Abstract: Described herein are examples of orthopedic drill bits and methods of preparing a bone of a living being for fixation. An example method includes coupling a drive attachment of a drill bit to a mounting attachment of a driver, and placing a guide at a desired location on the bone. The guide has an opening corresponding to an area of bone to be removed. The guide provides proper positioning and alignment for drilling a hole. With the guide in place, the method further includes aligning the drill bit with the opening on the guide and drilling a hole in the bone. Once the hole is drilled, the method includes de-coupling the drill bit from the driver, and bending the drill bit at the drive attachment while the drill bit is still in the bone. In some examples, additional method steps follow preparation of the hole.

Abstract: A bone fusing implant device includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal direction and having a star-shaped cross-section. The elongated body includes a central through-opening extending through the elongated body's center along the longitudinal direction and an outer surface with alternating elongated ridges and slit openings extending along the longitudinal direction. The outer surface is coated with bone growth enhancing additives.

Abstract: A bone displacement system includes an anchoring portion, a tool engaging portion, a compression distraction mechanism, a lateral body and a distal body. The anchoring portion has an aperture for receiving a wire to connect the anchoring portion to a proximal bone. The anchoring portion is connectable to a downwardly depending member for holding a tissue portion. The tool engaging portion is connected to the anchoring portion and is configured to connect a tool thereto. The compression-distraction mechanism is connected to the anchoring portion. The lateral body is connected to the compression-distraction mechanism and engageable with a lateral bone. The distal body is connected to the compression-distraction mechanism. The distal body has an aperture for receiving a wire to connect the distal body to a distal bone. The compression-distraction mechanism is configured to move the anchoring portion relative to the distal body.

Abstract: A drill guide to facilitate drilling a hole into a bone and inserting an anchor. The drill guide includes a handle extending to a proximal end and a guide shaft extending from the handle to a distal end. A recess extends into the handle at the proximal end. The drill guide also includes a channel extending through the recess and into the guide shaft and a contact surface extending from the recess. The contact surface may be a proximal surface on a ring extending circumferentially within the recess. The contact surface may alternatively be a proximal surface on a protrusion extending from and within the recess. For example, the protrusion is a triangular protrusion extending along the recess toward the channel. The contact surface allows for the use of inserters of varying sizes within the channel of the drill guide.

Abstract: Treatment devices for sacroiliac (SI) joint hypomobility are described herein. In one example, a method of treating SI joint hypomobility involves positioning a person relative to a SI joint device that includes a resilient crest. Positioning the person relative to the SI joint device can involve aligning the resilient crest along the SI joint underneath the person. The method can also include using the SI joint device to pry open the SI joint. In another example, an SI joint device includes a body extending between a medial end and a lateral end, and the body includes a rigid protrusion. The SI joint device can also include a resilient cover extending over the rigid protrusion. The rigid protrusion and the resilient cover can define a crest for prying open the SI joint. The crest can include a concavity oriented towards the lateral end of the body, and the crest can deform towards the lateral end of the body when subjected to a load on a top of the crest.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surgical port assemblies including a plurality of inflatable members for applying a force to a portion of a shaft of a surgical instrument which is inserted through an interior space of the surgical port assembly, and to surgical systems including a surgical port assembly, an endoscopic camera, and a control mechanism for controlling inflation and deflation of the plurality of inflatable members of the surgical port assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments herein employ a flexible orthopedic alignment guide for surgical implantation of flexible bone plates. Specifically, the alignment guide is designed to be used in conjunction with flexible bone plates whereby flexible sections of the alignment guide aid in alignment of drill bits and fasteners with the fastener holes of the bone plate. The flexible guide is designed to flex in a similar manner to the bone plate, thus maintaining positive engagement without compromising hole alignment.

Abstract: Methods of joint repair employing sutures and attached fixation devices are discussed. For example, a bone block graft procedure (e.g., Latarjet) is discussed which employs fixation devices to secure contact between graft surfaces of two bones. A suture construct, including a continuous suture loop routed through a first fastener, is secured to a first bone. Looped ends of the suture loop are passed through passageways formed in the two bones. The looped suture ends are further routed through a second fastener. The second fastener is mounted to the second bone and a sliding knot, formed in the looped suture ends, is advanced into contact with the second fastener. The suture is further tensioned using a tensioner device to secure the two bones together.

Abstract: Implants, devices, systems, and methods for achieving ligament fixation are disclosed. An implant comprises a cap member comprising an internally threaded opening extending from a first end thereof, an anchor portion comprising a first end that defines a tip of the implant and external threads, and a coupling portion extending between the cap member and the anchor portion. The coupling portion of the implant includes an externally threaded portion threadably coupled within the internally threaded opening of the cap member. The cap member of the implant is longitudinally moveable along the coupling portion. Insertion instruments for inserting an implant for ligament fixation are also disclosed. Methods of using an implant for achieving ligament fixation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stabilizing retractor system for orthopedic fracture repair. A backing plate is configured to support the back of a wrist or ankle. At least a first soft tissue retractor includes a first support body having a first bone engaging concavity on a first side of the body on a distal portion of the body, configured to engage a first side of a bone. A first soft tissue retracting surface is provided on a second side of the body, proximal to the bone engaging concavity. A second soft tissue retractor may be provided for engaging a second side of the bone. The retractors may be pinned to the bone, and may be radiolucent.

Abstract: A trans-facet procedure for preparing a patient for oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (OLLIF). The preparation procedure includes providing a kit with instruments for accessing Kambin's triangle through bone at nominal approaches preferred for the OLLIF procedure, and providing instructions for the procedure on a non-transitory tangible medium.

Abstract: Various implementations relate to a guide device for spinal surgery, comprising: two guide sleeves extending between a proximal end and a distal end for guiding a surgical intervention on a vertebra of a patient; a plurality of support elements, wherein each support element defines a contact area specifically configured for abutting against a portion of a virtual surface reproducing the vertebra of the patient, in a coupling configuration; and at least one junction element joining the two guide sleeves together. Each guide sleeve comprises a respective auxiliary sleeve extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and the proximal end of the auxiliary sleeve is located in proximity to the proximal end of the respective guide sleeve.

Abstract: A composition and methods of making or use thereof include a plurality of fibers forming a shape for augmenting tendon to bone repair. The physical presence of the plurality of fibers provides initial fixation, while the use of an osteoinductive material provides long term enhancement of bone formation around the site of the tendon to bone repair.

Abstract: A universal drill guide system includes a universal drill guide, interchangeable drill tubes, and interchangeable drill bits. Each interchangeable drill tube corresponds to one of the interchangeable drill bits, and can be detachably coupled to the universal drill guide. A cannulated drill with K-wire retention features a drill bit with a retention mechanism that prevents axial advancement of a K-wire during drilling. A drill removal tool includes a drill remover that can be placed around a drill bit to remove it from bone after a hole is drilled, while leaving a K-wire in place in the bone. A bone screw driver with K-wire retention includes a shaft that can be passed over a K-wire, a distal end for attachment to a cannulated bone screw, and a K-wire retention module for preventing advancement of the K-wire as the screw driver drives the cannulated bone screw into bone.

Abstract: The embodiments provide various interbody fusion spacers, or cages, for insertion between adjacent vertebrae. The cages may have integrated ratchet assemblies that allow the cage to change size and angle as needed, with little effort. The cages may have a first, insertion configuration characterized by a reduced size to facilitate insertion through a narrow access passage and into the intervertebral space. The cages may be inserted in a first, reduced size and then expanded to a second, larger size once implanted. In their second configuration, the cages are able to maintain the proper disc height and stabilize the spine by restoring sagittal balance and alignment. Additionally, the intervertebral cages are configured to be able to adjust the angle of lordosis, and can accommodate larger lordotic angles in their second, expanded configuration. Further, these cages may promote fusion to further enhance spine stability by immobilizing the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide technologies related to adaptive surgeon-specific instrumentation, unique preparatory tools and procedures for bone resection and implant devices, and systems for selection of implantation preparatory tools for implantation procedures. The embodiments described herein may, for example, be utilized in connection with knee arthroplasty procedures.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a medical instrument includes a pinion and a face gear that move a push-pull element. The pinion has a mounting that permits rotation of the pinion by an external control system such as a robot. The face gear meshes with the pinion. The push-pull element may have a proximal end coupled to the face gear and a distal end coupled to a tool at a distal end of an instrument shaft. A manipulator coupled for manual rotation of the actuation mechanism may include a slip clutch to prevent manual application of excessive force to the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A method of navigating a cutting instrument, via a computer system, the method comprising: (a) mounting a patient-specific anatomical mapper (PAM) to a human in a single known location and orientation, where the PAM includes a surface precisely and correctly mating with a human surface correctly in only a single location and orientation; (b) mounting a reference inertial measurement unit (IMU) to the human; (c) operatively coupling a guide to the PAM, where the guide includes an instrument inertial measurement unit (IMU) and at least one of a cutting slot and a pin orifice; (d) outputting data from the reference IMU and the instrument IMU indicative of changes in position and orientation of the guide with respect to the human; (e) repositioning the guide with respect to the human to a position and an orientation consistent with a plan for carrying out at least one of a cut and pin placement; and, (f) visually displaying feedback concerning the position and orientation of the guide with respect to the human us

Abstract: The disclosure provides a patella joystick for tilting a knee cap in an operation of knee arthroscopy and a method of using the patella joystick. The patella joystick can include a handle, a shank, a tapered portion, and a screw portion. The tapered portion has a diminishing diameter and provides a structural transition between the shank and the screw portion. The screw portion can include a thread and a screw point. The thread can have a buttress form, and the screw point can have an inverted cone shape with a cone angle of at or about 90°. The method of using the patella joystick can include: drilling a pilot hole into the patella; screwing the patella joystick onto the pilot hole; and holding the patella joystick to tilt and/or lift the knee cap.

Abstract: A surgical system for transecting osseous tissue includes an ultrasonic waveform generator, a control unit, an ultrasonic instrument assembly including a electromechanical transducer and an ultrasonic blade, and a robotic system. The ultrasonic instrument assembly is attached to the robotic arm. The surgical system is configured so that the robotic arm moves the ultrasonic blade at a constant forward feed speed through the bone during a cutting operation and so that the forward motion is reduced, and preferably halted automatically upon a reduction in load per unit time or applied power, as monitored by a pickup or sensor.