Abstract: Interbody spacers are expandable horizontally and vertically by an application of axial force, and lockable in an expanded configuration. The spacers include support members interconnected to end bodies by pivotable link members. The spacers are introduced between vertebral bodies in a compressed configuration and expanded to fill the intervertebral space and provide support and selective lordotic correction. Graft material may be introduced into the expanded spacer. Provisional and/or supplementary locking means lock the spacers in the expanded configuration. Embodiments of the spacers include symmetrically and asymmetrically configured spacers. Methods of expansion include symmetric expansion or asymmetric expansion along each of two directions.

Abstract: A retractor system may provide access to a surgical site along an access pathway surrounded by tissue. In some embodiments, the retractor system may include three arms and four retractor blades, each having a tissue engagement surface. The second arm may translate along a first retraction direction relative to the first arm. The first retractor blade may be securable to the first arm and the second retractor blade may be securable to the second arm. The third arm may have a connection feature that may be removably securable to a connection interface of the second arm. The third retractor blade may be securable to the third arm and the fourth retractor blade may be securable to a rack between the first and second arms. The third and fourth retractor blades may have cross-sectional shapes oriented generally parallel to the first retraction direction.

Abstract: A retractor system may provide access to a surgical site along an access pathway surrounded by tissue. In some embodiments, the retractor system may include three arms and four retractor blades, each having a tissue engagement surface. The second arm may translate along a first retraction direction relative to the first arm. The first retractor blade may be securable to the first arm and the second retractor blade may be securable to the second arm. The third arm may have a connection feature that may be removably securable to a connection interface of the second arm. The third retractor blade may be securable to the third arm and the fourth retractor blade may be securable to a rack between the first and second arms. The third and fourth retractor blades may have cross-sectional shapes oriented generally parallel to the first retraction direction.

Abstract: Interbody spacers are expandable horizontally and vertically by an application of axial force, and lockable in an expanded configuration. The spacers include support members interconnected to end bodies by pivotable link members. The spacers are introduced between vertebral bodies in a compressed configuration and expanded to fill the intervertebral space and provide support and selective lordotic correction. Graft material may be introduced into the expanded spacer. Provisional and/or supplementary locking means lock the spacers in the expanded configuration. Embodiments of the spacers include symmetrically and asymmetrically configured spacers. Methods of expansion include symmetric expansion or asymmetric expansion along each of two directions.

Abstract: Interbody spacers are expandable horizontally and vertically by an application of axial force, and lockable in an expanded configuration. The spacers include support members interconnected to end bodies by pivotable link members. The spacers are introduced between vertebral bodies in a compressed configuration and expanded to fill the intervertebral space and provide support and selective lordotic correction. Graft material may be introduced into the expanded spacer. Provisional and/or supplementary locking means lock the spacers in the expanded configuration. Embodiments of the spacers include symmetrically and asymmetrically configured spacers. Methods of expansion include symmetric expansion or asymmetric expansion along each of two directions.

Abstract: Interbody spacers are expandable horizontally and vertically by an application of axial force, and lockable in an expanded configuration. The spacers include support members interconnected to end bodies by pivotable link members. The spacers are introduced between vertebral bodies in a compressed configuration and expanded to fill the intervertebral space and provide support and selective lordotic correction. Graft material may be introduced into the expanded spacer. Provisional and/or supplementary locking means lock the spacers in the expanded configuration. Embodiments of the spacers include symmetrically and asymmetrically configured spacers. Methods of expansion include symmetric expansion or asymmetric expansion along each of two directions.

Abstract: Interbody spacers are expandable horizontally and vertically by an application of axial force, and lockable in an expanded configuration. The spacers include support members interconnected to end bodies by pivotable link members. The spacers are introduced between vertebral bodies in a compressed configuration and expanded to fill the intervertebral space and provide support and selective lordotic correction. Graft material may be introduced into the expanded spacer. Provisional and/or supplementary locking means lock the spacers in the expanded configuration. Embodiments of the spacers include symmetrically and asymmetrically configured spacers. Methods of expansion include symmetric expansion or asymmetric expansion along each of two directions.

Abstract: Interbody spacers are expandable horizontally and vertically by an application of axial force, and lockable in an expanded configuration. The spacers include support members interconnected to end bodies by pivotable link members. The spacers are introduced between vertebral bodies in a compressed configuration and expanded to fill the intervertebral space and provide support and selective lordotic correction. Graft material may be introduced into the expanded spacer. Provisional and/or supplementary locking means lock the spacers in the expanded configuration. Embodiments of the spacers include symmetrically and asymmetrically configured spacers. Methods of expansion include symmetric expansion or asymmetric expansion along each of two directions.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument for passing a suture through tissue includes a first jaw member, a needle, and a capture feature actuable to grip and retain the suture after the suture has been passed through a tissue body. An actuation mechanism can both move the needle between retracted and extended positions, and move the capture feature between open and closed configurations, via a single actuation. The capture feature may be a trap door which is axially translatable relative to the first jaw member to overlap a portion of the first jaw member and trap a portion of the suture between the trap door and the overlapped portion. The first jaw member may be movable relative to a second jaw member to grasp a tissue body. The instrument can grasp a tissue body, pass the suture through the tissue, capture and retain the suture without being repositioned relative to the tissue.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument for passing a suture through tissue includes a first jaw member, a needle, and a capture feature actuable to grip and retain the suture after the suture has been passed through a tissue body. An actuation mechanism can both move the needle between retracted and extended positions, and move the capture feature between open and closed configurations, via a single actuation. The capture feature may be a trap door which is axially translatable relative to the first jaw member to overlap a portion of the first jaw member and trap a portion of the suture between the trap door and the overlapped portion. The first jaw member may be movable relative to a second jaw member to grasp a tissue body. The instrument can grasp a tissue body, pass the suture through the tissue, capture and retain the suture without being repositioned relative to the tissue.