Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.

Abstract: Embodiments include coatings or surface treatments for medical instruments, devices, and/or implants that promote soft tissue healing. More particularly, embodiments relate to treating portions of instruments, devices, and implants where tissue healing is desired with tissue healing promoting treatments.

Abstract: An instrument for locating defects adjacent neural elements in bone tissue includes a handle member with a rotatable coupling member and a probe member coupled to the coupling member. The probe member extends distally from the handle member and includes a longitudinal shaft portion along a longitudinal axis and a distal angled portion extending transversely to the longitudinal axis at a small acute angle. The angled portion has a probe end that carries an electrical signal. The handle member operates to rotate the probe member and the probe end about the longitudinal axis to sweep holes in the bone tissue to locate possible defects in the bone tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods include an anchor engageable to a vertebra and an extender removably mounted to the anchor. The extender includes an insulating member extending at least partially thereabout to electrically insulate the extender and prevent shunting of electrical signals delivered through the extender to the anchor to structures adjacent the extender.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system change an operative mode of the tool portion.

Abstract: A surgical tool for probing bone tissue includes an elongate member coupled to a handle assembly. The handle assembly is electrically coupled to a electrical signal source. The surgical tool includes an electrically conductive portion in communication with an un-insulated distal end of the elongate member, and insulated portion extending from the tip along the elongate member and handle assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments include coatings or surface treatments for medical instruments, devices, and/or implants that promote soft tissue healing. More particularly, embodiments relate to treating portions of instruments, devices, and implants where tissue healing is desired with tissue healing promoting treatments.

Abstract: An artificial joint is configured for surgical insertion between two bones. The joint includes first and second parts supported for relative movement, and structure that can be selectively used to facilitate relative fixation of the first and second parts in a manner preventing the relative movement thereof. A method involves surgically inserting such a joint between two bones, and completing the surgical procedure with the first and second parts movable relative to each other. A different method relates to a situation where such a joint was previously surgically installed, and involves modifying the joint in situ to fix the first and second parts against relative movement.

Abstract: Systems and methods include an anchor engage able to a vertebra and an extender removably mounted to the anchor. The extender includes an insulating member extending at least partially thereabout to electrically insulate the extender and prevent shunting of electrical signals delivered through the extender to the anchor to structures adjacent the extender.

Abstract: An instrument for locating defects adjacent neural elements in bone tissue includes a handle member with a rotatable coupling member and a probe member coupled to the coupling member. The probe member extends distally from the handle member and includes a longitudinal shaft portion along a longitudinal axis and a distal angled portion extending transversely to the longitudinal axis. The angled portion has a probe end that carries an electrical signal. The handle member operates to rotate the probe member and the probe end about the longitudinal axis to sweep holes in the bone tissue to locate possible defects in the bone tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system change an operative mode of the tool portion.

Abstract: A surgical tool for probing bone tissue includes an elongate member coupled to a handle assembly. The handle assembly is electrically coupled to a electrical signal source. The surgical tool includes an electrically conductive portion in communication with an un-insulated distal end of the elongate member, and insulated portion extending from the tip along the elongate member and handle assembly.