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: Various surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. The surgical instruments are designed to provide tactile, auditory, and/or visual confirmation to the surgeon that the surgical instrument is being used appropriately and/or fully in accordance with a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A method of percutaneous implantation of a pedicle screw system comprising the steps of implanting a first pedicle screw assembly in a first vertebra, the first pedicle screw assembly including a first coupling element connected with a first extension defining a first space and implanting a second pedicle screw assembly in a second vertebra, the second pedicle screw assembly including a second coupling element connected with a second extension and intersecting at least one a portion of the second extension with the first space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compressing and/or distracting bones are described herein. In one such method, a tap marker is engaged with a bone and a compressor/distractor device. The tap marker can be removed after moving the bone and a bone screw can be inserted into the space previously occupied by the tap marker. A rod or other fixation element can then be attached to the bone screw.

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 system includes tubular members removably positionable over a passageway device connected to a connecting element attached to a vertebra. The tubular members may each include a sidewall having an opening positionable adjacent a proximal end of the passageway device when the tubular member is positioned over the passageway device. The tubular members include channels therein to receive respective blades of the passageway devices. One of the tubular members may be a counter torque tube, and another two of the tubular members may be a hinge shaft and a ball shaft, respectively, of a compression and distraction system. The blades of each passageway device may be integrally formed with a cage of the connecting element to form a monolithic blade-screw. The blades of the monolithic blade-screw may be constructed by affixing distal ends of non-threaded blade extensions to proximal ends of threaded reduction portions integrally connected to the cage.

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: A piston assembly comprises a piston body, a connecting rod, and a wrist pin. The piston body includes a pair of first cross bores presenting a piston sliding surface. The connecting rod includes a second cross bore presenting a rod sliding surface which is axially aligned with the first cross bores of the piston body. A wrist pin is disposed in the aligned cross bores and couples the piston body to the connecting rod. The wrist pin also presents a pin sliding surface facing the rod sliding surface and the piston sliding surfaces. A coating is applied to at least one of the sliding surfaces, such as by dipping, brushing, atomizing, spraying, printing, or screen printing. The coating includes a polymer matrix, such as polyamide imide (PAI), and hard particles, such as Fe2O3, disposed throughout the polymer matrix. The hard particles have a hardness of at least 600 HV/0.5.

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: A system includes tubular members removably positionable over a passageway device connected to a connecting element attached to a vertebra. The tubular members may each include a sidewall having an opening positionable adjacent a proximal end of the passageway device when the tubular member is positioned over the passageway device. The tubular members include channels therein to receive respective blades of the passageway devices. One of the tubular members may be a counter torque tube, and another two of the tubular members may be a hinge shaft and a ball shaft, respectively, of a compression and distraction system. The blades of each passageway device may be integrally formed with a cage of the connecting element to form a monolithic blade-screw. The blades of the monolithic blade-screw may be constructed by affixing distal ends of non-threaded blade extensions to proximal ends of threaded reduction portions integrally connected to the cage.

Abstract: Various surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. The surgical instruments are designed to provide tactile, auditory, and/or visual confirmation to the surgeon that the surgical instrument is being used appropriately and/or fully in accordance with a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compressing and/or distracting bones are described herein. In one such method, a tap marker is engaged with a bone and a compressor/distractor device. The tap marker can be removed after moving the bone and a bone screw can be inserted into the space previously occupied by the tap marker. A rod or other fixation element can then be attached to the bone screw.

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: 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 method of percutaneous implantation of a pedicle screw system comprising the steps of implanting a first pedicle screw assembly in a first vertebra, the first pedicle screw assembly including a first coupling element connected with a first extension defining a first space and implanting a second pedicle screw assembly in a second vertebra, the second pedicle screw assembly including a second coupling element connected with a second extension and intersecting at least one a portion of the second extension with the first space.

Abstract: A method of percutaneous implantation of a pedicle screw system comprising the steps of implanting a first pedicle screw assembly in a first vertebra, the first pedicle screw assembly including a first coupling element connected with a first extension defining a first space and implanting a second pedicle screw assembly in a second vertebra, the second pedicle screw assembly including a second coupling element connected with a second extension and intersecting at least one a portion of the second extension with the first space.

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 bone graft delivery system includes a bone graft injector and an access portal. The access portal may include a handle having a first arm pivotably connected to, and biased away from, a second arm. A ratchet including a pawl may extend from the second arm. A delivery tube may be configured to mate with the first arm and be configured to store a bone graft material therein. A plunger including a shaft and a plunger tip at the distal end thereof may be configured to move through the delivery tube. At least a portion of the shaft may include teeth, the pawl of the ratchet being configured to iteratively contact the teeth. A user may hold the access portal with a first hand and the bone graft injector with a second hand, iteratively squeezing the handle to iteratively eject amounts of bone graft material into a patient.

Abstract: A method of percutaneous implantation of a pedicle screw system comprising the steps of implanting a first pedicle screw assembly in a first vertebra, the first pedicle screw assembly including a first coupling element connected with a first extension defining a first space and implanting a second pedicle screw assembly in a second vertebra, the second pedicle screw assembly including a second coupling element connected with a second extension and intersecting at least one a portion of the second extension with the first space.

Abstract: A method for controlling a bowl of a scraper is disclosed. The method includes receiving a signal from an input device, the signal is indicative of a mode of operation of the scraper, determining a cycle of operation of the scraper associated with the mode of operation, and controlling the bowl based in part on a sequence of parameter settings generated by a control system. The control system is configured to generate the sequence of parameter settings based in part on the cycle of operation of the scraper.