Abstract: Bone fusion system, plate system, guide, implant, kit and methods for using the bone fusion system, plate system, guide and implant are disclosed. The bone fusion system includes an alignment guide, an implant, and at least one fastener inserted through the implant. The alignment guide includes a body portion, a first lobe positioned at a first end of the body portion, a second lobe positioned at a second end of the body portion, and an extension member extending away from a first side of the body portion. The implant includes a body portion, a first arm extending away from the body portion in a first direction, a second arm extending away from the body portion in a second direction, and a third arm extending away from the body portion laterally between the first and second arms. Finally, methods for using the bone fusion system, plate system, guide and implant are disclosed.

Abstract: A patient-specific guide tool for guiding an instrument toward a bone for implantation of a prosthetic device is disclosed. The guide tool includes a body portion having a guide element, and a patient-specific portion having at least one patient-specific mating feature that is configured to engage a soft tissue at or near the bone. A method of manufacturing a guide tool for guiding an instrument toward a bone is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bone screw is provided including a longitudinal core member having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction and having an outer surface and a helical groove in the outer surface, the groove being defined by opposed sidewalls; and a helical thread body configured to be accommodated in the groove. When the thread body is assembled in the groove of the core member and when the core member is straight, the thread body is configured to abut one opposed sidewall without abutting the other opposed sidewall along a full turn of the thread body, the thread body is configured to slide in the groove between the opposed sidewalls of the helical groove parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a first portion of the thread body that is outside the helical groove has a height greater than a second portion of the thread body that is in the helical groove.

Abstract: A device for producing a bone cement dough from a monomer liquid and a cement powder and dispensing the bone cement dough. The device includes a cartridge holding the cement powder in an internal space. A monomer receptacle screws onto the cartridge, forms a chamber, and has a plunger with a passage that is permeable to gases and the monomer liquid but is impermeable to the cement powder and that connects the internal space to the chamber. The plunger tightly closes the internal space with the exception of the passage. A gas supply opening is arranged in the wall of the monomer receptacle. A monomer liquid container holds the monomer liquid and is located in the chamber. An opening facility opens the container, and closes the gas supply opening before opening the container. Also provided is a method for producing and dispensing the bone cement dough.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade cartridge that includes a guide bar formed from an inner layer and opposed outer plates. The inner layer comprising an outer tine extending distally from the proximal end of the guide bar. An outer surface of the outer tine forms a section of a side surface of the guide bar. A side weld may be formed along the side surface of the guide bar. The cartridge may include a blade coupled to the guide bar, the blade comprising a web disposed between the two outer plates. The blade may include a blade head integral with and located distal to the web, the head formed with teeth located distal to the guide bar, the teeth having a sufficient thickness to form a kerf able to receive the guide bar. A method of forming the cartridge is also contemplated, including welding the inner layer to the outer plates.

Abstract: Reciprocating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such reciprocating rasps are also disclosed. Some of the methods include inserting a guide pin into the glenoid of the patient, advancing a reciprocating surgical rasp over the guide pin, reciprocating the surgical rasp so as to abrade bone tissue to form a cavity shaped to receive the glenoid component, and implanting the glenoid component in the cavity.

Abstract: Neurosurgical apparatus has a guidance device having a guide tube and a neurosurgical instrument for insertion into the guide tube. The inner surface of the guide tube is arranged, for example profiled, to at least partially engage the outer surface of the neurosurgical instrument when inserted therein. The guide tube thus guides the neurosurgical instrument along a predefined path through the guide tube. At least one of the guidance device and the outer surface of the neurosurgical instrument are configured to provide a fluid return path for carrying any fluid displaced from within the guide tube during insertion of the neurosurgical instrument into the guide tube. A seal may also be provided for sealing the fluid return path.

Abstract: An acetabular cup remover with a blade for removing tissue adjacent an acetabular cup. The blade is oscillated against an arcuate section of tissue. Once a section of tissue is cut, an indexing assembly rotates the blade. The blade is again oscillated to cut a new arcuate section of tissue.

Abstract: A patient-customized surgical instrument used to form a surgical site in a tibia for implantation of an implant into the tibia, and a surgical module using the same. A body part is coupled to the tibia to surround a portion of the tibia. A cutting-member insertion window is formed through a side of the body part to receive a cutting member that is inserted to form a cutting plane of the tibia. A position setting hole is formed through the upper side of the body part to receive and guide a post recess forming member that is used to form a post recess in the tibia. A post of the tibia element is received in the post recess. A surgical site can be accurately and easily formed in a damaged tibia.

Abstract: An adjustable and self-locking fixation device for fixedly securing two structures wherein the device comprises two spans and a receiving aperture configured to receive the spans and form a closed loop around a first structure. The two spans are further configured to secure and lock onto each other so as to form a second closed loop around the two structures and secure the two structures in a tensioned state.

Abstract: A cannulated plunger assembly for setting a tether with anchors on both ends to extend between adjacent vertebrae. The cannulated form enables minimally invasive access to an evacuated space between the vertebral endplates. Each of the anchors are coupled to a respective one of a pair of plunger arms, the plunger arms being configured to deploy the anchors beyond an outer radius of a tubular housing. In some embodiments, in a retracted configuration, the pair of plunger arms are surrounded by the housing, and in a deployed configuration, the pair of plunger arms extend through an open distal end of and beyond an outer radius of the housing to drive the anchors into the vertebral end plates.

Abstract: Resected bone and/or tissue removal instruments and related methods are disclosed. The instruments include a first elongate member including a first head portion with a front edge and a first handle portion. The instrument further includes second elongate member rotatably coupled to the first elongate member at a first rotation point, the second member including a second handle portion and an end portion. The instrument also includes a third elongate member rotatably coupled to the first elongate member at a second rotation point, the third member including a second head portion and an end portion. The end portions of the second and third members are rotatably coupled at a third movable rotation point positioned between the first and second rotation points. The second head portion includes an interior surface with a front cutting tooth defining a free end of the second head portion.

Abstract: A method of replacing a nucleus pulposus material wherein curable nucleus pulposus material is injected into a balloon in an intervertebral space.

Abstract: An instrument for drilling a hole for a bone screw comprises a shaft having a primary drill fluted portion, a shank, and a middle portion there between. Part of an outer surface of the shaft's middle portion is non-curved. A sleeve surrounds the shaft. The sleeve has an inner surface that is complementary to the outer surface of the shaft's middle portion such that the sleeve slides with respect to the shaft. The sleeve's inner surface contacts the outer surface of the shaft's middle portion at the non-curved part such that the shaft can transmit torque to the sleeve. A countersink drill bit is provided at an end of the sleeve proximate the shaft's primary drill fluted portion. A locking mechanism selectively holds the sleeve in a fixed position with respect to the shaft, locating the countersink drill bit at a selected position with respect to the shaft's drilling end.

Abstract: A dynamic bone anchor includes an anchor member having a tubular body with a first end and a second end, the anchor member defining an anchor axis including a plurality of barb elements, and being made at least partially of a nickel-titanium (Ni—Ti) based shape memory alloy. The dynamic bone anchor also including a core member configured to be inserted from the first end through the second end such that a first portion of the tubular body extends out from the first end, and a second portion of the tubular body extends out from the second end. The anchor member and the core member are configured such that when assembled, the first portion of the core member is spaced apart from the anchor member and movable with respect to it, and the second portion of the core member is fixed to and movable together with the anchor member.

Abstract: A laryngoscope system includes a body having a handle and an arm, a camera mounted on a distal end of the arm, and a removable blade having a channel sized to fit over the arm to couple the blade to the body. The blade includes a magnet, and a sensor disposed in the body is responsive to the magnet. The laryngoscope system also includes a processor disposed in the body and programmed to enable at least one monitoring function in response to a signal from the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an articulating tool having a head that articulates and is capable of maintaining an angle for drilling or placing a fastener into a bone. The articulating tool includes a housing, an articulating head, a rotatable drive shaft, and a driver tip connected to the distal shaft portion. The articulating tool may be constructed and arranged to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position and the second position the articulating head and the rotatable drive shaft are at different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an implant having a first attachment mechanism and an insertion instrument having a proximal end, a distal end, and a second attachment mechanism disposed at the distal end for removable connection with the first attachment mechanism. The proximal end of the insertion instrument is pivotable with respect to the implant. The insertion instrument can include an inserter and a guide. A method of using the surgical system is provided.

Abstract: A spinal interbody implant includes a two-component cage and expander. The two-component cage, when assembled, accepts the expander through a reverse dovetail configuration between the assembled cage and the expander. The expander has a pair of legs that move within and along lateral channels formed by and between the two cage components for increasing the height of the two cage components relative to one another. The amount of expansion of the cage is determined by the height of the pair of expander legs. The cage accepts different expanders each having pairs of legs of different heights in order to provide different amounts of cage expansion and thus the interbody implant. The front of each expander leg is arch shaped for reception in the lateral channels of the assembled cage and to progressively expand the two cage components relative to one another as the expander is received by the assembled cage.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant is provided having first and second endplates hinged along one end and an expansion mechanism disposed therebetween configured to expand the first and second endplates from each other to provide a lordotic angle of up to 60 degrees. Various implants, systems and methods are disclosed.