Abstract: Several aspects of alignment systems and methods used in spinal surgery are disclosed. For instance, in one aspect, there is disclosed an alignment instrument comprising a first alignment member for coupling to a spinal stabilization system at one location, a second alignment member for coupling to the spinal stabilization system at a second location, and a linkage assembly for coupling the first alignment member to the second alignment member.

Abstract: Medical devices, methods and systems for treating tissue are provided. An exemplary system comprises a fluid from a fluid source, a surgical device which provides energy and the fluid to the tissue and a control mechanism which changes a flow rate of fluid provided from the surgical device and changes a rate of energy provided from the surgical device. The fluid flow rate changes between at least two non-zero flow rates and the energy rate changes between at least two non-zero energy rates. An exemplary method comprises providing a fluid from a fluid source, providing a surgical device which provides energy and the fluid to the tissue, and changing a flow rate of fluid provided from the surgical device with a change in a rate of energy provided from the surgical device. Exemplary devices comprise a tip portion configured to provide energy and a fluid to a tissue.

Abstract: Surgical devices, systems and methods for treating tissue are provided. An exemplary surgical device comprises a tip portion including first and second jaws each having a tissue grasping surface, at least one of the jaws being movable toward the other jaw. The tissue grasping surface of each jaw has includes an electrically insulative surface. The device also includes first and second electrodes connectable to different terminals of an RF generator to generate electrical current flow therebetween, with each of the electrodes having an electrode surface. One of the electrode surfaces is located on one of the jaws separated from one edge of the tissue grasping surface, and the other of the electrode surfaces is located on one or the other of the jaws separated from the other edge of the tissue grasping surface. The device also includes at least one fluid passage being connectable to a fluid source.

Abstract: Surgical devices, systems and methods for treating tissue are provided. An exemplary surgical device comprises a tip portion including first and second jaws each having a tissue grasping surface, at least one of the jaws being movable toward the other jaw. The tissue grasping surface of each jaw has includes an electrically insulative surface. The device also includes first and second electrodes connectable to different terminals of an RF generator to generate electrical current flow therebetween, with each of the electrodes having an electrode surface. One of the electrode surfaces is located on one of the jaws separated from one edge of the tissue grasping surface, and the other of the electrode surfaces is located on one or the other of the jaws separated from the other edge of the tissue grasping surface. The device also includes at least one fluid passage being connectable to a fluid source.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device is provided which comprises a distal portion having a bipolar electrode configuration and at least one fluid outlet opening. The device further includes a first electrode tip spaced from a second electrode tip with the first electrode tip to serve as a first pole of the bipolar electrode configuration and the second electrode tip to serve as a second pole of the bipolar electrode configuration. The first and second electrode tips are configured to slide over a tissue surface in the presence of a fluid provided from the fluid outlet opening and an electrical current provided from the electrode tips.

Abstract: Medical devices, methods and systems for treating tissue are provided. An exemplary system comprises a fluid from a fluid from a fluid source at a fluid flow rate, a surgical device which provides power and the fluid to the tissue and a control mechanism which changes a fluid flow rate provided from the surgical device and changes a power level provided from the surgical device. The fluid flow rate changes between at least two-zero flow rates and the power level changes between at least two non-zero levels. An exemplary method comprises providing a fluid from a fluid source at a fluid flow rate, providing a surgical device which provides power and the fluid to the tissue, and changing the fluid flow rate of fluid provided from the surgical device with a change in power level provided from the surgical device.

Abstract: Surgical devices, systems and methods for treating tissue. An exemplary surgical device comprises a tip portion including first and second jaws each having a tissue grasping surface, at least one of the jaws being movable toward the other jaw. The tissue grasping surface of each jaw has includes an electrically insulative surface. The device also includes first and second electrodes connectable to different terminals of an RF generator to generate electrical current flow therebetween, with each of the electrodes having an electrode surface. One of the electrode surfaces is located on one of the jaws separated from one edge of the tissue grasping surface, and the other of the electrode surfaces is located on one or the other of the jaws separated from the other edge of the tissue grasping surface. The device also includes at least one fluid passage being connectable to a fluid source.

Abstract: A medical fastening system for a modular knee prosthesis system includes a femoral component having a first surface, a second surface, and an aperture extending therebetween. A modular adapter element has a first end that is mountable adjacent the first surface of the femoral component and a second, mating end that is engagable with a second prosthesis component. The system also includes a first bolt that mates the adapter element to the femoral component. Various connection options are possible to secure different components of the system to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knee prosthesis having a femoral component having a pair of spaced apart condylar portions and a boss structure extending between the condylar portions. The knee prosthesis also includes a stem component having a proximal end and a distal end. The knee prosthesis further includes a lock nut for securing the stem member to the femoral component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a femoral component of a modular knee prosthesis having a first condylar portion, a second condylar portion and a box structure having a radiused superior surface, an inferior surface, and an aperture extending therebetween. The box structure may be modular to accommodate varying femoral geometries. Pairs of opposing surface features, such as grooves, are formed on the box structure and allow for anterior-posterior positioning of a stem component such as a femoral stem, sleeve or sleeve adapter. Additional surface features may be provided to centrally locate the stem component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a jack device that is a body interposable between prosthetic joint components to provide a selectable spacing between them, and to thereby ensure that rotatably mated components are secured together in a selected angular orientation.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis system includes first and second components that are joinable to each other in a manner to inhibit the rotation of the second component relative to the first component. The prosthesis system includes a rotation-inhibiting mechanism that has at least circumferential groove formed in one of a portion of the first component and a portion of the second component and at least one rib formed on the other of the first component and the second component. In one embodiment the rib may be eccentric, and the groove and the rib are matable with each other upon mounting of the second component within the first component.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis system includes first and second components that are joinable to one another in a manner to permit axial rotation of one component relative to the other component while achieving axial securement of the two components. In one embodiment the joint prosthesis system is a knee joint prosthesis and the two components are a tibial tray and a tibial bearing insert. The tibial bearing insert includes a mating stem that has one or more positive surface features on its exterior surface. The positive surface features mate with axial slot(s) formed in a mating cavity of the tibial tray to enable insertion of the mating stem within the mating cavity. Upon insertion the positive surface features are engaged by a circumferential groove disposed distally of the axial slot(s). Misalignment of the positive surface features and the axial slot(s) enables proper orientation of the tibial tray and tibial bearing insert, and provides axial securement of the two components.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis system includes first and second components that are joinable to each other in a manner to inhibit the second component from withdrawing from the first component. The prosthesis system includes a securing mechanism that has at least one first surface feature (e.g. a negative surface feature), located on the first component, and at least one second surface feature (e.g. a positive surface feature) located on the second component. The first and second surface features are engageable so that, upon engagement, the second component is axially secured to the first component and the second component is able to rotate with respect to the first component. Preferably, the first surface feature and the second surface feature are adapted and dimensioned to engage and form a snap fit arrangement. In one embodiment, the joint prosthesis system is a knee joint prosthesis and the two components are a tibial tray and a tibial bearing insert.