Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a retractor with a plurality of rods that are cylindrical over part of their length, a light source, and a fiber optic cable, where at least one rod includes a body with an opening therein. The opening extends from an upper surface of the rod, through an interior of the rod, and then to a side surface of the rod located between ends of the rod. The opening is sized so that at least a single monofilament fiber optic cable is disposable therethrough. The system is adapted so that any number of rods may include a fiber optic cable disposed therein and so that the cable may be easily removed or inserted from the rod during use of the retractor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an instrument adapted for use in an anterior to psoas spinal access procedure. The instrument includes a body, a first arm and a second arm. A first rod extends from the first arm at an angle thereto while a second rod extends from the second arm at an angle thereto. Each of the first rod and the second rod include a length with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a convex surface perimeter and the second portion having a perimeter different from the first portion and being convex in part. In some embodiments, a kit includes the instrument and a blade adapted for use in conjunction with the instrument in an anterior to psoas spinal access procedure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an expander set includes a first and second expander. The first expander includes an outer surface having a first engagement feature and a groove and the second expander includes an inside surface having a second engagement feature adapted to engage with the first engagement feature. The inside surface of the second expander is shaped to correspond to a portion of the outer surface of the first expander. Additionally, the groove on the outer surface of the first expander is sized and shaped to accommodate a rod of a retraction system such that when the first expander is advanced within the retraction system, the rod remains within the groove. When the first and second expanders are engaged with one another, they define an oblong cross-section.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a spinal fixation assembly and method to provide adequate rigidity and support for a vertebral column without requiring additional pedicle screws and spinal rods. The spinal fixation assembly includes a spinal rod loop with multiple sides configured to be attached to a vertebral body with two or more pedicle screws. Each pedicle screw is adapted to fit at various locations along the spinal rod loop.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an expander set includes a first and second expander. The first expander includes an outer surface having a first engagement feature and a groove and the second expander includes an inside surface having a second engagement feature adapted to engage with the first engagement feature. The inside surface of the second expander is shaped to correspond to a portion of the outer surface of the first expander. Additionally, the groove on the outer surface of the first expander is sized and shaped to accommodate a rod of a retraction system such that when the first expander is advanced within the retraction system, the rod remains within the groove. When the first and second expanders are engaged with one another, they define an oblong cross-section.

Abstract: A bone fastener includes a head, and a screw portion extends from the head. The screw portion includes a shaft and a thread extending along and about the shaft. The thread has a height extending from a root to a tip thereof. The thread also has first and second portions disposed between the root and the tip. The second portion has a porous structure configured to promote bone ingrowth and has a porosity greater than that of the first portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a retractor apparatus that includes a retractor frame, five arms attached to the retractor frame and five rods each attached to one of the five arms. Each rod includes a convex surface facing a center of the retractor frame. At least two of the five rods are movable independently from one another. A first rod of the five rods includes a longitudinal axis and is translatable along the longitudinal axis. Further, the first rod is attached to a first arm of the five arms and is pivotable relative to the first arm. The axis of pivot is offset from the longitudinal axis through which the first rod translates.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an expander set includes a first and second expander. The first expander includes an outer surface having a first engagement feature and a groove and the second expander includes an inside surface having a second engagement feature adapted to engage with the first engagement feature. The inside surface of the second expander is shaped to correspond to a portion of the outer surface of the first expander. Additionally, the groove on the outer surface of the first expander is sized and shaped to accommodate a rod of a retraction system such that when the first expander is advanced within the retraction system, the rod remains within the groove. When the first and second expanders are engaged with one another, they define an oblong cross-section.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a probe for use in minimally invasive surgery. The probe includes a shaft and a tip extending from the shaft. The tip includes a bulbous shape with a smooth and rounded outer surface. In some embodiments, the shaft is separated from the tip by a neck such that both the shaft and the tip expand outward from a concave surface of the neck. In some embodiments, one or both of a neuromonitoring element and an ultrasound sensor are disposed on the tip. In some embodiments, a probe may include a surface feature that resists expulsion of the probe from a human body when the probe is disposed in the human body. In further embodiments, a probe may include insulated material over a first surface region and conductive material over a second surface region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an expander set includes a first and second expander. The first expander includes an outer surface having a first engagement feature and a groove and the second expander includes an inside surface having a second engagement feature adapted to engage with the first engagement feature. The inside surface of the second expander is shaped to correspond to a portion of the outer surface of the first expander. Additionally, the groove on the outer surface of the first expander is sized and shaped to accommodate a rod of a retraction system such that when the first expander is advanced within the retraction system, the rod remains within the groove. When the first and second expanders are engaged with one another, they define an oblong cross-section.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a cannulated body extending along an axis and having a first working end spaced along the axis from a second working end. The surgical instrument may be used with a fenestrated screw assembly, a delivery unit, and an alignment guide wire. The first working end of the surgical instrument is configured to transmit a force to a delivery unit in a direction about the axis and the second working end is configured to transmit a force to a delivery unit in a direction generally transverse to the axis. The first working end may be used to rotate the delivery unit to thereby removably attach the delivery unit to the fenestrated screw assembly. The surgical instrument may be repositioned to engage the second working end with the proximal end of the delivery unit to maintain the rotational position of the delivery unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a probe for use in minimally invasive surgery. The probe includes a shaft and a tip extending from the shaft. The tip includes a bulbous shape with a smooth and rounded outer surface. In some embodiments, the shaft is separated from the tip by a neck such that both the shaft and the tip expand outward from a concave surface of the neck. In some embodiments, one or both of a neuromonitoring element and an ultrasound sensor are disposed on the tip. In some embodiments, a probe may include a surface feature that resists expulsion of the probe from a human body when the probe is disposed in the human body. In further embodiments, a probe may include insulated material over a first surface region and conductive material over a second surface region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a surgical rigid arm (100, 150, 200, 900) includes a first portion (102, 152, 202, 902), a second portion (103, 153, 203, 903) and a central portion (105, 154, 205, 906), where the central portion is extends between the first and second portions. A first end of the first portion and a second end of the second portion are each attached to a peripheral side (14) of a surgical bed (10, 30) such that the first portion and the second portion extend from the surgical bed in a first direction. The central portion extends substantially horizontally and is positioned over the surgical bed, the central portion being connected to the surgical instrument such that a load from the surgical instrument is distributed across the central portion to the first portion and second portion to provide rigid support for the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Devices for retracting tissue during a minimally-invasive, posterior spinal fusion procedure include a blade positionable along a passageway device connected to a connecting element implanted in a vertebra of the spine, such that the blade covers at least a portion of a longitudinal opening of the passageway device. The blade may be coupled to the passageway device by receiving the passageway device with a receiving portion. Systems for displacing the vertebrae of the spine include first and second extenders, the distal ends of each of which are configured to engage the connecting elements. Each extender may include a shaft configured to be securely engaged within a cage of the respective connecting element. The devices and systems of the present invention may be used in connection with an interbody fusion technique performed through an opening extending between the passageway devices, and an intermediate retractor blade may provide additional tissue retraction.

Abstract: A screwdriver for driving a screw in bone includes a first body configured to engage a tulip of the screw, a first central bore extending through the first body, a second body having a second central bore extending through the second body and an external surface having a spline member positioned at least partially within the cavity, an inner shaft configured to drive a screw into bone and being rotatably coupled with the second body, a spring-biased pawl engageable with the spline member of the second body, a collar rotatable relative to the first body and the second body and having a cammed inner surface, when the collar is rotated in a first direction about the first body, the cammed inner surface pushes the spring-biased pawl into engagement with the spline member to rotatably couple the first body and the second body.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a surgical rigid arm (100, 150, 200, 900) includes a first portion (102, 152, 202, 902), a second portion (103, 153, 203, 903) and a central portion (105, 154, 205, 906), where the central portion is extends between the first and second portions. A first end of the first portion and a second end of the second portion are each attached to a peripheral side (14) of a surgical bed (10, 30) such that the first portion and the second portion extend from the surgical bed in a first direction. The central portion extends substantially horizontally and is positioned over the surgical bed, the central portion being connected to the surgical instrument such that a load from the surgical instrument is distributed across the central portion to the first portion and second portion to provide rigid support for the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A virtual surgical cutting guide may have first and second slots defining first and second axes respectively. The virtual surgical cutting guide may be positioned away from a vertebral body such that the first and second axes intersect at a distal point located in an interior of the vertebral body. The virtual surgical cutting guide may include the virtual surgical cutting guide with first and second cutting instruments. A method of performing a pedicle subtraction osteotomy may include the steps of placing the virtual surgical cutting guide over the first and second cutting instruments.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an assembly includes a retractor and at least one cylindrical rod attached to the retractor. The rod has a fixed length portion and a spring portion. The spring portion of the rod has a longitudinal dimension that changes as a function of loading on the rod. When the rod is in contact with a solid surface such as a bone, it maintains contact with such surface even while changing shape due to loading on the rod. When the assembly includes multiple rods attached to the retractor, both spring-based rods and other types of rods may be used in combination.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an assembly includes a retractor (30, 730, 930) and at least one cylindrical rod (102, 402, 502, 702, 802, 902) attached to the retractor. The rod has a fixed length portion (108, 406, 508, 708, 808, 908) and a spring portion (104, 404, 504, 718, 832, 905). The spring portion of the rod has a longitudinal dimension that changes as a function of loading on the rod. When the rod is in contact with a solid surface such as a bone, it maintains contact with such surface even while changing shape due to loading on the rod. When the assembly includes multiple rods attached to the retractor, both spring-based rods and other types of rods may be used in combination.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a retractor with a plurality of rods that are cylindrical over part of their length, a light source, and a fiber optic cable, where at least one rod includes a body with an opening therein. The opening extends from an upper surface of the rod, through an interior of the rod, and then to a side surface of the rod located between ends of the rod. The opening is sized so that at least a single monofilament fiber optic cable is disposable therethrough. The system is adapted so that any number of rods may include a fiber optic cable disposed therein and so that the cable may be easily removed or inserted from the rod during use of the retractor.