Abstract: A needle bender for custom bending of needles to different desired needle bend radii is provided. The needle bender can include abase and a shaper coupled to the base through a support member. The shaper may have a plurality of grooves corresponding to different desired needle bend radii. A leverage arm with a needle slide disposed on one end may be rotatably coupled to the support arm. When a needle is inserted along the base into one of the grooves in the shaper and at least partially into the needle slide, the leverage arm can be actuated toward the base to thereby bend the needle to the desired needle bend radius. The needle bender may also include a lock plate between the base and the shaper that can be actuated toward the shaper to further secure the needle to the shaper.

Abstract: A needle bender for custom bending of needles to different desired needle bend radii is provided. The needle bender can include abase and a shaper coupled to the base through a support member. The shaper may have a plurality of grooves corresponding to different desired needle bend radii. A leverage arm with a needle slide disposed on one end may be rotatably coupled to the support arm. When a needle is inserted along the base into one of the grooves in the shaper and at least partially into the needle slide, the leverage arm can be actuated toward the base to thereby bend the needle to the desired needle bend radius. The needle bender may also include a lock plate between the base and the shaper that can be actuated toward the shaper to further secure the needle to the shaper.

Abstract: An anti-skive bone drill assembly is provided, and may be used for spinal surgical procedures. The anti-skive assembly can include a sheath, a drill bit disposed within the sheath, and a mechanism for maneuvering the drill bit within the sheath. The anti-skive assembly, and particularly the sheath, may be mounted in a surgical robot. The anti-skive assembly may be used to side cut a bone to create a flattened surface in an otherwise non-perpendicular bone surface.

Abstract: A system for performing interbody fusion surgery including an expandable intervertebral spacer and specialized instruments for choosing the correct size of implant, implanting the device within the intervertebral space, and for delivery of bone graft or bone substitute to the interior of the implant.

Abstract: An improved cannulated aspiration screw device and method of use thereof for removal of, inter alia, bone marrow from a patient's bone. The cannulated aspiration screw device includes a shaft at its proximate end and a drilling dip section at its distal end and has a removable insert, that when inserted in the cannulated aspiration screw device at is proximate end prevents the flow of materials into and through the cannulated aspiration screw device while the device is being screwed into the bone. Once the cannulated aspiration screw device is screwed in place, the removable insert is removed, and an aspiration device (such as a surgical syringe) is then connected at the proximate end of the cannulated aspiration screw device (generally utilizing a connector) and aspiration is then performed using the aspiration device.

Abstract: This application describes surgical instruments and implants for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the cervical spinal column. The construct includes a sled adapted for positioning in a facet joint and two receivers slideably mounted on the sled. The receivers are adapted to support surgical instruments such as a drill, a tap, and a screw. The sled assists in orienting the instruments at a desired angle with respect to the spine.

Abstract: A pedicle screw tower having a guide chute, open at both ends, affixed to the exterior of the main body of the tower. The guide chute extends the length of the tower and is curved inwardly at its bottom such that the exit direction is at approximately 90 degrees to and facing the central axis of tower. A guide cable is passed into and through the guide chute such that it is directed across the tower to an adjacent tower.

Abstract: A cable threader device for passing a guide cable between pedicle screws during minimally invasive spinal surgery, the device comprising a handle with a trigger mechanism, the handle mounted onto an elongated shaft having a curved free end with a detachable curved lead member retained in telescoping manner on the end of the body. The guide cable is affixed to the lead member, the instrument is inserted into a first screw tower, the trigger mechanism is activated to advance the lead member into the adjacent tower, and the lead member and guide cable are retrieved through the second tower.

Abstract: A posterior cervical fusion surgery assembly and method. The assembly includes a sled adapted to be positioned in a facet joint and two receivers slidably mounted on the sled. The receivers are adapted to support surgical instruments such as a drill, a tap, and a screw. The sled assists in orienting the instruments at a desired angle with respect to the spine.

Abstract: This application describes surgical instruments and implants for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the cervical spinal column. The construct includes a sled adapted for positioning in a facet joint and two receivers slideably mounted on the sled. The receivers are adapted to support surgical instruments such as a drill, a tap, and a screw. The sled assists in orienting the instruments at a desired angle with respect to the spine.

Abstract: A cable threader device for passing a guide cable between pedicle screws during minimally invasive spinal surgery, the device comprising a handle with a trigger mechanism, the handle mounted onto an elongated shaft having a curved free end with a detachable curved lead member retained in telescoping manner on the end of the body. The guide cable is affixed to the lead member, the instrument is inserted into a first screw tower, the trigger mechanism is activated to advance the lead member into the adjacent tower, and the lead member and guide cable are retrieved through the second tower.

Abstract: A cable threader device for passing a guide cable between pedicle screws during minimally invasive spinal surgery, the device comprising a handle with a trigger mechanism, the handle mounted onto an elongated shaft having a curved free end with a detachable curved lead member retained in telescoping manner on the end of the body. The guide cable is affixed to the lead member, the instrument is inserted into a first screw tower, the trigger mechanism is activated to advance the lead member into the adjacent tower, and the lead member and guide cable are retrieved through the second tower. Alternatively, the lead member is a hollow sleeve and the guide cable is pushed through the lead member.

Abstract: An improved method and guide wire assembly used in a system, set of instrumentation and method comprising the combination and use of plural pedicle screws, a rod for connecting pedicle screws in a relatively rigid manner, and instrumentation to optimize insertion of the rod into the pedicle screws, the assembly having a guide wire and instrumentation to grasp a medial portion of the guide wire to pull the medial portion through all the pedicle screws and connecting the loop to the end of a fixation rod, whereby one end of the guide wire is mounted to a pedicle screw, all the screws are implanted into the vertebrae, and the rod subsequently guided into the pedicle screws by pulling the guide wire loop back through the pedicle screws, all using minimally invasive surgical incisions.

Abstract: A posterior cervical fusion surgery assembly and method. The assembly includes a sled adapted to be positioned in a facet joint and two receivers slidably mounted on the sled. The receivers are adapted to support surgical instruments such as a drill, a tap, and a screw. The sled assists in orienting the instruments at a desired angle with respect to the spine.

Abstract: An improved method and guide wire assembly used in a system, set of instrumentation and method comprising the combination and use of plural pedicle screws, a rod for connecting pedicle screws in a relatively rigid manner, and instrumentation to optimize insertion of the rod into the pedicle screws, the assembly having a guide wire and instrumentation to grasp a medial portion of the guide wire to pull the medial portion through all the pedicle screws and connecting the loop to the end of a fixation rod, whereby one end of the guide wire is mounted to a pedicle screw, all the screws are implanted into the vertebrae, and the rod subsequently guided into the pedicle screws by pulling the guide wire loop back through the pedicle screws, all using minimally invasive surgical incisions.

Abstract: A cable threader device for passing a guide cable between pedicle screws during minimally invasive spinal surgery, the device comprising a handle with a trigger mechanism, the handle mounted onto an elongated shaft having a curved free end with a detachable curved lead member retained in telescoping manner on the end of the body. The guide cable is affixed to the lead member, the instrument is inserted into a first screw tower, the trigger mechanism is activated to advance the lead member into the adjacent tower, and the lead member and guide cable are retrieved through the second tower. Alternatively, the lead member is a hollow sleeve and the guide cable is pushed through the lead member.

Abstract: A pedicle screw tower having a guide chute, open at both ends, affixed to the exterior of the main body of the tower. The guide chute extends the length of the tower and is curved inwardly at its bottom such that the exit direction is at approximately 90 degrees to and facing the central axis of tower. A guide cable is passed into and through the guide chute such that it is directed across the tower to an adjacent tower.

Abstract: A hollow non-load-bearing spinal implant having a hollow body and an attachment device for attaching the implant. A method of inserting a non-load-bearing spinal implant by inserting the laminoplasty implant into a prepared space in a spine, positioning the implant within the prepared space and affixing the implant to the spine.

Abstract: An improved guide wire having a collar member for affixation to a pedicle screw, the guide wire assembly used in a system, set of instrumentation and method comprising the combination and use of plural pedicle screws, a rod for connecting pedicle screws in a relatively rigid manner, and instrumentation means to optimize insertion of the rod into the pedicle screws, such means comprising a guide wire and instrumentation to position the guide wire in the pedicle screws, whereby the guide wire is mounted to a pedicle screw, all the screws are implanted into the vertebrae, and the rod subsequently guided into the pedicle screws along the guide wire, all using minimally invasive surgical incisions.

Abstract: A cervical plate assembly having a body, with at least two wings, and a tensioning mechanism for applying a force to the wings. The tensioning mechanism includes a shape memory band and an adjuster for shortening or lengthening the band.