Abstract: Various embodiments of a spinal shield having a shield body including a plurality of lateral extensions configured to be positioned over an exposed spinal canal for establishing a protective barrier around the contents of the exposed spinal canal are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reaming an intramedullary canal of a long bone comprise a trial stem configured to extend into the long bone along an insertion axis and a guide device comprising an adapter configured to couple to the trial stem and a reaming guidepost extending from the adapter along a guide axis, wherein the guide axis and the insertion axis are non-aligned. A method of reaming an intramedullary canal of a long bone to form a complex shaped socket can comprise inserting a stem into the intramedullary canal along an insertion axis, connecting a guide device to the stem, the guide device comprising a guidepost extending along a guide axis and guiding a cannulated reamer along the guidepost to remove bone from the intramedullary canal to form the complex shaped socket, wherein the guide axis and the insertion axis are non-aligned.

Abstract: A femoral sizer system for knee arthroplasty includes a main block having a back surface that contacts a processed distal face of a femur. A fixed foot extends away from the back surface for posterior referencing. A docking unit docks with a connecting unit. An anterior stylus has a stylus tip for contact with an anterior face of the femur. The stylus is attachable to the main block and can adjust a position of the stylus tip. An orientation guide has referencing orientation points for implementing referencing pins in the femur. The orientation guide can be coupled to and uncoupled from the docking unit via its connecting unit with different sides of the orientation guide resulting in different positions of the orientation points relative to the main block, so that the femoral sizer system can be used for the right knee joint or the left knee joint.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument for use during a surgical procedure to implant a tibial tray into a surgically-prepared proximal end of a tibia and a femoral component into a surgically-prepared distal end of a femur is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a metallic impaction handle and a removable polymeric impaction insert.

Abstract: A computing system generates, based on medical imaging data of bones of a joint of a patient, bony landmark data that characterizes relationships between two or more landmarks on one or more of the bones of the joint of the patient. Additionally, the computing system applies a classifier algorithm that has been trained using training data to select a class associated with the patient from among a plurality of classes. The classifier algorithm takes the bony landmark data of the patient as input.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for use in a total knee arthroplasty includes an intramedullary rod and a reference block. The intramedullary rod is elongated between a proximal rod end and a distal rod end and is adapted for introduction into the medullary space of a femur. The reference block is or can be slid onto the distal rod end and has a block rear side oriented in a proximal direction. The block rear side is adapted to bear on distal condyles of the femur. The reference block is mounted to or mountable on the distal rod end by a bearing element having a reception bore for coaxial and radially form-fit reception of the distal rod end. The bearing element is mounted on the reference block so as to be pivotable relative thereto at least about a pivot axis oriented in an anteroposterior direction.

Abstract: A discectomy tool comprising: a cannula having an outer surface having a longitudinal bore therein, a proximal end and a distal end; a steering wire disposed in the longitudinal bore; a flexible, hollow transmission shaft disposed in the cannula, the shaft having a throughbore, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and an outer surface having a thread extending therefrom; an irrigation source fluidly connected to the throughbore; a cutting tip attached to the distal end portion of the transmission shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating a bone fixation implant and related preoperative planning. The method comprises a first step of determining at least the orientation and the position of the fixation means, based on a 3D model of the bone fragments. The method may include a second step of defining the shape of one or more bone plates, based on the output of the first step. The method may further include a third step determining tools for applying fixation means during surgery, according the optimized configuration defined in the first step and applying the bone plates from the second step. The method may even further include a fourth step, quantifying construct stability for a given patient following surgery, thereby allowing early weightbearing.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for securing an implant to a bone comprising an implant which is affixed to the bone, a grout or bone cement comprising a composition that cures in an exothermic reaction and which is capable of securing the implant to the bone in a cured state, and a tester which measures temperature over time to detect a rate change of temperature and uses a novel discrete differentiator circuit to determine when the composition reaches cure.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to minimally invasive, cost-effective, adaptable methods, systems, and devices used to repair anatomical joint conditions. The repair may be necessitated by trauma, disease or other conditions. The anatomical joint may specifically include mammalian joints such as the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, finger, hip, spine, toe and ankle, for example. The methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein include leveraging the significant (and often unappreciated) role the subchondral bone plays in the health status of the afflicted anatomical joint.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system includes an expandable disc replacement body and an adjustment mechanism. The expandable disc replacement body includes a first wall, a second wall, a hinge connecting the first wall and the second wall, and a first bone-screw receiving section at a proximal end of the first wall. The adjustment mechanism is positioned between the first wall and the second wall, and an angle between the first wall and the second wall can be varied by movement of the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A sonotrode suitable for use with an ultrasonic surgical instrument for cutting or punching bones, as well as a method for manufacturing the sonotrode.

Abstract: A measurement instrument for use in knee-joint replacement includes a rod and a first jaw. The first jaw has a first inner surface that bears on a front face of a bone resection. A slide is guided on the rod and has a second jaw. The second jaw has a second inner surface oriented counter to the first inner surface. The second inner surface bears on a rear face of the bone resection. A scale between the rod and slide indicates a thickness of the bone resection. A continuation part is connected to the first jaw and has a third inner surface that bears on a proximal tibia. The second jaw has a second outer surface oriented counter to the second inner surface. The second outer surface bears on a distal femur. The scale indicates a longitudinal distance between the distal femur and the proximal tibia.

Abstract: An implant localization device includes a coupler and a positioning system. The coupler is configured to removably engage an implant component to fix the positioning system in space relative to the implant component. The positioning system is in communication with a centralized computing system, whereby, due to the fixed spatial relationship between the positioning system and the implant component, via the coupler, and determinable changes in movement relative to a registered starting point, the centralized computing system is able to calculate a real-time position and orientation of the implant component. The centralized computing system is configured to synthesize data from a joint templating software program, a CAD software program, and the positioning system to provide real-time positional and orientation data to assist with extraction and placement of the implant component. Robotics and reference markers may be used to further automate and/or enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A device for the non-invasive sensing of the length of an implantable medical device includes an implantable medical device having first and second portions moveable relative to one another and a layer of resistive material disposed on one of the first and second portions. A contact is disposed on the other of the first and second portions, the contact being in sliding contact with the layer of resistive material upon relative movement between the first and second portions. A circuit is configured to measure the electrical resistance along a path including a variable length region of the layer of resistive material and the contact. The electrical resistance can then be converted into a length.

Abstract: A spinal distraction system includes a distraction rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for affixation to a subject's spine at a first location, the distraction rod having a second end containing a recess having a threaded portion disposed therein. The system further includes an adjustable portion configured for affixation relative to the subject's spine at a second location remote from the first location, the adjustable portion comprising a housing containing a magnetic assembly, the magnetic assembly affixed at one end thereof to a lead screw, the lead screw operatively coupled to the threaded portion. A locking pin may secure the lead screw to the magnetic assembly. An O-ring gland disposed on the end of the housing may form a dynamic seal with the distraction rod.

Abstract: A system for surgical planning and assessment of spinal deformity correction is provided that has a spinal imaging system and a control unit. The spinal imaging system is configured to collect at least one digitized position of one or more vertebral bodies of a subject. The control unit is configured to receive the at least one digitized position, and calculate, based on the at least one digitized position, an optimized posture for the subject. The control unit is configured to receive one or more simulated spinal correction inputs, and based on the inputs and optimized posture, predict an optimal simulated postoperative surgical correction.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for implanting screws into tissue, such as bone. A system comprises a screwdriver having a central shaft with a longitudinal axis and a distal end configured for attachment to a screw and an inner lumen for receiving a guidewire. The device further includes a retaining device for holding the guidewire fixed relative to the screw as the screw is advanced in a distal direction and a release device for releasing the guidewire from the screw and holding the guidewire fixed relative to the longitudinal axis as the screw is advanced in the distal direction. This allows a physician to advance a guidewire in front of the screw to more accurately follow a desired screwing axis, and to minimize trauma during tightening of the screw into the tissue. In addition, the guidewire can be released from the screw during implantation such that the guidewire no longer advances with the screw, thereby limiting distal movement of the guidewire and minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides cervical implant (30) comprising an upper surface (38), a lower surface (40), a posterior portion (34) and an anterior portion (36) and including a perimeter (42) and one or more apertures (44,46) within said anterior portion for receiving securing means, said apertures having respective longitudinal axes M1, M2, characterised in that said axes extend in a direction substantially through said anterior portion (36) and converge at a point in a plane outside of said perimeter (42).

Abstract: A surgical filament securement assembly has an anchor having a channel therethrough through which a surgical filament is passed. The surgical filament is tied to form a dilated knot having at least one throw around a dilater member at an entrance of the channel such that the surgical filament is able to run around the dilater member when a limb thereof is pulled in a first direction through the channel whilst the dilated knot remains in place. When the dilater member is pulled out from within the dilated knot, the dilated knot itself strangulates to form a tightened stopper knot. The channel has a diameter less than that of the tightened stopper knot such that the tightened stopper knot cannot pass through the entrance in the first direction.