Abstract: A surgical tool for use in gaining access to the spine and including a part which is arranged to avoid other anatomical structures when the tool is in use; the tool comprising: a distal working end formation, a proximal end and intermediate said ends a formation displaced from a longitudinal axis and extending between said distal and proximal ends wherein the displaced formation is arranged to avoid said other anatomical structures anatomy during use of the working end of the tool.

Abstract: A compression assembly for positioning spinal vertebra to which are attached anchors on which is mounted a lockable primary rod movable relative to the anchors. The assembly comprises a compression tool capable of inducing a compressive force to said anchors to enable said positioning of said vertebra. The compression tool having first and second arms each having a distal working end which in use, a first of said arms engages the rod. Each said first and second distal working ends of the tool, each have a formation which co-operates with the rod; the formation on the second arm by co-operation with an anchorage associated with or on the primary rod enabling a concurrent rotation of the rod and translation of a vertebra to which the rod is connected via the vertebral anchors during compression applied to said anchors by the compression tool prior to locking of the rod by the vertebral anchors when vertebrae are in a selected position.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a surgical insertion tool that may have a handle having a longitudinal axis, an extended arm that may be fixed to the handle and have at least two bends to avoid bony features during insertion of an instrument, and an attachment feature configured to attach the instrument to the insertion tool such that the longitudinal axis of the handle intersects the instrument.

Abstract: A device for use in a surgical distraction and retraction assembly, the assembly including the device and at least one bone anchoring pin for securing the device against a bearing surface. The device has an integral frame defining an internal space, the frame having a first pair of opposing side arms and a second pair of opposing side arms. At least one of said side arms of said first pair of opposing side arms including at least one recess each having one of its ends open to the internal space defined by the frame and an opposite closed end terminating within said at least one side arm. Each said recess retains one said at least one bone anchoring pin and is configured to enable relative movement between the frame and the bone anchoring pins. The relative movement allows selective locking of said at least one anchor pin against the frame at a user selected location to maintain a selected extent of vertebral distraction.

Abstract: An assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical incision is provided, the assembly including a supporting member having first and second ends; a retractor blade having a first distal end and a second proximal end retained at the first end of the support member; a retaining arm which co-operates with the support member and receives and supports a clamping assembly; and an adjusting assembly which engages the support member and allows the clamping assembly to advance and retract relative to the retractor blade.

Abstract: A marine washing appliance for immersion washing of articles contained by the appliance; the appliance comprising; a support body and associated therewith at least one receptacle defining an internal space for retaining articles therein; said at least one receptacle each having an inlet for receiving water and an outlet for discharging water during said immersion washing. Each said receptacle includes a wall defining the internal space for retaining the articles therein, at least part of the wall including at least one opening which allows passage therethrough of a fluid from outside the receptacle to the internal space thereby enabling contact of the fluid with the articles. The passage therethrough of the fluid from outside the receptacle to the internal space is generated by motion of the appliance in water. The support body has leading end and a trailing end, the leading end including an anchorage for a tow line.

Abstract: A retraction assembly for use in retracting soft tissue during spine surgery having a reactor blade having a blade body and proximal and distal ends, a support member engagable with the blade body and having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end engages a passage in the blade body and the second end of the support member includes an anchorage capable of anchoring the assembly to an anatomical structure while allowing movement of the support member. The retractor blade is capable of detachable engagement with and movement relative to the support member. The retractor blade is capable of detachable engagement with and movement relative to the support member. The first end of the support member includes operating nuts to adjust the support member rotationally and vertically.

Abstract: A spinal plate selection and positioning system is provided for use in a spinal fusion procedure. The system may comprise an elongated guide member that is removably securable to an interbody cage by a holding rod. An interbody plate may be aligned and positioned above the interbody cage installed in a disc space. A drill guide may also be aligned and positioned above the interbody plate. The drill guide may be utilized to drill pilot holes in the vertebrae defining the disc space. Fasteners to secure the interbody plate may also by installed using the drill guide. The use of the guide member ensures that the interbody plate is properly aligned and positioned with respect to the interbody cage.

Abstract: A device for use in a surgical distraction and retraction assembly, the assembly including the device and at least one bone anchoring pin for securing the device against a bearing surface. The device has an integral frame defining an internal space, the frame having a first pair of opposing side arms and a second pair of opposing side arms. At least one of said side arms of said first pair of opposing side arms including at least one recess each having one of its ends open to the internal space defined by the frame and an opposite closed end terminating within said at least one side arm. Each said recess retains one said at least one bone anchoring pin and is configured to enable relative movement between the frame and the bone anchoring pins. The relative movement allows selective locking of said at least one anchor pin against the frame at a user selected location to maintain a selected extent of vertebral distraction.

Abstract: An assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical incision is provided, the assembly including a supporting member having first and second ends; a retractor blade having a first distal end and a second proximal end retained at the first end of the support member; a retaining arm which co-operates with the support member and receives and supports a clamping assembly; and an adjusting assembly which engages the support member and allows the clamping assembly to advance and retract relative to the retractor blade.

Abstract: A retraction assembly for use in retracting soft tissue during spine surgery having a reactor blade having a blade body and proximal and distal ends, a support member engagable with the blade body and having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end engages a passage in the blade body and the second end of the support member includes an anchorage capable of anchoring the assembly to an anatomical structure while allowing movement of the support member. The retractor blade is capable of detachable engagement with and movement relative to the support member. The retractor blade is capable of detachable engagement with and movement relative to the support member. The first end of the support member includes operating nuts to adjust the support member rotationally and vertically.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for a spine comprising, a plurality of transverse rods, each of the transverse rods attached to a respective vertebra and a single link having an elongated through-hole, the single link enjoining a plurality of the transverse rods, wherein the single link enables longitudinal translation between enjoined transverse rods and substantially prevents lateral translation between enjoined transverse rods.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use in gaining access to the spine and including a part which is arranged to avoid other anatomical structures when the tool is in use; the tool comprising: a distal working end formation, a proximal end and intermediate said ends a formation displaced from a longitudinal axis and extending between said distal and proximal ends wherein the displaced formation is arranged to avoid said other anatomical structures anatomy during use of the working end of the tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a surgical insertion tool that may have a handle having a longitudinal axis, an extended arm that may be fixed to the handle and have at least two bends to avoid bony features during insertion of an instrument, and an attachment feature configured to attach the instrument to the insertion tool such that the longitudinal axis of the handle intersects the instrument.

Abstract: A retractor blade comprising a blade body having first and second ends, the first end including means to allow connection of the blade body to a support member, the second end including a first part disposed in a first plane and a second part disposed in a second plane, wherein the first and second parts are orthogonal and at least one of said first and second parts terminates in an end at least part of which includes a contour which generally conforms to a contour of a spinal vertebrae.

Abstract: An assembly allowing retraction of soft tissue away from a reference plane; the assembly including at least one retracting element each having a distal end with a formation allowing anchorage of the at least one retracting element. The assembly also includes a proximal end of the at least one retracting element capable of movement through at least one degree of freedom relative to the anchorage.

Abstract: An assembly allowing retraction of soft tissue away from a reference plane; the assembly including at least one retracting element each having a distal end with a formation allowing anchorage of the at least one retracting element. The assembly also includes a proximal end of the at least one retracting element capable of movement through at least one degree of freedom relative to the anchorage.

Abstract: A spinal plate selection and positioning system is provided for use in a spinal fusion procedure. The system may comprise an elongated guide member that is removably securable to an interbody cage by a holding rod. An interbody plate may be aligned and positioned above the interbody cage installed in a disc space. A drill guide may also be aligned and positioned above the interbody plate. The drill guide may be utilized to drill pilot holes in the vertebrae defining the disc space. Fasteners to secure the interbody plate may also by installed using the drill guide. The use of the guide member ensures that the interbody plate is properly aligned and positioned with respect to the interbody cage.

Abstract: An assembly for distraction of spinal vertebrae and which can optionally accommodate retraction blades. The assembly includes a pair of pins each having a first end adapted for vertebral bone engagement and a second end. A pair of sleeves respectively and concentrically engage said pins. A frame includes respective openings which receive the pins and a first end of each said sleeves. The first end of each said sleeve including a portion offset relative to a longitudinal axis of said sleeve such that when the first end of each said pins is anchored in bone, axial rotation of each said sleeves enables said first end of each said pins to move between a first position in which said vertebral bones are not distracted and a second position in which said vertebral bones are distracted.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use in gaining access to the spine and including a part which is arranged to avoid other anatomical structures when the tool is in use; the tool comprising: a distal working end formation, a proximal end and intermediate said ends a formation displaced from a longitudinal axis and extending between said distal and proximal ends wherein the displaced formation is arranged to avoid said other anatomical structures anatomy during use of the working end of the tool.