Abstract: A method of performing percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar surgery on a patient, includes the steps of creating an opening in the patient's skin, passing at least one tubular cannula through the opening so as to create a soft tissue tunnel, placing a semi-tubular spreader over the at least one tubular cannula inside the soft tissue tunnel, placing a flat blade spreader into an opening formed by the semi-tubular spreader, dilating the opening by spreading apart blades of the flat blade spreader, inserting bone grafts through the opening and into an intervertebral space of the patient.

Abstract: A method of performing percutaneous transformal endoscopic lumbar surgery on a patient, includes the steps of creating an opening in the patent's skin, passing at least one tubular cannula through the opening so as to create a soft tissue tunnel, placing a semi-tubular spreader over a the at least one tubular cannula inside the soft tissue tunnel, placing a flat blade spreader into an opening formed by the semi-tubular spreader, dilating the opening by spreading apart blades of the flat blade spreader, inserting bone grafts through the opening and into an intervertebral space of the patient.

Abstract: An orthopaedic device is disclosed for mechanical intercoupling between selected vertebrae of the human spine and an elongated surgical rod. The device includes a block-shaped member having upper and lower surfaces, front and rear surfaces, and left and right side surfaces. A central cylindrical bore extends through the block-shaped member between the upper and lower surfaces. A longitudinal slot extends between the upper and lower surfaces, and from the front and one side surface of the block member into the central bore. The central bore and longitudinal slot serve as a yoke into which a section of the surgical rod may be placed, the width of the slot being slightly larger than the diameter of the rod. A short, hollow, cylindrical sleeve member, with internal diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the rod, is adapted for slidable movement over the rod and into the central bore of the block-shaped member to provide capture of the surgical rod.

Abstract: An orthopaedic device is disclosed for secure mechanical coupling to an elongated surgical rod. The device consists of a T-shaped member having a short, hollow, cylindrical sleeve portion and a threaded rod portion extending perpendicularly midway between the ends of the hollow sleeve portion. The hollow sleeve portion is adapted for slidable positioning over the cylindrical surface of the surgical rod. A narrow slot is provided through the center of the threaded rod portion, bisecting this rod portion, and through the wall of the hollow sleeve portion. The device further includes a block-shaped member having a central cylindrical bore extending between upper and lower surface and at least one U-shaped cutout extending from the middle of one side through the block into the central bore. A longitudinal slot extends between the upper and lower surfaces and from the front surface through the block into the central bore.

Abstract: A unitary surgical screw is disclosed for the internal fixation of an acromio-clavicular separation by mechanically maintaining the clavicle in a fixed position with respect to the coracoid once the separation has been reduced. The surgical screw includes a short, cylindrical head; a smooth, cylindrical shank portion; and a helically threaded distal end portion. A transverse slot is recessed partially into the top surface of the head of the screw. One or more inclined holes extend through the head of the screw from the bottom of the transverse slot to the underside of the head. After the separation has been reduced and the screw properly installed, a locking pin is inserted through one of the inclined holes and staked to the clavicle to prohibit rotation of the screw. The surgical screw may include an axial bore, concentric with the longitudinal axis of the screw, for receiving an elongated guide pin for aiding the axial alignment of the screw prior to its installation.