Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation as compared with traditional bone anchor assemblies. An exemplary assembly can include a bracket or wing that extends down from the receiver member and accommodates one or more auxiliary bone anchors that augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Another exemplary assembly can include a plate that is seated between the receiver member and the rod and accommodates one or more auxiliary bone anchors that augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Another exemplary assembly can include a hook that extends out from the receiver member to hook onto an anatomical structure or another implant to augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Surgical methods using the bone anchor assemblies described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Access port cutters and related systems and methods can be used to cut an access port to a desired length based on particular patient and/or surgical procedure needs at a point of use. More particularly, an access port cutter can include a base with an opening that can receive an access port therein such that a desired length of the access port can extend from the opening. An actuation mechanism can translate a blade linearly along at least a portion of the base such that the blade can traverse the opening and cut across the access port. In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism can include a handle that can pivot relative to the base to drive the blade. One or more safety features can reduce the risk of inadvertent actuation of the blade and/or prevent debris from contaminating a surgical site or falling onto a patient.

Abstract: Longitudinally-adjustable bone anchors and related methods are disclosed herein. The ability to adjust a bone anchor longitudinally can allow the surgeon to bring an implanted bone anchor up to the rod instead of or in addition to bringing the rod down to the bone anchor, which can simplify or eliminate the rod contouring step and reduce or eliminate reduction forces. For example, the surgeon can use a pre-bent rod or put “ideal contours” into a rod, lay the rod across a series of bone anchors, and adjust each bone anchor longitudinally to meet the rod. As another example, coarse adjustment of the fixation system can be achieved by contouring the rod and then fine adjustments can be made by bringing each bone anchor up or down to the rod. Various adjustment mechanisms are disclosed, including bone anchors with telescoping portions and bone anchors with risers or spacers.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses/systems, and media for implementing a payment optimizer application module are disclosed. A supplier system accepts a predefined fixed net payment term for all participating buyers on a network. A processor determines weighted average cost of capital (WACC) data of buyer key data points from buyer audited statements data corresponding to a payment file data and WACC data of supplier key data points from supplier audited statements data corresponding to the payment file data. The processor also determines an optimal disbursement date of payment over the predefined fixed net payment term based on the WACC data; applies the stored set of payment rules to determine an optimal payment method corresponding to the WACC data; and automatically executes disbursement of a payment to the supplier in accordance with the optimal disbursement date based on the optimal payment method.

Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation as compared with traditional bone anchor assemblies. An exemplary assembly can include a bracket or wing that extends down from the receiver member and accommodates one or more auxiliary bone anchors that augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Another exemplary assembly can include a plate that is seated between the receiver member and the rod and accommodates one or more auxiliary bone anchors that augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Another exemplary assembly can include a hook that extends out from the receiver member to hook onto an anatomical structure or another implant to augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Surgical methods using the bone anchor assemblies described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implant connectors and related methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector can include a low-profile portion to facilitate use of the connector in surgical applications where space is limited. In some embodiments, a connector can include a biased rod-pusher to allow the connector to “snap” onto a rod and/or to “drag” against the rod, e.g., for provisional positioning of the connector prior to locking.

Abstract: Articulating implant connectors and related methods are disclosed herein. Exemplary connectors can include first and second bodies that are rotatable relative to one another about a rotation axis and selectively lockable to resist or prevent such rotation. Each of the bodies can be configured to couple to a rod or other fixation component, and the connector can be used to lock first and second rods together even when the rods are obliquely angled with respect to one another.

Abstract: Bone anchors and related methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a bone anchor can include a drag interface. Exemplary drag interfaces include (i) friction between a shank and a bushing, (ii) friction between a bushing and a drag ring, (iii) friction generated by a biased saddle, and (iv) combinations of the above. The drag interface can help maintain the relative position between a receiver member and a shank of the bone anchor prior to locking the bone anchor, preventing unintended movement while still allowing free movement when intended by the user. In some embodiments, a bone anchor can include over-rotation blocking features, such as a groove, lip, or protrusion formed on a bushing of the bone anchor. Various other bone anchor features are also disclosed, including high aspect ratio drag rings and compressible drag posts.

Abstract: An expandable trial can include an inferior portion, a superior portion, and a middle expanding portion as well as load cells for monitoring the load on the trial. The trial may also include recesses on its lateral sides to provide spacing to accommodate a disc removal tool so tissue can be cleared monitoring load. In addition, neural foramen spacing can be monitoring to provide information about how much neural release has been achieved as the disc is cleaned and the spine is positioned and repositioned.

Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation as compared with traditional bone anchor assemblies. An exemplary assembly can include a bracket or wing that extends down from the receiver member. The distal portion of the wing can define a bone anchor opening through which one or more auxiliary bone anchors can be disposed to augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to a proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a caudal direction or a cephalad direction. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to the proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a medial direction or a lateral direction. Surgical methods using the bone anchor assemblies described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Articulating implant connectors and related methods are disclosed herein. Exemplary connectors can include first and second bodies that are rotatable relative to one another about a rotation axis and selectively lockable to resist or prevent such rotation. Each of the bodies can be configured to couple to a rod or other fixation component, and the connector can be used to lock first and second rods together even when the rods are obliquely angled with respect to one another.

Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies and related methods are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation of a primary bone anchor. A bone anchor assembly can include a wing with a distal portion that can define a plurality of auxiliary bone anchor openings. Each auxiliary bone anchor opening can receive an auxiliary bone anchor that can augment fixation of a primary bone anchor of the bone anchor assembly. The plurality of auxiliary bone anchor openings can be oriented such that, when the wing is coupled to a primary bone anchor assembly of a vertebral level in a first configuration, at least one auxiliary bone anchor can be driven to extend across a facet plane of the vertebral level and, when coupled in a second configuration, each auxiliary bone anchor received within the wing can be driven to conform to the vertebral level.

Abstract: An expandable trial can include an inferior portion, a superior portion, and a middle expanding portion as well as load cells for monitoring the load on the trial. The trial may also include recesses on its lateral sides to provide spacing to accommodate a disc removal tool so tissue can be cleared monitoring load. In addition, neural foramen spacing can be monitoring to provide information about how much neural release has been achieved as the disc is cleaned and the spine is positioned and repositioned.

Abstract: Bone anchors and related methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a bone anchor can include a drag interface. Exemplary drag interfaces include (i) friction between a shank and a bushing, (ii) friction between a bushing and a drag ring, (iii) friction generated by a biased saddle, and (iv) combinations of the above. The drag interface can help maintain the relative position between a receiver member and a shank of the bone anchor prior to locking the bone anchor, preventing unintended movement while still allowing free movement when intended by the user. In some embodiments, a bone anchor can include over-rotation blocking features, such as a groove, lip, or protrusion formed on a bushing of the bone anchor. Various other bone anchor features are also disclosed, including high aspect ratio drag rings and compressible drag posts.

Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation as compared with traditional bone anchor assemblies. An exemplary assembly can include a bracket or wing that extends down from the receiver member. The distal portion of the wing can define a bone anchor opening through which one or more auxiliary bone anchors can be disposed to augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to a proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a caudal direction or a cephalad direction. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to the proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a medial direction or a lateral direction. Surgical methods using the bone anchor assemblies described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for delivering flowable biomaterial to an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes a delivery body defining a proximal end, a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a longitudinal direction, a cannulation extending from the proximal end to an opening adjacent the distal end, and a distal region including a tip that extends to the distal end. The distal region defines a maximum height at a location proximal of the distal end and measured along a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The distal region is for indicating a distance between the adjacent vertebral bodies. The system includes a carrier having a longitudinaly elongate channel for carrying biomaterial and being insertable within the cannulation, as well as an advancement member configured for insertion within the cannulation to forcibly advance the biomaterial from the cannulation, through the opening, and into the disc space.

Abstract: Surgical access stabilization devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. For example, the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein can be used during a surgical procedure to selectively establish, stabilize, and maintain a desired trajectory and/or positioning of a surgical access device. An exemplary surgical access stabilization device can include a pad with an adhesive distal facing surface to adhere to an anchor surface, a surgical access device coupled to the pad, and a locking mechanism to selectively lock a position of the surgical access device relative to the pad. In one embodiment, the anchor surface can be the skin of a patient. An exemplary surgical access device stabilization method can include making an incision in a patient at a surgical site, inserting a surgical access device through the incision, adhering a pad to an anchor surface, e.g.

Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation as compared with traditional bone anchor assemblies. An exemplary assembly can include a bracket or wing that extends down from the receiver member and accommodates one or more auxiliary bone anchors that augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Another exemplary assembly can include a plate that is seated between the receiver member and the rod and accommodates one or more auxiliary bone anchors that augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Another exemplary assembly can include a hook that extends out from the receiver member to hook onto an anatomical structure or another implant to augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. Surgical methods using the bone anchor assemblies described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fastener device includes an anchor body that defines a through hole. The anchor body further includes an inner surface that defines a least a portion of the through hole. The fastener includes a head, a threaded shaft that extends out with respect to the head in a distal direction, and a neck between the head and threaded shaft. The head includes an outer surface configured to articulate along the inner surface when the fastener head is inserted in the through hole. At least a portion of the outer surface is convex and defines a portion of a sphere that defines a first diameter. The neck defines a second diameter and the fastener defines a ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter in a range between about 2 to 1 and about 3 to 1.

Abstract: A fastener device includes an anchor body that defines a through hole. The anchor body further includes an inner surface that defines a least a portion of the through hole. The fastener includes a head, a threaded shaft that extends out with respect to the head in a distal direction, and a neck between the head and threaded shaft. The head includes an outer surface configured to articulate along the inner surface when the fastener head is inserted in the through hole. At least a portion of the outer surface is convex and defines a portion of a sphere that defines a first diameter. The neck defines a second diameter and the fastener defines a ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter in a range between about 2 to 1 and about 3 to 1.