Abstract: A surgical system to facilitate a spinal procedure on a vertebral body includes a robotic manipulator including an arm and a tool holder. The tool holder defines a tool holder channel extending along a tool holder axis. The tool holder channel has a tool holder diameter. The surgical system also includes a guide tube configured to slide into the tool holder channel. The guide tube includes a body extending along a body axis and defining a body channel. The body has a proximal portion defining the body channel and having an outer proximal portion diameter that is less than or equal to the tool holder. The body has a distal portion extending from the proximal portion along the body axis and further defining the body channel. The distal portion includes a side surface that is configured to engage a surface of the vertebral body to minimize skiving.

Abstract: A surgical navigation tracker assembly including a rotational adapter for removably attaching a tracker to a surgical instrument assembly including a surgical handpiece. The adapter may be coupled to an end effector of the surgical instrument and configured to allow the end effector to actuate relative to the adapter. The end effector may comprise a stop, the adapter configured to abut the stop when coupled to the end effector. The adapter may comprise a mount for releasably securing the tracker to the adapter. The adapter may also comprise a biasing element, and the biasing element may comprise an abutment interface configured to engage either of the surgical handpiece or the stop when the end effector is coupled to the surgical handpiece. The biasing element is configured to limit rotation of the adapter relative to the surgical handpiece when the abutment interface is engaged with the surgical handpiece or the stop.

Abstract: A surgical navigation tracker assembly including a rotational adapter for removably attaching a tracker to a surgical instrument assembly including a surgical handpiece. The adapter may be coupled to an end effector of the surgical instrument and configured to allow the end effector to actuate relative to the adapter. The end effector may comprise a stop, the adapter configured to abut the stop when coupled to the end effector. The adapter may comprise a mount for releasably securing the tracker to the adapter. The adapter may also comprise a biasing element, and the biasing element may comprise an abutment interface configured to engage either of the surgical handpiece or the stop when the end effector is coupled to the surgical handpiece. The biasing element is configured to limit rotation of the adapter relative to the surgical handpiece when the abutment interface is engaged with the surgical handpiece or the stop.

Abstract: A mount assembly for use with a navigable tracker. The mount assembly includes a frame defining a seat, a coupler operatively attached to the frame for releasably securing to the navigable tracker, and a guide defining a bore and arranged in the seat for selective pivoting movement about a pivot point disposed within the bore. An anchor having a shank is arranged for selective sliding engagement with the bore. A guide lock is coupled to the frame and is selectively operable between: a locked configuration to restrict movement of both the anchor and the guide relative to the frame, and a released configuration to simultaneously permit pivoting movement of the anchor relative to the frame about the pivot point and translational movement of the anchor relative to the guide through the bore.

Abstract: Tool assemblies and methods are disclosed, such as for robotic-assisted surgery with a robot. The tool assembly includes a working tool (44) sized to be coaxially movable within the dilator (60). A locking mechanism (70) releasably couples the working tool (44) and the dilator (60) to one another such that, in a locked configuration, the robot supports the tool assembly. An actuator (86) is configured to receive an input to move the locking mechanism to an unlocked configuration and permit axial movement of the working tool within the dilator. The dilator (60) may include at least one spike (104) disposed within the grooves (128) to penetrate bone. The dilator (60) may include an inner sleeve and outer sleeve coaxially movable relative to one another to move the tool assembly from an initial configuration to a deployed configuration in which the spikes are exposed beyond the sleeve(s). Methods of preparing a pedicle of the spine with the tool assembly with robotic assistance are also disclosed.

Abstract: A single use syringe assembly includes a barrel having a chamber for retaining fluid, an open proximal end and a distal end including an elongate tip extending distally therefrom having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber. A needle cannula having a lumen therethrough is connected to the elongate tip so that the lumen is in fluid communication with the passageway. An elongate needle shield having a longitudinal opening therein is hingedly connected to the barrel. A needle shield is capable of pivoting from an open position or a closed needle protecting position. The plunger including an elongate body portion and a stopper is slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with the inside surface of the barrel. Structure is provided for locking the plunger in the barrel by applying distally directed force to the plunger after fluid has been delivered from the chamber.

Abstract: A spinal rod coupler used for joining spinal rods in a parallel fashion. The coupler is adapted to join rods of different thicknesses or flexibilities while occupying a minimal amount of volume inside a patient. The coupler preferably has a V-shaped channel adapted to receive the spinal rods such that the spinal rods make a line contact with the V-shaped channel at two points in cross section. The coupler also has at least one blocker adapted to exert force against the spinal rod or rods in order to hold the spinal rod in the coupler.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes an upper plate having an outer surface and an inner surface, a lower plate having an outer surface and an inner surface, and an intermediate plate having a first surface opposing the inner surface of the upper plate and a second surface opposing the inner surface of the lower plate. The implant includes a first flexible hinge that couples the upper plate and the intermediate plate, and a second flexible hinge that couples the intermediate plate and the lower plate, the first flexible hinge extending along a first axis and the second flexible hinge extending along a second axis that traverses the first axis.

Abstract: A single use syringe assembly includes a barrel having a chamber for retaining fluid, an open proximal end and a distal end including an elongate tip extending distally therefrom having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber. A needle cannula having a lumen therethrough is connected to the elongate tip so that the lumen is in fluid communication with the passageway. An elongate needle shield having a longitudinal opening therein is hingedly connected to the barrel. A needle shield is capable of pivoting from an open position or a closed needle protecting position. The plunger including an elongate body portion and a stopper is slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with the inside surface of the barrel. Structure is provided for locking the plunger in the barrel by applying distally directed force to the plunger after fluid has been delivered from the chamber.

Abstract: A retracting needle assembly for use with a syringe barrel having a distally-facing annular sealing surface includes an outer hub having a conduit therethrough, a proximally facing annular sealing surface and means for connecting the outer hub to the syringe barrel. An inner hub having a passageway therethrough is provided. The inner hub includes a distally extending stem and a proximal flange for releasably engaging the outer hub. A needle having a sharp distal end and a proximal end is mounted in the passageway of the inner hub so that the sharp distal end projects distally outwardly. An elongate spring is disposed about the stem of the inner hub and is deflected to provide a bias between the inner hub and the outer hub. A hollow sleeve sized to fit within the conduit of the outer hub over the spring is provided. The sleeve has a sharp edge at its distal end for cutting through the flange to activate the retracting needle feature.

Abstract: A retracting needle assembly for use with a syringe barrel having a distally-facing annular sealing surface includes an outer hub having a conduit therethrough, a proximally facing annular sealing surface and means for connecting the outer hub to the syringe barrel. An inner hub having a passageway therethrough is provided. The inner hub includes a distally extending stem and a proximal flange for releasably engaging the outer hub. A needle having a sharp distal end and a proximal end is mounted in the passageway of the inner hub so that the sharp, distal end projects distally outwardly. An elongate spring is disposed about the stem of the inner hub and is deflected to provide a bias between the inner hub and the outer hub. A hollow sleeve sized to fit within the conduit of the outer hub over the spring is provided. The sleeve has a sharp edge at its distal end for cutting through the flange to activate the retracting needle feature.

Abstract: A new tip for a conventional lancer that provides for improved blood flow from a lancet puncture site not located on a patient's finger. The new lancer tip includes a plurality of crenellations that exert rotational force on the skin surrounding the lancet puncture site when the lancer is rotated to enhance blood flow from the lancet puncture site.

Abstract: A new tip for a conventional lancer that provides for improved blood flow from a lancet puncture site not located on a patient's finger. The new lancer tip includes a plurality of crenellations that exert rotational force on the skin surrounding the lancet puncture site when the lancer is rotated to enhance blood flow from the lancet puncture site.