Abstract: A method is disclosed and can include engaging a harvest guide with bony tissue and placing a cutting device within the harvest guide. The harvest guide can maintain the cutting device substantially perpendicular to a tangent through a point on the bony tissue aligned with the cutting device. The cutting device can be an osteochondral chisel, a trephine, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A device for trimming an osteochondral plug graft to an implantable configuration includes a blade assembly terminating in a configured leading cutting blade and a plug graft housing comprising a substantially longitudinal holding sleeve having a bore and oriented complementarily to the longitudinal structure of the blade assembly to receive the longitudinal structure within the sleeve bore with the assembly cutting blade in close tolerance along an inner bore surface of the longitudinal housing structure.

Abstract: A vertebral rod connector includes a first portion configured to engage a fastener construct and define a first longitudinal axis. A second portion is configured to engage a vertebral rod and define a second longitudinal axis disposed transverse to the first longitudinal axis. A flexible linking portion is disposed for connecting the first portion with the second portion. The linking portion has a bifurcated configuration oriented transverse to the first longitudinal axis. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed and can include engaging a harvest guide with bony tissue and placing a cutting device within the harvest guide. The harvest guide can maintain the cutting device substantially perpendicular to a tangent through a point on the bony tissue aligned with the cutting device. The cutting device can be an osteochondral chisel, a trephine, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for assessing tissue characteristics such as the dimensions and volume of an osteolytic lesion are disclosed. The apparatus may utilize ultrasound to provide visual and volumetric feedback related to a lesion or other tissue. Further the apparatus may be utilized to determine whether the lesion has been completely removed and filled with the appropriate amount of graft material.

Abstract: A vertebral rod includes a first elongated section having a first thinned portion. A second elongated section has a second thinned portion. An intermediate section has a flat, thin configuration, and is connected with and disposed between the first section and the second section. The flat, thin configuration of the intermediate section is disposed in an orientation transverse to at least one of the first thinned portion and the second thinned portion.

Abstract: A device for trimming an osteochondral plug graft to an implantable configuration, includes a blade assembly terminating in a configured leading cutting blade and a plug graft housing comprising a substantially longitudinal holding sleeve having a bore and oriented complementarily to the longitudinal structure of the blade assembly to receive the longitudinal structure within the sleeve bore with the assembly cutting blade in close tolerance along an inner bore surface of the longitudinal housing structure.

Abstract: A cutting instrument and method of use for preparing an osteochondral plug for implantation into a bone defect site. The instrument includes a dual function cutting block, a base holder, a rod mechanism and a trimming mechanism. The cutting block has a bore sized to receive the plug, at least one trimming channel and a transverse paring slot. The cutting block functions to hold the plug within the bore to allow for length and cross-sectional sizing. The base holder is constructed to fix the cutting block in a first orientation that allows the rod mechanism to position the plug within the cutting block for accurate length sizing. The base holder is also constructed to fix the cutting block in a second orientation which aligns the cutting block with the trimming mechanism so that an angled blade may engage the trimming channel and cut at least two sides of the plug.

Abstract: A cutting instrument and method of use for preparing an osteochondral plug for implantation into a bone defect site. The instrument includes a dual function cutting block, a base holder, a rod mechanism and a trimming mechanism. The cutting block has a bore sized to receive the plug, at least one trimming channel and a transverse paring slot. The cutting block functions to hold the plug within the bore to allow for length and cross-sectional sizing. The base holder is constructed to fix the cutting block in a first orientation that allows the rod mechanism to position the plug within the cutting block for accurate length sizing. The base holder is also constructed to fix the cutting block in a second orientation which aligns the cutting block with the trimming mechanism so that an angled blade may engage the trimming channel and cut at least two sides of the plug.

Abstract: A device for trimming an osteochondral plug graft to an implantable configuration includes a blade assembly terminating in a configured leading cutting blade and a plug grail housing comprising a substantially longitudinal holding sleeve having a bore and oriented complementarily to the longitudinal structure of the blade assembly to receive the longitudinal structure within the sleeve bore with the assembly cutting blade in close tolerance along an inner bore surface of the longitudinal housing structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for attachment to a vertebral body for correcting spinal deformities. The apparatus has a plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface having at least one receiving member defining a channel for receiving a flexible connection member. The at least one receiving member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal and distal portions interfacing along a frangible connection such that the at least one receiving member extends axially from the upper surface a first distance when the frangible connection is unbroken and the at least one receiving member extends axially from the upper surface a second distance when the frangible connection is broken. The second distance is less than the first distance.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying sustained tension on tether in treatment site includes a positioning mechanism, gripping mechanism and pressurized fluid actuated mechanism. The positioning mechanism is operable to position the pressurized fluid actuated mechanism at a fixed distance relative to treatment site, and to engage a target at treatment site and secure the tether proximate to the target. The gripping mechanism is operable to selectively grip the tether and maintain tether when tether is held in tension. The pressurized fluid actuated mechanism is selectively operable to apply desired pulling force on gripping mechanism directed away from treatment site so as to transmit and apply in a sustained manner the desired pulling force on the tether independently from the tether displacement and place it under desired level of tension while the tether is being secured.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for assessing tissue characteristics such as the dimensions and volume of an osteolytic lesion are disclosed. The apparatus may utilize ultrasound to provide visual and volumetric feedback related to a lesion or other tissue. Further the apparatus may be utilized to determine whether the lesion has been completely removed and filled with the appropriate amount of graft material.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method are provided for positioning an osteochondral plug within a bone defect site. The instrument includes an elongate shaft, a ribbon, an elongate sleeve and a locking mechanism. The shaft has proximal and distal ends, with the distal end being shaped to contact the osteochondral plug. The ribbon extends along two sides of the shaft and around the distal end, forming a loop that is used to secure the osteochondral plug to the distal end. The sleeve is movably mounted to the shaft for reciprocating relative thereto between retracted and extended positions. The sleeve includes a slot that allows for visualization and cutting of the ribbon. The locking mechanism locks the ribbon in place and thereby controls the size and tension of the loop that surrounds the osteochondral plug, securing it to the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly is disclosed and can include a drill bit and a drill stop sleeve disposed around the drill bit. The drill stop sleeve can include a locking collar that can be movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the drill stop sleeve can be movable along the drill bit to one of a plurality of drill stop depths. In the locked position, the drill stop sleeve can be locked along the drill bit in one of the plurality of drill stop depths.

Abstract: A surgical procedure and a device used in the procedure according to which one end portion of a guide rod is inserted into the condyle of a damaged area of a human. The rod is used as a guide for a drill bit and a chisel to cut an opening in the condyle.

Abstract: A tissue extender includes a ring defining a proximal end opening to engage a head of a subcutaneous screw, a first extender portion coupled to the ring at a proximal end of the first extender portion, and a second extender portion coupled to the ring at a proximal end of the second extender portion. The first extender portion includes a first coupling portion disposed at a distal end of the first extender portion, and the second extender portion includes a second coupling portion at a distal end of the second extender portion. The first and second extender portions define two side openings disposed on opposite sides of the tissue extender. The distal ends of the first and second extender portions together define a distal end opening. The first coupling portion engages the second coupling portion when the tissue extender is in an extended state. The distal end opening is larger in the extended state than in an unextended state.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method are provided for positioning an osteochondral plug within a bone defect site. The instrument includes an elongate shaft, a ribbon, an elongate sleeve and a locking mechanism. The shaft has proximal and distal ends, with the distal end being shaped to contact the osteochondral plug. The ribbon extends along two sides of the shaft and around the distal end, forming a loop that is used to secure the osteochondral plug to the distal end. The sleeve is movably mounted to the shaft for reciprocating relative thereto between retracted and extended positions. The sleeve includes a slot that allows for visualization and cutting of the ribbon. The locking mechanism locks the ribbon in place and thereby controls the size and tension of the loop that surrounds the osteochondral plug, securing it to the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical procedure and a device used in the procedure according to which one end portion of a guide rod is inserted into the condyle of a damaged area of a human. The rod is used as a guide for a drill bit and a chisel to cut an opening in the condyle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical implant that provides an artificial diarthroidal-like joint, suitable for use in replacing any joint, but particularly suitable for use as an intervertebral disc endoprosthesis. The invention contains two rigid opposing shells, each having an outer surface adapted to engage the surfaces of the bones of a joint in such a way that the shells are immobilized by friction between their outer surfaces and the surfaces of the bone. These outer surfaces are sufficiently rough that large frictional forces strongly resist any slippage between the outer surface and the bone surfaces in the joint. They may be convex, and when inserted into a milled concavity, are immediately mechanically stable. Desirably, the outer surfaces of the shells are adapted to allow for bony ingrowth, which further stabilizes the shells in place.