Abstract: The invention concerns a surgical drill bit able to be connected to a surgical tool, comprising a flexible stem. The invention also concerns a corresponding method to produce the surgical drill bit.

Abstract: A chuck assembly for a medical device is provided. The chuck assembly includes a mounting base structured to couple to a tool; a housing coupled to the mounting base; and a cam sleeve within the housing and movable with respect to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position, the cam sleeve having an annular base, an arm extending from the annular base, and a cam extending laterally from the arm.

Abstract: Novel articles of manufacture based comprising lattices based on trabecular bone, having a plurality of plates and interconnecting rods. The trabecular bone-inspired lattice may be designed based on the general alignment of plates and rods found in trabecular bone, including anisotropic lattices having one or more predominant axes of mechanical strength. Lumbar fusion implants and other implants are provided having a trabecular bone inspired lattice in which bone graft material may be packed and providing a scaffold for bone fusion and growth. The implants may be based on bone structures having a predominant axis of mechanical strength and may be deployed in sites with the predominant axis of mechanical strength aligned with the primary axis of mechanical stress, such as in the the spine.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to assemblies and methods for repairing bone defects. The assemblies disclosed herein may be utilized for determining a dimension of a surgical site and removing bone prior to positioning a graft and/or implant at the surgical site.

Abstract: A process for confirming registration of bones involved in a joint replacement procedure is provided that includes a three dimensional (3-D) models of the bones being generated. The bones are tracked with a tracking device attached to each of the bones to allow 6-degrees of freedom (DOF) tracking during the joint replacement procedure. The 3-D models to the bones are registered and the bones having the tracking device are moved. A corresponding motion in the 3-D models with the moving of the bones is then observed. The registration of the 3-D models to the bone when the observations of the 3-D models move in correspondence with the actual bones is then confirmed or an alarm when an algorithm detects the 3-D bone models move unexpectedly during the movement of the bones. A system for confirming registration of bones involved in the joint replacement procedure is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a region between adjacent bones for fusion. A first aperture is formed that extends through one of the bones. An undercutting system is inserted into the first aperture. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus and a cutting assembly. A first path is cut between the adjacent bones by extending or retracting the cutting assembly with respect to the insertion apparatus.

Abstract: A lumbar interbody fusion device includes a first wing, a second wing, and a bridge. The bridge has an arcuate resting shape and include a first end connected to the first wing, a second end connected to the second wing, and at least one aperture extending through the bridge in a radial direction relative to the arcuate resting shape of the bridge. The bridge is elastically deformable such that a distance between the first wing and the second wing may vary according to elastic deformation of the bridge.

Abstract: A method of fusing a first bone and a second bone. An abrading and harvesting device is provided that includes a needle portion having a sharpened tip. The needle portion has a central bore extending therethrough. The needle portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The sharpened tip is attached to the distal end of the needle portion. A probe is provided having an unsharpened tip portion. The probe is extended between the first bone and the second bone. The needle portion is extended over the probe by passing the proximal end of the probe through the central bore. The first bone and the second bone are abraded with the sharpened tip to cause bleeding bone to be exposed on the first bone and the second bone. A device is placed along a path formed by the needle portion between the first bone and the second bone.

Abstract: An ear examination tool comprises a handle and a speculum mount coupled to the handle. The speculum mount is configured for retaining a disposable speculum. An spacing element is coupled to the handle and extends from the handle. A smartphone mount is coupled to the spacing element, and the spacing element is configured to maintain an optical separation distance between the speculum mount and the smartphone mount. The tool enables a clear view of the ear canal while allowing access by, and manipulation of, a microsuction tool being inserted into the ear canal. The extensive optical and data processing functionality of a “smartphone” can be integrated at low cost into an ear examination tool to provide a substantially improved piece of equipment for assisting in ear examination and microsuction of the ear.

Abstract: Guides, systems, and methods for maintaining, correcting and/or fusing joint deformities are disclosed. The guide system including a cut guide, an alignment guide, and at least one directional wire. The cut guide including a base portion, an extension member extending away from a bottom surface of the base portion, and at least one arm extending away from an end of the base portion. The alignment guide, including a base portion, a first extension member extending away from a bottom surface of the base portion in a first direction, and a second extension member extending away from the bottom surface of the base portion in a second direction. Methods of using a guide system for maintaining, correcting and/or fusing joint deformities are also disclosed.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument system for use during a surgical procedure to implant an orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial trial component adapted to be positioned on a surgically-prepared proximal end of a patient's tibia. The tibial trial component has a base plate and a central post extending upwardly from a superior surface of the base plate. A superior surface of the central post has a ramp surface defined therein, with the ramp surface inclining superiorly in the anterior-to-posterior direction.

Abstract: A system for dilating tissue includes a retractor having a pair of retractor blades that are movable towards and away from each other to retract tissue of a patient. The retractor blades have longitudinal guide channels. A first pin is attachable to a first vertebra. The system also includes an interbody spacer insertion device that has a guide channel for slidably engaging the longitudinal channel guide and is releasably attachable to an interbody spacer. The interbody spacer insertion device is configured to guide the interbody spacer into a space between adjacent vertebrae. A method for using the system includes advancing the retractor blades towards first and second vertebrae. The first retractor blade is attached to the first vertebra using the first pin and the retractor blades are moved away from each other. The interbody spacer insertion device is translated towards the vertebrae to position the interbody spacer between the vertebrae.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an adjustable endoscopic surgical device for illuminating a tissue surface with diffuse and oblique light. In some embodiments, light emanates from the sides of an optical fiber, which is optionally formed at least in part into a loop shape.

Abstract: A flexible shaft includes a tubular body extending along a central longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends opposite one another. The flexible shaft also includes a slot defined by the tubular body and extending along a helical path around and along at least a portion of the body between the proximal and distal ends. The helical path extends around the portion of the body for a plurality of rotations. The slot defines at least two teeth adjacent one another along a direction parallel to the central axis. Each tooth of the two teeth has a feature. In some implementations, a line extending through center points of the features on the two teeth is angularly offset from the central longitudinal axis. In some implementations, a line parallel to the central longitudinal axis intersects a different point on each feature of the two teeth.

Abstract: A spinal fusion implant includes a leading end, an opposite trailing end, an upper portion extending between the leading and trailing ends, a lower portion extending between the leading and trailing ends, and opposed first and second side portions extending between the leading and trailing ends. The upper portion includes at least two rails extending between the leading and trailing ends, the at least two rails including a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from one another, the first rail of the upper portion including a bone-contacting surface being at least partially smoothened. The lower portion includes at least two rails extending between the leading and trailing ends, the at least two rails including a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from one another, the first rail of the lower portion including a bone-contacting surface being at least partially smoothened.

Abstract: A method and system for computer assisted orthopedic feedback of at least one surgical object relative a pre-operative plan are disclosed. The pre-operative plan includes a virtual object, which is the virtual representation of the surgical object, and a virtual structure, which is the virtual representation of the patient structure.

Abstract: Alignment guide systems, fixation guide devices, and methods for positioning and inserting an intramedullary nail are disclosed. The alignment guide system includes a targeting guide with a first end and a second end, an alignment wire rotatably engaging a second end of the targeting guide, and a guide sleeve insert engaging an opening in the first end of the targeting guide. The fixation guide device including a frame including a first end and a second end, a compression device slidingly coupled to the first end of the frame, and the intramedullary nail secured to a nail attachment apparatus of the frame. A method of inserting an intramedullary nail into two bones for fixation of the two bones is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus or a system employs a fixation assembly to stabilize and prevent migration of an interbody fusion device placed between adjacent vertebral bodies, and/or provide supplemental fixation of adjacent vertebral bodies. The fixation assembly may include modular fixation plates insertable and attachable to the interbody fusion device in situ. In certain embodiments, the fixation assembly may include a single fixation plate insertable and/or attachable to the interbody fusion device in situ. In certain embodiments, fixation plates are integrally formed with the interbody fusion device.

Abstract: Disclosed are radially expanding debridement tools configured to pass through an access channel present in a first tissue of a living being, expand radially, and create a void in a second tissue of the living being upon being advanced distally through the access channel and into the second tissue while being rotated, wherein the shape of the void comprises at least one step. Further disclosed are debridement systems and methods of treating tissue defects in living beings.