Abstract: An intraoperative monitoring module (IMM) for assessing strength of screw attachments to bone and detecting breaches includes a torque sensor on a rotatable tool receptacle and a variable-output current source. The IMM provides concurrent monitoring of rotational torque applied to a screw and stimulus current passing through the screw into bone for evoked electromyography. A motor housing configured to drive in rotation a tool receptacle on the IMM, a screw driver modified for carrying the stimulus current, and a screw attached to the screw driver are optionally included. Cooperative anti-rotation features on the motor housing and IMM support accurate torque measurements and prevent the outer housing of the IMM from rotating with the tool receptacle while a screw is being driven. The motor housing optionally provides electrical power to the IMM.

Abstract: An intraoperative monitoring module (IMM) for assessing strength of screw attachments to bone and detecting breaches includes a torque sensor on a rotatable tool receptacle and a variable-output current source. The IMM provides concurrent monitoring of rotational torque applied to a screw and stimulus current passing through the screw into bone for evoked electromyography. A motor housing configured to drive in rotation a tool receptacle on the IMM, a screw driver modified for carrying the stimulus current, and a screw attached to the screw driver are optionally included. Cooperative anti-rotation features on the motor housing and IMM support accurate torque measurements and prevent the outer housing of the IMM from rotating with the tool receptacle while a screw is being driven. The motor housing optionally provides electrical power to the IMM.

Abstract: An intraoperative monitoring module (IMM) for assessing strength of screw attachments to bone and detecting breaches includes a torque sensor on a rotatable tool receptacle and a variable-output current source. The IMM provides concurrent monitoring of rotational torque applied to a screw and stimulus current passing through the screw into bone for evoked electromyography. A motor housing configured to drive in rotation a tool receptacle on the IMM, a screw driver modified for carrying the stimulus current, and a screw attached to the screw driver are optionally included. Cooperative anti-rotation features on the motor housing and IMM support accurate torque measurements and prevent the outer housing of the IMM from rotating with the tool receptacle while a screw is being driven. The motor housing optionally provides electrical power to the IMM.

Abstract: A surgical implant and a surgical kit. The surgical implant having a body for contacting and supporting adjacent vertebrae. The body has a) opposing superior and inferior surfaces with or without corrugations, b) recesses formed in the opposing superior and inferior surfaces within a peripheral boundary of the body, and a recess-fill material (which preferably promotes osseointegration) disposed in the recesses.

Abstract: An intraoperative monitoring module (IMM) for assessing strength of screw attachments to bone and detecting breaches includes a torque sensor on a rotatable tool receptacle and a variable-output current source. The IMM provides concurrent monitoring of rotational torque applied to a screw and stimulus current passing through the screw into bone for evoked electromyography. A motor housing configured to drive in rotation a tool receptacle on the IMM, a screw driver modified for carrying the stimulus current, and a screw attached to the screw driver are optionally included. Cooperative anti-rotation features on the motor housing and IMM support accurate torque measurements and prevent the outer housing of the IMM from rotating with the tool receptacle while a screw is being driven. The motor housing optionally provides electrical power to the IMM.

Abstract: A surgical implant and a surgical kit. The surgical implant having a body for contacting and supporting adjacent vertebrae. The body has a) opposing superior and inferior surfaces with or without corrugations, b) recesses formed in the opposing superior and inferior surfaces within a peripheral boundary of the body, and a recess-fill material (which preferably promotes osseointegration) disposed in the recesses.

Abstract: An instrumented distractor includes a force sensor for measuring a force exerted by opposing surfaces of adjacent vertebrae pressing against fixed and adjustable arms on the distractor. The force on the distractor may be measured by a data acquisition system (DAS). An instrumented cage including at least one force sensor may be inserted into the same intervertebral space as the distractor and a measurement of force on the cage made by the DAS. A size and shape of the instrumented cage are preferably selected such that the magnitude of force on the cage is less than or equal to the magnitude of force measured with the distractor. In some embodiments, a first DAS is included in the instrumented distractor and a second DAS is included in the insertion handle, and the two data acquisition systems may communicate measured force values with one another.

Abstract: An instrumented distractor includes a force sensor for measuring a force exerted by opposing surfaces of adjacent vertebrae pressing against fixed and adjustable arms on the distractor. The force on the distractor may be measured by a data acquisition system (DAS). An instrumented cage including at least one force sensor may be inserted into the same intervertebral space as the distractor and a measurement of force on the cage made by the DAS. A size and shape of the instrumented cage are preferably selected such that the magnitude of force on the cage is less than or equal to the magnitude of force measured with the distractor. In some embodiments, a first DAS is included in the instrumented distractor and a second DAS is included in the insertion handle, and the two data acquisition systems may communicate measured force values with one another.

Abstract: A system, components of the system, and methods for attaching a plate between two or more bones or bone fragments. The system includes distraction pins having a threaded bone attachment or screw section and a detachable shaft section. The screw section of the distraction pins remain in the bone and are used to affix a plate to the bones.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention is an adjustable intervertebral shaver with a handle portion and a blade portion that adjusts width while remaining in the disc space. The invention also includes methods using the adjustable intervertebral shaver to surgically prepare the intervertebral space. By changing the width of the blade portion, the surgeon adjusts the aggressiveness of the curetting and also determines the appropriate size for an intervertebral graft. By remaining in the disc space, this decreases the time it may take to appropriately prepare the disc space. In addition, since the blade portion remains in the disc space it reduces the number of times an instrument must be passed adjacent to nerves and neural elements, thus decreasing the likelihood of damage to these structures. The width of the blade portion adjusts via an adjustment knob on the handle portion of the adjustable intervertebral shaver.

Abstract: A system, components of the system, and methods for attaching a plate between two or more bones or bone fragments. The system includes distraction pins having a threaded bone attachment or screw section and a detachable shaft section. The screw section of the distraction pins remain in the bone and are used to affix a plate to the bones.