Abstract: A method to insert a spinal implant into a vertebral space, the method including the steps of: grasping the implant with a distal end of an implant insertion tool; holding a proximal end of the implant insertion tool and inserting the implant toward the vertebral space; and manipulating the proximal end to apply a yaw movement to the implant while the implant is attached to the tool and in the vertebral space.

Abstract: A spinal implant include a top, wherein at least a portion of the top is configured to contact a first vertebra, a bottom, wherein at least a portion of the bottom is configured to contact a second vertebra, a side having a releasable attachment to receive an insertion device and a cam surface to engage a cam on the insertion device.

Abstract: A medical/surgical irrigator comprising a handpiece and a tip assembly that is removably attached to the handpiece. Internal to the handpiece is a variable speed pulse pump from which irrigation fluid is discharged through the tip assembly. A single, variable speed motor regulates the pumping rate of the pump. The tip assembly includes a suction wand through which the discharged fluid is drawn away from the site to which the fluid is applied.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter assembly including an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and a first lumen having a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a first distal opening disposed at the distal end, and a first guide wire opening disposed proximally of the distal end and co-planar with the sidewall. The assembly also includes a second lumen connected to the sidewall and extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, proximally of the distal end. The second lumen includes a second opening extending obliquely away from the sidewall distally toward the first distal opening and a second guide wire opening disposed proximally of the second opening and in a plane generally parallel to the sidewall. A method of inserting the catheter into a vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal implant include a top, wherein at least a portion of the top is configured to contact a first vertebra, a bottom, wherein at least a portion of the bottom is configured to contact a second vertebra, a side having a releasable attachment to receive an insertion device and a cam surface to engage a cam on the insertion device.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter assembly including an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and a first lumen having a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a first distal opening disposed at the distal end, and a first guide wire opening disposed proximally of the distal end and co-planar with the sidewall. The assembly also includes a second lumen connected to the sidewall and extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, proximally of the distal end. The second lumen includes a second opening extending obliquely away from the sidewall distally toward the first distal opening and a second guide wire opening disposed proximally of the second opening and in a plane generally parallel to the sidewall. A method of inserting the catheter into a vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter assembly (100) including an elongated body (108) having a proximal end (102) and a distal end (104) and a first lumen (110) having a sidewall (118) extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a first distal opening (151) disposed at the distal end, and a first guide wire opening (152) disposed proximally of the distal end and co-planar with the sidewall. The assembly also includes a second lumen (112) connected to the sidewall and extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, proximally of the distal end. The second lumen (112) includes a second opening (155) extending obliquely away from the sidewall distally toward the first distal opening (114) and a second guide wire opening (155) disposed proximally of the second opening (155) and in a plane generally parallel to the sidewall. A method of inserting the catheter into a vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to insert a spinal implant into a vertebral space, the method including the steps of: grasping the implant with a distal end of an implant insertion tool; holding a proximal end of the implant insertion tool and inserting the implant toward the vertebral space; and manipulating the proximal end to apply a yaw movement to the implant while the implant is attached to the tool and in the vertebral space.

Abstract: A method to insert an artificial disc in the spine of a patient including: sequentially inserting at least two components of an artificial disk in an vertebral interbody space; assembling the components within the vertebral interbody space to form an artificial disc, and using the assembled artificial disc as a disc in the vertebral interbody space. The interbody space is between two adjacent vertebra. The components of the artificial disc are sequentially surgically inserted posteriorly into the patient or sequentially inserted with a lateral surgical approach, and are surgically inserted without resection of facet joints in the spine.

Abstract: A medical/surgical irrigating handpiece with both a discharge line through which fluid is applied to the site and a suction line through which the discharge fluid is drawn away. The handpiece has a variable speed pulse pump. A single, variable-speed motor actuates the pump to regulate the pumping rate. Power to actuate the motor comes from a battery pack that remote to the handpiece. A control mechanism attached to the handpiece regulates the energization signal applied to the motor so as to regulate motor speed.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter assembly (100) including an elongated body (108) having a proximal end (102) and a distal end (104) and a first lumen (110) having a sidewall (118) extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a first distal opening (151) disposed at the distal end, and a first guide wire opening (152) disposed proximally of the distal end and co-planar with the sidewall. The assembly (100) also includes a second lumen (112) connected to the sidewall (118) and extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, proximally of the distal end (104). The second lumen includes a second opening (155) extending obliquely away from the sidewall distally toward the first distal opening (151) and a second guide wire opening (156) disposed proximally of the second opening (155) and in a plane generally parallel to the sidewall. A method of inserting the catheter (100) into a vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and a first lumen having a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a first distal opening disposed at the distal end, and a first guide wire opening disposed proximally of the distal end and co-planar with the sidewall. The assembly also includes a second lumen connected to the sidewall and extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, proximally of the distal end. The second lumen includes a second opening extending obliquely away from the sidewall distally toward the first distal opening and a second guide wire opening disposed proximally of the second opening and in a plane generally parallel to the sidewall. A method of inserting the catheter into a vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pulsed irrigation liquid outlet for applying liquid pulses to a surgical site, a pump unit reciprocatingly driveable for pumping pulses of irrigation liquid through the outlet, an electric powered drive unit for reciprocatingly driving the pump unit, and a housing containing the pump and drive units. A irrigation inlet hose leads from the pump unit out of the handpiece housing and is connectable to a remote irrigation liquid source. An irrigation inlet hose adjacent the remote end thereof and electric conductors extending along the irrigation inlet hose transfer electric power from the supply unit to the drive unit in the handpiece. Removable tips are alternatively removably attachable to the irrigation liquid outlet adjacent the front end of the handpiece.

Abstract: A catheter guidewire straightener is disclosed. The guidewire straightener includes an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end having an exterior surface with a diameter sized to fit within a catheter guidewire tube, and a longitudinal passageway sized to accept a catheter guidewire. The passageway extends between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end further includes at least one lug extending from the exterior surface and a biasing member operatively connected to each of the at least one lug and biasing the at least one lug away from the passageway such that, when the proximal end is disposed within the guidewire tube, the biasing member biases the at least one lug against the guidewire tube.

Abstract: A pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pulsed irrigation liquid outlet for applying liquid pulses to a surgical site, a pump unit reciprocatingly driveable for pumping pulses of irrigation liquid through the outlet, an electric powered drive unit for reciprocatingly driving the pump unit, and a housing containing the pump and drive units. A irrigation inlet hose leads from the pump unit out of the handpiece housing and is connectable to a remote irrigation liquid source. An irrigation inlet hose adjacent the remote end thereof and electric conductors extending along the irrigation inlet hose transfer electric power from the supply unit to the drive unit in the handpiece. Removable tips are alternatively removably attachable to the irrigation liquid outlet adjacent the front end of the handpiece.

Abstract: A pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pulsed irrigation liquid outlet for applying liquid pulses to a surgical site, a pump unit reciprocatingly driveable for pumping pulses of irrigation liquid through the outlet, an electric powered drive unit for reciprocatingly driving the pump unit, and a housing containing the pump and drive units. A irrigation inlet hose leads from the pump unit out of the handpiece housing and is connectable to a remote irrigation liquid source. An irrigation inlet hose adjacent the remote end thereof and electric conductors extending along the irrigation inlet hose transfer electric power from the supply unit to the drive unit in the handpiece. Removable tips are alternatively removably attachable to the irrigation liquid outlet adjacent the front end of the handpiece.

Abstract: A pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pulsed irrigation liquid outlet for applying liquid pulses to a surgical site, a pump unit reciprocatingly driveable for pumping pulses of irrigation liquid through the outlet, an electric powered drive unit for reciprocatingly driving the pump unit, and a housing containing the pump and drive units. A irrigation inlet hose leads from the pump unit out of the handpiece housing and is connectable to a remote irrigation liquid source. An irrigation inlet hose adjacent the remote end thereof and electric conductors extending along the irrigation inlet hose transfer electric power from the supply unit to the drive unit in the handpiece. Removable tips are alternatively removably attachable to the irrigation liquid outlet adjacent the front end of the handpiece.

Abstract: A pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pulsed irrigation liquid outlet for applying liquid pulses to a surgical site, a pump unit reciprocatingly driveable for pumping pulses of irrigation liquid through the outlet, an electric powered drive unit for reciprocatingly driving the pump unit, and a housing containing the pump and drive units. A irrigation inlet hose leads from the pump unit out of the handpiece housing and is connectable to a remote irrigation liquid source. An irrigation inlet hose adjacent the remote end thereof and electric conductors extending along the irrigation inlet hose transfer electric power from the supply unit to the drive unit in the handpiece. Removable tips are alternatively removably attachable to the irrigation liquid outlet adjacent the front end of the handpiece.