Abstract: Bone anchors and related methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a bone anchor can include a drag interface. Exemplary drag interfaces include (i) friction between a shank and a bushing, (ii) friction between a bushing and a drag ring, (iii) friction generated by a biased saddle, and (iv) combinations of the above. The drag interface can help maintain the relative position between a receiver member and a shank of the bone anchor prior to locking the bone anchor, preventing unintended movement while still allowing free movement when intended by the user. In some embodiments, a bone anchor can include over-rotation blocking features, such as a groove, lip, or protrusion formed on a bushing of the bone anchor. Various other bone anchor features are also disclosed, including high aspect ratio drag rings and compressible drag posts.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for an orthopaedic arthroplasty procedure is disclosed. The instrument includes a shaft having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the shaft between the first and second ends. The surgical instrument further includes a spine extending outwardly from the first end of the shaft in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the spine has a longitudinal extent that is parallel to the longitudinal axis. When the surgical instrument is in contact with a tibial implant component, the spine is adapted to be positioned within an intercondylar notch of a femoral component.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing an osteotomy on a bone are presented. In one example of the invention, a method of performing an osteotomy on a bone includes removing a portion of bone from a first side of the bone to create a gap on the first side of the bone; making a cut on a second side of the bone, opposite the first side; and rotating the bone from a first position to a second position to close the gap on the first side of the bone and open the cut on the second side of the bone to create a gap on the second side of the bone.

Abstract: An intubation system includes an intubation instrument for capturing an image, wherein the intubation instrument has a first interface for providing an image signal representing the captured image, a display device with a second interface for receiving the image signal, wherein the display device is provided and designed to display the image captured by the intubation instrument, and a cable with a third interface at a first end of the cable and with a fourth interface at a second end of the cable. The first, second, third, and fourth interfaces are designed such that the first interface at the intubation instrument is connectable directly to the second interface at the display device and is alternatively connectable directly to the third interface at the cable, and such that the second interface at the display device is connectable directly to the first interface at the intubation instrument and is alternatively connectable directly to the fourth interface at the cable.

Abstract: An expandable, adjustable inter-body fusion device is presented. The inter-body fusion device can have a first plate, a second plate, and an insert positioned substantially therebetween the first plate and the second plate. The first plate, the second plate, and the insert define an interior cavity. Moving the insert longitudinally with respect to the first and second plates increases or decreases the distance of the first plate with respect to the second plate, effectively expanding the inter-body fusion device and increasing the volume of the interior cavity. The angle between the first plate and the second plate is selectively adjustable.

Abstract: Various implant systems and methods of implantation are disclosed herein. The systems and methods allow a surgeon to accurately determine a suitable fastener trajectory for attaching certain components of the implant system to bone. In this manner, an appropriate fastener trajectory can be selected and used during a surgical procedure to ensure better purchase and attachment of the various components of the implant system to the bone.

Abstract: A method for retracting body tissue providing a retractor system that includes a rail having two opposed widened rail portions separated by a narrowed portion, each widened portion engageable by a separate clamp. The clamps are configured to support the rail to a fixed surface, or to support a surgical device. Each clamp may independently be positioned or slid along the rail to a desired location without interference with a clamp on an opposing widened rail portion. A device clamp is formed of spherical mating portions which enable alignment of a surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and tightenable by securing a single fastener. A retractor blade mount enables an angular and tilting disposition of a retractor blade, as well as remote manipulation of the retractor blade.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant system includes a wedge implant. The implant includes a body having an upper surface extending generally in a first plane. The upper surface has a first plurality of longitudinal grooves and a second plurality of transverse grooves extending therealong. Portions of the upper surface extend between adjacent longitudinal grooves and transverse grooves form individual peaks. A lower surface extends generally in a second plane, parallel to the first plane. The lower surface has a third plurality of longitudinal grooves and a fourth plurality of transverse grooves extending therealong. Portions of the lower surface extend between adjacent longitudinal grooves and transverse grooves form individual peaks.

Abstract: A lateral retractor system for forming a surgical pathway to a patient's intervertebral disc space includes a single dilator and a retractable dual-tapered-blade assembly. The single dilator may feature a narrow rectangular body for insertion at an insertion orientation parallel to the fibers of the patient's psoas muscle and at an approximate 45-degree angle to the patient's spine. The retractable dual-tapered-blade assembly consists of only two blade subassemblies, each having a blade bordered by adjustable wings, along with built-in lighting and video capabilities. The dual-tapered-blade assembly may be passed over the single dilator at the insertion orientation and rotated approximately 45-50 degrees from the insertion orientation to a final rotated orientation parallel to the intervertebral disc space before the two blade subassemblies are retracted away from one another to create the surgical pathway. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lateral spine implant has a lateral spine cage and an associated lateral spine plate with one or more folding vertebral attachment arms, each arm configured for attachment to vertebral bone. The ability of the one or more arms to fold allows the lateral spine plate to be inserted/implanted at a lower profile height than traditional lateral spine plates. The lateral spine plate is meant to be used at times of intended or unintended compromise of the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) to prevent interbody cage migration, but may be adapted for any lateral plating application. Once expanded, each attachment arm is configured to receive a bone screw for securing the attachment arm to a vertebra, the bone screw retained by rotating cam lock nuts of the attachment arm.

Abstract: An impaction tip can be used in installing an implant. The impaction tip can comprise a body, and a sliding member. The body can have a handle-facing surface and an implant-facing surface. The body can define a grooved portion. The handle-facing surface can define an opening sized to receive a portion of an impaction handle. The sliding member can be located at least partially within the grooved portion. The sliding member can be slideable from an interior position to an exterior position. When the sliding member is in the exterior position a portion of the sliding member can contact the implant.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for obtaining a distance between at least two fixed points relative to a bone comprises a first accelerometer unit located at a first fixed location on the bone, and producing first acceleration data during a movement of the bone. A second accelerometer unit is located at a second fixed location on the bone, and simultaneously producing second acceleration data during the movement. A gyroscope unit is fixed to the bone and simultaneously producing angular rates of change of said movement. A processor unit obtains the acceleration data and the angular rates of change for calculating the distance between the first fixed position and the second fixed position on the bone using a distance value of a distance vector between the accelerometer units. An interface outputs the distance between the first fixed position and the second fixed position relative to the bone. A method for calculating a distance between at least two points on a bone is provided.

Abstract: A flexible arm for use in a medical procedure includes a plurality of bushings and a plurality of double-ball members engaged with one another to thereby provide flexibility to the flexible arm. The double-ball members include a concave bore having a convex interior surface. The flexible arm further includes a wire extending through the concave bore of the double-ball members. An exterior diameter of the wire closely approximates or matches an interior diameter of the concave bore at its smallest point such that the curved members are operable to guide the wire as the flexible arm is flexed. The wire may be adjusted to thereby manipulate the amount of engagement between the bushings and the double-ball members to thereby manipulate the flexibility of the flexible arm.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a polymer cutting block having a number of metallic cutting guides secured thereto. A pair of metallic bushings function as saw stops at the medial and lateral ends of the cutting slot during an orthopaedic surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical tool adaptor includes a distal interface member and a handle. The distal interface member includes a connecting element for connecting to a surgical tool. A K-wire connector is disposed in a central passageway for receiving therethrough a K-wire. The K-wire connector includes a locking element for locking the K-wire. A clutch mechanism is operatively connected to the distal interface member and to the K-wire connector, wherein in a first orientation of the clutch mechanism, the distal interface member and the K-wire connector move together, and in a second orientation of the clutch mechanism, the distal interface member is declutched from the K-wire connector, so that in the first orientation movement of the handle moves the distal interface member and the K-wire connector together, and in the second orientation the distal interface member and the K-wire connector move independently of each other.

Abstract: A pectus bar pectus bar assembly can include a pectus bar and a stabilizer. The pectus bar can include a first portion including a first periphery and a second portion opposite the first portion. The stabilizer can include a stabilizer body including a recess engageable with the second portion. The stabilizer can also include a locking cam rotatable within the body to secure the stabilizer to the first portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a universal pedicle screw removal tool comprising a tapered shaft having an “L” shaped tip on one end and a generally square head on an opposite end. A lower section leads to a tapered section which is connected to a handle. The handle may include a set of serrations to provide increased grip. The handle is connected to the head. The tip is sized to engage the channel of a tuliped pedicle screw while the head is sized to engage a ratchet or other torque producing tool. In an alternate embodiment, the tip is “T” shaped. In another alternate embodiment, the handle section includes opposing members extending from the shaft to form a “T” shaped handle. In use, the tip is inserted into the channel of a tuliped pedicle screw while the shaft is rotated to unscrew the pedicle screw from a patient's bone.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

Abstract: A lateral retractor system for forming a surgical pathway to a patient's intervertebral disc space includes a single dilator and a retractable dual-tapered-blade assembly. The single dilator may feature a narrow rectangular body for insertion at an insertion orientation parallel to the fibers of the patient's psoas muscle and at an approximate 45-degree angle to the patient's spine. The retractable dual-tapered-blade assembly consists of only two blade subassemblies, each having a blade bordered by adjustable wings, along with built-in lighting and video capabilities. The dual-tapered-blade assembly may be passed over the single dilator at the insertion orientation and rotated approximately 45-50 degrees from the insertion orientation to a final rotated orientation parallel to the intervertebral disc space before the two blade subassemblies are retracted away from one another to create the surgical pathway. Other embodiments are also disclosed.