Abstract: Tools adapted for spinal surgery are provided. More specifically, provided herein are apparatuses, systems, kits and methods for accurate, rapid and reliable placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine, and delivery of bone graft material thereto.

Abstract: A bone graft delivery system and method for using same to deliver graft material into a surgical site. The system includes an interbody implant having a securing site disposed on a surface of the implant and a holder having an elongated, hollow handle including a distal end. The distal end of the holder is configured to removably engage the securing site of the interbody implant to secure the interbody implant to the distal end of the holder until such time as a user desires to disengage the holder from the interbody implant. The interbody implant may be a cage implant having opposing anterior and posterior surfaces, opposing first and second lateral surfaces, and opposing top and bottom surfaces, wherein the top surface comprises a first aperture and the bottom surface comprises a second aperture, the posterior surface comprising a third aperture, the first, second, and third apertures all linking to a main cavity, the main cavity generally extending between the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: Tools adapted for spinal surgery are provided. More specifically, tools having an elongate cylindrical cannula connected to a plurality of sharp-edged blades are provided for imparting a force for displacing vertebral bodies. Apparatuses and methods for accurate, rapid, and reliable placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patients spine are also provided.

Abstract: A bone graft delivery system and method for using same to deliver graft material into a surgical site. The method includes the steps of providing a hollow tube configured to receive the graft material, releasably attaching an implant to a distal end of the hollow tube so as to communicate with at least one opening in the distal end of the hollow tube, the implant being configured to receive the graft material delivered through the hollow tube; placing the implant within the surgical site; advancing the graft material through the hollow tube; conveying graft material through the hollow tube into an interior of the implant, whereby the implant is at least substantially filled with the graft material; and discharging the graft material through at least one opening in the implant into the surgical site, whereby the surgical site is at least substantially filled with the graft material.

Abstract: A bone graft delivery system for delivering graft material into a surgical site. The delivery system includes an elongate hollow tube constructed to receive the bone graft material and having a hollow interior and indicia formed on an exterior surface of the elongate hollow tube. The delivery system also includes a plunger adapted to extend in the elongate hollow tube and to form a substantially congruent fit with the hollow interior of the elongate hollow tube such that the plunger is precluded from rotating within the elongate hollow tube. The plunger is adapted to urge bone graft material through the elongate hollow tube to deliver bone graft material through an opening thereof.

Abstract: A bone graft delivery system and method for using same to deliver graft material into a surgical site. The system includes an interbody implant having a securing site disposed on a surface of the implant and a holder having an elongated, hollow handle including a distal end. The distal end of the holder is configured to removably engage the securing site of the interbody implant to secure the interbody implant to the distal end of the holder until such time as a user desires to disengage the holder from the interbody implant. The interbody implant may be a cage implant having opposing anterior and posterior surfaces, opposing first and second lateral surfaces, and opposing top and bottom surfaces, wherein the top surface comprises a first aperture and the bottom surface comprises a second aperture, the posterior surface comprising a third aperture, the first, second, and third apertures all linking to a main cavity, the main cavity generally extending between the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a spinal fusion impactor tool that includes an attachment means for securing an implant device to the distal end of the tool, a means for adjusting the angle of the distal head relative to the handle to better position the implant for introduction into the implant site, means for remotely releasing the implant device at the distal end and a clamp device on the shaft of the tool to secure tabs, attachments and other devices. The impactor tool is preferably used in conjunction with implantation of an intervertebral fusion cage that is equipped with shims having tabs or other removing means, but may also be used to introduce, for example, an implant, graft, fusion device, wedge or distractor device into any joint space or bony region in preparation for implantation.

Abstract: Tools adapted for spinal surgery are provided. More specifically, tools having an elongate cylindrical cannula connected to a plurality of sharp-edged blades are provided for imparting a force for displacing vertebral bodies. Apparatuses and methods for accurate, rapid, and reliable placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patients spine are also provided.

Abstract: A bone graft delivery system and method for using same to deliver graft material into a surgical site. The method includes the steps of providing a hollow tube configured to receive the graft material, releasably attaching an implant to a distal end of the hollow tube so as to communicate with at least one opening in the distal end of the hollow tube, the implant being configured to receive the graft material delivered through the hollow tube; placing the implant within the surgical site; advancing the graft material through the hollow tube; conveying graft material through the hollow tube into an interior of the implant, whereby the implant is at least substantially filled with the graft material; and discharging the graft material through at least one opening in the implant into the surgical site, whereby the surgical site is at least substantially filled with the graft material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectively detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. In one embodiment, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage.

Abstract: The foregoing application describes a system and method of performing a minimally invasive surgical operation. More specifically, the invention involves the use of disposable cannula and slender dilators of variable lengths, which incorporate a source of illumination to carry light to a surgical site and video capabilities for capturing and displaying images from a CMOS or CCD camera device. According to one embodiment, fiber optics run semi-circumferentially or along walls of the cannula/dilator and terminate at about a centimeter from the distal end of the cannula/dilator, thereby preventing illumination from “bottoming out” at the floor of the incision. According to one alternate embodiment, the light fibers may be fashioned in an annulus around one or more camera chips to provide illumination and video of the surgical site.

Abstract: The foregoing application describes a system and method of performing a minimally invasive surgical operation. More specifically, the invention involves the use of disposable cannula and slender dilators of variable lengths, which incorporate a source of illumination to carry light to a surgical site and video capabilities for capturing and displaying images from a CMOS or CCD camera device. According to one embodiment, fiber optics run semi-circumferentially or along walls of the cannula/dilator and terminate at about a centimeter from the distal end of the cannula/dilator, thereby preventing illumination from “bottoming out” at the floor of the incision. According to one alternate embodiment, the light fibers may be fashioned in an annulus around one or more camera chips to provide illumination and video of the surgical site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectively detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. In one embodiment, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a spinal fusion impactor tool that includes an attachment means for securing an implant device to the distal end of the tool, a means for adjusting the angle of the distal head relative to the handle to better position the implant for introduction into the implant site, means for remotely releasing the implant device at the distal end and a clamp device on the shaft of the tool to secure tabs, attachments and other devices. The impactor tool is preferably used in conjunction with implantation of an intervertebral fusion cage that is equipped with shims having tabs or other removing means, but may also be used to introduce, for example, an implant, graft, fusion device, wedge or distractor device into any joint space or bony region in preparation for implantation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectively detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. In one embodiment, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectably detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. In one embodiment, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a spinal fusion impactor tool that includes an attachment means for securing an implant device to the distal end of the tool, a means for adjusting the angle of the distal head relative to the handle to better position the implant for introduction into the implant site, means for remotely releasing the implant device at the distal end and a clamp device on the shaft of the tool to secure tabs, attachments and other devices. The impactor tool is preferably used in conjunction with implantation of an intervertebral fusion cage that is equipped with shims having tabs or other removing means, but may also be used to introduce, for example, an implant, graft, fusion device, wedge or distractor device into any joint space or bony region in preparation for implantation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of performing a minimally invasive posterior spine fusion. More specifically an apparatus with a handle and a forked head on the distal end of the handle is used to grasp implant material and introduce the material to an implant site. The shaft of the apparatus is shaped so as to allow the affixation of a drill guide and drill while simultaneously holding the implant material in the implant site. After removal of the boring tools and assembly of the fusing element, the apparatus can be selectively removed from the implant site. A method of achieving facet joint fusion with near simultaneous fixation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The foregoing application describes a system and method of performing a minimally invasive surgical operation. More specifically, the invention involves the use of disposable cannula and slender dilators of variable lengths, which incorporate a source of illumination to carry light to a surgical site and video capabilities for capturing and displaying images from a CMOS or CCD camera device. According to one embodiment, fiber optics run semi-circumferentially or along walls of the cannula/dilator and terminate at about a centimeter from the distal end of the cannula/dilator, thereby preventing illumination from “bottoming out” at the floor of the incision. According to one alternate embodiment, the light fibers may be fashioned in an annulus around one or more camera chips to provide illumination and video of the surgical site.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a central axis of a spinal column and method of using the same is disclosed. The apparatus and method includes one or more members capable of spanning a center line which may then be identified by at least one additional member positioned therebetween. Furthermore, the device may contain or be capable of accommodating various additional tools for marking the location of the central axis of a spinal column.