Abstract: The present invention provides endoscopic instrumentation and surgical techniques especially useful for accessing and removing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc. Instrumentation includes tissue spreaders and cutting instruments. In particular, the tissue spreading instruments include instruments for spreading pre-sacral tissue such as fascia and for spreading adjacent vertebrae to facilitate access to the intervertebral disc. Endoscopic cutting instruments deliver a cutting blade in a sheathed position to the site of the disc nucleus followed by deployment to remove portions of the disc nucleus.

Abstract: The present invention provides endoscopic instrumentation and surgical techniques especially useful for accessing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc. Vertebrae spreading instruments are provided for spreading adjacent vertebrae to facilitate access to the intervertebral disc are. The disclosed surgical method uses an anterior approach to access the intervertebral disc and spreads adjacent vertebrae utilizing an endoscopic vertebrae spreading instrument.

Abstract: A self-contained powered surgical stapling apparatus is provided which includes an elongate body, a fastener applying assembly including an anvil for forming a surgical fastener driven thereagainst, a motor assembly and power source for energizing the motor assembly disposed within the elongate body, and a pusher driven by the motor assembly for driving a surgical fastener toward the anvil to be formed thereby and fastened to body tissue. The apparatus is configured for utilization during conventional invasive surgical procedures as well as endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedures by providing a detachable extension shaft.

Abstract: A self-contained powered surgical apparatus is provided which includes an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and housing a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed within a feed track, an anvil positioned at a distal end of the elongate body adjacent a terminal end of the feed path for forming surgical fasteners, a fastener pusher mounted for longitudinal movement within the elongate body to individually urge surgical fasteners toward the anvil, a barrel cam assembly disposed within the elongate body for effectuating reciprocatory longitudinal movement of the fastener pusher, a motor assembly disposed within the elongate body for driving the barrel cam assembly, and a power source disposed within the elongate body for energizing the motor assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides endoscopic instrumentation and surgical techniques especially useful for accessing and removing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc. Instrumentation includes tissue spreaders and cutting instruments. In particular, the tissue spreading instruments include instruments for spreading pre-sacral tissue such as fascia and for spreading adjacent vertebrae to facilitate access to the intervertebral disc. Endoscopic cutting instruments deliver a cutting blade in a sheathed position to the site of the disc nucleus followed by deployment to remove portions of the disc nucleus.

Abstract: The present invention provides endoscopic instrumentation and surgical techniques especially useful for accessing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc. Vertebrae spreading instruments are provided for spreading adjacent vertebrae to facilitate access to the intervertebral disc are. The disclosed surgical method uses an anterior approach to access the intervertebral disc and spreads adjacent vertebrae utilizing an endoscopic vertebrae spreading instrument.

Abstract: A self-contained powered surgical clip applier is provided which includes an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and housing a plurality of surgical clips. The powered clip applier further includes a jaw assembly operatively associated with a distal end of the elongate body and actuable to move between an open position and a closed position, a motor assembly disposed within the elongate body, a power supply positioned within the elongate body for energizing the motor assembly, a clip pusher configured to individually advance surgical clips into the jaw assembly, and an actuation channel driven by the motor assembly and configured to translate through the elongate body to drive the clip pusher and actuate the jaw assembly.