Abstract: A surgical apparatus for cutting and storing sections of body tissue is provided comprising a housing having a handle assembly, an elongated outer tube extending from the handle assembly, and a cutting tube positioned within the outer tube and movable in response to actuation of the handle assembly between a retracted position and a distal position to cut body tissue. The cutting tube has a chamber formed therein for storing the cut tissue sections. An anvil is positioned at a distal end of the outer tube for forcing each cut tissue section proximally into the chamber of the cutting tube as the cutting tube is advanced to cut the body tissue.

Abstract: The present application discloses instruments for use in an endoscopic discetomy procedure which are configured to be disassembled for cleaning and reassembled for subsequent utilization. The preferred embodiments include endoscopic rongeur-style instruments which may be used to remove calcification, to trim away part of a bone and to remove tissue and tissue samples for biopsy purposes.The endoscopic surgical instruments of the present application are provided with a handle mechanism, an elongated endoscopic portion extending from the handle mechanism and a tool mechanism supported at a distal end of the endoscopic portion. The handle mechanism includes a body portion having an upper and a lower body portion, a stationary grip extending from the body portion and a pivotable grip pivotally mounted to body portion. In one embodiment, the pivotable grip is detachably mounted to body portion by a locking member which includes a fastener having a rod and an abutment portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for use during endoscopic discectomy procedures includes an elongated portion defining a generally longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, a retractor mechanism disposed at the distal end of the elongated portion and having at least two retractor members for engaging and spreading tissue, an articulating mechanism operatively connected to the retractor mechanism for selectively articulating the two retractor members and an actuator mechanism operatively connected to the retractor mechanism for causing relative movement between the two retractor members. The retractor mechanism is preferably releasably mounted to the distal end of the elongated portion and is released by a release mechanism. The apparatus further includes a tissue penetrating member associated with the retractor mechanism and mounted for movement to facilitate mounting of the retractor mechanism to tissue.

Abstract: A spinal fusion implant includes lower and upper plate members dimensioned for at least partial insertion within the intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebrae. The lower and upper plate members have contacting surfaces for engaging respective vertebral end faces of the adjacent vertebrae. A linkage mechanism including at least one link member operatively connects the lower and upper plate members. The linkage mechanism actuable to cause relative movement of the lower and upper plate members, wherein upon actuation, the contacting surfaces of the lower and upper plate members engage the vertebral end faces with the lower and upper plate members supporting the adjacent vertebrae in spaced relation during healing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for percutaneous accessing body tissue including a tissue piercing element for creating an opening through a body wall. The surgical instrument may include a working member for performing a surgical procedure within the body. Alternatively, the surgical instrument may include an introducer having a stabilizing structure for facilitating the passage of the tissue piercing element and for releasably affixing the surgical instrument to the body tissue surface, thereby securing the surgical instrument relative to the patient's body.