Abstract: Methods and devices for stabilizing spinal anatomical structures. Some example methods may include introducing a curved segment of an elongate fastener placement rod adjacent to a bone, providing a fastener at the leading end of the curved segment, and/or securing the fastener in place with respect to the bone.

Abstract: A fastening device for surgical holding systems includes a holding element and a fastening element with a ball joint, which can be locked by way of rotating an eccentric ring in the holding element. The joint socket defines a joint inner surface of the ball joint and the joint head a joint outer surface of the ball joint. When the eccentric ring clamps the joint head with respect to the joint socket, the position of three contact locations of the ball joint which lock the ball joint are unambiguously defined due to the shape of at least one of the three elements: joint socket, joint head and eccentric ring.

Abstract: A fixation system includes an elongate plate and an extension plate. The elongate plate includes an inner wall and has a longitudinal axis. The extension plate has first and second attachment portions offset from one another. An engagement portion extends outwardly from the first attachment portion. The engagement portion is couplable to the inner wall of the elongate plate. The second attachment portion defines an aperture for receiving a fastener. The second attachment portion is revolvable about the longitudinal axis of the inner wall when the engagement portion is coupled to and movable about the inner wall. A fastener is received into the first attachment portion to attach the extension plate to the elongate plate. Another fastener is received into the second attachment portion and into a bone part.

Abstract: Devices and methods for implantation of an orthopedic device between skeletal segments using limited surgical dissection. The implanted devices are used to adjust and maintain the spatial relationship(s) of adjacent bones. Depending on the implant design, the motion between the skeletal segments may be increased, limited, modified, or completely immobilized.

Abstract: A cutting guide assembly comprises a mounting block having a guide surface into which may be mounted an articulated mounting arm. The mounting arm has a first post which is retained in the mounting block and a second post. A cutting tool attachment component is provided to attach the cutting tool to the cutting guide assembly. The cutting tool attachment component has a first surface against which the saw blade can be retained for oscillation around an axis of oscillation, and a shaft which cooperates with the second post such that the longitudinal axis of the shaft is collinear with the axis of oscillation of the saw blade. When the saw blade is retained against the first surface, the plane of oscillation is parallel to, and displaced from, the guide surface of the mounting block.

Abstract: A prosthetic intervertebral spacer is disclosed. The spacer preferably includes a body and an interface extending away from the body for use during implantation of the spacer. Methods of implanting the spacer and tools used during such procedure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting block comprises a body having a top surface for guiding a saw blade, and a top plate connected to the body. The top plate can move between a first position in which the top plate is spaced apart from the body and a second position in which the top surface of the top plate is an extension of the top surface of the body. The top plate has first and second resiliently deformable arms extending from it, spaced apart along the top plate, and the body has first and second recesses formed in it extending substantially perpendicularly to the top surface of the body. The first and second arms on the top plate are inserted in the recesses so that the arms and the recesses define the path for movement of the top plate relative to the body between the first and second position.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a surgical retractor system and method. The surgical retractor includes an elongate element defining an operational axis, a first blade secured to the elongate element and comprising a blade face, a second blade moveably secured to the elongate element, wherein the second blade defines a reference point located thereon, and wherein a movement of the second blade moves the reference point in a linear direction parallel to the operational axis and orthogonal to the blade face. A guide element may be removably located within an opening located on either the first blade or the second blade.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant (100) for the fusion between two vertebral bodies of a vertebral column comprising: —a fusion cage (1), extending from a posterior side to an anterior side, adapted to be interposed between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a patient; —an asymmetrical fixing plate (2), attached to the fusion cage (1) and having a plurality of passageways (16; 7) for the insertion of bone screws on a single side.

Abstract: A joint balancing insert with sensors and an actuated mechanism is disclosed. The joint balancing insert is used to balance a joint during arthroplasty surgery, as the sensors provide force, position and angular data relating to the movement of the joint, while the actuated mechanism allows for highly accurate and dynamic adjustments of the joint based on the data from the sensors. Various configurations of actuated mechanisms and sensors may be implemented in the insert to provide for manual or real time control of the insert, and customized interfaces are provided for visualized feedback of adjustments. Sensor data may also be collected and compared with expected or preferred data sets to provide adjustment recommendations and achieve better outcomes based on historical data.

Abstract: A surgical impact tool comprises an electromagnetic impactor hermetically sealed within a sterilizable housing having one or more external mechanical coupling for transmitting an impact to an object external to the tool. The housing also contains an energy storage medium rechargeable through the hermetic seal, and electronic controls operable through the hermetic seal.

Abstract: A cutting system includes a cutting base and a first cutting guide. The cutting base has a body including a first flange, a second flange, and defines a first slot. A first set of holes is defined in the first flange, and a second set of holes is defined in the second flange. The first cutting guide has a body defining at least one opening. The first cutting guide also includes a set of pegs that extend inferiorly from the body. The set of pegs is sized and configured to be received within the first set of holes to align the at least one opening with the first slot in a first orientation and to be received within the second set of holes to align the at least one opening with the first slot in a second orientation.

Abstract: A method for providing a fractured bone with a bone cerclage according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, wrapping a folded piece of suture around a bone at least once, and securing the suture to the bone.

Abstract: A bone plate is provided with: a strip-shaped main-body portion that is secured, along a longitudinal direction of a tibia, to an oblique anterior inner surface of the tibia below a cut formed in an inner surface of the tibia; a transverse portion that is secured to an inner surface of the tibia above the cut along a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction of the tibia; and a joining portion that joins the main-body portion and the transverse portion, wherein the transverse portion and the main-body portion are provided with a plurality of screw holes that are arrayed with spaces between each other and that pass therethrough in plate-thickness directions.

Abstract: A geared cam expandable spinal implant. Rotational motion of a rotating portion is translated into linear motion of a yoke, which moves geared cams at the distal end of the implant to mate with, and walk along, teeth of corresponding racks. The walking of the gear cam teeth along the rack teeth creates a regular rate of implant expansion, reduces initial excessive expansion force applied to the implant, and provides fine adjustment of the expansion rate and force. Spikes, pivotally mounted on the yoke, pivot outward as the implant expands, to a fully-deployed position into engagement with surfaces of adjacent vertebral bodies. The engagement between the deployed spikes and the vertebral bodies prevents inadvertent backout of the expanded implant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating vertebral compression fractures are discussed. In an embodiment, a method includes mixing bone cement precursors thereby causing a first chemical curing reaction characterized by a first time-viscosity profile, controllably applying energy to the bone cement from an external source to modify the first time-viscosity profile to a second time-viscosity profile, and injecting the cement into bone at a substantially constant viscosity greater than about 1000 Pa·s to greater than about 5000 Pa·s over an extended working time. In another embodiment, a bone cement injector system is provided that includes a first handle component that is detachably coupled to a second sleeve component having a distal end for positioning in bone and a flow channel extending through the first and second components. The system includes first and second thermal energy emitters for delivering energy to bone cement flows in a flow channel portion in the first and second components, respectively.

Abstract: A geared cam expandable spinal implant. Rotational motion of a rotating portion is translated into linear motion of a yoke, which moves geared cams at the distal end of the implant to mate with, and walk along, teeth of corresponding racks. The walking of the gear cam teeth along the rack teeth creates a regular rate of implant expansion, reduces initial excessive expansion force applied to the implant, and provides fine adjustment of the expansion rate and force.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be used to perform robot-aided surgery. A system may include a robotic controller to monitor a position and orientation of an end effector coupled to an end of a robotic arm. The robotic controller may apply a force to a bone using the end effector, such as via a soft tissue balancing component. The robotic controller may determine soft tissue balance using information from a tracking system, such as a position of a first tracker affixed to the bone. The soft tissue balance may be output, such as to a display device.

Abstract: A method for inserting an intervertebral disc prosthesis into a space between two vertebrae involves inserting the prosthesis partway into the space under constraint to prevent endplates of the prosthesis from articulating, releasing the prosthesis from constraint, and inserting the unconstrained prosthesis farther into the space. In some embodiments, the method involves grasping the prosthesis with a grasping device to insert the prosthesis partway under constraint, loosing the grasping device to release the prosthesis from constraint, and pushing the prosthesis farther into the disc space using the grasping device and/or one or more separate pusher devices. A system includes a grasping device, at least one separate pushing device, and optionally a vertebral spreading device and/or a vertebral midline indicator device.

Abstract: A placeholder for vertebrae or vertebral discs includes a tubular body, which along its jacket surface has a plurality of breakthroughs or openings for over-growth with adjacent tissue. The placeholder includes at least a second tubular body provided with a plurality of breakthroughs and openings at least partially inside the first tubular body. The first and second tubular bodies can have different cross-sectional shapes, can be are arranged inside one another by press fit or force fit or can be connected to each other via connecting pins and arranged side by side to one another in the first body.