Abstract: An inflatable central distractor is inserted in to a disc space between two vertebral endplates. A perimeter balloon is inserted into the disc space in such a manner as to surround the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon and the central inflatable distractor are simultaneously expanded such that as the central inflatable distractor expands the perimeter balloon surrounds the central inflatable distractor and such that the central inflatable distractor and the perimeter balloon, when expanded, contribute to forcing adjacent vertebral endplates apart.

Abstract: A hydraulic tube expander includes expanding jaws engageable with an interior surface of a tube to expand the tube; a source of hydraulic fluid, a valve located between the source and the expanding jaws and a single-action release actuator operatively coupled to the valve. The valve is moveable between open and closed positions. In the closed position, hydraulic fluid can pass from the source to the expanding jaws and in the open position the hydraulic fluid can pass from the expanding jaws to the source. The actuator is movable between first and second positions. In the first position the valve is in the closed position. Movement of the actuator in a direction from the first position toward the second position moves the valve into the open position.

Abstract: Camera position indication systems and methods are disclosed herein for conveying a camera's position to a user and/or adjusting a camera view display to match a user's perspective during a surgical procedure. In one embodiment, an example method can include receiving an output view from a camera placed within a channel of an access device to view a surgical site within a patient, receiving an input of camera position from a user, and showing on a display the output view from the camera and an indication of camera position based on the input of camera position.

Abstract: Connectors for connecting or linking one instrument or object to one or more other instruments or objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector can include a first arm with a first attachment feature for attaching to a first object, such as a surgical access device, and a second arm with a second attachment feature for attaching to a second object, such as a support. The connector can have an unlocked state, in which the position and orientation of the access device can be adjusted relative to the support, and a locked state in which movement of the access device relative to the support is prevented or limited. Locking the connector can also be effective to clamp or otherwise attach the connector to the access device and the support, or said attachment can be independent of the locking of the connector.

Abstract: Embodiments of a cutting assembly for a bone and tissue resection device bone disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cutting assembly can include a blade shaft having a distal end with an arcuate blade, a sleeve surrounding the blade shaft and arcuate blade, the sleeve having a distal end defining an opening sized and shaped to allow the arcuate blade to translate distally beyond the distal end of the sleeve, a footplate positioned beyond the distal end of the sleeve and configured to resist distal movement of material being cut by the arcuate blade when the arcuate blade is translated distally against the material, and a support extending from the distal end of the sleeve to the footplate, the support element defining a cutting region between the distal end the sleeve and the footplate.

Abstract: Embodiments of bone and tissue resection devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device can include a stationary assembly having a housing, an elongated sleeve extending distally from the housing, and a cutting region disposed distal to the sleeve. The device can further include a drive assembly having a blade shaft extending through the elongated sleeve, the blade shaft having a distal tip with a cutting surface configured to extend into the cutting region when the drive assembly advances distally relative to the stationary assembly. The drive assembly can further include an oscillator coupled to the blade shaft and configured to engage with a source of continuous rotational motion to convert the continuous rotational motion into oscillating motion of the drive shaft. Further, the drive assembly can be configured to slidably couple to the stationary assembly to permit selective translation of the drive assembly relative to the stationary assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of bone and tissue resection devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device can include a blade having a distal cutting edge configured to perform a cutting action that produces a plug or core from a media being cut by the cutting edge, a drive mechanism arranged to transfer an oscillating force to the cutting edge for oscillating the cutting edge, a shield positioned to block contact with a portion of the cutting edge, and a depth adjustment mechanism configured to translate the cutting edge along a proximal-distal axis of the shield to adjust an axial position of the cutting edge relative to the shield.

Abstract: An inflatable central distractor is inserted in to a disc space between two vertebral endplates. A perimeter balloon is inserted into the disc space in such a manner as to surround the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon and the central inflatable distractor are simultaneously expanded such that as the central inflatable distractor expands the perimeter balloon surrounds the central inflatable distractor and such that the central inflatable distractor and the perimeter balloon, when expanded, contribute to forcing adjacent vertebral endplates apart.

Abstract: A system for delivering flowable biomaterial to an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes a delivery body defining a proximal end, a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a longitudinal direction, a cannulation extending from the proximal end to an opening adjacent the distal end, and a distal region including a tip that extends to the distal end. The distal region defines a maximum height at a location proximal of the distal end and measured along a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The distal region is for indicating a distance between the adjacent vertebral bodies. The system includes a carrier having a longitudinally elongate channel for carrying biomaterial and being insertable within the cannulation, as well as an advancement member configured for insertion within the cannulation to forcibly advance the biomaterial from the cannulation, through the opening, and into the disc space.

Abstract: A hydraulic tube expander includes expanding jaws engageable with an interior surface of a tube to expand the tube; a source of hydraulic fluid, a valve located between the source and the expanding jaws and a single-action release actuator operatively coupled to the valve. The valve is moveable between open and closed positions. In the closed position, hydraulic fluid can pass from the source to the expanding jaws and in the open position the hydraulic fluid can pass from the expanding jaws to the source. The actuator is movable between first and second positions. In the first position the valve is in the closed position. Movement of the actuator in a direction from the first position toward the second position moves the valve into the open position.

Abstract: Embodiments of bone and tissue resection devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device can include a stationary assembly having a housing, an elongated sleeve extending distally from the housing, and a cutting region disposed distal to the sleeve. The device can further include a drive assembly having a blade shaft extending through the elongated sleeve, the blade shaft having a distal tip with a cutting surface configured to extend into the cutting region when the drive assembly advances distally relative to the stationary assembly. The drive assembly can further include an oscillator coupled to the blade shaft and configured to engage with a source of continuous rotational motion to convert the continuous rotational motion into oscillating motion of the drive shaft. Further, the drive assembly can be configured to slidably couple to the stationary assembly to permit selective translation of the drive assembly relative to the stationary assembly.

Abstract: A system for delivering flowable biomaterial to an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes a delivery body defining a proximal end, a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a longitudinal direction, a cannulation extending from the proximal end to an opening adjacent the distal end, and a distal region including a tip that extends to the distal end. The distal region defines a maximum height at a location proximal of the distal end and measured along a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The distal region is for indicating a distance between the adjacent vertebral bodies. The system includes a carrier having a longitudinaly elongate channel for carrying biomaterial and being insertable within the cannulation, as well as an advancement member configured for insertion within the cannulation to forcibly advance the biomaterial from the cannulation, through the opening, and into the disc space.

Abstract: Electronic devices that detect their position and/or orientation with respect to earth's frame of reference are described. A coupler can removeably maintain the electronic devices in physical proximity of one another. Each electronic device can have a housing and the coupler can be included on the housing and arranged to physically connect the housing of the electronic device to the housing of at least one other electronic device. Alternatively, the coupler can be a packaging that maintains the electronic devices in physical proximity of one another. Each electronic device can be calibrated using the orientation or position information obtained by other electronic devices maintained by the coupler. Further, each electronic device can include a power source that remains inactive until the device is ready for use.

Abstract: Access port cutters and related systems and methods can be used to cut an access port to a desired length based on particular patient and/or surgical procedure needs at a point of use. More particularly, an access port cutter can include a base with an opening that can receive an access port therein such that a desired length of the access port can extend from the opening. An actuation mechanism can translate a blade linearly along at least a portion of the base such that the blade can traverse the opening and cut across the access port. In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism can include a handle that can pivot relative to the base to drive the blade. One or more safety features can reduce the risk of inadvertent actuation of the blade and/or prevent debris from contaminating a surgical site or falling onto a patient.

Abstract: Electronic devices that detect their position and/or orientation with respect to earth's frame of reference are described. A coupler can removeably maintain the electronic devices in physical proximity of one another. Each electronic device can have a housing and the coupler can be included on the housing and arranged to physically connect the housing of the electronic device to the housing of at least one other electronic device. Alternatively, the coupler can be a packaging that maintains the electronic devices in physical proximity of one another. Each electronic device can be calibrated using the orientation or position information obtained by other electronic devices maintained by the coupler. Further, each electronic device can include a power source that remains inactive until the device is ready for use.

Abstract: An inflatable central distractor is inserted in to a disc space between two vertebral endplates. A perimeter balloon is inserted into the disc space in such a manner as to surround the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon and the central inflatable distractor are simultaneously expanded such that as the central inflatable distractor expands the perimeter balloon surrounds the central inflatable distractor and such that the central inflatable distractor and the perimeter balloon, when expanded, contribute to forcing adjacent vertebral endplates apart.

Abstract: User interface systems for sterile fields and other working environments are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a user interface system can include a projector that projects a graphical user interface onto a data board or other substrate disposed within a working environment. The system can also include a camera or other sensor that detects user interaction with the data board or substrate. Detected user interactions can be processed or interpreted by a controller that interfaces with equipment disposed outside of the working environment, thereby allowing user interaction with such equipment from within the working environment. The data board can be an inexpensive, disposable, single-use component of the system that can be easily sterilized or another component suitably prepared for use in a sterile field.

Abstract: Surgical support instruments are described herein that can couple to, e.g., an implanted anchor and provide a platform for coupling other surgical implements thereto. In one embodiment, an instrument can include an elongate body having opposed projections extending laterally from a distal portion thereof that can at least partially surround a shank of an implantable anchor such that a longitudinal axis of the elongate body is laterally offset from a longitudinal axis of the anchor. The instrument can further include a lock configured to exert a drag force on a head of the anchor to control polyaxial movement of the instrument relative to the anchor. Further, a proximal portion of the elongate body can be configured to receive a retractor assembly including a plurality of tissue manipulating implements and selectively lock the retractor assembly at any of a plurality of positions along a length of the elongate body.

Abstract: A retractor member is configured for insertion through a channel of an access member and for moving soft tissue at a treatment site that is accessible through the channel. The retractor includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and spaced from each other along a longitudinal direction. The distal end defines a retractor blade and the body defines a first surface and a second surface opposite each other along a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The retractor includes an attachment device configured to selectively attach the body to a portion of the access member such that the body is extendable through the working channel while the body is attached to the portion of the access member.

Abstract: An expandable trial can include an inferior portion, a superior portion, and a middle expanding portion as well as load cells for monitoring the load on the trial. The trial may also include recesses on its lateral sides to provide spacing to accommodate a disc removal tool so tissue can be cleared monitoring load. In addition, neural foramen spacing can be monitoring to provide information about how much neural release has been achieved as the disc is cleaned and the spine is positioned and repositioned.