Abstract: A surgical navigation method utilizing a computer system. The method includes the steps of: (a) fixing a camera relative to a surgical site on a patient such that the camera does not move relative to the surgical site; (b) restraining the body portion of the patient which includes the surgical site relative to an operating table supporting the patient, such that the body portion does not move relative to the operating table; and (c) detecting with the camera the position of a medical instrument having a tracker array.

Abstract: A cannulated surgical instrument having a cannula lock configured to selectively lock and unlock a guidewire extending into the instrument's cannula. The instrument includes a cannulated shaft having a cannulated driving member attached to a proximal end of the cannulated shaft. The cannula lock is configured to selectively move between (i) a locked position where the guidewire is engaged and cannot move axially with respect to the cannula, and (ii) an unlocked position where the guidewire is disengaged and can move axially with respect to the cannula.

Abstract: A medical implant identification system is disclosed. The implant identification system may include a probe reader extending from a proximal end to a distal end and the distal end may include a faraday cage. The probe reader may be in communication with an operating room computer and/or a display. The implant identification system may include at least one digital set screw comprising an antenna disposed in an antenna portion of the digital set screw. In various embodiments, the faraday cage may have a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of the antenna portion of the digital set screw. Additionally, the antenna may be configured to transmit identity information to the probe reader, and the identify information may be displayed by the display and/or stored in a data store of the operating room computer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to discogenic cell populations, methods of deriving, and methods of using them. The presently described discogenic cell populations may be used to restore or regenerate damaged, diseased, or missing intervertebral discs of a subject. The presently described discogenic cell populations can be derived from and administered or implanted into a subject, or may be derived from an unrelated donor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for treating an intervertebral disc in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject's intervertebral disc has a reduced disc height due to degeneration, damage, and/or disease. In other embodiments, the subject is at risk of losing height in at least one intervertebral disc. In most embodiments, the disclosed methods comprise inserting a needle into the treated disc a first time and a second time. In many embodiments the first and second time may be separated by a period of days or weeks.

Abstract: Described herein are devices for easily and predictably allowing a single user to position fixate a flap or segment of bone of any size in position adjacent to native bone to allow filling of the kerf with an adhesive composition and sealing the kerf, as well as related methods.

Abstract: An article of footwear is configured to be worn so as to at least partially cover a wearer's foot. The footwear includes at least one optical fiber on an internal surface of the footwear. The at least one optical fiber is configured to project radiation having a therapeutic wavelength through the at least one optical fiber and toward at least one of the wearer's foot, ankle or leg when the footwear is being worn so as to at least partially cover the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A medical implant identification system is disclosed. The implant identification system may include a probe reader extending from a proximal end to a distal end and the distal end may include a faraday cage. The probe reader may be in communication with an operating room computer and/or a display. The implant identification system may include at least one digital set screw comprising an antenna disposed in an antenna portion of the digital set screw. In various embodiments, the faraday cage may have a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of the antenna portion of the digital set screw. Additionally, the antenna may be configured to transmit identity information to the probe reader, and the identify information may be displayed by the display and/or stored in a data store of the operating room computer.

Abstract: An energy transfer system includes a spinal implant having an antenna, an antenna extender attached to a portion of the spinal implant in proximity to the antenna, and a reader device configured to send energy to the spinal implant via the antenna extender. The antenna extender extends away from the spinal implant. The spinal implant is configured to be positioned within a spinal area of a patient.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for distracting a spinal disc space and supporting adjacent vertebrae are provided. Trial instruments are insertable into the disc space to determine a desired disc space height and to select a corresponding implant. Implants can be also be self-distracting and the implant providing the desired disc space height can be implanted in the spinal disc space.

Abstract: An energy transfer system includes a spinal implant having one or more antennae, and the spinal implant is configured to be positioned within a spinal area of a patient, and a relay device configured to be positioned within the patient between the implant and the skin of the patient when implanted. The relay device is configured to receive energy from a reader device located externally to the patient and convey at least a portion of the received energy to the one or more antennae of the spinal implant.

Abstract: A device includes a first endplate having an engagement surface and first and second extensions. The first extension has a first ramp and the second extension has a first slot. A second endplate includes a second engagement surface and third and fourth extensions. The third extension has a second ramp and the fourth extension has a second slot. A wedge is positioned between the endplates and includes a first inclined portion that engages the first ramp and a second inclined portion that engages the second ramp. The wedge has first and second apertures. A first pin extends through the first aperture and the first slot. A second pin extends through the second aperture and the second slot. The wedge is movable relative to the endplates to move the device from a first height to an increased second height. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for assessing a status of a spinal implant includes a wearable apparatus having an electronics system and one or more spinal implants in communication with the wearable apparatus. The electronics system includes a first short-range receiver, a first short-range transmitter, and an inertial measurement unit. The wearable apparatus is configured to constrain one or more movements of a wearer when worn. The one or more spinal implants include one or more sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of a fusion status of the spinal implant, a second short-range receiver, and a second short-range transmitter. The one or more spinal implants are configured to communicate one or more of the measured characteristics to the wearable apparatus via the second transmitter.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for providing a rigid connection between a localizing camera and a patient's head for image-guided surgery. A fixed camera head clamp includes a camera mount for rigidly securing a localizing camera to the head clamp. In one embodiment, a proximal end of the camera mount is selectively secured to a receptacle of a frame of the head clamp and a distal end of the camera mount includes a camera receptacle configured to receive a localizing camera. A fixed camera head clamp system includes the head clamp and a localizing camera. A camera mount system includes a camera mount secured to a patient's head and a localizing camera secured to a camera receptacle on the camera mount.

Abstract: An energy transfer system includes a spinal implant having one or more antennae, and the spinal implant is configured to be positioned within a spinal area of a patient, and a relay device configured to be positioned within the patient between the implant and the skin of the patient when implanted. The relay device is configured to receive energy from a reader device located externally to the patient and convey at least a portion of the received energy to the one or more antennae of the spinal implant.

Abstract: An energy transfer system includes a spinal implant having an antenna, an antenna extender attached to a portion of the spinal implant in proximity to the antenna, and a reader device configured to send energy to the spinal implant via the antenna extender. The antenna extender extends away from the spinal implant. The spinal implant is configured to be positioned within a spinal area of a patient.

Abstract: An article of footwear is configured to be worn so as to at least partially cover a wearer's foot. The footwear includes at least one optical fiber on an internal surface of the footwear. The at least one optical fiber is configured to project radiation having a therapeutic wavelength through the at least one optical fiber and toward at least one of the wearer's foot, ankle or leg when the footwear is being worn so as to at least partially cover the wearer's foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear is configured to be worn so as to at least partially cover a wearer's foot. The footwear includes at least one optical fiber on an internal surface of the footwear. The at least one optical fiber is configured to project radiation having a therapeutic wavelength through the at least one optical fiber and toward at least one of the wearer's foot, ankle or leg when the footwear is being worn so as to at least partially cover the wearer's foot.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for spinal surgery include a retractor with an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal end and an opposite proximal end. The retractor defines a passage between the distal and proximal ends and a window opening into the passage adjacent to the distal end. The apparatus also includes a guide member extending laterally from the proximal end of the retractor and the guide member includes a body extending along an arc. The body defines a number of trajectories each intersecting the window of the retractor. The apparatus further includes an instrument removably mounted to the guide member and the instrument is movable along the guide member and securable to the guide member in any one of the number of trajectories so that the instrument can be moved along the selected trajectory through the window.

Abstract: A device includes a first endplate having an engagement surface and first and second extensions. The first extension has a first ramp and the second extension has a first slot. A second endplate includes a second engagement surface and third and fourth extensions. The third extension has a second ramp and the fourth extension has a second slot. A wedge is positioned between the endplates and includes a first inclined portion that engages the first ramp and a second inclined portion that engages the second ramp. The wedge has first and second apertures. A first pin extends through the first aperture and the first slot. A second pin extends through the second aperture and the second slot. The wedge is movable relative to the endplates to move the device from a first height to an increased second height. Methods of use are disclosed.