Abstract: Total disc replacement systems and related methods involving a lateral, trans-psoas surgical approach to the spine while performing at least one of continuous and intermittent intra-operative neural monitoring of the psoas muscle to avoid injury during introduction.

Abstract: A reduction tool for use in posterior spinal fixation to facilitate insertion of a longitudinal spinal rod into a rod-receiving channel formed in a bone fixation element. The reduction tool preferably includes an outer tube sized and configured to transversely receive the spinal rod therethrough, the outer tube being operatively coupled to the bone fixation element, an inner tube operatively coupled to a locking cap and slidably disposed within the outer tube, and a rotatable sleeve for rotatably advancing the inner tube with respect to the outer tube to advance the spinal rod into the rod-receiving channel formed in the bone fixation element and to couple the locking cap to the bone fixation element to thereby secure the rod within the bone fixation element.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system including an interconnection device is provided. The interconnection device comprises a connector element including a passage structured to receive a component of the spinal fixation system therein. The passage is at least partially bound by a first wall portion and a second wall portion, wherein the first wall portion is movable between a first position to receive the component and a second position to restrain the component in the passage. The device further includes a retainer element which holds the first wall portion in the second position in order to lock the component in the passage.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for securing a spinal rod to the spine which includes a head portion configured to receive a spinal rod, a locking cap configured to engage the head portion and the spinal rod upon rotation of the locking cap relative to the head portion to secure the position of the head portion relative to the spinal rod, and a fastener portion depending from the head portion and configured to engage the spine. The locking cap has discontinuous opposed engagement flanges that are received within opposed engagement slots of the head portion when the locking cap is rotated into a locked position.

Abstract: A spinal screw assembly providing an adjustable securement of a fixation rod across at least two vertebrae. The assembly includes a pedicle screw having a spherical head portion, a threaded shaft portion and a tool engagement surface in the head portion for use in driving the screw into a vertebrae. The head portion of the screw is positioned in a body member adjacent a curvilinear surface disposed about an aperture in the end of the body member such that the shaft portion of the screw extends therethrough and the curvilinear inner surface abuts and mates with the head portion of the screw so as to define a ball joint therewith. The body member additionally defines a pair of opposed parallel slots therein adapted to receive a portion of the fixation rod and a locking cap bears against the fixation rod to releasably secure the rod within the assembly.

Abstract: A device, system and method for orthopedic spine surgery using a novel screw-based retractor, disclosed herein, that allows for access to the spine through a minimally or less invasive approach. The retractor device is designed to be coupled to a pedicle screw and then to have opposed arms of the retractor spread apart to open the wound proximally. The retractor is removed by pulling it out of the wound whereby the retractor is deformed to pass over the pedicle screw head. The retractor is intended to be made of a stiff plastic material, sterile packaged and disposable after one use. A system and method for using the retractor and performing a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device and method for removing tissue, and if required, other undesired materials from an intervertebral disc or vertebral body. An elongated arcuate, and preferably S-shaped tool is used to progressively remove material from the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc or vertebral body. A sheath introduces the elongated tool by a posterior, postero-lateral or lateral approach. The shape of the elongated tool is formed within a guide or lumen of the sheath for transportation through the sheath. The elongated tool assumes its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to the tool by the sheath as the elongated tool exits the sheath. The device and method allow positioning of new material in the intervertebral disc and/or vertebral body. The new material may be tissue, therapeutic agents, mechanical devices such as spacers, or agents that will fuse vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A spinal implant may be used to stabilize a portion of a spine. The implant may promote bone growth between adjacent vertebrae that fuses the vertebrae together. An implant may include an opening through a height of a body of the implant. The body of the implant may include curved sides. A top and/or a bottom of the implant may include protrusions that contact and/or engage vertebral surfaces to prevent backout of the implant from the disc space. A variety of instruments may be used to prepare a disc space and insert an implant. The instruments may include, but are not limited to, a distracter, a rasp, and one or more guides. The implant and instruments may be supplied in an instrument kit.

Abstract: A pin for fixing an implant subjected to tensile load, in particular a tendon implant, having a rod-shaped body is provided. A force exerted by the implant is input onto the cross section of the body, on one side, and is output on the opposite side to an anchoring site. The cross section of the body has, on the force output side, at least two contact sites via which the input force can be output in a distributed manner. This configuration allows the pin to withstand high tensile loads without fracturing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laryngoscope having two selectable blades, straight and curved, foldable to the side grooves of a handle piece, so that doctors/nurses can react to the need to handle tracheal intubation for different patients, resulting in better airway management tasks. A battery compartment is made inside the body of the handle, providing a battery power source for optional LED lighting, or other type of lighting.

Abstract: Access devices and related methods are disclosed that generally involve flexible or adjustable cannulas that have a substantially cylindrical insertion configuration and a substantially conical expanded configuration. Various methods and features are provided for transitioning the cannula from the insertion configuration to the expanded configuration while the access device is inserted through tissue to form a conical opening through the tissue. Examples include cables, biasing elements, retaining elements, bimodal rings, and coil springs. The devices and methods disclosed herein can allow for improved retention of the access device, improved angulation of instruments passed through the access device, and can increase the integrity of a seal formed between the access device and surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An anti-splay closure with a multi-surfaced aperture, such as a multi-lobular socket, includes a cylindrical body with an external, continuous, helically extending anti-splay guide and advancement flange and a breakaway installation head. The multi-lobular socket includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes extending parallel to a closure axis of the plug and which circumferentially alternate with spline receiving grooves extending parallel to the closure axis. The closure is used with an open headed bone implant screw having arms that are provided with internal, helically extending mating guide and advancement structures complementary to the body flange to allow slidable mating with the body upon rotation thereof and radial interlocking between the arms and the body.

Abstract: An instrument for use in removal of a prosthetic implant having a hollow generally hemispherical portion having a peripheral rim, the implant for use performing arthroplasty. The instrument includes a body and a first member connected to the body. The first member includes a contact portion for engagement with the rim of the implant at a first position. The instrument also includes a second member connected to the body, the second member being moveable with respect to the first member, the second member including a contact portion for engagement with the implant at a second position, spaced from the first position. The instrument also includes an urging member for urging the contact portion of the first member toward the contact portion of the second member and for urging the contact portion of the first member away from the contact portion of the second member.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthetic implant having a first endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a first vertebral body and a second surface having an extension with a concave contact surface, the concave contact surface being spaced apart from the second surface. A second endplate is provided with a first surface configured to substantially engage with a second vertebral body and a second surface comprising a convex contact surface, and the second endplate having a securing element positioned along and above the second surface defining a first and second window on opposing sides of the second surface. The securing element extends along the width and length of the lower endplate and configured with an access hole. An extension portion extends from the first surface of the first endplate through the access hole of the securing element and contacts the second surface of the second endplate.

Abstract: A structure including a pair of helically wound interlocking forms located on a cylindrical closure for an open headed medical implant and in a receiver between arms of the implant respectively. The interlocking forms each include overlapping gripping elements that engage mating elements during assembly to prevent radial splaying of arms of the implant.

Abstract: An external fixation device for the setting and corrective treatment of bone fractures is disclosed. The device comprises a splint member having a first and a second axially slidable and mutually fastenable base portions for adjusting the length of the splint member and a plurality of bone pins. Each of the base portions of the splint member includes mountings for the bone pins to traverse the site of the bone fracture in a multi-angle and multi-planar pin configuration, so as to permit direct fixation of the fracture and provide a significant degree of stability.

Abstract: A guide is provided for insertion into a surgical incision to create interior access along a preferred plane to an interior surgical site. After inserting the guide into an incision, a retractor or other tool may be inserted though the guide to the interior surgical site. The guide serves as a pathway for the retractor to the interior surgical site of the patient.

Abstract: An anti-splay closure with a left handed threaded removal bore, includes a cylindrical closure body with an external, continuous, helically extending anti-splay guide and advancement flange and a breakaway installation head. The removal bore is aligned with an axis of the closure body. The bore thread is sized and shaped to receive a removal tool having mating left handed thread. The closure is used with an open headed bone implant screw which is provided with internal, helically extending mating guide and advancement structure complementary to the flange of the closure body.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper portion with a laterally extending lug and a retainer having an inner cam track for receiving the lug and thus attaching the shank upper portion to the retainer within a receiver. The retainer may be a closed or open ring. The receiver has a cavity and a U-shaped cradle defining a channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member such as a spinal fixation rod. The retainer has an external surface that mates with an internal surface of the receiver, providing a ball joint.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprises an elongate member having a coupling region disposed at one end thereof. The retractor is adapted to engage a base of a head of a pedicle screw. The coupling region of the elongate member has a filament-receiving hole adapted to receive a filament which captures the head of the pedicle screw. During surgery, a physician may retract muscle and soft tissue by simply pressing the elongate member against such tissue.