Abstract: A bone fusion implant includes a rigid body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal and proximal ends and a concave channel formed in the body between the distal and proximal ends, the concave channel being formed about an axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. The body has a first rigid cylindrical outer wall extending between the distal end of the body and the concave channel and a second rigid cylindrical outer wall extending between the proximal end of the body and the concave channel. The body also has a first opening at the distal end, a second opening at the proximal end and a hollow, internal chamber extending between the first and second openings.

Abstract: A bone fusion implant system including a first implant body having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces for engaging opposing vertebrae and a side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the side wall including a concave recess and a second implant body having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces for engaging the opposing vertebrae and a side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces thereof, the side wall of the second implant including an arcuate portion adapted to be received within the concave recess for enabling the first and second implant bodies to be positioned in nested side-by-side relation between the opposing vertebrae.

Abstract: A vertebral implant (10) is provided with a concave cut-away section (16) configured to correspond to the outer circumference of another implant placed adjacently thereto. A specialized distractor tool (20) with distractor tips (21) for distracting a vertebral space has two channels (26, 27) of generally circular profile that overlap in cross-section to accommodate implants according to the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent bony structures includes an implant body dimensioned for positioning between adjacent bone structures to maintain the bone structures in desired spaced relation during interbody fusion. The implant body has an outer wall and an external threaded configuration disposed on the outer wall. At least one concave surface at least partially extends along the implant body. The concave surface advantageously reduces the transverse cross-sectional dimension of the implant member thereby facilitating placement of the implant member in restricted intervertebral areas. In addition, the concave surface enables placement of a pair of implants in nested side-by-side relation. Preferably, the threaded configuration has portions removed along an arc section of the outer wall thereby defining a series of generally longitudinally aligned concave surfaces in individual turns thereof. A system and method for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent bony structures includes an implant body dimensioned for positioning between adjacent bone structures to maintain the bone structures in desired spaced relation during interbody fusion. The implant body has an outer wall and an external threaded configuration disposed on the outer wall. At least one concave surface at least partially extends along the implant body. The concave surface advantageously reduces the transverse cross-sectional dimension of the implant member thereby facilitating placement of the implant member in restricted intervertebral areas. In addition, the concave surface enables placement of a pair of implants in nested side-by-side relation. Preferably, the threaded configuration has portions removed along an arc section of the outer wall thereby defining a series of generally longitudinally aligned concave surfaces in individual turns thereof. A system and method for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae is also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebral portions, includes an implant member dimensioned to be at least partially positioned within an intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebral portions. The implant member includes a bioabsorbable material and has a support structure associated therewith. The support structure is sufficiently rigid to support and maintain the adjacent vertebral portions in spaced relation during healing.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for cutting and storing sections of body tissue is provided comprising a housing having a handle assembly, an elongated outer tube extending from the handle assembly, and a cutting tube positioned within the outer tube and movable in response to actuation of the handle assembly between a retracted position and a distal position to cut body tissue. The cutting tube has a chamber formed therein for storing the cut tissue sections. An anvil is positioned at a distal end of the outer tube for forcing each cut tissue section proximally into the chamber of the cutting tube as the cutting tube is advanced to cut the body tissue.

Abstract: The present application discloses instruments for use in an endoscopic discetomy procedure which are configured to be disassembled for cleaning and reassembled for subsequent utilization. The preferred embodiments include endoscopic rongeur-style instruments which may be used to remove calcification, to trim away part of a bone and to remove tissue and tissue samples for biopsy purposes.The endoscopic surgical instruments of the present application are provided with a handle mechanism, an elongated endoscopic portion extending from the handle mechanism and a tool mechanism supported at a distal end of the endoscopic portion. The handle mechanism includes a body portion having an upper and a lower body portion, a stationary grip extending from the body portion and a pivotable grip pivotally mounted to body portion. In one embodiment, the pivotable grip is detachably mounted to body portion by a locking member which includes a fastener having a rod and an abutment portion.

Abstract: A surgical hand support apparatus includes a support member having a supporting surface for supporting at least the hand of a patient, a finger restraining member moveable relative to the supporting surface to be positioned to engage the fingers of the patient and a thumb restraining member moveable relative to the supporting surface to be positioned to engage the thumb of the patient. A quick release mechanism is associated with the finger restraining member and the thumb restraining member to lock the respective members at predetermined positions relative to the supporting surface. The apparatus may also include a wrist restraining member to engage the patient's wrist. An instrument support member is associated with the wrist restraining member and is configured to support a surgical instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for use during endoscopic discectomy procedures includes an elongated portion defining a generally longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, a retractor mechanism disposed at the distal end of the elongated portion and having at least two retractor members for engaging and spreading tissue, an articulating mechanism operatively connected to the retractor mechanism for selectively articulating the two retractor members and an actuator mechanism operatively connected to the retractor mechanism for causing relative movement between the two retractor members. The retractor mechanism is preferably releasably mounted to the distal end of the elongated portion and is released by a release mechanism. The apparatus further includes a tissue penetrating member associated with the retractor mechanism and mounted for movement to facilitate mounting of the retractor mechanism to tissue.

Abstract: A fluid jet surgical cutting instrument having a pressure generating mechanism disposed within the housing of the instrument. The pressure generating mechanism includes a piston member which is reciprocatingly movable within the housing by alternately supplying gas to the distal end of the piston and the proximal end of the piston. The gas is supplied in an alternating manner through the provision of a novel actuator mechanism which includes a plurality of passageways which permits charging of gas to the pressure amplifying mechanism as well as venting of gas from the pressure amplifying mechanism to permit reciprocating movement.

Abstract: A surgical hand support apparatus includes a support member having a supporting surface for supporting at least the hand of a patient, a finger restraining member moveable relative to the supporting surface to be positioned to engage the fingers of the patient and a thumb restraining member moveable relative to the supporting surface to be positioned to engage the thumb of the patient. A quick release mechanism is associated with the finger restraining member and the thumb restraining member to lock the respective members at predetermined positions relative to the supporting surface. The apparatus may also include a wrist restraining member to engage the patient's wrist. An instrument support member is associated with the wrist restraining member and is configured to support a surgical instrument.