Abstract: Tool assemblies, system, and methods for manipulating tissue and methods for performing a surgical procedure on a vertebral body adjacent soft tissue. A dilator probe is configured to be attached to a robotic manipulator. A sleeve is disposed coaxially around the dilator probe and releasably engaged with the dilator probe. A navigation system tracks the vertebral body and defines an insertion trajectory with respect to the vertebral body. Controller(s) control the robotic manipulator to align the dilator probe and the sleeve to the insertion trajectory and advance the dilator probe and the sleeve along the insertion trajectory to penetrate the soft tissue. After penetration of the soft tissue, the sleeve remains embedded in the soft tissue and the dilator probe is robotically or manually retracted to disengage from the sleeve to enable the sleeve to create a working channel through the soft tissue.

Abstract: Tool assemblies, system, and methods for manipulating tissue and methods for performing a surgical procedure on a vertebral body adjacent soft tissue. A manipulator moves an end effector, and a screw is coupled to the end effector. A sleeve is disposed coaxially around the screw, and the screw and the sleeve are releasably engaged to one another. A navigation system is configured to track the vertebral body, and one or more controllers control the end effector to advance the screw relative to the sleeve along an insertion trajectory defined with respect to a surgical plan. The screw disengages the sleeve during advancement, and the screw is secured to the vertebral body. A distal working portion of the screw may be freely slidable through a distal end of the sleeve when disengaged. The screw may be a tap marker removably couplable with a tracking device of the navigation system.

Abstract: An angled fixation device, such as an angled screw. This angled fixation device may be used by the surgeon to secure a spacer to a spinal disc space. The proximal end portion of the angled fixation device is driven perpendicular to the anterior wall of the spacer, and so is parallel to the vertebral endplates and in-line with the inserter. The distal end portion of the angled fixation device is oriented at about a 45 degree angle (plus or minus 30 degrees) to the vertebral endplate it enters.

Abstract: Tool assemblies, system, and methods for manipulating tissue and methods for performing a surgical procedure on a vertebral body adjacent soft tissue. A manipulator moves an end effector, and a screw is coupled to the end effector. A sleeve is disposed coaxially around the screw, and the screw and the sleeve are releasably engaged to one another. A navigation system is configured to track the vertebral body, and one or more controllers control the end effector to advance the screw relative to the sleeve along an insertion trajectory defined with respect to a surgical plan. The screw disengages the sleeve during advancement, and the screw is secured to the vertebral body. A distal working portion of the screw may be freely slidable through a distal end of the sleeve when disengaged. The screw may be a tap marker removably couplable with a tracking device of the navigation system.

Abstract: Tool assemblies, system, and methods for manipulating tissue and methods for performing a surgical procedure on a vertebral body adjacent soft tissue. A manipulator moves an end effector, and a screw is coupled to the end effector. A sleeve is disposed coaxially around the screw, and the screw and the sleeve are releasably engaged to one another. A navigation system is configured to track the vertebral body, and one or more controllers control the end effector to advance the screw relative to the sleeve along an insertion trajectory defined with respect to a surgical plan. The screw disengages the sleeve during advancement, and the screw is secured to the vertebral body. A distal working portion of the screw may be freely slidable through a distal end of the sleeve when disengaged. The screw may be a tap marker removably couplable with a tracking device of the navigation system.

Abstract: A method of replacing a nucleus pulposus material wherein curable nucleus pulposus material is injected into a balloon in an intervertebral space.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for using a bone anchor driver for driving inner and outer set closure mechanisms or set screws into a bone anchor assembly. In one embodiment, a bone anchor driver is provided that includes an outer shaft configured to engage an outer set screw coupled to a bone anchor assembly, an inner shaft disposed within the outer shaft and configured to engage an inner set screw coupled to the bone anchor assembly, and a torque limiting mechanism configured to automatically switch between a first position in which it is disengaged from the inner shaft and is engaged with the outer shaft, and a second position in which it is disengaged from the outer shaft and is engaged with the inner shaft.

Abstract: An angled fixation device, such as an angled screw. This angled fixation device may be used by the surgeon to secure a spacer to a spinal disc space. The proximal end portion of the angled fixation device is driven perpendicular to the anterior wall of the spacer, and so is parallel to the vertebral endplates and in-line with the inserter. The distal end portion of the angled fixation device is oriented at about a 45 degree angle (plus or minus 30 degrees) to the vertebral endplate it enters.

Abstract: A method of replacing a nucleus pulposus material wherein curable nucleus pulposus material is injected into a balloon in an intervertebral space

Abstract: Tool assemblies, system, and methods for manipulating tissue and methods for performing a surgical procedure on a vertebral body adjacent soft tissue. A manipulator moves an end effector, and a screw is coupled to the end effector. A sleeve is disposed coaxially around the screw, and the screw and the sleeve are releasably engaged to one another. A navigation system is configured to track the vertebral body, and one or more controllers control the end effector to advance the screw relative to the sleeve along an insertion trajectory defined with respect to a surgical plan. The screw disengages the sleeve during advancement, and the screw is secured to the vertebral body. A distal working portion of the screw may be freely slidable through a distal end of the sleeve when disengaged. The screw may be a tap marker removably couplable with a tracking device of the navigation system.

Abstract: An angled fixation device, such as an angled screw. This angled fixation device may be used by the surgeon to secure a spacer to a spinal disc space. The proximal end portion of the angled fixation device is driven perpendicular to the anterior wall of the spacer, and so is parallel to the vertebral endplates and in-line with the inserter. The distal end portion of the angled fixation device is oriented at about a 45 degree angle (plus or minus 30 degrees) to the vertebral endplate it enters.

Abstract: A method of replacing a nucleus pulposus material wherein curable nucleus pulposus material is injected into a balloon in an intervertebral space

Abstract: Driver instruments are disclosed herein with various features for improving usability, easing the task of cleaning or sterilizing the instrument, reducing patient trauma associated with use of the instrument, and/or reducing the cost and assembly burden of the instrument. For example, a driver instrument can include a guide sleeve to protect patient tissue from damage caused by rotating components of the instrument or a bone anchor assembly coupled thereto, and to protect extension tabs of the bone anchor assembly from inadvertent separation. By way of further example, an instrument can include a preload assembly for maintaining engagement of a driver shaft of the instrument with a bone anchor assembly. As yet another example, an instrument can consist of a small number of components which are configured for simple, tool-free assembly and disassembly. An instrument can also be configured for use with bone anchor assemblies with and without extension tabs.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for using a bone anchor driver for driving inner and outer set closure mechanisms or set screws into a bone anchor assembly. In one embodiment, a bone anchor driver is provided that includes an outer shaft configured to engage an outer set screw coupled to a bone anchor assembly, an inner shaft disposed within the outer shaft and configured to engage an inner set screw coupled to the bone anchor assembly, and a torque limiting mechanism configured to automatically switch between a first position in which it is disengaged from the inner shaft and is engaged with the outer shaft, and a second position in which it is disengaged from the outer shaft and is engaged with the inner shaft.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for using a bone anchor driver for driving inner and outer set closure mechanisms or set screws into a bone anchor assembly. In one embodiment, a bone anchor driver is provided that includes an outer shaft configured to engage an outer set screw coupled to a bone anchor assembly, an inner shaft disposed within the outer shaft and configured to engage an inner set screw coupled to the bone anchor assembly, and a torque limiting mechanism configured to automatically switch between a first position in which it is disengaged from the inner shaft and is engaged with the outer shaft, and a second position in which it is disengaged from the outer shaft and is engaged with the inner shaft.

Abstract: Driver instruments are disclosed herein with various features for improving usability, easing the task of cleaning or sterilizing the instrument, reducing patient trauma associated with use of the instrument, and/or reducing the cost and assembly burden of the instrument. For example, a driver instrument can include a guide sleeve to protect patient tissue from damage caused by rotating components of the instrument or a bone anchor assembly coupled thereto, and to protect extension tabs of the bone anchor assembly from inadvertent separation. By way of further example, an instrument can include a preload assembly for maintaining engagement of a driver shaft of the instrument with a bone anchor assembly. As yet another example, an instrument can consist of a small number of components which are configured for simple, tool-free assembly and disassembly. An instrument can also be configured for use with bone anchor assemblies with and without extension tabs.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for using a bone anchor driver for driving inner and outer set closure mechanisms or set screws into a bone anchor assembly. In one embodiment, a bone anchor driver is provided that includes an outer shaft configured to engage an outer set screw coupled to a bone anchor assembly, an inner shaft disposed within the outer shaft and configured to engage an inner set screw coupled to the bone anchor assembly, and a torque limiting mechanism configured to automatically switch between a first position in which it is disengaged from the inner shaft and is engaged with the outer shaft, and a second position in which it is disengaged from the outer shaft and is engaged with the inner shaft.

Abstract: An angled fixation device, such as an angled screw. This angled fixation device may be used by the surgeon to secure a spacer to a spinal disc space. The proximal end portion of the angled fixation device is driven perpendicular to the anterior wall of the spacer, and so is parallel to the vertebral endplates and in-line with the inserter. The distal end portion of the angled fixation device is oriented at about a 45 degree angle (plus or minus 30 degrees) to the vertebral endplate it enters.

Abstract: An angled fixation device, such as an angled screw. This angled fixation device may be used by the surgeon to secure a spacer to a spinal disc space. The proximal end portion of the angled fixation device is driven perpendicular to the anterior wall of the spacer, and so is parallel to the vertebral endplates and in-line with the inserter. The distal end portion of the angled fixation device is oriented at about a 45 degree angle (plus or minus 30 degrees) to the vertebral endplate it enters.

Abstract: A method of replacing a nucleus pulposus material wherein curable nucleus pulposus material is injected into a balloon in an intervertebral space