Abstract: Devices for adjusting or correcting the curvature of a vertebral column are described. One such device comprises a spring and at least three fixation members for attaching the spring to the vertebral column in at least three different locations. Another such device comprises a plurality of springs, each spring for attaching to at least two attachment locations of the vertebral column, and at least three fixation members for attaching the plurality of springs to the attachment locations of the vertebral column such that the plurality of springs are attached longitudinally along a length of the vertebral column. A method of adjusting the curvature of a vertebral column is also described.

Abstract: A spinal implant device is provided comprising a body structure with a central cavity and a movable lid configured to cover the central cavity. The movable lid is configured to be opened to pack a material in the central cavity. The movable lid can be connected to the body structure with a moveable joint. The spinal implant device can include a compressible feature. A method for treating the spine is provided comprising opening a movable lid of a spinal implant device, packing a material in a central cavity of a spinal implant device, closing the movable lid, and inserting the spinal implant device between vertebrae.

Abstract: The modified method of Biplane Double-supported Screw Fixation (Modified BDSF) (Calcar buttressed screw fixation) of femoral neck fractures is disclosed. BDSF is applied using three standard bone screws laid in two vertical oblique planes in the femoral neck: the inferior (distal) screw is placed at an obtuse angle in the posterior oblique plane, and touched on the inferior (distal) and on the posterior cortices of the femoral neck; the middle screw and the proximal screw are laid in the anterior oblique plane and in parallel to each-other, with the middle screw touched on the distal femoral neck cortex. With BDSF of the three screws, two are weight-bearing and act as console beams: the distal screw and the middle screw, each of them having two supporting points in the distal fragment: medial (on the distal femoral neck cortex), and lateral (in the place of screw entry into the lateral femoral cortex).

Abstract: In one embodiment, an intramedullary nail has a proximal end and a distal end that are offset from one another along a distal direction. The nail has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a cannulation that extends into the proximal end towards the distal end. The nail defines a bone-anchor fixation hole that extends into the outer surface and entirely through the nail. The nail also defines a receptacle that is proximate to the bone-anchor fixation hole and open to the cannulation such that the receptacle is configured to receive a locator of a targeting system therein from the cannulation, where the locator includes at least one of a sensor and a field generator. The receptacle is at least partially defined by a stop that limits an insertion depth of the locator within the nail along the distal direction.

Abstract: An illuminated suction apparatus including a hand-held surgical device combining a high-performance illumination waveguide with suction. This device would be useful in a wide array of various surgical procedures including open and minimally invasive orthopedics.

Abstract: Length-adjustable strut assemblies for external fixation systems, and corresponding external fixation systems, are disclosed. The strut assemblies include an elongate first and second end members, an elongate intermediate member, and first and second adjustment mechanisms. The intermediate member comprises a threaded rod fixedly coupled within an axial cavity thereof, and is rotatably fixed and axially translatably within an axial cavity of the first end member. An end portion of the second end member is received within the axial cavity of the intermediate member, and the second end member comprises an axial cavity threadably coupled with the threaded rod. The first adjustment mechanism is configured to selectively axially fix the intermediate member relative to the first end member. The second adjustment mechanism is configured to selectively rotate the second end member with respect to the threaded rod to axially translate the second end member relative to the intermediate member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises an outer sleeve including an inner surface that defines a cavity. An inner shaft is fixed with the outer sleeve and extending within the cavity. The inner shaft includes a drive engageable with a first mating surface of a bone fastener. An inner sleeve is disposed between the inner shaft and the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is rotatable relative to the outer sleeve and includes an element connectable with a second mating surface of the bone fastener. Systems, spinal implants and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An instrument includes a sleeve extending between proximal and distal ends. The sleeve defines a passageway. The proximal end includes an aperture extending into an outer surface of the sleeve. The distal end includes an engagement surface and an opening extending through the engagement surface. The opening is in communication with the passageway. A member is movably disposed in the aperture. The member includes a spring and a body. The body defines a bore. A shaft extends between opposite proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the shaft extends through the bore. The distal end of the shaft extends through the opening. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a member connected with a spinal implant defining an axis. A first image guide is connected with the member and oriented relative to a sensor to communicate a signal representative of a position of the member. A second image guide is connected with the member and oriented to represent an angle measuring a second orientation of the axis relative to a first orientation. Systems, implants and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning device (100, 100?, 100?) for securing an intramedullary nail (19) in a long bone, said positioning device comprising a guide bow (1), with an adjusting device (3) and a sleeve guide (2), wherein the adjusting device (3) has a targeting device (5); and wherein the targeting device (5) is designed to receive a locking device (21) or an instrument (23) for acting on the locking device (21); and wherein the sleeve guide (2) has a sleeve (7), which sleeve (7) is mounted in the sleeve guide (2) such that it can be rotated and/or slid relative to the sleeve guide (2); and wherein the sleeve (7) has a longitudinal through-opening for receiving a guiding device therein.

Abstract: The application provides a unilateral nail holder, including: a holding rod having a lower end provided with a clamping groove for receiving a single side plate of a pedicle screw; a fixing hook connected to the holding rod, where the fixing hook is located at an inner rear side of the clamping groove, a rear side of the single side plate is provided with a fixing hole, and the fixing hook hookable with the fixing hole; and a separating mechanism provided between the holding rod and the fixing hook for pushing the fixing hook to withdraw from the fixing hole. The fixing hook is hooked with the fixing hole on the rear side of the single side plate, the single side plate is limited in the clamping groove, and the clamping of the pedicle screw is realized.

Abstract: Various embodiments of bone ties, bone tie inserters, and methods for treating the spine are provided. The methods can include wrapping the bone tie around transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae to correct coronal plane deformity. The methods can include wrapping the bone tie around the spinous process of one vertebra and around the transverse process of a second adjacent vertebra to achieve rotational correction. The methods can include wrapping the bone tie around the lamina of adjacent vertebrae to achieve sagittal correction. The methods can include applying tension to the bone tie to set the sagittal correction. The methods can include passing the bone tie through a lumen in a vertebral body or a pedicle of the inferior vertebra and the lamina or articular process of the superior vertebra.

Abstract: A closure assembly for securing an elongate stabilization element in a receiving part of a bone anchoring device includes a first closure member and a second closure member. The first closure member is receivable between legs of the receiving part, has an axis of rotation, and includes an outer surface with an engagement portion configured to engage the legs of the receiving part, and an inner surface having at least a portion that is threaded and that defines a central passage that passes axially through the first closure member. The second closure member has an axis of rotation and an outer surface having a threaded portion configured to cooperate with the threaded portion of the inner surface of the first closure member. The threaded portion of the outer surface of the second closure member includes a multi-start thread with at least two starts.

Abstract: An insertion instrument for inserting an implant includes an elongated main body having a proximal handle and a distal portion that selectively couples to the implant. A plunger is slidably engaged in a central passage of the elongated main body configured to fix the implant to the elongated main body by selectively filling the central passage within the distal portion. A hex nut driver is concentrically located about the plunger and elongated main body to deploy an actuation plunger of the implant. The proximal handle portion of the main body includes a staggered path therethrough for accepting a tab of the plunger therein. Advancement and retraction of the plunger tab within the staggered path alternates the insertion instrument between an unlocked position configured to mount the implant on the distal portion of the elongated main body, a locked position configured to lock the implant on the distal portion, and a deployed position configured to secure the implant.

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: An interspinous fusion device includes a central body defining a longitudinal direction and configured to be inserted between two adjacent spinous processes; and a proximal body and a distal body, opposite to each other with respect to the central body and configured to relatively translate towards each other along the longitudinal direction. A pair of proximal jaws and a pair of distal jaws opposite to each other with respect to the central body are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction, and have a first end connected by hinges to the proximal body or to the distal body and a second end configured to abut against a spinous process. An actuation system percutaneously actuates the proximal and distal bodies to cause relative translation and rotation of the jaws about the proximal body and the distal body, thereby opening and closing the jaws.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the risk of PJK, PJF, and other conditions are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a longitudinal extension can be added to a primary fixation construct to extend the construct to one or more additional vertebral levels. The extension can be attached to a first attachment point, such as a spinous process of a vertebra that is superior to the primary construct. The extension can also be attached to a second attachment point, such as a component of the primary construct or an anatomical structure disposed inferior to the first attachment point. The extension can be more flexible than the primary construct and/or can limit motion to a lesser degree than the primary construct, thereby providing a more-gradual transition from the instrumented vertebrae to the natural patient anatomy adjacent thereto. The extension can be placed with little or no soft tissue disruption.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, an intervertebral disc replacement includes a first layer having a lower surface for contacting a first vertebral bone, a second layer coupled to the first layer, the second layer comprising a plurality of compressible column springs, and a third layer coupled to the second layer, the third layer having an upper surface for contacting a second vertebral bone. Each of the plurality of compressible column springs comprises a plurality of stacked coils, and each of the plurality of stacked coils has a spring constant (K). At least one of the plurality of compressible column springs includes a first coil having a first spring constant and a second coil comprising a second spring constant, wherein the first spring constant is different from the second spring constant.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum apparatus includes a portable illumination assembly that is releasably attached to one of the upper blade and lower blade of a disposable vaginal speculum. The portable illumination assembly is defined by a housing that retains at least one LED and a portable power supply. The portable illumination assembly can be energized by an externally accessible member after the illuminator has been attached to the speculum.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.