Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for minimally open orthopedic spine surgery are disclosed. A first flexible screw-based retractor is designed to be coupled to each pedicle screw inserted into adjacent vertebral bodies. A retractor system is provided in which a first retractor blade is mounted to one of the screws and a second movable retractor blade is moved away from the first blade, in a medial direction, to create a working channel through which the disc space may be accessed for passing instruments and implants. Light may be incorporated into the device to illuminate the surgical field. One or all of the retractor blades may be made of a sterilizable plastic or metal and be disposable or reusable.

Abstract: The invention concerns a distance-keeping inter-process implant with a body ending in its posterior part with two opposite-situated resistance protrusions. In the anterior part of the body there are situated at least two wings, at least one of which is a mobile wing connected with the body by an articulated joint. Each wing is provided with at least one guide of the tensioning band. The articulated joint between the mobile wing and the body is formed by the mutually collaborating shaped surface of the. wing (and the shaped surface of the body and is usefully secured by the pin that constitutes the axis of rotation of the mobile wing. In an alternative version of the implementation of the implant, the mobile wing connected with the body is provided with at least one arm situated with respect to the wing at the angle ? amounting to from 30° to 150°.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a retraction device for laparoscopy in which a trocar needle including latching grooves formed at the side of the lower end thereof is inserted into a trocar tube, both ends of which are opened, to form a laparoscopic platform, the laparoscopic platform pierces an abdominal wall and the trocar needle is pushed into an abdominal cavity so that the latching grooves are exposed to the outside of the trocar tube, sutures connected to tissue retractors retracting tissues are hung on the latching grooves, and then the trocar needle of the laparoscopic platform is drawn upwards so that the latching grooves are inserted back into the trocar tube to fix the tissue retractors to the laparoscopic platform. The retraction device for laparoscopy prevents the tissues from being unnecessarily damaged due to retraction and facilitates convenient retraction of the tissues without the help of assistant's two hands.

Abstract: A dynamic stabilization device for bones or vertebrae is provided which includes at least two bone anchoring elements, at least one connection element, connecting the bone anchoring elements. Each bone anchoring element includes a shank portion to be anchored in the bone or in the vertebra and a head portion to be connected with the connection element. The connection element is at least partly elastic and has at least one loop section. The head portion includes a recess with an opening for inserting the loop section. A securing element is provided for securing the loop section in the recess. The connection element is preferably in the form of an endless loop made of an elastomeric material.

Abstract: An anterior cervical retractor comprises a first medial-lateral retractor body having a base arm and a moving arm and a pair of retractor blades. The retractor blades may be side loading or top loading. The cervical retractor comprises a second cranial-caudal retractor body having a pair of moving arms and a pair of retractor blades. The retractor blades may have an adjustable angulation. The retractor blades may also be fixed to the spine and provide distraction upon operation of the second retractor body. The blades of the first retractor body and/or the second retractor body may be coupled to light elements that illuminate the operative corridor between the blades.

Abstract: A posterior vertebral stabilizer has a resilient member such as a linear spring, which operates in tension and compression. The resilient member may be kept straight by a stabilization rod extending through the spring, or by a telescoping assembly that encases the resilient member. The ends of the stabilizer are attachable to pedicles of adjacent vertebrae so that the stabilizer adds stiffness to control flexion and extension of the vertebrae. Two such stabilizers may be used, and may be connected together by a crosslink designed to limit relative rotation of the stabilizers. Thus, the stabilizers may restrict axial rotation and lateral bending between the vertebrae, while permitting stiffened flexion and extension. Such stabilizers help provide the stiffness of a healthy intervertebral disc. In the event that fusion of the joint becomes necessary, a set screw or other component may be used to further restrict flexion and extension.

Abstract: An interbody fusion device is provided that includes an interbody cage, a fixation system and an actuation mechanism to deploy one or more blades. The cage acts as an intervertebral spacer and provides resistance to the compressive loads in the spinal column. The fixation system includes an anchor and a ramp. These components could be manufactured from various medical grade materials.

Abstract: A spinal implant assembly combines a spinal interbody spacer with a spine plate. The combined spacer and plate assembly provides stabilization and torsional resistance to promote fusion of adjacent vertebrae. The spacer is configured for placement within an intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae previously occupied by a spinal disc. The plate is configured for attachment to anterior sides of the adjacent vertebrae. Translation of the spinal plate allows it to be affixed to the vertebrae in various positions and/or allow movement post installation. In one form, the plate is defined by first and second spine plate or plate portions that are coupled to one another to allow rotation about each other. Ends of the first and second spine plates are received in/by the interbody spacer, while a pin extends through the interbody spacer to fix the first and second spine plates to the interbody spacer.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.

Abstract: A transverse rod connector includes an elongate member having first and second ends and first and second connection members. The first and second connection members are connected with first and second ends, respectively. The first and second connection members are configured for multidirectional positioning with respect to the elongate member. The first and second connection members are each dimensioned to be selectively and releasably secured to a bone anchor. The elongate member is longitudinally adjustable.

Abstract: A bone screw system is presented. The bone screw system has a fixation element, a receiving element, coupling element, and a compression element. In one aspect, the system also has a pair of leg extensions extending upwardly therefrom the receiving element.

Abstract: A minimally invasive retractor assembly includes a posted screw and one or more retractor blades. Each retractor blade is releasably coupled to the posted screw. The retractor blade or blades are manipulated or flexed relative to the posted screw allowing retraction of tissue surrounding the incision. The retractor is made of a biocompatible 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: An orthopedic fixation ring for an external fixator has a ring or a ring-segment extending around a center axis. The ring comprises a first surface running perpendicular to the center axis, a second surface which is parallel to the first surface, and a plurality of spaced apart through openings running parallel to the center axis and extending through the fixation plate. The fixation plate has at least a third surface which is parallel to the first surface spaced outwardly thereof with respect to the center axis. A further set of through openings extends from the first surface to the third surface. A fourth surface may be provided which is axially displaced from the second surface with respect to the center axis. The ring preferably is circular or part-circular and is molded from carbon fiber reinforced PEEK.

Abstract: Orthopaedic device (10, 110, 210, 310) for correcting deformities of a long bone (11), comprising a bar (12), extended along an axis (Y-Y) and intended to be placed alongside the bone (11), at least a first clamp (14, 214, 314) for a first group of osseous screws (16) and a second clamp (18, 19, 118) for a second group of osseous screws (20, 22), removably mounted on said bar (12), wherein the first of said clamps (14, 214, 314) is placed onboard a support base (21, 221, 321) in turn mounted on said bar (12), and angularly movable in relation to the support base around a given rotation axis (X-X, X?-X?, Z-Z) by means of a rotary coupling, characterised in that said rotary coupling comprises a male element (35; 235, 236, 237, 238, 239; 333, 334) associated with the first clamp (14, 214, 314) and having a surface at least partially cylindrical, and a corresponding female element (36; 130; 250, 254, 255; 336, 337) associated with the support base (21, 221, 321) and having a surface at least partially cylindrical

Abstract: A spinal implant (100) includes an anchoring part (110) adapted to be anchored to a vertebra and having first connecting elements (112), and a mounting part (120) including both an internal axial housing (151) to receive transversely a connecting rod (30), this axial housing being terminated beside the anchoring part (110) by a bottom (156), and also second connecting elements that cooperate with the first connecting elements to form a ball-joint connection between the anchoring part and the mounting part. The spinal implant includes retaining elements that are situated near the bottom of the axial housing of the mounting part that are adapted to fasten a locking member in a stationary so-called locking position in which the ball-joint connection formed by the first and second connecting elements is locked to fasten the anchoring part and the mounting part in rotation relative to each other about at least two orthogonal axes.

Abstract: A stabilization system for a human spine is provided. The stabilization system may include two dynamic interbody devices and/or one or more dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic interbody devices may be inserted into a disc space using a posterior approach. The dynamic interbody devices may allow for coupled axial rotation and lateral bending of vertebrae adjacent to the dynamic interbody devices. The dynamic posterior stabilization systems may provide resistance to movement that mimics the resistance provided by a normal functional spinal unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining meniscal size and shape for use in designing therapies for the treatment of various joint diseases. The invention uses an image of a joint that is processed for analysis. Analysis can include, for example, generating a thickness map, a cartilage curve, or a point cloud. This information is used to determine the extent of the cartilage defect or damage and to design an appropriate therapy, including, for example, an implant. Adjustments to the designed therapy are made to account for the materials used.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a body defining a proximal surface, a pair of side surfaces, and a pair of angled surfaces extending distally and inwardly from opposite ends of the proximal surface. The proximal surface includes at least one proximal opening. Each angled surface includes at least one screw opening in communication with the proximal opening to define a passage extending through the body. The body is configured for positioning partially within an intervertebral space such that the angled surfaces are disposed in abutting relation with at least a portion of opposed surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae and such that the proximal surface is disposed exteriorly of the intervertebral space to permit insertion of a screw through the screw opening and into one of the opposed surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Open implant closure structures include a helically wound guide and advancement flange form having splay control surfaces. Multi-start closures and closures with inner set screws have splay control contours for interlocking with cooperating flange forms of bone anchor receivers. Flange form heights, thicknesses and other geometry, such as splay control ramp angle may be varied.

Abstract: A method for implanting a longitudinal intramedullary nail into the tibia comprises inserting the tibia nail along a plane of symmetry through the tuberositas tibiae. Thereby, the tuberositas tibiae can be used during nail insertion to correctly align the nail and the target arm to the symmetry plane of the bone. This means, that the whole construct, the nail attached to the target arm, has to be inserted in external rotation.