Abstract: A measurement apparatus has a body that includes a reference surface that defines a reference line. The body further includes a first elongate window defining a first measurement line and a first measurement indicia positioned in association with the first elongate window. The first measurement line and the reference line define a first angle having a first magnitude. The first measurement indicia corresponds to the first magnitude.

Abstract: An assembly includes a guide component having (i) a base defining a first passageway, and (ii) a handle attached to the base, the base including a first coupling component. The assembly further includes a first sheath defining a second passageway, the first sheath including a second coupling component configured to cooperate with the first coupling component to couple the first sheath to the base. The first passageway is aligned with the second passageway when the first sheath is coupled to the base. The assembly further includes a stop structure defining a central passage, the stop structure including an external surface having a plurality of keyways defined therein. The first sheath includes a key member configured to be selectively received in any one of the plurality of keyways. The stop structure is fixed in relation to the first sheath when the key member is positioned in any one of the plurality of keyways.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program code for automatically planning at least a part of a surgical procedure to be carried out on a body part of a patient are described. A virtual model of the body part is provided, in which the model has data associated with it representing at least a part of a planned surgical procedure. The virtual model is then morphed to the body part using data derived from the patient's real body part thereby also adapting the part of the planned surgical procedure to reflect the anatomy of the patient's real body part.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus has a body that includes a reference surface that defines a reference line. The body further includes a first elongate window defining a first measurement line and a first measurement indicia positioned in association with the first elongate window. The first measurement line and the reference line define a first angle having a first magnitude. The first measurement indicia corresponds to the first magnitude.

Abstract: A hip screw assembly for fixation of a fractured femur is provided. The hip screw assembly includes a screw for engagement with the femur. The hip screw assembly also includes a barrel defining a cavity in the barrel. The barrel is fixedly secured to the plate. The screw including a portion thereof fitted in the cavity of the barrel. The hip screw assembly also includes a stop positionable in the barrel. The stop provides a limit on the movement of said screw in said barrel. The screw and the barrel have a first arrangement between each other in which the screw slides in the cavity of said barrel a first selectable predetermined distance and a second arrangement in which the screw slides a second selectable predetermined distance. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A bone reduction method and apparatus includes a bone reduction tool including a shaft with a proximal end portion, a distal end portion for insertion into a fractured bone, a first rigid portion located at the distal end portion, and a first flexible portion located between the first rigid portion and the proximal end portion.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment includes a fastener including an anchoring portion and a coupling portion, and a longitudinal support member coupled to the fastener, wherein a portion of the system is formed from a super-elastic material.

Abstract: The systems, assemblies, devices and methods described herein provide a variety of ways to intra-operatively select and/or configure a pedicle screw system. The pedicle screw system components described herein may be readily interchangeable and may be made available to the surgeon as a kit, thus giving the surgeon greater options on structurally fusing, correcting, or otherwise operating on a patient's vertebrae. In one embodiment, a modular pedicle screw kit includes a pedicle screw having a threaded shaft coupled to a head portion and a plurality of tulip assemblies that may be intra-operatively assembled with the pedicle screw. Each tulip assembly includes a tulip body, a rod receiving portion, and a pedicle screw head coupling member that releasably couples the tulip body to the pedicle screw.

Abstract: A screw, which may be used, for example, as a bone screw, includes a shaft bearing a thread, the thread having a thread foot and thread crest. The thread foot tapers outward along a portion of the shaft, and the thread crest has a uniform width along a length of the shaft. A method of making a bone screw includes making a series of cuts in a shaft at different pitches to produce a thread having a thread foot and thread crest, where the thread foot tapers outward along a portion of the shaft; and where the thread crest has a uniform width along a length of the shaft.

Abstract: A pedicle screw and rod assembly is provided which has a low profile in the final assembled position. The pedicle screw includes a screw having a threaded portion and a head portion. A tulip is positioned on the head portion of the screw. A fastener assembly is coupled to the tulip and positioned to retain the tulip on the head portion. A rod retainer member is positioned inside the tulip and grips the rod, to hold it in position relative to the tulip assembly and pedicle screw. The top of rod retaining member is approximately equal in height to, or lower than the rod itself. This provides a low profile pedicle screw and rod assembly since the rod itself will normally be the uppermost member of the completed assembly.

Abstract: An active compression orthopedic screw includes a first shaft member positioned at a distal end of the screw, a second shaft member positioned at a proximal end of the screw, and an elastic member having a first and a second end. According to one exemplary embodiment, the first end of the elastic member is coupled to the first shaft member and said second end of the elastic member is coupled to the second shaft member, the elastic member being configured to exert a force drawing the first and second shaft members together.

Abstract: An active compression orthopedic plate includes a first and a second end cross member, at least one center cross member, at least one longitudinal member slideably coupling the first and second end cross member and the at least one center cross member, and a compressive member configured to exert a compressive force on the first and second end cross members.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, the present exemplary system provides a connection member for coupling to one or more structural rods including a coupler body defining a first recess sized to receive the structural rod, and a cam mechanism positioned adjacent to the first recess, wherein the cam mechanism is configured to selectively vary a size of the first recess to couple the structural rod in the first recess.

Abstract: A less invasive access port for use in minimally invasive surgery allows for manipulation of the viewing angle into the working site in a transverse plane. According to one exemplary embodiment, the less invasive access port is designed to minimize the need for muscle retraction. Additionally, the less invasive access portal provides sufficient light, irrigation, suction and space for sundry medical instruments. According to one exemplary embodiment, a less invasive access port device includes a two-piece retractor having locking arms secured by a latch. The latch is located outside a wound during operation for ease of access. A cannula includes integrated interfaces for light, irrigation and suction. A housing forms a collar around a top of the cannula and houses the light, irrigation and suction mechanisms. Instruments and implants may be passed through the cannula and into the working space created by the two-piece retractor. Visualization of the working site can be attained under direct vision.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to rod-coupling assemblies for coupling rods from separate pedicle screw systems. The rod-coupling assemblies generally include at least one rod-receiving body and at least one cam mechanism. The rod-receiving body and cam mechanism cooperate to capture and retain a distraction rod therewith. The cam mechanism includes a helical cam surface that mates with the rod and urges the rod into a retained position by rotation of the cam mechanism. In one embodiment, the assembly is configured to capture and retain two rods with one rod-receiving body. In another embodiment, the assembly is configured to capture and retain a rod and a head portion of a pedicle screw in one rod-receiving body. In yet another embodiment, the assembly includes a lever that is actuated to fix a first rod-receiving body to a second rod-receiving body.

Abstract: An orthopedic bone fixation device for stabilizing a plurality of bone segments includes a bone plate and a screw assembly. The bone plate includes a body defining at least one thru-bore, wherein the thru-bore is defined to include a central cavity, the central cavity having a middle diameter, an entry diameter, and an exit diameter, the middle diameter being larger than both the entry diameter and the exit diameter. Further, the screw assembly is configured to be coupled to the bone plate, wherein the screw assembly includes a bone screw having a head section, a thread section, and a central bore, an expandable ring coupled to the head section, and a pin at least partially disposed in the central bore, wherein the pin includes a varying outer profile that engages the expandable ring to vary an outer diameter of the expandable ring to lock the screw assembly in the thru-bore.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a modular disc that is insertable by sections into a disc space located between vertebral bodies. The primary segments of the modular disc are one or more middle members engageable with first and second side members. The first and second side members are successively inserted into and positioned in the disc space one at a time. The middle member is then slidably engaged on rails extending from the respective first and second side members. Eventually, the middle member is moved along the guides and positioned between the respective first and second side members and the guides or rails are detached. Optionally, a cushioning and/or biasing member may be located between upper and lower portions of the side members and/or middle member.

Abstract: A fastener and a bone fixation assembly for the internal fixation of vertebral bodies such as a pedicle screw is provided which allows a detachable tulip to be provisionally locked to a pedicle screw, while separately, the rod securely locks to the tulip. According to one exemplary embodiment, the tulip assembly includes a tulip body and an inner tulip member, the tulip body having a non-circular surface disposed on an outer surface. Additionally, a fastener is coupled to the tulip assembly and positionable to retain the tulip assembly on the head of a screw. Further, a cap having an outer surface and a plurality of inner protrusions is provided, wherein the plurality of inner protrusions are configured to mateably connect to the non-circular surface on the tulip body to compress the tulip assembly and secure a rod.

Abstract: The pedicle screw system may be used for fixation of spinal segments and may be advantageous when minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques are employed. The pedicle screw system includes a tulip assembly comprising a tulip body, a inner member, an expansion member, and a cap assembly. Installation of the pedicle screw system into pedicles of the spine, for example, includes inserting the pedicle screw into a portion of the spine, coupling a partial assembly comprising the tulip body, inner member, and expansion member to the pedicle screw, placing a rod in the tulip assembly, and then coupling the cap assembly to the tulip body. Coupling the cap assembly to the tulip body includes initially locking the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw and then locking the rod in the tulip assembly.

Abstract: A pedicle screw system includes a pedicle screw and a tulip assembly. A rod is inserted and fixed in the pedicle screw system to surgically connect vertebral bodies. The pedicle screw includes a head portion and a threaded shaft. In one embodiment, the tulip assembly includes a tulip body, a rod-support member, a collar member, a cap, and a fastening member. The tulip body has an upper portion and a lower portion, these portions being displaceable in opposite directions relative to an intermediate web. The tulip body can be intra-operatively coupled to the pedicle screw after the screw has been inserted into the bone. The cap engages with the tulip body to lock the tulip body onto the pedicle screw and thus fix the tulip body at a desired angle relative to the pedicle screw.