Abstract: One or more tethers for use with fastener assemblies and a method for use of the one or more tethers with the fastener assemblies is provided. The one or more tethers can be attached between a first fastener assembly positioned with respect to a first vertebrae adjacent a first side of a spinous process of a second vertebrae and a second fastener assembly positioned with respect to the vertebrae adjacent a second side of the spinous process of the second vertebrae. The one or more tethers can be tensioned against the spinous process of the second vertebrae to mitigate stresses on an uninstrumented level of the spine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an external fixator device and a method of its use in treating bone fractures and in orthopedic interventions, such as corrective osteotomies.

Abstract: A distraction system includes a distraction rod having one end configured for affixation to at a first location on patient. The system further includes an adjustable portion configured for placement in the patient at a second location, the adjustable portion comprising a housing containing a magnetic assembly comprising a magnet, the magnetic assembly secured to a threaded element that interfaces with an opposing end of the distraction rod. The system includes a magnetically permeable member in proximity to the magnetic assembly and covering an arc of less than 360° of the adjustable portion.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device includes a receiving part with a rod receiving portion having a first end, a second end, a recess for the rod, an outer surface, and a first engagement structure on the outer surface that extends farther radially outwardly than other parts of the rod receiving portion, and a flexible head receiving portion for inserting and clamping the head. The bone anchoring device also includes a locking ring configured to be arranged around the head receiving portion for locking the head, the locking ring having an outer surface and a second engagement structure on the outer surface that extends farther radially outwardly than the outer surface of the rod receiving portion. The engagement structures are configured to be engaged by an instrument to move the locking ring from a locking position to a position where the inserted head is pivotable.

Abstract: A spine implant for use in spinal facet joint fixation or to connect distracted portions of a vertebral lamina in a laminoplasty through use or non-use of a spacer. One or two bone screw plates are angularly adjustable relative to a base plate for attachment by bone screws to vertebral bone. One form of the spine implant has a base plate, a first plate pivotally connected to the base plate for angular adjustment relative to the base plate and configured to hold one or two bone screws for attaching the first plate to first vertebral bone, and a second plate configured to hold two bone screws for attaching the second plate to second vertebral bone. The second plate may be pivotally connected to the body for angular adjustment of the second plate relative to the base plate or fixed to the base plate at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are gear shifters to reverse an output shaft rotation and a method for using the same. A gear shifter in accordance with the present invention may include a housing, an input shaft, an output shaft and an idler shaft. The input shaft may have input gears, the output shaft may have output gears and the idler shaft may have idler gears. The output shaft may be slidably coupled with the input shaft and the idler shaft to rotate in a first direction in a first position and in a second opposite direction in a second position. A method of reversing an output shaft direction using a gear shifter may include the steps of pushing the gear shifter in a first direction to rotate the output shaft in a first direction and pushing the gear shifter in a second direction to rotate the output shaft in a second direction.

Abstract: A percutaneous method for removing an outer portion of the proximal end of a lag screw protruding from a fractured femur when embedded in the femur to stabilize an intramedullary nail implanted in the intramedullary canal using a multi-part cannulated driver wherein the lag screw comprises a distal section, an intermediate section including a channel formed in the proximal portion thereof with a driver recess formed at the distal end thereof, and a proximal section having a notch, groove or score mark formed on the exterior surface of the lag screw separating or between the intermediate section and the proximal section and the multi-part cannulated driver comprises a cannulated shaft including a first driver member formed thereon configured to engage the driver recess to prevent the distal section and intermediate section of the lag screw from rotating in the femoral head when torque is applied to the proximal section by a second driver member engaging the proximal section of the lag screw to separate the pro

Abstract: Implantable devices for fixation of curved bone such as the pelvic ring pubic symphysis and acetabulum, and methods for the use of the devices are disclosed. The implantable devices are convertible between a flexible state and a rigid state, and include an elongate structure having a proximal bone interface, a main body, and a distal bone interface. In a flexible state, the devices may be inserted along, and conform to a curved pathway, and in the rigid state, the devices may support the mechanical loads required to fixate a fracture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to expandable sleeves, expandable sleeve systems, and their methods of use. In certain aspects, the expandable sleeves are compatible with commonly used speculums to enhance visualization and access of an orifice. The expandable sleeves sheathe over the blades of a speculum and form a taut barrier when the blades are opened to hold back the walls of a tissue orifice and cavity. The expandable sleeves include inflatable pouches that further push back the walls of the orifice. In certain aspects, the expandable sleeves are useful in performing pelvic exams, such as in patients having lax vaginal walls or excess surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a polyaxial bone fixation element for use in spinal fixation to interconnect a longitudinal spinal rod with a patient's vertebra. The polyaxial bone fixation element preferably includes a bone anchor, a collet, a body, and a locking cap. The polyaxial bone fixation element preferably enables in-situ assembly. That is, the polyaxial bone fixation element is preferably configured so that in use, the bone anchor may be secured to the patient's vertebra prior to being received within the body. Accordingly, the polyaxial bone fixation element enables a surgeon to implant the bone anchor without the body to maximize visibility and access around the anchoring site. Once the bone anchor has been secured to the patient's vertebra, the body can be snapped-onto the bone anchor. The bone anchor preferably also includes a second tool interface so that a surgical instrument can be directly coupled to the bone anchor.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization, includes a stabilizing bridge for bridging across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment to mechanically couple between a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers positioned in a respective pair of uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment. A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization includes (a) positioning a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers in respective uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment to stabilize the uncinate joints and thereby stabilize the cervical spine segment (b) and implanting, in intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, a stabilizing bridge that mechanically couples between the uncinate joint stabilizers across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for inserting a vertebral stabilization member, such as a rod. The insertion device includes an outer guide tube, a pin assembly including a pin and a pusher member extending therethrough. The insertion device is configured to actuate a rod between a first orientation and a second orientation angled with respect to the first orientation in order to position the rod in an appropriate location for attachment to bone.

Abstract: A modular retractor system may include a first annular retainer and a second annular retainer defining a central axis projecting through a first center point of the first annular retainer and a second center point of the second annular retainer. The modular retractor may further include a plurality of primary blades, pivotally coupled to the first annular retainer and an adjacent primary blade of the plurality of primary blades. In some embodiments, the first annular retainer may be configured to, selectively, radially contract towards the first center point such that each of the plurality of primary blades articulates with respect to the central axis. In some embodiments, the second annular retainer may circumscribe the outside of the plurality of primary blades and be configured to apply a biasing force against each of the plurality of primary blades towards the central axis. Additionally, a plurality of supplemental blades may be provided.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes an upper plate, a lower plate and a core. The core is retained between the upper and lower plates by a retention feature in the form of central projections on the plates and a corresponding opening in the core. The retention feature is designed to allow the plates to slide over the upper and lower surfaces of the core in the anterior/posterior direction and in the lateral direction and to allow the plates to rotate with respect to each other and the core. The retention feature is also designed to prevent contact between the first and second plates during sliding movement of the plates over the core.

Abstract: Spinal interbody cages are provided that include a bulk interbody cage, a top face, a bottom face, pillars, and slots. The pillars are for contacting vertebral bodies. The slots are to be occupied by bone of the vertebral bodies and/or by bone of a bone graft. The spinal interbody cage has a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least 3 GPa, and has a ratio of the sum of (i) the volumes of the slots to (ii) the sum of the volumes of the pillars and the volumes of the slots of 0.40:1 to 0.90:1.

Abstract: A radiolucent tissue retraction device (100), comprises a handle (106) extending along a handle axis (Lh) and a first paddle (102) coupled to a first end (103) of the handle (106), the first paddle (102) including a first portion (110) extending parallel to and offset from the handle (106) and a second portion (116) connecting the first portion (110) to the handle (106), the first portion (110) having at least one radiolucent feature extending into a surface thereof, wherein the first portion (110) is curved along a longitudinal axis (L1) thereof.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device for securing two stabilizing rods to bone has a threaded shaft, a first rod coupling head connected to the threaded shaft and a secondary rod coupling head. The first rod coupling head has a side wall and a cavity with an open top for receiving a rod. In a neutral position of the first rod coupling head, the first rod coupling head extends symmetrically around the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft. The second rod coupling head is rotatably connected to the first rod coupling head, around an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is disposed at an angle that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft when the first rod coupling head is in the neutral position. This allows for two rods to be manipulated independently through different axis planes at any single point of bony fixation.

Abstract: A rod reducer can comprise a reducing mechanism, a hinge mechanism, a handle mechanism and a bearing mechanism. The reducing mechanism can comprise a first elongate member extending along an axis to engage a bone anchor, and a second elongate member configured to slide along the first elongate member to engage a rod. The hinge mechanism can slidably couple the first and second elongate members such that the elongate members can translate against each other. The handle mechanism can comprise handles coupled to the hinge mechanism and configured to cause the first and second elongate members to translate relative to each other. The beating mechanism can be configured to permit the handles to rotate about the axis independent of the elongate members. Methods of using the rotating rod reducer can include rotating the handles out of the way of adjacent levels of a spinal column being simultaneously reduced.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for aiding insertion of a surgical implant by providing a threaded guide tube configured to engage a threaded surgical instrument such that an end-effector of a robot may provide force to drive the surgical implant into a patient. In addition, devices, systems, and methods relating to a dilator system for use with a robotic system that allows independent and separate control of tools within the dilator system.

Abstract: A modular screw includes a post and a head assembly. The post includes a tapered portion extending along a length of the post, the post defining a first bore. The head assembly is adjustably coupled with the post. The head assembly includes a head defining a slot configured to receive a spinal rod therein, an elongate screw having external threads extending along a length of the elongate screw, and a screw shank defining a second bore configured to receive the elongate screw therein. The screw shank includes an engaging portion configured to expand radially outward when the elongate screw engages the engaging portion, and internal threads configured to engage the external threads of the elongate screw. At least a portion of the screw shank is dimensioned to be selectively received in the first bore of the post.