Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide devices and associated methods for treating spinal disease by implanting one or more interspinous process spacing devices. In one embodiment, an interspinous process spacing device includes a first attachment side and a second attachment side, whereby each attachment side includes one or more slots formed in the outer surface and oriented proximate one end for receiving fasteners extending inwardly from a second interspinous process spacing device. The device further includes a spacer tray positioned between the first attachment side and the second attachment side, the spacer tray extending from the first attachment side and slideably insertable through a tray slot formed in the second attachment side, wherein the spacer tray is adapted to retain adjacent spinous processes in a spaced apart orientation.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail comprising an outer tubular sheath, a flexible rod and a driver element mobile within the sheath longitudinally with an engagement element formed out of the wall of the tubular sheath. After the nail has been inserted, distal end first, into the intramedullary cavity, the flexible rod is pulled, thereby engendering the driver element to advance the engagement element into the cortical bone, thus keeping the intramedullary nail in position within the intramedullary cavity.

Abstract: A system for performing an end-to-side vascular anastomosis, including an anastomosis device, an application instrument and methods for performing a vascular anastomosis. The system is applicable for performing an anastomosis between a vascular graft and the ascending aorta in coronary artery bypass surgery, particularly in port-access CABG surgery. A first aspect of the invention includes a vascular anastomosis staple. A first configuration has two parts: an anchor member, forming the attachment with the target vessel wall and a coupling member, forming the attachment with the bypass graft vessel. The anastomosis is completed by inserting the coupling member, with the graft vessel attached, into the anchor member. A second configuration combines the functions of the anchor member and the coupling member into a one-piece anastomosis staple.

Abstract: The present application concerns a device for measurement and analysis of the middle ear and ear channel color for the diagnosis of ear infections. The device is composed of a otoscope (1), including two optical fibers (2a and 2b): one for ear illumination and another returning the reflected light. The electronic unit (3) can change linearly the power of emitted light, as well as, its color. The received light is also independently measured, enabling the determination of changes on color and texture associated with the ear inflammations. Command buttons in the otoscope handler (4) enable the user to save the values of the three color components. The combined value of the components is shown in the digital display (5) of the electronic unit, as well as, by a set of LEDs (6) green, yellow and red that gives a diagnosis in a simple and immediate way. The otoscope allows, simultaneously, directly ear view through a magnifying glass (7) applied in the head of the otoscope, with a standard white light.

Abstract: An implant which is particularly suitable for the repair and/or replacement of a skeletal joint, e.g., a vertebral joint, includes a unit of monolithic bone possessing at least one demineralized region exhibiting properties of flexibility and resilience, the demineralized region having diminished or insignificant capacity for promoting new bone growth.

Abstract: A soft tissue fixation device for use in ACL or CrCL, reconstruction has a base member provided with a passageway extending perpendicularly from its top surface through its bottom surface. The passageway is sized to allow soft tissue to be inserted through the passageway. The fixation device also includes an affixing member attachable to the base member. The base member has a notched section in the top surface extending from the passageway to a first perimeter section of the base member sized to accommodate at least a portion of the graft. Either surgical grade tissue glue or at least one perpendicularly extending spike is used to secure the base member to the bone. The base member is also provided with a sleeve whose interior wall surfaces form a part of the passageway and is sized to be inserted into the bone opening. The affixing member is provided with a series of teeth members extending downward from its lower surface.

Abstract: A vertebral implant for fusing adjacent vertebrae or for replacing vertebral bodies is disclosed. The implant is a biocompatible metal resorbable or radiolucent implant conforming substantially in size and shape with an end plate of a vertebra. The implant preferably has a wedge-shaped profile to restore disc height and the natural curvature of the spine. The top and bottom surfaces of the implant have areas with a plurality of teeth to resist expulsion and provide initial stability and areas devoid of any protrusions to receive implantation instrumentation. The implant also has a stackability feature. The implant provides initial stability needed for fusion without stress shielding.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, systems, procedures and implants for linking two or more anchors engaged to two or more vertebrae of a spinal column are provided. The systems include a plate assembly to stabilize one or more vertebral levels with first and second plate segments pivotally coupled to one another between anchors engaged to respective vertebrae of the vertebral level. The plate segments are manipulated to secure the plate segments to the respective vertebrae and lock the plate segments in position relative to one another.

Abstract: A convex spinal fusion interbody space device includes spaced apart superior and inferior abutment surfaces which are effectively medially convex. The peak of such convexity is displaced anteriorly of a central plane through the device. The spacer device has a height which is greater than the width of the device. The spacer device is implanted between a pair of adjacent vertebrae by insertion in a tipped-over orientation and then reoriented to an upright orientation for engagement by facing surfaces of the vertebrae. Fusion promoting bone material is packed between the vertebrae and about and within the spacer device subsequent to implantation.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.

Abstract: A device to space vertebral members with first and second members that may have at least one ramped section. The first and second members may be positioned in a vertically overlapping arrangement with interior sides of the members facing together. The device may be positionable between a first orientation with the ramped section of the first member positioned away from the ramped section of the second member, and a second orientation with the ramped section of the first member positioned against the ramped section of the second member. The device may include a greater height measured between the exterior sides in the second orientation than in the first orientation.

Abstract: An instrument positions an intervertebral implant for the fusion between two vertebral bodies of a vertebral column. The instrument may include a handle having a proximal and a distal end, a locking shaft extended from the distal end of the handle, and a grasping head at the distal end of the shaft. The locking shaft may be cannulated, and a stem may be hosted inside the cannulated shaft passing through the handle. The stem may be free to rotate with respect to the locking shaft, or vice versa, while the grasping head may be formed at the distal end of the stem with a couple of prongs or clamps toward the other according to an angular relative rotation of the stem with respect to the locking shaft. The instrument may allow the surgeon to grip a corresponding implant with a simple rotation movement of his hand.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of securing a spinal rod to an anchoring device, including releasably securing a locking cap to a distal end of an insertion instrument, the instrument having an outer tubular body, a rod persuader, and a locking shaft, each of the tubular body, rod persuader and locking shaft having proximal and distal ends and positioned coaxial with one another; positioning the distal end of the insertion instrument, and locking cap, into operative engagement with the spinal rod; engaging the anchoring device with the distal end of the tubular body; rotating the proximal end of the rod persuader to longitudinally advance the locking cap and spinal rod distally towards the anchoring device, the proximal end and the distal end of the rod persuader being rotatable relative to one another; and after the locking cap is advanced, rotating the locking shaft to rotate the locking cap thereby.

Abstract: Instrumentation is disclosed for inserting an interbody spinal fusion implant for implantation at least in part within and across the generally restored height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine. The implant has an external housing and a substantially hollow internal rotatable member having bone engaging projections that are deployable through the housing to penetrably engage the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument including an outer tube having a bearing sleeve disposed within a lumen thereof, along with an inner wire assembly extending through the outer tube and the bearing sleeve. A cutting tip is connected to the inner wire assembly distal the outer tube. Conversely, a coupling chuck is connected to a proximal section of the inner wire assembly, with a housing maintaining the outer tube and the coupling chuck. When mounted to a motor, the inner wire assembly is rotated to effectuate a surgical cutting procedure at the cutting tip, with the bearing sleeve supporting the inner wire assembly relative to the outer tube during rotation.

Abstract: An illuminated suction apparatus including a hand-held surgical device combining a high-performance non-fiber optic optical waveguide with suction. This device is useful in a wide array of surgical procedures including open and minimally invasive orthopedics.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to a system and method for fusing two adjacent vertebrae. In one embodiment, the vertebrae are fused by inserting a self-broaching interbody apparatus into a disc space without the need for separately drilling and broaching. The self-broaching interbody apparatus may include cutting flutes or other broaching means capable of cutting through the cartilaginous endplates of the vertebrae. In another embodiment, an interbody apparatus with an expanding means capable of distracting the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae is inserted into the disc space. Another embodiment includes a sleeve that fits around an interbody apparatus that has at least one opening in its outer surface leading to a cavity filled with bone and/or ortho-biological materials.

Abstract: A spinal implant helps stabilize vertebrae for fusion. The implant is particularly adapted for percutaneous implantation, but may also be used with other access techniques. The implant includes first and second plates that extend through a slot in a frame. When installed, the frame extends laterally through the interspinous space, and the plates extend superiorly-inferiorly along respective lateral sides of the spinous processes. The plates are moved toward one another and relative to the slot to clamp the implant to the spinous processes. The slot may be variably sized along its length, and the plates may move into differently sized portions of the slot during the clamping process.