Abstract: Provided are biocompatible and implantable scaffolds for treating a tissue defect, such as a bone gap. The scaffolds can have a modular design comprising a tissue scaffold rack designed to accommodate one or more modules. Also provided are methods for fabrication and use of such scaffolds.

Abstract: Technology disclosed herein relates to retractors and methods of use for surgical procedures, and in particular, spinal surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical retractor includes a pair of pivotable armatures and a translatable armature. A body for supporting the armatures is provided, with a handle connected thereto. The handle includes a first rotary actuator, wherein a rotation of the first rotary actuator moves the pair of pivotable armatures in opposite arcuate directions, and a second rotary actuator, wherein a rotation of the second rotary actuator translates the translatable armature in a linear direction.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for immobilizing facet joints of the vertebral column. Embodiments of the invention provide an implant that is inserted in a facet joint from which cartilage has been removed, and which retains the approximate original spacing of the facets in the joint. A retaining arrangement, such as an adhesive, a threaded fastener, or a screw is then used to secure the implant in the joint.

Abstract: A lumbar spine fusion system includes a probe and a retractor blade. The probe includes a shaft, a pointed tip, and a collar. The pointed tip is configured to puncture tissue in a disk space of a disk and anchor the probe to the tissue. The collar is configured to act as a stop to control a distance through which the shaft of the probe traverses the tissue. The retractor blade includes an end portion and a slot. The slot is configured to receive at least a portion of the shaft of the probe. At least a portion of the end portion is configured to rest upon one or more of the disk and the collar when the retractor blade is mounted on the probe.

Abstract: A tool set for implanting bone screws in a human spine, followed by the implantation of a longitudinal connecting member into the bone screws includes a pair of independently mountable and manipulatable elongate guide tools that form a unitary tool guide when desired. Each guide tool includes attachment structure for independent operable connection of the guide tool to an arm of the bone screw. The bone screw/guide tool attachment includes an undercut and/or recess so as to resist separation of the guide tool member from an attached bone screw. Further tools include a removable stabilizer, a cooperating bone screw driver with an attached stabilizer, a closure starter/reduction tool, a closure driver and a counter torque tool.

Abstract: A spinal screw assembly adapted to be secured to a vertebrae for providing securement across at least two vertebrae. The assembly includes a pedicle screw having a substantially spherical head portion, a threaded shaft portion, and an engagement surface in the head portion for driving said screw into the vertebrae, and a body member comprising a tower portion having an open top, a break-away section for manipulation of the screw upon implantation into the vertebrae, a base body at a proximal region of the body member and a break zone which acts as a transition between the base body and the tower portion. A resealably securable setscrew within the body member secures and fully contains the rod within said assembly. The break-away section remains completely outside a wound and is removed or broken off once the screw has been fully assembled inside the vertebrae.

Abstract: A device includes a housing and a locking assembly disposed within a spaced defined by the housing. The housing defines a hole that extends through the housing. The locking assembly is configured to allow the device to slide along an elongate orthopedic device in a first direction and to hinder the device from sliding along an elongate orthopedic device in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A channel retractor with one or more gate tracks to receive one or more slide gates to hold one or more extended retractors away from the surgical access channel running through the extended retractor. The distal ends of the one or more extended retractors held by the one or more slide gates holding tissue distal to the end of the channel retractor to maintain an extended access channel beyond the distal end of the channel retractor. The channel retractor assembly may be used to hold open an extended access channel through the psoas muscle to allow access to the spine or through other tissue in other surgical access techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable vertebral arthrodesis device (1) for fusing an overlying vertebra and an underlying vertebra, the device comprising an anterior portion (2) having upper and lower bearing zones (2a, 2b) suitable respectively for receiving lower and upper portions (3, 6) of upper and lower laminae (4, 7) of the overlying and underlying vertebrae (5, 8), said zones (2a, 2b) being spaced apart by a minimum height h (h1) for maintaining intervertebral spacing; rigid retaining devices (9) arranged relative to the anterior portion (2) so as to block migration of said anterior portion (2) towards the spinal canal; a posterior portion (10) in connection with said anterior portion (2), including a main housing (11) having first and second openings (11a, 11b) facing each other and suitable for receiving in part the spinous processes (12, 13); and a granular osteosynthesis material arranged in said main housing (11).

Abstract: Technology disclosed herein relates to retractors and methods of use for surgical procedures, and in particular, spinal surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical retractor includes a pair of pivotable armatures and a translatable armature. A body for supporting the armatures is provided, with a handle connected thereto. The handle includes a first rotary actuator, wherein a rotation of the first rotary actuator moves the pair of pivotable armatures in opposite arcuate directions, and a second rotary actuator, wherein a rotation of the second rotary actuator translates the translatable armature in a linear direction.

Abstract: A polyaxial pivot housing for an external fixation system, comprising a collet body having a threaded portion; a spherical member configured to be partially received by a cavity that is formed in the collet body, the spherical member having a threaded post that is configured to attach to a support member of an external fixation frame; and a threaded locking collar that is configured to orientationally lock the threaded post with respect to the external fixation frame by compressing the spherical member into the cavity as the threaded locking collar is mated with the threaded portion of the collet body.

Abstract: Patient-mounted retractors with varying configurations and/or features are provided, along with additional components for use therewith in provided patient-mounted retractor assemblies. Blade type and tube type patient-mounted retractors that may be re-positioned during the course of a procedure are provided in varying configurations and/or geometries suitable for varying procedures and/or patient anatomies. Applications of re-positionable patient-mounted retractor assemblies are particularly suitable for use in minimally invasive procedures, eliminating the need for table-mounted retraction assemblies and/or cannulas that restrict the operating environment.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device includes a shank to be anchored in a bone or vertebra, a head, and a receiving part receiving the head for connecting the shank to a rod. The shank and the head are separate parts. The head has a bore with a cylindrical inner surface, a ring-shaped groove provided on the inner surface, and at least one slit extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the head. The shank has a first portion for anchoring in the bone or vertebra and a second portion with a cylindrical outer surface adjoining a free end. A projection is provided on the cylindrical outer surface which engages with the ring-shaped groove of the head, when the cylindrical second portion of the shank is inserted in the bore of the head.

Abstract: Accordingly, a broad object of the invention can be to provide an inventive implant to facilitate stabilization while allowing an amount of motion of a sacroiliac joint. Embodiments of the sacroiliac joint implant can provide an elongate body, which can further include at least one fixation member, or a pair of fixation members which extend a distance outward from the longitudinal axis of the implant body adapted for non-transverse placement between the articular surfaces of the sacroiliac joint, and as to certain embodiments can further provide a third fixation member and additionally a fourth fixation member each adapted to extend a distance outward from the elongate body into the bone of the sacrum or the ilium.

Abstract: A method of inserting a spinal stabilization system into a patient generally comprises inserting a first positioning tool through a first location on a patient's skin and along a path generally toward a first vertebral anchor, coupling an end of the first positioning tool to the first vertebral anchor, positioning at least a portion of a delivery device over a connecting element, and inserting the delivery device and the connecting element through the patient's skin at the first location and along at least a portion of the first positioning tool. The first positioning tool is configured to facilitate directing the delivery device and connecting element generally toward a second vertebral anchor within the patient's body.

Abstract: An interspinous fusion device for holding adjacent spinous processes of a spine of a patient in a fixed configuration, including: a first plate configured to engage one side of the adjacent spinous processes; a second plate configured to engage another side of the adjacent spinous processes opposite the one side of the adjacent spinous processes; and a spacer disposed between and coupling the first plate to the second plate, wherein the spacer allows one or more of the first plate and the second plate to pivot relative to the other plate in a first unlocked configuration and prevents one or more of the first plate and the second plate from pivoting relative to the other plate in a second locked configuration. Each of the first plate and the second plate includes a pair of opposed wing members protruding from a central bore.

Abstract: Apparatuses for attaching tissue to bone are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an expandable body defining a bore, an expander pin having a shaft sized to be received in the bore of the expandable body, and an insertion shaft slidingly disposed in the bore of the expandable body and in a bore of the expander pin. The body is configured to expand laterally into and attach to bone when the expander pin is driven into the expandable body. The body includes a proximal main member having a distally extending threaded projection and a harder, distal tip member having a threaded recess in a proximal surface thereof such that the projection is threadedly interengageable with the recess. The expansion of the body by way of the pin can occur when the proximal main member and distal tip member are threadedly engaged. The insertion shaft is releasably secured to the expandable body and extends distally beyond the expandable body.

Abstract: A method of determining disc space geometry with the use of an expandable trial having endplate-mapping capabilities. An expandable trial is inserted into the disc space and its height is adjusted to obtain the desired decompression and spinal alignment (which is typically confirmed with the use of CT or Fluoroscopic imaging). The endplate dome/geometry dome is then determined by one of the following three methods: a) direct imaging through the trial, b) balloon moldings filled with flowable in-situ fluid (for example, silicon, polyurethane, or PMMA) from superior/inferior endplates or c) light-based imaging through superior & inferior balloons.

Abstract: A surgical positioning instrument for supporting and holding organs includes a preferably concave bearing portion and a supporting portion substantially rearward with respect to the bearing portion. Via the bearing portion an organ which is to be positioned can be received and via the supporting portion the surgical positioning instrument can be supported at an environment of the organ. Further, at least the bearing portion partly simulates a surface of the organ to be supported and is designed to be dimensionally stable.

Abstract: The invention concerns an anatomically personalized and mobilizing external support configured to be arranged to support a physical joint between a first and a second bone group, which support comprises at least one first external auxiliary frame, which is configured to be attached to the first bone group using invasive attachment means, at least one second external auxiliary frame, which is configured to be attached to the second bone group using invasive attachment means, and at least one external auxiliary joint, which is fitted between the first and the second auxiliary frame.