Abstract: Techniques and instrumentation for elbow reconstruction, specifically, for repairs of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). The instrumentation provides for precise formation of sockets and tunnels along with easy suture/graft passage while accommodating all forms of elbow UCL reconstruction techniques. A V-drill guide is provided with a handle and two drill sleeves having intersecting trajectories for creating an intersecting V-shaped bone tunnel in the ulna. An adjustable humeral guide has an adjustable arm with an arc shape, and a peg and a block extending from each end of the adjustable arm. The peg is shaped to fit within an already-formed humeral socket. The block allows a drill to pass through and form other tunnels which intersect with the originally-formed tunnel at various positions.

Abstract: A retractor for use in spinal procedures is disclosed. The retractor includes a first frame member defining a first recess and a second frame member pivotally connected to the first frame member. The second frame member defines a second recess. The retractor further includes a first blade assembly operably received within the first recess and a second blade assembly operably received within the second recess. The first blade assembly includes a first blade configured to pivot relative to the first frame member and a first blade extender selectively extendable from the first blade. The second blade assembly includes a second blade configured to translate within the second recess and a second blade extender selectively extendable from the second blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cement director for insertion within a vertebral body or other body structure, and related methods of use. An example method includes creating a cavity in a vertebral body, inserting a collapsible mesh structure into the cavity in a collapsed state, wherein the collapsible mesh structure comprises regions of different permeability to a bone cement, inflating a balloon within the collapsible mesh structure to expand the mesh structure, and injecting a bone cement into the mesh structure, wherein the bone cement flows preferentially out of the mesh structure through at least one region of greater permeability.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plate system is provided. The cervical plate includes a retention ring with a deflectable flange that is upwardly spaced from the top surface of the ring and configured to prevent an inserted bone fastener from backing out of the plate. The plate includes a locking pin having a camming surface and a blocking surface. When the camming surface is moved into position adjacent to the flange, the flange is free to flex out of the way of a bone screw being inserted into or removed from the plate. When the blocking surface is positioned adjacent to the flange, outward deflection of the flange is prevented to retain the bone screw inside the plate. The locking pin is rotated through a camming surface to bring a blocking surface against the flange deflecting the flange onto the head of the bone screw.

Abstract: Drill bits comprising a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and a cutting head located at the distal end of the shaft, having a cutting diameter, and having at least one flute, which includes a cutting edge and an offset leading spur are disclosed. A portion of the shaft of the drill bits located adjacent and proximal to the cutting head has a reduced diameter relative to the remainder of the shaft. The drill bits have a tapered point along the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the cutting head for guiding the drill bit or are cannulated to receive a guide wire.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a universal bone screw screwdriver and in particular to a universal screwdriver that permits the removal of screws from bone plates that are manufactured by different manufacturers having distinct characteristics. The universal bone screw screwdriver is adapted to replaceably receive tool bits corresponding to the screw heads of different manufacturers and comprises a torque limiting spring to secure the tool bit to the driver shaft and inhibit over-tightening of the bone screw into the bone or bone plate as the case may be.

Abstract: A method and system for percutaneous fusion to correct disc compression is presented. The method has several steps, for instance, inserting a percutaneous lumbar interbody implant; positioning guide wires for each facet screw to be implanted; performing facet arthrodesis in preparation for the facet screws; fixating the plurality of facet screws; and optionally performing foramen nerve root or central decompression. The system includes an implant, an elongate cannulated insertion tool, and an elongate lockshaft positioned within the insertion tool.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plate system is provided. The cervical plate includes a retention ring with a deflectable flange that is upwardly spaced from the top surface of the ring and configured to prevent an inserted bone fastener from backing out of the plate. The plate includes a locking pin having a camming surface and a blocking surface. When the camming surface is moved into position adjacent to the flange, the flange is free to flex out of the way of a bone screw being inserted into or removed from the plate. When the blocking surface is positioned adjacent to the flange, outward deflection of the flange is prevented to retain the bone screw inside the plate. The locking pin is rotated through a camming surface to bring a blocking surface against the flange deflecting the flange onto the head of the bone screw.

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 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 fixation instrument further includes a cutter assembly.

Abstract: An instrument for removing tissue from a bone to create a cavity consists of an approximately spherical body having cutting formations in its external surface for cutting a bone. The body has a connector by which it can be connected to a drive by which it can be rotated about an axis, and a recess at the pole, opposite the connector. When the instrument is applied to the surface of a bone and is rotated about its axis, bone is cut as a result of the action of the formations against the bone, and a circular region of bone adjacent to the polar recess in the body remains generally intact.

Abstract: A device, system and method for dilating a patient during a minimally invasive surgical procedure is disclosed. A surgical dilation system includes a dilator having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member sized to be movably received within an inside diameter of the outer tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a vertical slot running through a side of the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The retractor has a proximal end including at least one mounting member protruding outwardly from a side surface of the retractor and a distal end including at least one fanned blade protruding outwardly from the side surface.

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 surgical access assembly includes a sleeve and a port. The sleeve is adapted for insertion within tissue to access an underlying tissue site. The sleeve defines a first passage therethrough. The first passage has a first diameter. The port defines one or more second passages extending therethrough. The port is adapted for insertion within the first passage of the sleeve in a substantially sealed relationship therewith. The one or more second passages are adapted for a substantially sealed reception of a surgical object therethrough. The one or more second passages have one or more second diameters. The port is selectively removably positionable within the first passage of the sleeve. The first diameter is greater than the one or more second diameters.

Abstract: A surgical device and method for injecting cement in a bone cavity includes an elongated, hollow body to be inserted partially into the cavity. The body has an inner lumen with a distal opening to expel cement therefrom. An entry plug for the cement is connected to a cement pressurized supply. The entry plug is in fluid communication with the lumen to deliver cement through the entry plug, wherein the entry plug is movably mounted on the hollow body.

Abstract: A protractor for use with an external fixation frame is provided. The protractor may include a face having angle designations thereon and a set of opposed and extending flanges projecting from said face. The flanges may connect to a portion of an external fixation frame, such as a ring (or other component) of the frame. The face may also include a post member to which a rotatable dial is mounted. An elongate member may be pivotally connected to a portion of the post member and may include a clamp. The clamp may be used to connect to an alternate portion of an external fixation frame, such as a strut of the frame. Thus, the protractor may be connected to two points on an external fixation frame so as to measure the angle between such points. Related methods of using the aforementioned protractor are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-tapping and self-boring osteosynthesis screw for compressive orthopaedic surgery, characterised in that, in the bone engagement regions, at both the distal portion (A1a) and at the proximal portion (A2a), the sum of the angles defining the outer taper of the shank (f) and the taper of the crest line of the screw thread pitch (P) is higher than 45°, and in that the leading portion (i.e. the most distal one) of each thread includes a plurality of cutting edges (AR) obtained by stock removal.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a central axis of a spinal column and method of using the same is disclosed. The apparatus and method includes one or more members capable of spanning a center line which may then be identified by at least one additional member positioned therebetween. Furthermore, the device may contain or be capable of accommodating various additional tools for marking the location of the central axis of a spinal column.

Abstract: A method for measuring the depth for installing a pedicle screw comprises utilizing a pedicle depth measuring apparatus which comprises an outer tubular member comprising a first end and a second end. A head member is joined to the second end. The head member comprises a base surface comprising an opening. An inner member is slidable within the outer tubular member. The inner member comprises a first end and a second end, the second end being slidable through the opening. The second end further comprises a marker disposed at a distal end. The marker comprises a material that is radiographically distinguishable, in which a placement of the marker within a cannulation of a patient's pedicle is observable. An indicator member is operable for indicating a distance between the marker and the base surface, in which the distance indicates a choice of a size of a pedicle screw for mitigating damage to the patient's nerve root.

Abstract: A medical device is provided, the device, for example, being implantable into a human or animal body or being an augmentation device for strengthening human or animal hard tissue for subsequent implantation of a separate implant. The device includes a sheath element suitable of being brought into contact, during a surgical operation, with live hard tissue and/or with hard tissue replacement material. The sheath element has a, for example, generally elongate shape and a longitudinal bore defining a longitudinal opening reaching from a proximal end of the sheath element into a distal direction, and a plurality of holes in a wall of the opening. Further, the device includes a liquefiable element that is insertable or inserted in the longitudinal opening and at least partly liquefiable by the impact of energy impinging from the proximal side.