Abstract: A proposed treatment of arthrosis/osteoarthritis in a joint of a mammal or human patient involves deposing a liquid material on at least one damaged surface of the joint. To accomplish this, a reservoir (110) is provided, which holds a volume of a biocompatible material in liquid form outside of a body containing the joint (J) to be treated. A proximal end (P) of a tube-shaped instrument (120) is connected to the reservoir (110), and a distal end (D) of the instrument (120) is inserted into the joint (J). The liquid material is fed through the instrument (120) to the distal end (D) for deposition on the at least one damaged joint surface. The material is configured to assume a solid form under predefined conditions (e.g. when cooling off, or being exposed to a specific type of radiation). When the material has the solid form, it has a resistance to wear adapted to replace a worn out joint surface.

Abstract: A gap gauge is disclosed for facilitating an arthroplasty procedure on a first bone and a second bone of a patient. The gap gauge may include a first plate positionable in contact with the first bone, a second plate positionable in contact with the second bone. The second plate may be displaced from the first plate by a displacement. The gap gauge may further include a separator connected to the first plate and the second plate, a separation indicator coupled to the separator and configured to indicate the displacement, and a balance indicator connected to at least one of the first plate and the second plate. The balance indicator may indicate a balance status between the first plate and the second plate. The separator can be actuated to adjust the displacement.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a clamp composed of four distinct components. The ability to deconstruct the provided clamp into four components as compared to a typical two-part clamp may allow for greater ease in cleaning and sterilization. The provided clamp may include a first arm, a second arm, a cannula block, and a rotary cannula. In some instances, the provided clamp may include a locking feature for locking the rotary cannula to, and releasing it from, the cannula block. The present disclosure also provides a clamp including a scale for bone size determination, a clamp including a scale for determining how much compression force is being applied to a bone between the clamp's jaws, a system including a bushing and a set screw in which the set screw is self-locking, and a drill component system for preparing an opening in bone for a fixation component.

Abstract: A dynamic intervertebral spacer includes a ring which is split on an anterior portion. A posterior portion of the ring acts as a torsion spring. After implantation, the ring is able to act as a spring between superior and inferior vertebral bodies, thus allowing dynamic bone growth in fusion procedures.

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 retrograde cutting instrument and method of retrograde drilling using such an instrument. A method of forming a socket includes providing a retrograde cutter, inserting the cutter into a joint with a blade of the cutter in a straight position, pivoting the blade to a non-straight flip position, locking the blade in the flip position, and retrograde drilling a socket using the blade in the flip position.

Abstract: A surgical device is provided. The surgical device includes a tubular outer shaft having a longitudinal axis and an angled guide positioned on a first end of the surgical device. The angled guide may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer shaft. The surgical device includes an elongated inner shaft having a second end and a third end. The inner shaft is removably coupled to the outer shaft and configured to axially translate through the outer shaft. The surgical device includes pivotal device having at least one joint and an access tool. The at least one joint may be pivotally coupled to the third end of the inner shaft and to an end of the access tool. The pivotal device may be configured to axially translate through the angled guide into a deployed position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a joint evaluation device and corresponding systems and methods for evaluating ligaments and other soft tissue connections between, for example, a tibia and a femur at a knee joint. The joint evaluation device being arranged and configured to induce and measure forces while positions of the tibia and femur are monitored. Some embodiments use a computer assisted surgery device to track positions of the tibia and the femur, and may include a computing device configured to evaluate the forces measured between a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion of the joint evaluation device to output information related to the status of the ligament and other soft tissue connections prior to any bone resections being made to the tibia or the femur.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method and system for monitoring dental implant comprising the steps of graphically simulating an anatomy of a provided dental prosthesis coupleable to a dental implant; simulating an optimized implant site for the dental implant as a function of implant parameters of the dental implant and first parameters of the optimized implant site; calculating a plurality of optimal dental implants; selecting a usable implant from the plurality of optimal dental implants; calculating first deviations between first parameters of the optimized implant site and first parameters of the usable implant; calculating second deviations between second parameters of the optimal dental implants not selected as usable implants and first parameters of the optimized implant site; calculating real optimized parameters of the optimized implant site as a combined function of first deviations and second deviations.

Abstract: A retrograde resection apparatus may include a cutting blade including a slot defined in the cutting blade, a recess defined in at least a portion of the slot, a screw, including a proximal end and a distal end defining a bore therethrough, a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the shaft passes through the bore and the distal end is configured to be received in the recess, and a biasing device configured to bias the shaft against the cutting blade. In addition, the apparatus may include a tether, a first portion of which is affixed to the cutting blade and a second portion of which passes through the bore.

Abstract: Described within are systems, methods and apparatus for a bone mounted robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery system for precise implant position, soft tissue balancing and guidance of tools during a surgical procedure, particularly partial or total knee replacement procedure. The system features a bone mounted robotic arm with end-effector for precise positioning of surgical tool, positioning of implants and balancing of soft tissues. The reconfigurable robotic system requires minimal training by surgeons, is intuitive to use similar to conventional instrumented surgery and has a small footprint. The system works with existing, conventional instruments, patient specific instruments, sensor-assisted systems and computer-assisted systems and does not require increased surgical time and safely provides the enhanced precision achievable by robotic-assisted systems and computer-assisted technologies.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus, system, and method for positioning, holding, and/or distracting the bones and associated ligaments and tissue of the knee during surgery. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a modular distractor system may provide enhanced structurally stability and support of a patient's limb, which may provide stability, resulting in a better outcome for the patient. In another aspect of the present disclosure, modular distractor components are described, which provide for interchangeability and a tailored approach that accommodates variable patient limb size and specific surgical application.

Abstract: A fixation system for coupling a first and a second portion of bone together. The fixation system includes a first fixation element, a second fixation element, and an interconnect. The first fixation element includes an external surface configured to engage the first portion of bone and a first tapered mating surface. The second fixation element includes an external surface configured to engage the second portion of bone and a second tapered mating surface. The interconnect includes a first and a second tapered surface disposed at generally opposite ends. The first and the second tapered surfaces are configured to frictionally engage the first and the second tapered mating surfaces of the first and the second element, respectively, to form frictional interference connections therebetween.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for pre-operatively planned shoulder surgery guides and implants. Pre-operative planning methods for designing glenoid placement guides and depth-control pins based on considerations of multiple factors affecting the outcome of shoulder surgery. Methods of using surgery guides and implants, including glenoid placement guides and depth-control pins, in patients undergoing shoulder surgery.

Abstract: Drill assemblies and methods for drilling into bone are provided. In general, a drill assembly can have a flexible distal portion configured to move between a substantially straight configuration, in which a longitudinal axis of the distal portion is aligned with a longitudinal axis of a proximal shaft portion of the drill assembly, and a curved configuration, in which the longitudinal axis of the distal portion is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the plurality of segments located between the proximal shaft and the drill tip. The drill assembly can include a connecting element extending from the proximal shaft, through the segments, and to the drill tip at a distal end of the drill assembly. The drill assembly can include a conformal covering on the distal portion thereof that is configured to curve.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include devices and methods for implanting arthroplasty devices. Some embodiments include designs that allow for use of x-ray images as the only images used to fully and accurately preoperatively and intraoperatively size and align arthroplasty device components and prepare all necessary tissue.

Abstract: A bone connection system for attaching a surgical robot having its base mounted in the vicinity of a patient, to a bone of the patient. The system incorporates a switchable bone connection unit attached between the bone and a support element of the robot. This unit has a locked state in which the bone is attached essentially rigidly to the support element, and a released state in which the bone can move relative to the support element. The unit comprises a force sensor for determining the force exerted between the bone and the support element of the robot, and a position sensor for measuring the position of the bone relative to the support element of said robot. The unit switches from its locked state to its released state when the force exceeds a predetermined level, selected to ensure that the bone can move without detaching any bone connection elements.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a first member defining a longitudinal axis. The first member includes a blade disposed in spaced apart relation relative to the longitudinal axis and a grip surface. A second member has a blade disposed in spaced apart relation relative to the longitudinal axis and a grip surface. The grip surfaces are configured to be drawn together along the longitudinal axis such that the blades are engageable with tissue and connected with the grip surfaces such that the grip surfaces provide a tactile feedback of the tissue engagement. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A motor-driven orthopedic impacting tool is provided for orthopedic impacting in the hips, knees, shoulders and the like. The tool is capable of holding a broach, chisel, or other end effector, which when gently tapped in a cavity with controlled percussive impacts, can expand the size or volume of an opening of the cavity or facilitate removal of the broach, implant, or other surgical implement from the opening. A stored-energy drive mechanism stores potential energy and then releases it to launch a launched mass or striker to communicate a striking force to an adapter in either a forward or reverse direction. The tool may further include a combination anvil and adapter and an energy adjustment mechanism to adjust the striking force the launched mass delivers to the adapter in accordance with a patient profile.

Abstract: In one aspect, a bone anchor assembly is provided having a bone anchor with a head, a resilient locking cap extending about a portion of the bone anchor head, and a cap drive member having a depending annular wall. In another form, a bone plate system is provided including a bone plate having an elongated throughbore and a resilient support member received therein. In another aspect, an insertion device is provided for manipulating and inserting a spinal device at or within a spinal joint. The insertion device is configured to actively pivot the implant about the implant gripping end of the device and to allow manipulation and release of the implant in any pivoted orientation from approximately 0 to 90 degrees.