Abstract: A surgical fastener provided with a curved cutter, an anterior wedge-like tip and a surgeon facing end. Among other things, the surgical fastener's cutter can cut bone or other tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing a surgical step or surgical procedure with visual guidance using an optical head mounted display are disclosed.

Abstract: A bone anchoring screw comprises a head, a shaft and a threaded portion arranged successively along a common axis, the head having a recess comprising at least two stages arranged in succession along the common axis, the first stage having a diameter larger than the diameter of the second stage, in which one of the two stages comprises at least one socket of a first type and the other of the two stages comprises at least one socket of the first type and one other type.

Abstract: Methods and systems for guiding position and orientation of a robotic device holding a surgical tool are disclosed herein. For example, a method for guiding a robotic device holding a surgical tool configured for working a planned region of an anatomical structure can include detecting a presence of a distal tip of the tool in a target region on the anatomical structure, changing a visual aspect of a virtual representation of the target region when the tool tip is detected in said target region, computing a virtual goal defining a spatial range of position and orientation of the robotic device in which the tool is capable of working at least a determined part of the planned region, displaying the virtual goal and a representation of a tool base axis, and changing a visual aspect of the virtual goal when the representation of the base axis is inside the virtual goal.

Abstract: A method of inserting a fastener into a fusion cage can include attaching a fastener head of a bone fastener to a flexible bone fastener driver. The method can also include inserting the bone fastener into a threaded throughhole of a fusion cage comprising a front wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom surfaces adapted for gripping opposed vertebral endplates, wherein the front wall comprises the threaded throughhole.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for creating a bore in bone. The devices and methods described involve driving a rotating bit in an axial direction such that both rotation and linear movement are controlled and measurable. The instrument is useful for a surgeon to control and simultaneously measure the travel of the tool into the bone and prevent injury to surrounding structures.

Abstract: A plate for attaching to an anatomic structure with fasteners. The plate has a body with a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The body defines one or more openings to receive a respective one of the one or more fasteners. The bottom surface is concave to define a space to accommodate a portion of the anatomic structure. A bone pad surface extends from the bottom surface. A spike extends away from the bone pad surface. An extension arm can be coupled to the plate and the extension arm can support a tracking head to implement a surgical tracking assembly.

Abstract: A compression device made of a superelastic material having a peripheral portion with an upper surface, a lower surface, and a central opening extending therethrough is provided. One or more resilient teeth project inward of the peripheral portion into the central opening and are configured to exert a biasing force in an axial direction when deformed in a direction opposite the axial direction.

Abstract: This disclosure includes apparatus and methods to attach an orthopedic device to a bone. The method can comprise locating a baseplate on a glenoid of a patient, the base plate including at least a first fastener bore, creating a first post hole in the glenoid for locating a first fixation post, the first fixation post including a quasi-spherical head and a porous metal sleeve, and driving the first fixation post through the first fastener bore and into the first post hole. The porous metal sleeve can engage the first post hole and the quasi-spherical head can contact at least the first wall of the first fastener bore to removeably lock the quasi-spherical head to the baseplate. Driving the first fixation post can create an initial compression between the baseplate and the glenoid. The porous metal sleeve can receive bone ingrowth to maintain the initial compression.

Abstract: A surgical probe and a method for forming and enlarging an access opening through a psoas muscle to provide for minimally invasive lateral approach for surgical access to a lumber intervertebral disc. A distal end portion of the probe is equipped with an electrode useful for confirming proper location of the probe and includes an inflatable dilator body for enlarging an access opening through tissue adjacent to a spinal column. The probe includes a cannula through which a K wire can be extended to anchor the probe to a patient.

Abstract: A methodology for grafting together adjacent bony structures is provided using an implant device having an endplate with an inner disc portion and outer ring portion spaced from the inner disc portion by a connecting wall disposed there between. An endplate interior surface includes a retaining structure for securing the endplate to one of the bony structures, and endplate an exterior surface has an integrally formed socket. A ball-joint rod has a longitudinally extending body and an end, and at least a portion of the ball-joint rod end is curvilinear in shape. The curvilinear ball-joint rod end is rotatably disposed in the endplate socket to fixedly interconnect the bony structures.

Abstract: A method of determining an optimal position of a glenoid implant. The method includes identifying a center point of a patient's glenoid fossa based on an image of the patient's glenoid fossa; determining the optimal position of the glenoid implant based on the location of the center point relative to a medial point of the patient's scapula; and selecting orientation of an alignment pin based on the determined optimal glenoid implant position such that the glenoid fossa will be prepared to receive the glenoid implant at the optimal position when the glenoid fossa is prepared with a cutting device or guide coupled to the alignment pin.

Abstract: A bone fixation system includes a fixation plate formed of a fiber reinforced polymer composite material with a plurality of apertures configured to receive screws for fracture fixation. An malleable metallic insert is disposed within each aperture. The inserts may be sized to accept locking or non-locking screws over a range of angles. The inserts may protrude through the plate on the bone side, providing clearance between the composite plate and the bone. The apertures and inserts may have a generally cylindrical or obround shape. In embodiments, the inserts are shaped complementary to the apertures in which they are disposed.

Abstract: Treatment of spinal irregularities, including, in one or more embodiments, derotation apparatus and systems that can be used to reduce the rotation of vertebral bodies. Derotation apparatus that may comprise a tube assembly comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve disposed over the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve may have a distal end for attachment to an implant. The tube assembly may further comprise a handle assembly. The tube assembly may further comprise a ball joint assembly disposed between the tube assembly and the handle assembly. The ball joint assembly may comprise a ball joint configured for attachment to a coupling rod. The ball joint assembly further may comprise a reducing extension below the ball joint, the reducing extension being sized to fit in a central bore of the inner sleeve. Orthopedic fixation devices comprising a ball joint are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bone reduction and fixation device (1, 70) comprises an elongated biplanar plate along most of its length having an L-shaped profile defined by a first plate surface (3A, 4A) and one or more second plates (3B, 4B), in which the first and second plates comprise a plurality of countersunk holes (8) configured for receipt of bone-fixing screws (10). The biplanar plate comprises two biplanar L-shaped end sections (3, 4) defined by end parts of the first plate and second end plates, and a monoplanar central section (2) defined by a central part of the first plate, in which the central part of the first plate has a thickness greater than the end parts. The L-shaped end sections help guide bone fragments into correct alignment and hold the alignment while the surgeon adjusts one of or both of the fragments laterally and medially to reduce the fragments. The L-shaped profile of the plate also provides for greater bending and torsional stiffness, allowing the plate to have a reduced thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting tissue in the intervertebral disc space that includes a barrier member having a first configuration for insertion into the disc space and a second configuration when deployed within the disc space. The second configuration of the barrier member is adapted to at least partially define a perimeter of a working region within the disc space. The apparatus also includes a tissue disruption tool configured for insertion into the working region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical screw connection system (100) for use in the region of the pelvic bone. The surgical screw connection system (100) comprises or consists of at least one rod (10) with a first end section (11) and a second end section (13). The rod (10) is cannulated throughout and the first end section (11) consists of or comprises a first threaded section (111). The present invention also relates to an instrument set (200), a treatment set and a method for securing a locking nut (21).

Abstract: A holding screw system includes a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank has an upper portion, a threaded lower portion adjacent to the upper portion defining a junction. A self-tapping tip extends from the lower portion. An annular flange is disposed at the junction between the upper portion and the threaded lower portion of the shank. The annular flange has a peripheral surface and a diameter greater than each of the head and the upper portion thereby forming a stop between the upper portion and the threaded lower portion. A bracket arm has one end extending directly from the upper portion. An open annular retainer is located at the other end of the bracket arm. The open annular retainer defines a bore and extends beyond the peripheral surface of the annular flange.

Abstract: Bone plates for engaging bone members are described herein. The bone plates can receive one or more screws to secure the bone plates to an underlying bone member. The one or more screws can be inserted into bone plate holes that can be considered locking or non-locking. The bone plates described herein can have particular combinations of locking and/or non-locking holes. The bone plates can include features that accommodate the underlying anatomy of different types of bone, such as the condylar region of a femur.

Abstract: A method for creating space in a joint formed at the convergence of two bones, the method comprising: applying force to a body part so as to separate the two bones from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the joint is in a healthy state, whereby to distract the joint and create an intrajoint space; inserting an assembly of three balloons into the intrajoint space while the assembly of three balloons is in a contracted condition; expanding the assembly of three balloons within the intrajoint space; and reducing the force applied to the body part so that the joint is supported on the assembly of three balloons, with the two bones remaining separated from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the joint is in a healthy state.