Abstract: The saw blade comprising a bar and a blade. The distal end of the bar formed with a distal end opening and a discharge port formed in at least one of the top and bottom faces that opens into the distal end opening, the discharge port for discharging debris. The bar is formed with a geometric feature for receiving a coupling member to hold the bar to the saw, the geometric feature being an opening that extends through the bar. The blade having a blade base disposed in the distal end opening of the bar and a blade crown that extends forward from the blade base and forward of the distal end of the bar.

Abstract: An optical tracker usable with a surgical object, the optical tracker includes a tracker frame including a mounting body, which defines an instrument engaging aperture having a longitudinal axis, and an offset body protruding proximally from the mounting body. The instrument engaging aperture is configured to receive a proximal region of the surgical instrument such that the longitudinal axis of the tracker is aligned with an axis of the surgical instrument. The tracker may further include a tracking array coupled to the tracker frame and comprising a mounting fixture and a plurality of LED emitters coupled thereto. The optical tracker may further comprise at least three apex points defined by the tracker frame that extend to a height above the LED emitters.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods for tracking physical objects near a target site during a surgical procedure are provided, the surgical system employs a navigation system and a surgical instrument; an instrument tracker is provided on the surgical instrument and a patient tracker is provided on the patient's target tissue; the system and method is configured to detect an error condition compromising accuracy of the navigation guidance and to track and monitor a tool-to-bone offset.

Abstract: The saw blade comprising a bar and a blade. The distal end of the bar formed with a distal end opening and a discharge port formed in at least one of the top and bottom faces that opens into the distal end opening, the discharge port for discharging debris. The bar is formed with a geometric feature for receiving a coupling member to hold the bar to the saw, the geometric feature being an opening that extends through the bar. The blade having a blade base disposed in the distal end opening of the bar and a blade crown that extends forward from the blade base and forward of the distal end of the bar.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade cartridge that includes a guide bar formed from an inner layer and opposed outer plates. The inner layer comprising an outer tine extending distally from the proximal end of the guide bar. An outer surface of the outer tine forms a section of a side surface of the guide bar. A side weld may be formed along the side surface of the guide bar. The cartridge may include a blade coupled to the guide bar, the blade comprising a web disposed between the two outer plates. The blade may include a blade head integral with and located distal to the web, the head formed with teeth located distal to the guide bar, the teeth having a sufficient thickness to form a kerf able to receive the guide bar. A method of forming the cartridge is also contemplated, including welding the inner layer to the outer plates.

Abstract: An irrigation sleeve, for use with a surgical system that comprises an irrigation source and a surgical tool having a tube to support a cutting accessory having a head, in turn comprises a body extending between proximal and distal ends. A first lumen formed in the body receives the tube. The head is adjacent the distal end. A second lumen formed in the body is spaced from the first lumen and comprises proximal and distal regions thereof. The proximal region of the second lumen extends from an inlet for fluid communication with the source, to a transition. The distal region of the second lumen is spaced out of fluid communication with the first lumen and extends from the transition to an outlet to direct fluid adjacent to the head.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use on a patient. A tube assembly comprises an outer tube having a curved region, an inner tube disposed within the outer tube and comprising a single lumen, and a handle coupled to the outer tube. A viewing assembly is disposed within the single lumen. An actuation assembly is coupled to the inner tube and configured to steer the viewing assembly. The handle and the actuation assembly are complimentarily arranged such that the outer tube is positionable and the viewing assembly is steerable a user grasping the tube assembly with a single hand. The single lumen may define an irrigation flow path in communication with a fluid source and provide pressurized irrigation flow. An interior tube may be provided comprising an articulating region configured to articulate between a substantially curved condition and a substantially straight condition. Methods of manipulating an instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including an articulating region. An outer tube and an inner tube are axially fixed to one another distal to the articulating region and axially movable relative to one another proximal to the articulating region. Relative movement of the inner and outer tubes provides for articulation of the articulating tube assembly to a curved configuration. A working tool may be removably directed through a central cannula defined by the inner tube. The working tool may include a shaft having a flexible region configured to be arranged within the articulating region. The shaft may rotate within the inner tube with the articulating tube assembly in the curved configuration. The working tool may include a housing hub configured to be coupled with a handle to removably position the flexible region within the articulating region. Multiple working tools may be interchangeably directed through the central cannula.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (10, 110, 210) includes an articulating tube assembly (20, 120, 220) having a proximal end and a distal end, an articulating region (23, 123, 223) disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, and a proximal axis axially extending from the proximal end to the articulating region (23, 123, 223). The articulating tube assembly (20, 120, 220) includes an inner tube (24, 124, 224) and an outer tube (26, 126, 226) each having the articulating region (23, 123, 223). The inner tube (24, 124, 224) and the outer tube (26, 126, 226) being movable relative to each other proximal to the articulating region (23, 123, 223) and fixed axially relative one another distal to the articulating region (23, 123, 223).

Abstract: A surgical tool with cable-based steering assembly and lock assembly. An outer tube is coupled to a handle, and an inner member includes a tissue working member. The inner member may be an inner tube rotatably disposed in the outer tube and including a flexible neck aligned with links coupled to the outer tube. A steering unit is configured to be actuated to simultaneously tension and slacken steering cables to cause relative pivoting of the links so as to provide a bend or curve. The lock assembly is configured to be actuated to place simultaneous tension on the steering cables to compress the links against each other and inhibit further pivoting of the links against side loading from the tissue. The links may be shaped to have a frame that is tube-shaped with the frames of the links have the same inner and outer diameters as the outer tube.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw cartridge that includes a guide bar formed from an inner plate and opposed outer plates, the inner plate defining a head. The cartridge has a blade that is disposed against the head of the inner plate. The inner plate may comprise an inner tine and/or two opposed outer tines. The inner tine may be formed to define the head against which the blade is disposed. The outer tines extend distally so as to define a space between the outer tines in which the blade is seated.

Abstract: A surgical tool with links between the distal end of the tool shaft and the working member located forward of the shaft. Steering cables attached to the working member are selectively tensioned and slackened to bend the links. Once the links have desired curvature, a lock assembly tensions the plural cables. The tensioning of the cables urges the links against each other. As a result of the abutment of the links against each other, the links resist buckling from the desired curved shape.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw cartridge that includes a guide bar formed form an inner plate and opposed outer plates, the inner plate having a head. The cartridge has a blade that is disposed against the head of the inner plate. The inner plate is formed to have an inner tine and two opposed outer tines. The inner tine is formed to define the head against which the blade is disposed. The outer tines extend forward of the inner tine so as to define a space between the outer tines in which the blade is seated.

Abstract: A rongeur cutting system and method of operating said system. The rongeur cutting system may comprise a cutting unit that includes an outer tube and a cutting implement capable of both oscillation and longitudinal movement within the outer tube. The rongeur cutting system may also comprise a handpiece including a power source and spindle for actuating the cutting implement. The spindle is designed to allow the cutting implement to oscillate while simultaneously moving longitudinally relative to the spindle. The handpiece may further comprises an advancement and retraction assembly that selectively displaces the cutting implement so the distal end of the cutting implement can be advanced towards and retracted away from the distal end of the outer tube. The method of operating the rongeur cutting system may comprise manually operating the system to move the cutting implement longitudinally while periodically actuating the power source to simultaneously oscillate the cutting implement.

Abstract: A blade cartridge for use with a surgical saw includes a bar and a rack. The bar includes a first holding feature for removably holding the bar static to the saw. The rack includes a base moveably disposed in the bar and has cutting teeth defining extending beyond the bar. A drive link extends from the base, providing a second holding feature for releasably engaging a reciprocating drive integral with the saw. One of the base and the bar includes a guide slot. The other of the base and the bar includes a static member extending into the guide slot. The guide slot and the static member allow the rack to reciprocally move from proximal to distal to proximal along a longitudinal axis of the bar. The bar includes two plates and a spacer between the plates. The base is located between the plates.

Abstract: A rongeur (34) for driving a cutting unit (240) that includes an outer (240) tube and a cutting implement (302) able to both rotate in move longitudinally in the outer tube The rongeur includes a body (36) to which a rotating spindle (102) for actuating the cutting implement is mounted. The spindle is designed to allow the inner tube to while, rotating move longitudinally relative to the spindle. A mechanism (150, 180) attached to the body selectively displaces the drive inner tube so the distal end of the cutting implement can be advanced towards and retracted away from the distal end of the outer tube.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (10, 110, 210) includes an articulating tube assembly (20, 120, 220) having a proximal end and a distal end, an articulating region (23, 123, 223) disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, and a proximal axis axially extending from the proximal end to the articulating region (23, 123, 223). The articulating tube assembly (20, 120, 220) includes an inner tube (24, 124, 224) and an outer tube (26, 126, 226) each having the articulating region (23, 123, 223). The inner tube (24, 124, 224) and the outer tube (26, 126, 226) being movable relative to each other proximal to the articulating region (23, 123, 223) and fixed axially relative one another distal to the articulating region (23, 123, 223).

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw cartridge that includes a guide bar formed form an inner plate and opposed outer plates, the inner plate having a head. The cartridge has a blade that is disposed against the head of the inner plate. The inner plate is formed to have an inner tine and two opposed outer tines. The inner tine is formed to define the head against which the blade is disposed. The outer tines extend forward of the inner tine so as to define a space between the outer tines in which the blade is seated.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar, an oscillating blade head and at least one drive rod disposed in the blade bar that pivots the blade head. The blade bar is formed with an opening located proximal to the distal end of the blade. A finger connected to a distal end of the drive rod is located above the drive rod so as to be seated in the opening in the blade bar. The finger extends forward of the drive rod over a base section of the blade head. A pin that extends from the finger pivotally connects the blade head to the finger and, by extension, to the drive rod.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar, an oscillating blade head and at least one drive rod disposed in the blade bar that pivots the blade head. The blade bar is formed with an opening located proximal to the distal end of the blade. A finger connected to a distal end of the drive rod is located above the drive rod so as to be seated in the opening in the blade bar. The finger extends forward of the drive rod over a base section of the blade head.