Abstract: Methods and devices for performing an osteotomy on a bone are presented. In one example of the invention, a method of performing an osteotomy on a bone includes removing a portion of bone from a first side of the bone to create a gap on the first side of the bone; making a cut on a second side of the bone, opposite the first side; and rotating the bone from a first position to a second position to close the gap on the first side of the bone and open the cut on the second side of the bone to create a gap on the second side of the bone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing an osteotomy are presented. Examples include forming a fusion osteotomy at a metatarsocuneiform joint of the first ray of a human foot.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly including a bone fastener having a lower end for engaging bone and an upper end remote from the lower end; a head having a rod-receiving channel attached to the upper end of said bone fastener; a spinal rod insertable into the rod-receiving channel of said head, said spinal rod having an outer surface extending between first and second ends thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second ends has a reduced diameter section. A spinal rod having an outer surface extending between a first end and a second end thereof; wherein the outer surface of said spinal rod has a reduced diameter section at at least one of the first and second ends.

Abstract: A suture anchor may include an anchor body having an exterior surface, a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal end, an interior longitudinal passageway extending at least partway from the proximal end toward the distal end, a proximal opening communicating with the longitudinal passageway nearer the proximal end, and a plurality of distal openings communicating with the longitudinal passageway nearer the distal end. The suture anchor may also include a suture routed through the plurality of distal openings, with a first portion extending within the longitudinal passageway between the proximal opening and the distal opening, a second portion, contiguous to the first portion, extending out of the anchor body, a third portion, contiguous to the second portion, extending within the longitudinal passageway proximally to distally, and a fourth portion, contiguous to the third portion, extending along the exterior surface distally to proximally.

Abstract: Instruments and techniques to pass a suture are presented. The instruments and techniques are particularly useful where access to confined spaces and the ability to pass a suture through difficult to penetrate materials are needed. The instruments and techniques are particularly useful in surgery of the hands and feet.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing an osteotomy on a bone are presented. In one example of the invention, a method of performing an osteotomy on a bone includes removing a portion of bone from a first side of the bone to create a gap on the first side of the bone; making a cut on a second side of the bone, opposite the first side; and rotating the bone from a first position to a second position to close the gap on the first side of the bone and open the cut on the second side of the bone to create a gap on the second side of the bone.

Abstract: Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders. The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is to be positioned proximate the anatomic points. Such an implant may be a rod for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders may have rod interfaces that receive the rod in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws so that the selected or configured contoured rod will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a multiple suture threader. Embodiments of the multiple suture threader include a handle that is coupled with a first collapsible loop and a second collapsible loop that is axially offset from the first collapsible loop. In use, one or more sutures are doubled over each of the first and the second collapsible loops such that when the axially spaced loops are passed through a narrow axial passage of a surgical implant, a surgical instrument, or a bodily passage such as a bone tunnel, a twenty-five to fifty percent reduction in suture traffic, or in the maximum number of suture thicknesses that simultaneously pass through the narrow passage, is achieved. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for surgical transosseous attachment to a bone include a guide able to guide the formation of intersecting bone tunnels and a passer able to pass a member through the bone tunnels.

Abstract: Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders. The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is to be positioned proximate the anatomic points. Such an implant may be a rod for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders may have rod interfaces that receive the rod in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws so that the selected or configured contoured rod will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing an osteotomy on a bone are presented. In one example of the invention, a method of performing an osteotomy on a bone includes removing a portion of bone from a first side of the bone to create a gap on the first side of the bone; making a cut on a second side of the bone, opposite the first side; and rotating the bone from a first position to a second position to close the gap on the first side of the bone and open the cut on the second side of the bone to create a gap on the second side of the bone.

Abstract: Implants, instruments, and methods for connecting and/or stabilizing first and second bone portions relative to one another are presented including fasteners and retainers connectable in axial force transmitting relationship and instruments for their installation. In one example a guide is configured to clamp two bone portions together while a fastener is inserted through at least one of the bone portions to engage a retainer.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a multiple suture threader. Embodiments of the multiple suture threader include a handle that is coupled with a first collapsible loop and a second collapsible loop that is axially offset from the first collapsible loop. In use, one or more sutures are doubled over each of the first and the second collapsible loops such that when the axially spaced loops are passed through a narrow axial passage of a surgical implant, a surgical instrument, or a bodily passage such as a bone tunnel, a twenty-five to fifty percent reduction in suture traffic, or in the maximum number of suture thicknesses that simultaneously pass through the narrow passage, is achieved. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for surgical transosseous attachment to a bone include a guide able to guide the formation of intersecting bone tunnels and a passer able to pass a member through the bone tunnels.

Abstract: Examples of the invention relate to methods, implants, and instruments for compressing first and second bone portions or a bone portion and an implant together.

Abstract: Devices and methods for anchoring soft tissue, tissue grafts, and the like to a bone are provided. In one example, an assembly includes a suture anchor, suture, and inserter. In another example, a method provides for reattaching soft tissue to a bone.

Abstract: Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders (180, 182, 188). The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is positioned proximate the anatomic points using a slotted cannula (143). Such an implant may be a rod (270) for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders (180, 182, 188) may have rod interfaces (214, 216, 218) that receive the rod (270) in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) so that the selected or configured contoured rod (270) will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148).

Abstract: The disclosure provides devices and methods of use pertaining to intra joint stabilization. Embodiments include a number of suture returning and suture locking anchors that feature elongated sleeves configured to protect the associated bone tunnels from suture wipering, which results in abrasion and enlargement of the bone tunnel and leads to migration of the suture anchors. Embodiments also include suture locking anchors that lock via an interference fit between the suture strand and a receiver of the anchor and a set screw, where the receiver and the set screw each feature a number of gradual, opposing tapers to facilitate gradual proximal-to-distal gripping and releasing of the suture strand to achieve an optimal locking force while preventing severing of the suture strand. Further embodiments include intra joint reinforcement and stabilization constructs formed using the disclosed devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Implants, instruments, and methods are presented for fixing adjacent bone portions to promote fusion of the bone portion.

Abstract: A posterior spinal fusion system may include a plurality of cannulas that mate with cages polyaxially coupled to pedicle screws. The cannulas maintain access to the pedicle screws to facilitate percutaneous insertion of a fusion rod into engagement with the cages. Each cannula has a pair of blades that may be held together by an abutment member that at least partially encircles the blades. Each abutment member abuts the skin to define a variable subcutaneous length of the corresponding cannula. Each abutment members is also lockably removable from the corresponding blades to enable the blades to pivot with respect to the connecting element to a position in which they can be withdrawn from the connecting element. The blades of each cannula are spaced apart to provide first and second slots of each cannula, through which the fusion rod can be percutaneously inserted.