Abstract: Distal tip designs for bone fixation devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system for bone fixation includes a delivery catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; an expandable member having a proximal region and a distal region, wherein the expandable member is releasably attached about the distal end of the delivery catheter at the proximal region of the expandable member; a distal cap attached to the distal region of the expandable member to seal the expandable member; a light conducting fiber; and a light-sensitive liquid; wherein the delivery catheter has an inner void for passage of a light-sensitive liquid into the expandable member to expand the expandable member and an inner lumen for passage of the light conducting fiber into the expandable member to cure the light-sensitive liquid inside the expandable member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating an internal bone fixation device from an introducer are disclosed. In some embodiments, a separation system includes a stabilizer configured to slide over an introducer for delivery of a bone fixation device to a bone cavity, the stabilizer being further configured to score a proximal end of the bone fixation device; and a separator configured to engage the introducer and to provide an impact to the introducer to separate the introducer from the bone fixation device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating conditions and diseases of the spine are disclosed herein. A device includes a balloon catheter comprising at least one inner lumen incorporated within an elongated shaft; a distal end having an inner balloon positioned inside and completely surrounded by an outer balloon; and a proximal end having an adapter for passage of at least one of an inflation fluid or a medical instrument; and an optical fiber comprising an outer diameter sized to pass through the inner lumen of the elongated shaft; a nonlinear light-emitting portion of a given length, wherein a portion of a cladding material from the nonlinear light-emitting portion has been removed so that light energy may be emitted along the length of the nonlinear light-emitting portion; and a linear elongated portion for guiding light towards the nonlinear light-emitting portion.

Abstract: Implant removal systems and methods for using the system for removing an implant from a bone are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a method for removing an intramedullary implant from a bone includes navigating a guidewire into an intramedullary cavity of the bone; inserting the guidewire into a lumen of an intramedullary implant located in the intramedullary cavity of the bone; advancing a removal screw over the guidewire to the intramedullary implant; threading the removal screw into the lumen of the intramedullary implant to engage the removal screw to the intramedullary implant; and applying impaction force on the removal screw to remove the intramedullary implant from the intramedullary cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fastener engageable with a bone portion to connect a longitudinal member to the bone portion. A housing has a first passage configured to receive the longitudinal member and a second passage extending transverse to the first passage. The fastener extends through an opening in the housing into the second passage. The second passage includes a plurality of frustoconical surfaces for engagement with the fastener.

Abstract: A method for providing treatment at or near a cervical region of the spine of a patient is provided. An incision is formed in the skin of a patient above the cervical region. An elongate body is inserted into the patient through the incision, the elongate body having a distal portion, a proximal portion, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body. The elongate body is advanced until a distal end thereof resides at or near the cervical region of the spine. The size of the passage in the distal portion is increased relative to the size of the proximal portion.

Abstract: A cannula (10) for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a tubular structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The tubular structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16). The expandable portion (40) of the tubular structure (12) has a slot (100) and a guide member (114) disposed in the slot. The guide member (114) is movable from a first end (102) of the slot (100) toward a second end (104) of the slot to enable the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) to increase. The expandable portion (40) has a stop (106) between the first and second ends (102 and 104) of the slot (100) engageable with the guide member (114) to retain the guide member in a position relative to the slot and resist movement of the guide member from the position relative to the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for shielding a body structure during surgical procedures which is configured for insertion into the internal passage of a support structure, and includes an elongated body portion with a distal tip portion configured to cover the body structure without substantially displacing the body structure. The apparatus also includes a mounting portion at a proximal end portion thereof for mounting the apparatus within the internal passage of the support structure, and a member connected to the mounting portion to release the mounting portion with respect to the internal passage of the wall portion.

Abstract: A structure for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a passage through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The passage has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable portion enables an increase in the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the passage. The expandable portion has a contracted condition in which the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the passage has a first cross-sectional area. The expandable portion has an expanded condition in which the distal end of the passage has a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is greater than a cross-sectional area of the proximal end of the passage when the expandable portion is in the expanded condition. A retaining mechanism resists movement of the expandable portion from the expanded condition toward the contracted condition during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods suitable for use with procedures performed at least partially percutaneously are provided. In some procedures, two or more access devices for providing access to adjacent surgical locations within a patient are used. Certain embodiments of the access device comprise an elongate body having a distal end with one or more cutouts. The cutouts on adjacent access devices are generally aligned with each other to permit passage of a portion of a fixation element from one access device to the other access device. A fastener with an elongated removable head may be delivered to the surgical site through the access device. After a distal end of the fastener is secured to the surgical site, a portion of the elongated housing is detached from the remainder of the fastener and removed from the patient.

Abstract: A cannula (10) for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a tubular structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The tubular structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16). The expandable portion (40) of the tubular structure (12) has a slot (100) and a guide member (114) disposed in the slot. The guide member (114) is movable from a first end (102) of the slot (100) toward a second end (104) of the slot to enable the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) to increase. The expandable portion (40) has a stop (106) between the first and second ends (102 and 104) of the slot (100) engageable with the guide member (114) to retain the guide member in a position relative to the slot and resist movement of the guide member from the position relative to the slot.

Abstract: A device for providing access to a surgical location within a patient is provided. The device includes an elongate body and a sleeve. The elongate body has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a distal portion. The inner surface defines a passage that extends through the elongate body along a longitudinal axis through which surgical instruments can be inserted to the surgical location. The distal portion is capable of having an expanded configuration when inserted within the patient. In the expanded configuration, the cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of the passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location. The sleeve is configured to be moved relative to the elongate body along the longitudinal axis to increase or to decrease the length of the passage along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A device for provides access to a surgical location within a patient. The device has an elongate body that has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first slot segment, and a second slot segment that is angled relative to said first slot segment. The elongate body defines a passage for accessing the surgical location with surgical instruments. The elongate body has a contracted configuration for insertion into the patient and an expanded configuration for providing access to the surgical location. The cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location of the elongate body is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location of the elongate body. A movable tab is configured to extend into the second slot segment when the elongate body is in the expanded configuration to retain the elongate body in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A spacer device is provided for use with a primary spinal fixation device to treat, reduce, or delay adjacent level degenerative disc disease. The spacer device comprises a compressible spacer, a transverse member, and a connecting member. The compressible spacer is sized to fit between the spinous processes of two adjacent vertebrae and is configured to reduce the range of motion of at least one vertebra. The transverse member is configured to extend from one side of the midline of the spine, extending through the interspinous process space. The transverse member is coupled with the spacer. The connecting member is attachable to the transverse member and to a primary spinal fixation device.

Abstract: A method for treating the spine. A guidewire is advanced through the skin of a patient along a percutaneous path to a target location of a vertebra. An implant is advanced over the guidewire to the target location of the vertebra. The implant is coupled with the vertebra at the target location. An elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end is advanced until the distal end is adjacent the target location, the elongate body having an inner surface defining a passage extending therethrough. A procedure is performed at the target location.

Abstract: A retractor has an elongate body and an expandable shroud. The elongate body has an outer surface and an inner surface partially defining a passage. The elongate body also has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The elongate body is capable of having an enlarged configuration when inserted within the patient. In the enlarged configuration the first longitudinal edge is spaced apart from the second longitudinal edge. The expandable shroud is configured to extend from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge when the first and second edges are spaced apart. The shroud partially defines the passage. The cross-sectional area of said passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of the passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location.

Abstract: A structure for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a passage through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The passage has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable portion enables an increase in the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the passage. The expandable portion has a contracted condition in which the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the passage has a first cross-sectional area. The expandable portion has an expanded condition in which the distal end of the passage has a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is greater than a cross-sectional area of the proximal end of the passage when the expandable portion is in the expanded condition. A retaining mechanism resists movement of the expandable portion from the expanded condition toward the contracted condition during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A cannula (10) for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a tubular structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The tubular structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16). The expandable portion (40) of the tubular structure (12) has a slot (100) and a guide member (114) disposed in the slot. The guide member (114) is movable from a first end (102) of the slot (100) toward a second end (104) of the slot to enable the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) to increase. The expandable portion (40) has a stop (106) between the first and second ends (102 and 104) of the slot (100) engageable with the guide member (114) to retain the guide member in a position relative to the slot and resist movement of the guide member from the position relative to the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (12) having an elongate slot (50). A fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion has an end portion (26) extending through the elongate slot (50). A connecting ring (42) connects the member (12) to the fastener (16). The connecting ring (42) is positionable in any one of a plurality of positions along the elongate slot (50). The connecting ring (42) has a passage (54) through which the end portion (26) of the fastener (16) extends. The fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to the connecting ring (42). First and second portions (64, 66) of the connecting ring (42) engage each other to connect the first and second portions together and prevent relative movement between the first and second portions.

Abstract: A structure for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a passage through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The passage has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable portion enables an increase in the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the passage. The expandable portion has a contracted condition in which the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the passage has a first cross-sectional area. The expandable portion has an expanded condition in which the distal end of the passage has a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is greater than a cross-sectional area of the proximal end of the passage when the expandable portion is in the expanded condition. A retaining mechanism resists movement of the expandable portion from the expanded condition toward the contracted condition during the surgical procedure.