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: An artificial disc to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a resilient core which is fixedly connected to first and second plates. The first and second plates engage upper and lower vertebra in the patient's spine. The inner side of at least one of the first and second plates has an array of recesses into which said resilient core extends. The array of recesses includes a plurality of recesses. Each of the recesses of the plurality of recesses has surfaces which are integrally formed as one piece with the plate.

Abstract: Drill bit guide assemblies related to surgical operations for guiding and stabilizing a drill bit. A guide member houses a fixed bore through which a drill bit may pass. The guide member may also house a bore selection member which houses a plurality of selectable bores. The selectable bores may have a variety of diameters such that a user may choose the selectable bore corresponding to the drill bit diameter being used and align that selectable bore with the fixed bore such that the drill bit may pass through the length of the assembly along the reference axis. The similar diameters of the selectable bore and the drill bit may cause the assembly to stabilize and guide the drill bit.

Abstract: A set of instruments for preparing a femur and tibia for receipt of a partial knee prosthesis can include a femoral drill guide that is selectively connected to an intramedullary (IM) rod. At least one sizing spoon can communicate with the femoral drill guide. The femoral drill guide can have terminal cutting surfaces. A tibial cut guide can be selectively connected to the femoral drill guide. A dial member can be disposed on one of the femoral or tibial cut guides that when rotated moves at least one of the spoons in a superior/inferior direction.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw with a complementary blade. The blade is formed with a void to receive a pin associated with the saw that releasably holds the blade to the saw. The blade and the pin have complementary tapered surfaces. When the tapered surface of the pin moves against the tapered surface of the blade, the blade is urged against a static surface of the saw.

Abstract: A measurement instrument for joint surgery may relatively move a first bone and a second bone, which are connected by soft tissue at a joint, in directions other than directions in which these bones are separated from each other, and measure the stability of a connection state between these bones. A housing may be fixed to a first bone. A slider may slide relative to the housing, and abut against a second bone. A position display portion displays the position of the slider relative to the housing. A measurement instrument for joint surgery relatively moves the second bone relative to the first bone along a joint face by the slider sliding relative to the housing. The stability of a state of connection between the first bone and the second bone is measured based on the position of the slider relative to the housing displayed by the position display portion.

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: An implant is described for use in the spine, including two blades attached to a blade actuating member. Each blade includes a protruding portion that engages a corresponding channel in the blade actuating member. The blade or blades are extended or retracted when the blade actuating member is translated along a first axis. Each blade is retained in channels within the blade actuating member, and channels within the body of the implant, that constrain each blade to move in a direction near perpendicular to the direction of motion of the blade actuating member.

Abstract: A bone fixation system includes at least one bone fixation member and a bone fixation instrument. The bone fixation member includes a strap and a locking mechanism. The strap can be pulled through the locking mechanism so as to form a loop about a target bone so as to secure first and second bone segments in an approximated, compressed configuration. The bone fixation instrument is configured to apply tension to the loop about the target bone. The fixation instrument includes a tension assembly that is configured to secure a free end of the bone fixation member to the fixation instrument. The tension assembly is further configured to pull the free end so as to increase tension in the loop while the tension in the loop is less than a select tension. The tension assembly is unable to further increase tension in the bone fixation member once the tension in the bone fixation member has reached the select tension.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for retracting body tissue in a therapeutic procedure includes two lateral arms each having a block with an aperture extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the arm. The distal end of each arm pivotably supports a retractor blade. A transverse extension, forming a retractor core, extends through the aperture and slideably supports a lateral arm at each end. A central arm also pivotably supports a retractor blade, and has an extension on a proximal end that is insertable into an aperture within the core. The lateral and central arms are translatable in connection with the core. The retractor blades can be pivoted by rotating a tool engagement. A rack and pinion, controlled by a pawl, is used to translate the side and central arms.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube insertion device includes an insertion member, a flexible optical assembly member movably mounted to the insertion member, an endotracheal tube, and an endotracheal tube attachment member attached to the insertion member and configured to receive and retain the endotracheal tube.

Abstract: Surgical retractors and methods thereof for retracting body tissue in a therapeutic procedure. The surgical retractor may include retractor blades have openings or channels configured to receive bone pins while maintaining accessibility and visibility of the operative window.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising: a handle assembly; a locking collar; and a set of replaceable bits that load into the handle assembly; wherein the locking collar is fully removable from the handle assembly, loads axially to a first position, and rotates between the first position and a second position; wherein, in the first position, the locking collar is free to be removed from the handle assembly and the replaceable bits are free to be loaded or unloaded from the handle assembly; wherein, in the second position, the locking collar is prevented from axial movement relative to the handle assembly and the replaceable bits are prevented from being received within, or removed from, the handle assembly; and the locking collar is guided to the first position and between the first position and the second position by a groove in the handle assembly mating with a member carried by the locking collar.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant having an upper body portion, a lower body portion opposite the upper body portion, a wedge member connecting the upper body portion to the lower body portion, a nose member having a tapered distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end, and an actuator disposed between the nose member and the wedge member, for translation of the wedge member along a longitudinal axis of the implant. A pin disposed in a center of the nose member connects to the actuator for centering the nose member with the actuator. Translation of the wedge member along the longitudinal axis of the implant displaces the upper body portion and the lower body portion away from each other, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant.

Abstract: A translating polyaxial bone anchor for anchoring a connecting rod to a spinal vertebra comprises a fastener having a bone engaging portion and a head, the head defining a socket. An insert is captively retained in the socket and configured for swiveling polyaxial movement therein. The insert includes an elongate connecting element defining an axis, the connecting element projecting outwardly from and through the socket. A yoke having at one end a rod receiving channel for receiving a connecting rod is coupled to the fastener by a coupling member. The coupling member couples the yoke to the insert connecting element for joint polyaxial movement relative to the fastener and for translational movement of the yoke in a direction transverse to the axis of the connecting member. A fastening element is supported by the yoke for securing the connecting rod between the fastening element and the coupling member.

Abstract: A self-locking screw with a raised root is provided. The self-locking screw has a head, a distal end, and a shaft extending between the head and the distal end. The shaft includes a thread with a plurality of turns so as to define a root, the raised root extending over the root for at least a subset of the plurality of turns proximal to the head. The raised root is removably attached to the root and detaches from the root when the self-locking screw is screwed into a substrate such that the detached raised root binds between the self-locking screw and the substrate and/or becomes embedded within the substrate.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant can include a housing having a first end and second end with a top side and bottom side therebetween, with at least one engagement opening in the top side and/or bottom side, the implant having a first dimension from the top side to the bottom side; a shaft rotatably located within the housing and having a shaft head exposed through an end opening in the first end, the shaft head having a tool coupling member; the cam mechanism operably coupled with the shaft such that rotation of the shaft rotates the cam mechanism; and at least one engaging surface operably coupled to the cam mechanism such that rotation of the shaft protrudes and/or retracts each engaging surface through an engagement opening, wherein when each engaging surface protrudes through the engagement opening, the implant has a second dimension that is greater than the first dimension.

Abstract: A unitary multilumen cranial bolt for use in multimodal monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters in brain tissue incorporates a plurality of lumens, each lumen directing a catheter borne sensor through a bore hole in the cranium and into brain tissue of a patient. The lumens are configured to cause the catheters to splay outward as they enter the cranial cavity and reach their intended depth of penetration. Each lumen is associated with a guide. The guides are adapted for use with introducers that enable fragile and/or flexible sensors to be introduced into brain tissue. Each catheter borne sensor can be positioned and repositioned within brain tissue independently of all other sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus for spacing apart the jaws of an animal, such as a canine, in a fixed relationship during the performance of a medical or dental procedure. The apparatus includes a bite member for spacing apart the teeth of an animal, a strap adapted to be wound around the snout of the animal for confining the snout and a strap connector with the strap connector having one end thereof adapted for attachment to the strap and another end for holding the jaws in relatively tight engagement against the bite member after the strap is wound around the snout.

Abstract: A system for performing single port laparoscopic procedures includes a deployment frame and a plurality of tools. The tools are pivotally mounted on the frame and have end effectors which are translatably and rotatably disposed in the tool. A handle at the proximal end of the tool controls an end effector at the distal end of the tool. Movement of the tools relative to the frame is constrained so that they remain in a fixed geometric relationship which prevents the tools from interfering with each other during laparoscopic procedures.