Abstract: Disclosed are a method for creating a surgical training model, a surgical training model apparatus, a bone model, an article that emulates tissue of an animal musculoskeletal system, an article that emulates animal fat tissue, and an article that emulates animal skin tissue. One version of the method comprises placing a spinal vertebrae model in a cavity model that emulates an animal body cavity; forming a first layer on top of the vertebrae model, wherein the first layer emulates an animal muscle tissue; placing a second layer over the first layer, wherein the second layer emulates an animal fat tissue; and placing a third layer over the second layer, wherein the third layer emulates an animal skin tissue. The spinal vertebrae model can be 3D printed from a thermoplastic polymer and infiltrated with a foam into an interior space of the 3D printed spinal vertebrae model.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for creating a surgical training model, a surgical training model apparatus, a bone model, an article that emulates tissue of an animal musculoskeletal system, an article that emulates animal fat tissue, and an article that emulates animal skin tissue. One version of the method comprises placing a spinal vertebrae model in a cavity model that emulates an animal body cavity; forming a first layer on top of the vertebrae model, wherein the first layer emulates an animal muscle tissue; placing a second layer over the first layer, wherein the second layer emulates an animal fat tissue; and placing a third layer over the second layer, wherein the third layer emulates an animal skin tissue. The spinal vertebrae model can be 3D printed from a thermoplastic polymer and infiltrated with a foam into an interior space of the 3D printed spinal vertebrae model.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for creating a surgical training model, a surgical training model apparatus, a bone model, an article that emulates tissue of an animal musculoskeletal system, an article that emulates animal fat tissue, and an article that emulates animal skin tissue. One version of the method comprises placing a spinal vertebrae model in a cavity model that emulates an animal body cavity; forming a first layer on top of the vertebrae model, wherein the first layer emulates an animal muscle tissue; placing a second layer over the first layer, wherein the second layer emulates an animal fat tissue; and placing a third layer over the second layer, wherein the third layer emulates an animal skin tissue. The spinal vertebrae model can be 3D printed from a thermoplastic polymer and infiltrated with a foam into an interior space of the 3D printed spinal vertebrae model.

Abstract: An orthopedic surgery system includes: a retractor support arm; a table mounting assembly for securing the retractor support arm to the operating table; a first blade mounting arm slidably engaging the retractor support arm; a second blade mounting arm slidably engaging the retractor support arm in spaced relationship with respect to the first blade mounting arm; a first retractor blade connected to the first blade mounting arm; a second retractor blade connected to the second blade mounting arm; and a plate support assembly for releasably engaging an orthopedic plate wherein the plate support assembly slidably engages at least one of the retractor support arm or the first blade mounting arm or the second blade mounting arm. In one version of the invention, the system used in anterior cervical spine surgery and the orthopedic plate is an anterior cervical plate.

Abstract: An orthopedic surgery system includes: a retractor support arm; a table mounting assembly for securing the retractor support arm to the operating table; a first blade mounting arm slidably engaging the retractor support arm; a second blade mounting arm slidably engaging the retractor support arm in spaced relationship with respect to the first blade mounting arm; a first retractor blade connected to the first blade mounting arm; a second retractor blade connected to the second blade mounting arm; and a plate support assembly for releasably engaging an orthopedic plate wherein the plate support assembly slidably engages at least one of the retractor support arm or the first blade mounting arm or the second blade mounting arm. In one version of the invention, the system used in anterior cervical spine surgery and the orthopedic plate is an anterior cervical plate.

Abstract: Surgical navigation for revision surgery includes temporality coupling a reference arc to a surgical object that was substantially permanently affixed to a bone of a patient during a preceding surgery. The reference arc includes a navigation tracker configured to communicate with a navigation system. A surgical instrument is coupled to a respective navigation tracker that is also configured to communicate with the navigation system. A known relationship between the navigation tracker of the reference arc and the navigation tracker of the surgical instrument is used to determine a spatial characteristic of the surgical instrument, such as an position or orientation of the surgical instrument. The spatial characteristic is rendered upon a display unit.

Abstract: A bone fixation device for fixing a first bone to a second bone includes a self tapping screw having an aperture extending along a longitudinal axis of the screw, and a driver having an aperture extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis of the driver, the distal end being configured to engage the screw such that the aperture of the driver and the aperture of the screw are coaxially aligned, thereby defining a lumen. A guide rod having a tapered tip for piercing bone tissue is shaped and dimensioned to extend through the lumen and configured to fasten to the driver. A blunt-ended rod advances a bioactive agent through the lumen, the blunt-ended rod being dimensioned to extend through the lumen to decrease the injury to vital structures as the screw is advanced into the second bone.