the blade edge cutting the cast.

Abstract: A method of correcting an alignment between bones of a foot may involve positioning a first cutting slot of a bone cutting guide over a first metatarsal and inserting a first fixation pin through a first fixation aperture of the bone cutting guide and into the first metatarsal. The method may also involve inserting a cutting member through the first cutting slot to remove a portion of the first metatarsal and adjusting an alignment of the first metatarsal relative to a first cuneiform. In some examples, the method further includes positioning a second cutting slot of the bone cutting guide over the first cuneiform and inserting a second fixation pin through a second fixation aperture of bone cutting guide into the first cuneiform. The method can involve inserting a cutting member through the second cutting slot to remove a portion of the first cuneiform and causing the first metatarsal to fuse to the first cuneiform in the moved position.

Abstract: Various surgical devices and methods are disclosed herein. Also disclosed is multi-component prosthesis, which can be used as an ankle prosthesis. One of the disclosed surgical alignment systems includes a guide arm, a ratchet arm frame configured to be coupled slidably to the guide arm, a ratchet arm configured to be coupled to the ratchet arm frame, and a sagittal sizing guide body configured to be coupled to the ratchet arm. The sagittal sizing guide body includes a first radiopaque object disposed at a first position and a second radiopaque object disposed at a second position that is spaced apart from the first position.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for performing Lapidus bunionectomy procedures are disclosed. An example method includes inserting a plurality of metatarsal pins into the first metatarsal at a first predetermined spacing relative to the first tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint, excising the first TMT joint by cutting the bases of the first metatarsal and the first cuneiform proximate the first TMT joint, inserting a plurality of cuneiform pins into the first cuneiform at a second predetermined spacing relative to the first TMT joint, compressing the first TMT joint using a compressor block such that a cut face of the first metatarsal contacts a cut face of the first cuneiform, and fixing the first TMT joint using a bone plate and a plurality of bone screws.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tarsometatarsal joint can include imaging a tarsometatarsal joint of a patient between a metatarsal and a cuneiform to determine a size and/or angle of a wedge-shaped bone portion to be cut at the tarsometatarsal joint. The method can include obtaining a bone preparation guide that includes a first guide surface positionable over the metatarsal and a second guide surface positionable over the cuneiform, where an angle of the first guide surface relative to the second guide surface is selected corresponding to the size and/or angle of the wedge-shaped bone portion to be cut as determined via imaging of the tarsometatarsal joint. The method can include positioning the guide surfaces over the metatarsal and cuneiform and guiding a tissue removing instrument with the guide surfaces to cut an end of the metatarsal and to cut an end of the cuneiform.

Abstract: An implantable article for attaching tendons and/or ligaments to bone and/or cartilage, assemblies thereof, and methods of use thereof are provided. The article is configured for attaching at least one of a tendon and a ligament to at least one of bone and cartilage. The article comprises a membrane comprising a biological material that promotes cell growth. The membrane comprises a first end, a second end, a cavity, and an expandable portion. The second end is configured to be attached to at least one of the bone, the cartilage, the tendon, and the ligament. The cavity extends from the first end to the second end. The cavity is configured to receive the cell growth mixture from the open end. The expandable portion is positioned intermediate the first end and the second end and is configured to increase in size responsive to the cell growth mixture entering the cavity.

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. An access cannula may be introduced over the first dilator tube. A drill may be inserted through the access cannula and used to perform a foraminoplasty, Surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

Abstract: A method for configuring a surgical guide and an associated implant. The implant and surgical guide are for maxillofacial osteosynthesis. Three-dimensional models of the pre- and post-operative anatomy are used to define attachment points. These attachment points are used to determine a structure for the implant and surgical guide.