Abstract: A flexible tubular member for guiding insertion of instrumentation to a bone screw affixed within bone includes a tubular body that is flexible, constructed of textile material, and defines a longitudinal axis. The tubular body also defines a proximal end and a distal end opposite each other along the longitudinal axis. The tubular body further defines a guide channel that extends from a proximal opening at the proximal end to a distal opening at the distal end. An attachment member is located at the distal end of the tubular body and is configured to couple the distal end to a proximal portion of the bone screw.

Abstract: A flexible tubular member for guiding insertion of instrumentation to a bone screw affixed within bone includes a tubular body that is flexible, constructed of textile material, and defines a longitudinal axis. The tubular body also defines a proximal end and a distal end opposite each other along the longitudinal axis. The tubular body further defines a guide channel that extends from a proximal opening at the proximal end to a distal opening at the distal end. An attachment member is located at the distal end of the tubular body and is configured to couple the distal end to a proximal portion of the bone screw. The attachment member has an annular shape around the guide channel and is configured to expand responsive to a predetermined tensile force applied to the tubular body for decoupling from the bone screw.

Abstract: A coupling and related methods are disclosed herein that can provide for coupling a first object and a second object with minimal play. A coupling can include a first coupling component having a cylindrical surface with a screw and a pin extending therefrom and a second coupling component having a prismatic surface with a first and a second through-hole. The first coupling component and the second coupling component can be configured such that relative motion between the first coupling component and the second coupling component can be restricted in all six degrees of freedom when the screw is engaged with the first through-hole to secure the cylindrical surface of the first component against the prismatic surface of the second component. The pin can be configured to maintain stability of the coupling and further limit relative movement, such that positioning and/or orientation errors between the first and second components is minimized.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.

Abstract: Couplings disclosed herein can include a first coupling component having a cylindrical surface with a screw and a pin extending therefrom and a second coupling component having a prismatic surface with a first and a second through-hole. The first coupling component and the second coupling component can be configured such that relative motion between the first coupling component and the second coupling component can be restricted in all six degrees of freedom when the screw is engaged with the first through-hole to secure the cylindrical surface of the first component against the prismatic surface of the second component.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.

Abstract: A flexible tubular member for guiding insertion of instrumentation to a bone screw affixed within bone includes a tubular body that is flexible, constructed of textile material, and defines a longitudinal axis. The tubular body also defines a proximal end and a distal end opposite each other along the longitudinal axis. The tubular body further defines a guide channel that extends from a proximal opening at the proximal end to a distal opening at the distal end. An attachment member is located at the distal end of the tubular body and is configured to couple the distal end to a proximal portion of the bone screw.

Abstract: A coupling and related methods are disclosed herein that can provide for coupling a first object and a second object with minimal play. A coupling can include a first coupling component having a cylindrical surface with a screw and a pin extending therefrom and a second coupling component having a prismatic surface with a first and a second through-hole. The first coupling component and the second coupling component can be configured such that relative motion between the first coupling component and the second coupling component can be restricted in all six degrees of freedom when the screw is engaged with the first through-hole to secure the cylindrical surface of the first component against the prismatic surface of the second component. The pin can be configured to maintain stability of the coupling and further limit relative movement, such that positioning and/or orientation errors between the first and second components is minimized.

Abstract: Drill guides and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for use in surgical procedures. In some embodiments, a drill guide can include an adjustment mechanism that permits one-handed adjustment of the guide depth and does not require that the drill guide be removed from the patient or that the drill be removed from the drill guide when making an adjustment. The adjustment mechanism can include a trigger that moves first and second detents into and out of engagement with a guide stem to allow step-wise adjustment of the guide depth.

Abstract: Instruments can include coupling interfaces that can b used, for example, for coupling a surgical instrument to a navigation array or other component. An exemplary coupling can include a first coupling interface associated with a first object, such as a surgical instrument, and a second coupling interface associated with a second object, such as a navigation array. The coupling interfaces can be configured to ensure that, when mated, the first and second objects are disposed in a known position and orientation relative to one another and blocked from relative movement in all six degrees of freedom. The interfaces can have a geometry that is not overdetermined, minimizing or eliminating navigation inaccuracy associated with system tolerances.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.

Abstract: Instrument coupling interfaces and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for coupling a surgical instrument to a navigation array or other component. An exemplary coupling can include a first coupling interface associated with a first object, such as a surgical instrument, and a second coupling interface associated with a second object, such as a navigation array. The coupling interfaces can be configured to ensure that, when mated, the first and second objects are disposed in a known position and orientation relative to one another and blocked from relative movement in all six degrees of freedom. The interfaces can have a geometry that is not overdetermined, minimizing or eliminating navigation inaccuracy associated with system tolerances.

Abstract: Drill guides and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for use in surgical procedures. In some embodiments, a drill guide can include an adjustment mechanism that permits one-handed adjustment of the guide depth and does not require that the drill guide be removed from the patient or that the drill be removed from the drill guide when making an adjustment. The adjustment mechanism can include a trigger that moves first and second detents into and out of engagement with a guide stem to allow step-wise adjustment of the guide depth.

Abstract: Drill guides and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for use in surgical procedures. In some embodiments, a drill guide can include an adjustment mechanism that permits one-handed adjustment of the guide depth and does not require that the drill guide be removed from the patient or that the drill be removed from the drill guide when making an adjustment. The adjustment mechanism can include a trigger that moves first and second detents into and out of engagement with a guide stem to allow step-wise adjustment of the guide depth.

Abstract: Drill guides and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for use in surgical procedures. In some embodiments, a drill guide can include an adjustment mechanism that permits one-handed adjustment of the guide depth and does not require that the drill guide be removed from the patient or that the drill be removed from the drill guide when making an adjustment. The adjustment mechanism can include a trigger that moves first and second detents into and out of engagement with a guide stem to allow step-wise adjustment of the guide depth.

Abstract: A bone access instrument comprising a shaft having a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The first shaft portion has a first diameter, a proximal end, a tapered distal end including at least three straight cutting edges being equally spaced circumferentially about the tapered distal end, and at least three flutes extending from the tapered distal end toward the proximal end in a parallel relationship to one another. The second shaft portion has a second diameter and a tapered distal end. The second diameter is less than the first diameter, and the second shaft portion extends axially from the distal end of the first shaft portion.