Abstract: A decompression device and method for removing marrow and other fluid from an intramedullary canal. The decompression device includes a cannula having a channel that allows fatty marrow to pass therethrough. A first port extends from the device and is in operable connection to a vacuum source that creates suction for removing fluid from the intramedullary canal. In some embodiments, one or more fenestrations are disposed along the second end of the cannula to expedite the removal of the fluid. In operation, the cannula is inserted into the intramedullary canal of a femur. Once fatty marrow is removed from the intramedullary canal, the cannula is removed and a reaming device is inserted into the femur. In this way, the fatty marrow is removed prior to the reaming procedure in order to prevent these fluids from traveling to the lungs causing blockage that leads to severe cardiorespiratory and vascular dysfunction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a body with a first face, a second face connected to the first face, and an axis of rotation. The body defines a hollow space for connecting to an insertion device, the hollow space being accessible through an opening formed between the first and second faces. The opening is elongate and extends around the axis of rotation to facilitate pivoting of the implant relative to the insertion device about the axis of rotation to a first angular position and a second angular position. The implant further includes a first abutment surface that engages the insertion device in a form-fit manner at the first angular position, and a second abutment surface that engages the insertion device in a form-fit manner at the second angular position. The opening can also engage the insertion device to hold the implant at at least one additional angular position.

Abstract: A pivotal bone anchor assembly for securing an elongate rod to patient bone includes a shank having a head and an anchor portion, a receiver having an axial bore and a channel for receiving the elongate rod, a collet insert top loaded into a first position within the axial bore and having a collet pocket for receiving the shank head, and a pressure ring uploadable into the collet pocket prior to the shank head and having an upper surface for engaging the rod. After receiving the shank head within the collet pocket, the collet insert and pressure ring are downwardly deployable with the shank head into a second position to capture the shank head in the assembly, the pressure ring being operable to transfer pressure from the elongate rod in the channel to the shank head to lock an angular position of the shank relative to the receiver.

Abstract: The inventive film clamping element (10) is held by a lip ring (14) and a vestibular ring (16), between which and possibly beyond which a film (12) extends. The film (12) and also the rings (14, 16) are elastically deformable, and it is provided that the film (12) comprises an attachment (24, 26) each at two positions opposite one another. Between these attachments (24, 26), at least one elastic band (20, 22) extends which is suitable to constrict the film (12) radially towards the inside.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone device includes a screw, a screw housing, and a spring. The screw includes a screw head and a shaft that extends from the screw head. The screw housing defines a longitudinal axis and a bore that extends along the longitudinal axis. The screw housing includes a basewall and opposed sidewalls that extend from the basewall. The basewall defines a notch that receives the shaft to increase pivotal movement between the screw and the screw housing relative to the longitudinal axis of the screw housing. The opposed sidewalls define a rod-receiving channel. The screw housing defines a transverse hole in communication with the bore. The spring is supported in the transverse hole and extends therethrough. The spring extends into the bore to frictionally engage the screw head while the screw head is seated in the bore.

Abstract: A modular tensioned spinal screw comprises a bone fastener having a threaded elongate shaft and a spherical head at an upper end of said shaft. A modular yoke for polyaxial attachment to the head of said bone fastener has an inner bore, an upper end configured to receive a connecting rod and a lower end configured to receive the head of the bone fastener. An axially movable radially expandable socket collar, and a saddle having a rod receiving cradle are supported within the yoke bore. A retention pin fixed to the yoke movably supports the saddle and a tension member within the bore. The tension member comprises a resilient biasing element oriented such that upward axial movement of the saddle produces a downward bias force on said saddle to compress the head of the bone fastener between said saddle and said socket collar in a provisional holding position.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthetic disc placement instrument is provided for implantation of an intervertebral prosthetic disc. The placement instrument shaft has a distal end and a proximal end and an instrument handle on the proximal end having an activation mechanism. A pair of grasping jaws on the distal end of the instrument shaft are configured to move with respect to one another to grasp a multipart prosthetic disc in a non-articulating configuration. The grasping jaws are movable from a tightened to a released position by the activation mechanism. A prosthetic disc ejector on the distal end of the instrument shaft moves distally with respect to the pair of grasping jaws when the grasping jaws are in the released position and the ejector is configured to contact the prosthetic disc to fully disengage the prosthetic disc from the placement instrument.

Abstract: A coupling device includes a receiving part having a head receiving portion for pivotably receiving a head of a bone anchor and a rod receiving portion defining a recess for receiving the rod, the rod receiving portion having an engagement structure for engaging a locking member to lock the rod in the recess and a first engagement surface different from the engagement structure for engaging an instrument, wherein the first engagement surface is formed away from radially outwardly facing regions of the rod receiving portion, and a locking ring positionable around the head receiving portion and having a second engagement surface for engaging the instrument. The locking ring can assume an insertion position where the head of the bone anchor is insertable into the head receiving portion, and a pre-locking position where the head is prevented from removal from the head receiving portion.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal stabilization system for maintaining preselected spacing and movement between adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column and for providing overall stability thereto. The system includes at least one interlaminar member positioned in the spaces intermediate a first vertebra and the vertebrae positioned immediately above or immediately below and adjacent to the first vertebra. The interlaminar member is operatively connected to an adjustable support structure and cooperates therewith to maintain the preselected spacing between adjacent vertebrae and to provide overall stability to the spinal column.

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 bone anchor implanted in 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: Orthopedic fixation devices, assemblies, and methods for securing a spinal rod. The orthopedic fixation device may include a tulip head, a bone fastener, a rotatable saddle, and a threaded locking cap. The saddle may be insertable into the tulip head in an unlocked position with a rod seat offset relative to a rod slot of the tulip head. The saddle may be rotated into a locked position with the rod seat aligned with the rod slot such that a rod is positionable through the rod slot and into the rod seat. The threaded locking cap may secure the rod and bone fastener.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant having a first portion and a second portion is provided. The expandable implant includes a first moveable portion and a second moveable portion attached to the first portion. The first moveable portion and the second moveable portion are moveable independently of one another. The movement of the first moveable portion and the second moveable portion facilitate independent expansion of a trailing end portion and a leading end portion of the expandable implant.

Abstract: A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a receiver with an open channel configured to receive an elongate rod and a central bore having an inwardly protruding interference structure with a discontinuous annular upper surface. The assembly also includes a shank having a head positionable within the central bore and an anchor portion for fixation to the bone of a patient, and an insert positionable into the central bore in an initial position that is constrained from vertical movement in at least one direction by engagement between outer curvate side surfaces of the insert and the discontinuous annular upper surface. The insert is configured for forced downward displacement within the central bore by tooling from the initial position to a lower position in which the outer curvate side surfaces of the insert are wedged against the interference structure to inhibit the insert from moving back up within the central bore.

Abstract: A translaminar pedicle anchor suspension system (referred as T-PAS system) applicable to vertebral surgeries is disclosed. The T-PAS system comprises: at least one pedicle anchor capable of being fixed to a pedicle of a lower vertebral segment, at least one suspension ligament having one end thereof fixed to the pedicle anchor, and at least one washer capable of fixing the other end of the suspension ligament to a contralateral side of a lamina of an upper vertebral segment. By using the suspension ligament to suspend the upper vertebral segment via a tunnel drilled on the lamina, not only the spine can be dynamically stabilized, but also the use of traditional pedicle screws and bone fusion can be avoided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft having a distal end connectable with an implant, and a handle connected to a proximal end of the shaft. The instrument defines an internal fluid channel through which a fluid can be passed. A kit includes the instrument and a spinal implant that is expandable through the introduction of the fluid therein. A method of using the instrument includes passing a fluid through an internal fluid channel defined by the instrument and toward the implant.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a laryngoscope that facilitates targeted recording (video, or audio, or both video and audio) of time intervals associated with active laryngoscopy. In accordance with the teachings of the disclosure, a characteristic that reliably defines the interval of active laryngoscopy is used to trigger recording. One such characteristic is that the operator's hand is gripping the handle of the laryngoscope. Accordingly, preferred embodiments implement a laryngoscope having a handle so designed that when the handle is gripped by the operator's hand, recording is initiated and continued for as long as the operator's hand maintains a grip on the laryngoscope handle.

Abstract: An interbody spinal implant for implantation in a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, and an insertion instrument facilitating such implantation is provided. The spinal implant includes a body portion and an extended end portion, where at least the body portion can include a biconvex upper and lower surfaces. And the insertion instrument is engageable to a proximal end portion of the interbody spinal implant to facilitate insertion of the interbody spinal implant into the disc space.

Abstract: A dual-trajectory pedicle screw system includes an internally threaded sleeve and including first part and cylindrical second part, the first part being recessed to form a space, and the second part including projections on top; a main screw including a universal head and a first conic member, the universal head including first and second threaded holes, the first threaded hole being inclined at a first angle, the second threaded hole being inclined at a different second angle, bottom of the universal head being a convex and rotatably disposed in the space; and an auxiliary screw including external threads threadedly secured to the first or second threaded hole so that the auxiliary screw is secured to the main screw at the first or second angle with respect to the main screw, a second conic member extending downward from the external threads, and a fitting member on top of the external threads.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for the delivery of spinal screws to a spinal implant site. A variety of exemplary configurations and implementations are provided, but, in general, a handheld tool is provided having a guide member with a lumen formed therein that is configured to deliver a spinal screw to a cervical spine implant. The tool can include various features that facilitate the delivery of the spinal screw to the implant. The tool can include a storage component, such as a magazine, that is configured to hold a plurality of spinal screws for delivery of multiple spinal screws during a surgical procedure.