Abstract: An articulated delivery instrument for the proper positioning and placements of inserts, for example, an insert such as a lumbar interbody fusion device (“LIF”). The instrument may comprise a body and a first member slidingly coupled to the body. A rotating member for releasably retaining an insert may be pivotally coupled to a distal end of the body and the first member. A first actuator may function to translate the first member relative to the body. Translation of the first member relative to the body may rotate the rotating member relative to the instrument. A second actuator may function to transition the rotating member between release and retention of the insert.

Abstract: Multiple embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses for maintaining spacing between neighboring vertebrae, while minimizing the size of the surgical opening required. In one embodiment, an expandable spinal implant is made having movable parts that can arranged so as to have a small maximum cross-sectional width so that the cage can be inserted through a smaller surgical opening and then expanded to a full size assembly between the vertebrae.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a member, a guide wire received within the member by a friction fit, and a guide wire pusher for application of a force to the guide wire to overcome the friction fit and advance the guide wire relative to the member. The member includes a guide wire retainer that provides the friction fit and allows the guide wire to be held in such a way that it is pre-assembled and secure while the tool is being introduced to a surgical site. At the same time, once a hole is drilled into bone, the guide wire retainer allows the remainder of the tool to be removed leaving the guide wire in place at the site. The guide wire pusher allows the guide wire to be impacted into the bone before drilling and limits any possibility of drilling past the end of the guide wire.

Abstract: A medical assembly includes a cannula and a sealing cap releasably coupled to the cannula. The cap includes a body and a sealing member integrally molded with the body to form a fluid-tight seal between the cap and cannula. The cap includes a member defining an opening for passage of a medical instrument therethrough in a fluid-tight manner. The member includes a first portion surrounding the opening and being thickened to limit tearing of the first portion, and a second portion surrounding the first portion being tapered down in thickness toward the first portion to increase flexibility of the member. The assembly includes a shaft receivable in a lumen defined by an inner surface of the cannula. The shaft includes a protrusion and the inner surface further defines a protrusion receiving formation.

Abstract: A method of deploying a fixation mechanism includes providing an insertion instrument and a fixation mechanism, creating an insertion tunnel within tissue of a patient, and positioning the insertion instrument with the fixation mechanism in the insertion tunnel. The insertion instrument includes a main member connected to an instrument handle and a secondary member connected to a pushing handle and positioned within the main member. The main member and the secondary member extend along a longitudinal axis. The fixation mechanism includes a first portion coupled to the main member and a second portion coupled to the secondary member. The method includes translating the pushing handle along the longitudinal axis relative to the instrument handle such that translating causes the secondary member to move the second portion relative to the first portion.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a member, a guide wire received within the member by a friction fit, and a guide wire pusher for application of a force to the guide wire to overcome the friction fit and advance the guide wire relative to the member. The member includes a guide wire retainer that provides the friction fit and allows the guide wire to be held in such a way that it is pre-assembled and secure while the tool is being introduced to a surgical site. At the same time, once a hole is drilled into bone, the guide wire retainer allows the remainder of the tool to be removed leaving the guide wire in place at the site. The guide wire pusher allows the guide wire to be impacted into the bone before drilling and limits any possibility of drilling past the end of the guide wire.

Abstract: A tissue anchor insertion tool includes a first member defining a region configured to receive a tissue anchor, and a second member positioned to substantially cover the tissue anchor during introduction to a surgical site. The second member is coupled to the first member such that relative motion between the members deploys the tissue anchor from the region. The first member includes an applicator configured to move laterally to deploy the anchor from the region. A method includes providing first and second members coupled for relative motion, inserting a tissue anchor into tissue using the first and second members, and relatively moving the first and second members to deploy the tissue anchor from the first member. The tissue anchor is mounted to the first member. The second member substantially covers the tissue anchor during the insertion into tissue.

Abstract: An anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within base tissue. The anchor body includes a unidirectional mechanism to selectively restrict passage of a flexible member through the anchor. The flexible member includes a loop to enable attachment of candidate tissue to base tissue without the use of knots.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knee prosthesis having a femoral component having a pair of spaced apart condylar portions and a boss structure extending between the condylar portions. The boss structure has a top surface that extends generally horizontally in a transverse plane and an opposed inferior surface. The knee prosthesis also includes a stem component having a proximal end and a distal end. The knee prosthesis further includes an attachment nut for securing the stem member to the femoral component.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis system includes a tibial bearing insert, a tibial tray, a separate stabilizing post and a femoral component that are joinable to each other. The tibial bearing insert is mounted so that it can both rotate and translate with respect to the tibial tray. The stabilizing post and the femoral component cooperate to force roll back of the femoral component with respect to the tibial components.

Abstract: A modular orthopaedic clamping tool system includes a clamp and a plurality of modular tools. The clamp has a handle having substantially parallel first and second actuation members with a jaw member integral with the first actuation member and a modular attachment element integral with the second actuation member. A linkage connects the first and second actuation members and operates to maintain a substantially parallel orientation between the actuation members while the clamp moves between open and closed positions. In addition, the orthopaedic clamping tool may be locked without causing an excessive clamping force on a clamped bone.

Abstract: A self-locking orthopaedic clamp includes first and second jaws, each jaw having a work engaging surface and a handle comprising first and second actuation members, each actuation member having a first end proximate to the first and second jaws and a second opposed end, and the second actuation member being rigidly coupled to and integral with the second jaw. A four-bar linkage connects the first and second jaws and the first and second actuation members. The design of the clamp and the four-bar linkage is such that the clamp is self-locking. The clamp may be configured for use in a variety of orthopaedic procedures, but it is especially useful for clamping a prosthesis to a resected natural patella.

Abstract: A modular joint prosthesis system includes an articulation member, such as a cruciate retaining femoral component of a knee joint prosthesis, having a superior bone engaging surface, an inferior articulation surface and one or more fixation pegs extending from the superior surface. An augmentation block mounts on the superior surface of the articulation member and has an aperture surrounding a respective fixation peg. The system further includes a compression collet seated between the aperture of the augmentation block and the fixation peg. In assembly, a securement device mounted over the fixation peg compresses the compression collet so as to engage the fixation peg and maintain the augmentation block on the articulation member.