Abstract: A surgical instrument including a tool, a handpiece, and a locking member. The handpiece includes both a coupling member configured to cooperate with the tool, and a driver for rotating the tool. The locking member is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to centrifugal force generated during rotation of the locking member. The locking member is configured to secure the tool to the handpiece when in the locked position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device including an elongated body extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion and defining an internal passageway configured to convey tissue from the distal portion to the proximal portion; a coring electrode at the distal portion of the elongated body, where the coring electrode is positioned at an opening to the internal passageway, and where the coring electrode is configured to deliver electromagnetic energy to adjacent tissue to cut a volume of the tissue as the tissue is conveyed into the internal passageway; and a powered conveyance mechanism positioned within the internal passageway configured to further cut the volume of the tissue and convey the volume of the tissue proximally within the internal passageway.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device including an elongated body extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion and defining an internal passageway configured to convey tissue from the distal portion to the proximal portion, and a coring electrode positioned at the distal portion of the elongated body, where the coring electrode is at an opening to the internal passageway, and where the coring electrode is configured to deliver electromagnetic energy to adjacent tissue to cut a volume of the tissue as the tissue is conveyed into the internal passageway.

Abstract: A system for altering an energizable instrument for performing a procedure on the subject. The instrument may be tracked during a procedure and a controller may alter operation thereof during the selected procedure. The energizable instrument may have energy provided to a working end to heat a working end to a selected temperature for various procedures such as cutting, coagulation, vaporization, or the like.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a tool, a handpiece, and a locking member. The handpiece includes both a coupling member configured to cooperate with the tool, and a driver for rotating the tool. The locking member is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to centrifugal force generated during rotation of the locking member. The locking member is configured to secure the tool to the handpiece when in the locked position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a tool, a handpiece, and a locking member. The handpiece includes both a coupling member configured to cooperate with the tool, and a driver for rotating the tool. The locking member is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to centrifugal force generated during rotation of the locking member. The locking member is configured to secure the tool to the handpiece when in the locked position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a tool, a handpiece, and a locking member. The handpiece includes both a coupling member configured to cooperate with the tool, and a driver for rotating the tool. The locking member is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to centrifugal force generated during rotation of the locking member. The locking member is configured to secure the tool to the handpiece when in the locked position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a tool, a handpiece, and a locking member. The handpiece includes both a coupling member configured to cooperate with the tool, and a driver for rotating the tool. The locking member is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to centrifugal force generated during rotation of the locking member. The locking member is configured to secure the tool to the handpiece when in the locked position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a tool, a handpiece, and a locking member. The handpiece includes both a coupling member configured to cooperate with the tool, and a driver for rotating the tool. The locking member is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to centrifugal force generated during rotation of the locking member. The locking member is configured to secure the tool to the handpiece when in the locked position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a tool, a handpiece, and a locking member. The handpiece includes both a coupling member configured to cooperate with the tool, and a driver for rotating the tool. The locking member is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to centrifugal force generated during rotation of the locking member. The locking member is configured to secure the tool to the handpiece when in the locked position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a tool, a handpiece, and a locking member. The handpiece includes both a coupling member configured to cooperate with the tool, and a driver for rotating the tool. The locking member is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to centrifugal force generated during rotation of the locking member. The locking member is configured to secure the tool to the handpiece when in the locked position.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a first endplate, a second endplate, and a bearing surface positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate. The bearing surface may be provided by a mobile bearing disc including a convex bearing surface configured to engage the first endplate and a concave bearing surface configured to engage the second endplate. The multiple bearing surfaces of the mobile bearing disc engage articulating surfaces on the endplates to form a plurality of articulating joints. Each articulating joint is configured to facilitate a particular type of movement for the segmental unit. Furthermore, each articulating joint is defined by a distinct center of rotation. The contact pair formed by the convex bearing surface of the bearing component and the concave bearing surface of the first endplate may provide a flexion/extension center of rotation for the prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dynamic stabilization system (DSS) having at least one rod having a ring formed therein (“the spring”) and a pair of pedicle screws adapted for fixation to separate vertebrae.

Abstract: This invention relates to an intervertebral motion disc having two opposing endplates, a central articulating core, and a peripheral helical shock absorber.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a first endplate, a second endplate, and a bearing surface positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate. The bearing surface may be provided by a mobile bearing disc including a convex bearing surface configured to engage the first endplate and a concave bearing surface configured to engage the second endplate. The multiple bearing surfaces of the mobile bearing disc engage articulating surfaces on the endplates to form a plurality of articulating joints. Each articulating joint is configured to facilitate a particular type of movement for the segmental unit. Furthermore, each articulating joint is defined by a distinct center of rotation. The contact pair formed by the convex bearing surface of the bearing component and the concave bearing surface of the first endplate may provide a flexion/extension center of rotation for the prosthesis.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a first endplate, a second endplate, and a bearing surface positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate. The bearing surface may be provided by a mobile bearing disc including a convex bearing surface configured to engage the first endplate and a concave bearing surface configured to engage the second endplate. The multiple bearing surfaces of the mobile bearing disc engage articulating surfaces on the endplates to form a plurality of articulating joints. Each articulating joint is configured to facilitate a particular type of movement for the segmental unit. Furthermore, each articulating joint is defined by a distinct center of rotation. The contact pair formed by the convex bearing surface of the bearing component and the concave bearing surface of the first endplate may provide a flexion/extension center of rotation for the prosthesis.

Abstract: This invention relates to an intervertebral motion disc having two opposing endplates, a central articulating core, and a peripheral helical shock absorber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dynamic stabilization system (DSS) having at least one rod having a ring formed therein (“the spring”) and a pair of pedicle screws adapted for fixation to separate vertebrae.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a first endplate, a second endplate, and a bearing surface positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate. The bearing surface may be provided by a mobile bearing disc including a convex bearing surface configured to engage the first endplate and a concave bearing surface configured to engage the second endplate. The multiple bearing surfaces of the mobile bearing disc engage articulating surfaces on the endplates to form a plurality of articulating joints. Each articulating joint is configured to facilitate a particular type of movement for the segmental unit. Furthermore, each articulating joint is defined by a distinct center of rotation. The contact pair formed by the convex bearing surface of the bearing component and the concave bearing surface of the first endplate may provide a flexion/extension center of rotation for the prosthesis.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a first plate designed for attachment to an upper vertebra and a second plate designed for attachment to a lower vertebra. A prosthesis core is positioned between the first plate and the second plate. At least one spring is connected between the first plate and the second plate. The spring comprises a U-shaped torsion bar including a first leg and a second leg. The first leg of the U-shaped torsion spring is attached to the first plate and the second leg is attached to the second plate. The spring provides a selected amount of resistance to movement of the first plate relative to the second plate. In one embodiment, the selected resistance is provided by the attachment locations of the spring to the plates. In another embodiment, the selected resistance is provided by a predetermined spring rate of the springs of the prosthesis.