Abstract: A fixation assembly for spinal vertebrae has an anchor fixedly seatable in a spinal vertebrae and formed with an outwardly open socket, and a pedicle rod having a front end fixedly seated in the socket and a dynamic portion adjacent the front end that is shiftable relative to the anchor.

Abstract: A cannula system is described. The cannula system may be formed of biocompatible materials that are suitable to be sterilized. Accordingly, the cannula system may be reusable for a relatively large number of surgical procedures assuming conventional sterilization techniques are employed after each surgical procedure. Additionally, the cannula system may be provided with an internal valve system disposed in a port portion thereof wherein the valve system may be operable to receive the trocar there through, as well as maintaining insufflation of the body cavity. Furthermore, the cannula system may be provided with a plurality of rib members formed on an external surface of the cannula shaft, wherein the rib members may engage the tissues adjacent the incision, thus maintaining the position of the cannula shaft and reducing and/or lessening relative movement of the cannula shaft.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide compression/distraction methods and tools useful for fitting a spinal stabilization system in a patient through minimally invasive surgery. The spinal stabilization system may comprise screws anchored in vertebrae. The vertebrae may need to be compressed or distracted. One embodiment of an instrument disclosed herein may comprise a shaft for engaging one of the screws through an extender sleeve. A driver may engage another screw through an opening of the instrument. Through this engagement, a surgeon may use the rack and pinion of the instrument to compress or distract one or more levels of the vertebrae in a parallel motion, which can be advantageous clinically in certain situations.

Abstract: An implant with an interference fit fastener for attaching the implant to a bone. The interference fit prevents backout of the fastener after the attachment. The implant may include a passage with a first end and second end. The passage may include a first interference section between the first and second ends. A fastener with an elongated shape may be sized to extend through the passage to attach the implant to the bone. The fastener may include a second interference section. During insertion of the fastener through the passage and into the bone, the second interference section of the fastener may contact against and modify or be modified by the first interference section of the passage. This modification may create the interference fit between the implant and the fastener that prevents backout. The interference sections may remain in contact or may move apart once the fastener is fully attached to the bone.

Abstract: A spinal rod guide and/or guide assembly is provided for mounting a spinal rod onto a spinal rod holder/connector of a vertebral bone screw. The spinal rod guide is configured to extend between an opening in a patient's body and the spinal rod holder of the vertebral bone screw assembly, to receive a spinal rod therein, and thereafter accurately guide the spinal rod into the spinal rod holder. The spinal rod guide is defined by a first elongated arc portion and a second elongated arc portion to define a guide tube for the introduction and placement of additional spinal rod components onto the spinal rod connector, particularly, but not necessarily, for securing the spinal rod into the spinal rod connector. The elongated arc portions are mountable or initially attached onto a top of a spinal rod holder of a spinal rod bone screw assembly. The elongated arc portions (tube) define first and second longitudinal slots extending from a top of the elongated arc portions to a bottom of the elongated arc portions.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for an interspinous fixation and/or distraction of vertebrae and a methodology for minimally invasive implantation of the apparatus in the spine of a patient. The apparatus corresponds to a pair of teardrop shaped lateral wing elements spaced apart by a central core element that may be selectively sized during the implantation process. The wings and central core are held together by a single threaded bolt and locking nut configuration resulting in a simple structure that may be easily implanted with minimal patient discomfort.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments of an external fixation connection rod having articulatable joints that can be attached to external supports, such as rings. In some embodiments, the fixation connection rod includes a telescopic rod and connecting mechanisms for coupling the joints of the connection rod to the external supports. and the connecting mechanisms are operable to substantially lock the orientation of the joints. In some other embodiments, the connection rod includes a housing having parallel axial bores defined therethrough and sleeves slidably disposed in the axial bores. Also included in the present disclosure are methods of maintaining the orientation of first and second fixator rings for immobilizing bone segments.

Abstract: A spinal construct for implantation in a patient to provide stabilization to spinal structure with improved load sharing includes a flexible spinal rod having a first end and a second end, the spinal rod being configured to provide stabilization to spinal structure. It also includes a first bone fastener configured to securely attach to the flexible spinal rod and a second bone fastener configured to securely attach to the flexible spinal rod. The second bone fastener is a dynamic fastener arranged to provide motion in one direction more than another direction. The flexible spinal rod and the second bone fastener are oriented to cooperate in a manner that achieves load sharing by dynamically flexing under applied loads in a manner that distributes stresses and strains between the flexible spinal rod and the second bone fastener.

Abstract: A laryngoscope device for use in the performance of direct laryngoscopy, the device including a laryngoscope blade portion connectable to a laryngoscope handle through a connector, the laryngoscope blade comprising an ultraviolet light, a white light and an imaging or viewing device at the same distance relative to the distal end of the laryngoscope blade.

Abstract: A rod-shaped implant for the dynamic stabilization of the spine includes at least a portion having a flexible first material forming a matrix in which a flexible structure having at least one fiber made of a second material is embedded. The rod-shaped implant can be compressed and extended along the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped implant while it provides a high torsional stiffness.

Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical instrument disclosed herein can include mechanisms for reduction and distraction as well as compression. Some embodiments of the surgical instrument may comprise a reducer knob having a first passage through which a first shaft of a driver is acceptable, a connecting element coupled to the reducer knob and having a second passage through which the first shaft of the driver is acceptable, a compressor handle coupled to the connecting element at a first end and having a through hole, and a common handle coupled to the compressor handle via the through hole and pivots between the reducer knob and the compressor handle. With embodiments of a surgical instrument disclosed herein, surgical personnel can distract and hold vertebrae in a distracted state and perform a reduction without having to switch or add instruments. Some embodiments disclosed herein can be particularly useful for reducing spondylolisthesis during posterior fixation.

Abstract: Growing rod systems and methods for correcting spinal deformities include at least one growing rod assembly and at least one fluid delivery assembly. Each growing rod assembly includes a fluid actuator that is operable to extend first and second rod segments in opposite directions along the spine. The fluid actuator can be provided by, for example, a piston-cylinder actuator. Each fluid delivery assembly includes a fluid pump operably connectable to a fluid line, which in turn is connected to the fluid actuator. In one embodiment, the fluid actuator is of a linear design. In another embodiment, two linear or curvilinear fluid actuators are provided back-to-back and connected by a connecting rod that mounts to the mid-spine and is contourable. In another embodiment, the fluid actuator is of a curvilinear design to generally conform the normal spine. And in another embodiment, the fluid actuator includes a fluid-over-fluid shock absorber.

Abstract: A pedicle-screw assembly has a screw having a threaded shaft extending along a screw axis and having a ball head. A body extending along a body axis is formed with an axially inwardly open screw-head seat in which the ball head can fit and with an oppositely axially outwardly open rod seat. A retainer fitted in the screw-head seat engages around the ball head and in the screw-head seat, and at least one pin extends radially of the body axis and seated in both the body and the retainer for pivoting of the retainer in the screw-head seat about a retainer axis substantially perpendicular to the body axis between a position with the body axis coaxial with the screw axis and a position with the body axis forming an acute axially outwardly open angle with the screw axis. The ball head is swivelable in the retainer.

Abstract: A mandibular distractor can include an elongated main body having a central longitudinal axis extending in the elongate direction between a first end and a spaced apart second end. A first bone mount can be secured to the main body and a second bone mount can be positioned on the main body. A drive mechanism configured to selectively move the second bone mount longitudinally along the main body can also be included. A third bone mount configured to be moved longitudinally along the main body can also be included.

Abstract: A device (1) for mutually fixing a longitudinal carrier (3) to a bone fixation element (4), wherein the device consists of a three-dimensional body (5) which has a channel (6) that is open on one side, wherein the axis of the channel (7) receives the longitudinal carrier (3), and a bore hole (8) that extends crosswise in relation to the axis of the channel (7) through the body (5) and that is provided with a wall (10). At least one part of the bore wall (10) disposed between the channel (6) and the bore hole (8) is embodied as an elastic element (11) which can be pressed into the region of the channel (6) by introducing the bone fixation element (4) into the bore hole (8), such that a longitudinal carrier (3) arranged in the channel can be firmly clamped in a rotational and longitudinal manner by said elastic element (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant for the insertion between vertebral bodies (2) of the spinal column, having a first contact surface (9) for the disposition on one of the adjacent vertebral bodies (2), and a second contact surface (10) for the disposition on the implant part (3, 4) comprising the other adjacent vertebral body (2). At least one elastically flexible component (11) is disposed in the force transmission chain formed by the implant part (3, 4) between the disposition surfaces of the adjacent vertebral bodies (2).

Abstract: A surgical instrument may be used to apply tension to a flexible suture to close and secure a broken or cut bone (e.g. a sternum following a sternotomy). The device preferably applies an adjustable tension to the flexible suture in order to secure the bone together. Multiple instruments may be used together to ensure the desired tension is applied to the entire bone structure being secured with the flexible sutures. Once the desired tension is achieved, the device preferably provides a mechanism to apply a uniform twist to the flexible suture to lock the flexible suture in place and maintain the tension previously achieved. The device may automatically cut the flexible suture, or the flexible suture may be cut by the surgeon once the twisting action has been performed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spinal rod that includes an elongated flexible component and a reinforcing component. The reinforcing component is resistant to damage from compressive forces. The reinforcing component may be disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of the flexible component so as to define at least one compression slot. The reinforcing element may include an upper bracket, an opposing lower bracket, and a connecting pin extending therebetween.

Abstract: A system for implementing an improved spinal fusion cage having a centrally-located fixation screwhole of diameter minimized to accommodate a variable-angle, intervertebral, cannulated fixation screw is disclosed. The system includes a rigid connection between the spinal fusion cage to the shaft of the fixation screw, and a variable angle drill targeting device for directing the fixation screw through the non-visually acquirable, centrally-located fixation screwhole without X-ray or other imaging guidance.

Abstract: An orthopedic fixation plate comprises a plurality of cylindrical holes for attaching connectors of a external fixation system, wherein the fixation plate comprises two supporting elements around each orifice of a cylindrical hole wherein the supporting elements are connected with a sleeve and said supporting elements are also connected with a longitudinally oriented ring element arranged in a radial distance of said sleeve.