Abstract: A surgical saw blade has an upper surface and a lower surface, and includes a first end having right and left side edges, where the first end is configured to connect to an oscillating head of a powered saw. The saw blade also has a cutting end; and an elongated shank connecting the first end and the cutting end. The first end of the saw blade may be narrower than the shank, and a stopping surface may connect the first end to the elongated shank. The stopping surface is configured to engage the oscillating head of the powered saw, so as to ensure correct positioning of the saw blade relative to the oscillating head. The elongated shank of the saw blade may have an elongated hole through the shank, where the size and shape of the elongated hole are configured to optimize a resonant frequency and/or a dynamic stiffness of the saw blade. The cutting end of the saw blade may have a plurality of first teeth thereon, where each first tooth is mounted on a distal end of a tine.

Abstract: An inflatable bone tamp including a first balloon portion and a second balloon portion is provided. Each of the first balloon portion and the second balloon portion include interior cavities that can be filled with liquid, and these interior cavities communicate with one another via a valve. The valve can limit or restrict flow of the liquid between the cavities. As such, the first balloon portion and the second balloon portion can be sequentially inflated with the liquid through use of the valve.

Abstract: A device for loading bone graft material into a delivery tube is provided herein. The device includes a housing defining a reservoir for receiving bone graft, a magazine at least partially disposed within the housing, and an actuation member coupled to the housing for discharging the bone graft material into the delivery tube. The magazine defines a first chamber and a second chamber and is moveable between a first position in which the first chamber is in communication with the reservoir and a second position in which the second chamber is in communication with the reservoir. The actuation member includes a plunger configured to slide into the first chamber and the second chamber to discharge bone graft material, when bone graft material is contained therein, into the delivery tube. Methods of loading bone graft material are also provided.

Abstract: A distractor system for use in a joint between two bone surfaces of an anatomical structure includes, for example, distractor and at least one detachable tool comprising a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said proximal portion being releasably attachable to at least one of a first end of the distractor and/or a second end of the distractor. The distal portion of the detachable tool being operably positionable in the joint between the two bone surfaces of the anatomical structure. The detachable tools may include a detachable paddle.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument (3) having a proximal end (4), a distal end (5), opposing sides (6, 7), and a longitudinal axis (8) and comprising: (i) an instrument body (2); (ii) a pivotal cutting arm (10) having a pinion (20) with an axis of rotation, the pinion being integrally formed with the pivotal cutting arm, wherein the pivotal cutting arm is mounted for rotation relative to the instrument body about a pivot axis (11), the pivot axis being the axis of rotation of the pinion, so that, rotation of the pinion about the pivot axis, causes the pivot arm to pivot relative to the instrument body; (iii) a cutting blade (40) on the pivotal cutting arm for resecting tissue; (iv) a rack (25) that can be moved in a reciprocating linear motion forward towards the distal end and rearwards toward the proximal end, the rack and the pinion being meshed together to forming a rack and pinion mechanism so that linear motion of the rack effects pivotal movement of the pivotal cutting arm about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A tool for delivery and/or compaction of bone graft material includes a cannula with an inner lumen extending along a longitudinal axis from a hopper end of the cannula to a delivery tip of the cannula. A hopper with an internal volume for storing bone graft material is connected to the hopper end of the cannula with the internal volume of the hopper in communication with the inner lumen of the cannula for delivery of bone graft material from the hopper to the delivery tip of the cannula. An output shaft within the inner lumen extends along the longitudinal axis. The output shaft includes a helical screw thread extending radially outward from the output shaft toward an inner surface of the cannula. An actuator is connected to the hopper and to the output shaft to drive the output shaft rotationally relative to the hopper and to the cannula.

Abstract: An annular cutting tool and related methods are provided for herein that exhibit improved durability, cutting performance, and/or reduced heat generation for bone graft resections. The annular cutting tool can include an annular body having cutting teeth with a flat, flared distal tip for greater durability. An extended gullet can be disposed between groups of adjacent cutting teeth to improve removal of bone debris away from the cutting teeth more and thus prevent binding during use. The annular cutting body can have a recessed surface portion to reduce the area of direct contact to bone and thus reduce heat generated. The recessed surface portion can also provide an area in which bone debris can accumulate away from the cutting teeth to prevent or reduce binding of the tool during use. The annular cutting body can also include a drill bit for drilling a hole in a resected bone graft.

Abstract: An endplate plunger for implanting a growth-promoting tether between opposed adjacent vertebrae. The endplate plunger includes resilient arm assemblies that store potential energy when the endplate plunger is in a retracted configuration. In transitioning from the retracted configuration to a deployed configuration, the potential energy is released in a burst of kinetic energy, causing tip portions at the distal ends of the resilient arm assemblies to be thrust into the adjacent vertebrae. In some embodiments, each tip portion forms a cleft in the respective vertebral endplate and deposits the tether therein. The tether is thereby anchored directly in the clefts, without need for separately formed anchors. In some embodiments, devices and methods are disclosed to route the tether through an implanted spinal implant.

Abstract: A tool for manipulating the position of an implantable medical device. In some embodiments the tool includes a readily releasable grasping feature that securely couples the implant to the tool while the implant is being manipulated. Preferably, the user can simply release the implant from the tool. The tool in other embodiments includes an internal pathway for accommodating non-linear implants, such as curved rods, wires, or nails. In yet other embodiments the tool has multiple handles, each handle being adapted and configured to permit manipulation of the implant in a single predetermined orientation, but with alternative handles for grasping in different hand orientations. Still further embodiments pertain to a kit having a tool and a plurality of collets, each collet being adapted and configured to grasp a different size of implant, but each collet having identical tool coupling features such that any collet in the kit can be used with the single tool.

Abstract: An implant for a human rib can include an elongate body, a plurality of bores, and a placement tool interface. The elongate body can include a first portion including a flat outer face where the elongate body can be curved along a plane perpendicular to the flat outer face. The second portion can extend from the first portion to form a curved outer face. The plurality of bores can extend through the flat outer face of the first portion and into the second portion. The bores can extend partially into the curved outer face of the second portion. The placement tool interface can extend into the body.

Abstract: There is provided a tracing platform configured to rigidly attach to an anatomy of a patient that has at least one surface configured to provide a defined path (represented by path definition data) for tracing by a surgical instrument. An intra-operative computing unit receives pose data for the instrument when tracing the path and calculates a location of the defined path using the pose data and the path definition data. A change in location may be determined from pose data of different traces. Tracing the defined path generates a plurality of pose data which may increase accuracy of the location calculations. Redundant trace data may be received to eliminate bias. A geometric feature (e.g. V-groove), shape and/or magnetic properties of the platform may assist with tracing. The platform may rigidly attach to a bone using at least one of spikes, a bone screw, a cerclage wire, and a bone clamp.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein to generate a 3D surface scan of a surface profile of a patient's anatomy. The 3D surface scan may be generated by reflections of structured light off the surface profile of the anatomy. The 3D surface scan may be used during intra-operative surgical navigation by a localization system. Optionally, a pre-operative medical image may also be registered to the localization system or used to enhance the 3D surface scan.

Abstract: A joint distraction device includes a lever body, a foot extending from a bottom surface of the lever body, wherein the foot is coupled to the lever body via a hinge such that the lever body is rotatable relative to the foot, a first plate and a second plate extending from a distal portion of the lever body, wherein the first plate and the second plate are separated by a gap and wherein each of the first plate and the second plate comprise a stopper extending upwards from a top surface of the first plate and the second plate, and a force measurement device coupled to the bottom surface of the lever body and configured to measure a distraction force applied by the lever body at the foot during a joint distraction procedure in which a torque is applied at a proximal portion of the lever body.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant is configured to be implanted in an intervertebral space in a first initial configuration. Subsequently, an actuator is configured to be driven in an actuation direction such that the actuator urges the implant to expand along a first expansion direction. Once the implant has been fully expanded along the first expansion direction, the actuator is configured to be further driven in the actuation direction so as to expand the implant in a second expansion direction that is perpendicular to the first expansion direction.

Abstract: A wedge has an outer perimeter and includes a top surface extending generally in a first plane and having a top osteointegration surface disposed thereon. A bottom surface extends in a second plane that extends obliquely with respect to the first plane. The first plane intersects the second plane outside the outer perimeter of the implant and includes a bottom osteointegration surface disposed thereon. A plurality of side surfaces extends between the top surface and the bottom surface and defines the outer perimeter, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of side surfaces is devoid of any osteointegration surface.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprises a cylindrical shaft and a blade at a distal or free end of the shaft, the blade being unitary and continuous with the shaft, without an intervening joint. The shaft has a longitudinal axis and the blade includes a flat or planar blade body with a proximal end eccentrically disposed relative to the shaft axis. Thus, the blade body or at least a proximal end portion thereof is disposed eccentrically relative to the shaft. The blade in its entirely may be inclined relative to the shaft axis or extend parallel thereto.

Abstract: An electrostatic atomization ultrasonic aided low-damage and controllable biologic bone grinding process and device, which solve the problem of debris blockage and have good cooling effect and high operation efficiency. The device includes: a spindle, arranged rotatably; a water-catching grinding tool for grinding a biologic bone, the spindle being connected with the tool through an ultrasonic vibration mechanism, the tool achieving longitudinal and rotary motions under the drive of the spindle and mechanism; a cooling and film forming mechanism on one side of the tool and connected with an ultrasonic generator in the mechanism, a nozzle connected with a medical nano liquid storage cup arranged at the bottom, compressed gas capable of being introduced into the nozzle to perform pneumatic-ultrasonic atomization on a medical nanofluid, the nanofluid being flushed into a grinding zone in droplets for effective cooling and lubrication; and an endoscope on the other side of the tool.

Abstract: Instruments, guides, systems and related methods for total ankle prostheses are disclosed. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods facilitate preparation of a tibia and/or talus of a patient for implantation of a total ankle prosthesis therein. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods also facilitate selection of a particular size of a tibial component, a talus component and/or a tibial insert of the total ankle prosthesis that suits the patient. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods include a tibial trial component, a talar trial component and tibial insert trial component that replicate one or more aspects of the tibial component, the talus component and the tibial insert, respectively, of the total ankle prosthesis. The talar trial component includes an articulation surface that articulates with the tibial insert trial component, and slots that facilitate chamfered resection of the patient's talus for the implantation of the talus component thereon.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for autonomous surgical robot evolution and handoff for manual operation are disclosed. A robotic surgical system performs surgery and is controlled jointly by an artificial intelligence (AI) and a surgeon. The surgeon can perform the entire surgery or can alternatively allow the AI to control the surgical robot to perform a part of or the entirety of the surgery. The AI is trained using data from previous surgeries, can provide indication to the surgeon when it has been sufficient trained to take over parts of a surgery, and can prompt the surgeon when there is insufficient training data for the AI to continue. Alternatively, a supervising surgeon can manually take back control of the surgical robot from the AI.

Abstract: A vertebral body replacement device, dimensioned for implantation between a first and second vertebral bone is described. The vertebral body replacement device includes a superior endcap, an inferior endcap and a central core between the superior and inferior endcaps. The vertebral body replacement device further includes a fusion aperture extending through the superior and inferior endcaps and central core. The vertebral body replacement device is made of radiolucent material and can be implanted from a lateral or anterior approach to the spine.