Abstract: Instruments and methods for treating vertebral endplates are disclosed. The instrument includes one or more treatment members movable from a reduced profile position for insertion to the operative site to a deployed position for providing treatment to the vertebral endplates.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing percutaneous surgery in a patient are provided. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion coupled to a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration to increase the size of the working channel along the length of the working channel while minimizing trauma to skin and tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing percutaneous surgery in a patient are provided. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion coupled to a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration to increase the size of the working channel along the length of the working channel while minimizing trauma to skin and tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices retract tissue for minimally invasive surgery in a patient. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from a first configuration for insertion that minimizes trauma to skin and tissue to an enlarged configuration after insertion to further retract skin and tissue in a minimally invasive manner. Instruments are engageable to the first and second portions and operable to move the first and second portions relative to one another.

Abstract: Methods and devices for illuminating a surgical space in a patient are provided. A retractor provides a portal or working path for access to a working space location in the patient. The retractor transmits and emits light from a light delivery system to illuminate the working channel and surgical space.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for treating vertebral endplates are disclosed. The instrument includes one or more treatment members movable from a reduced profile position for insertion to the operative site to a deployed position for providing treatment to the vertebral endplates.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for treating vertebral endplates are disclosed. The instrument includes one or more treatment members movable from a reduced profile position for insertion to the operative site to a deployed position for providing treatment to the vertebral endplates.

Abstract: Access to a greater area of surgical site with minimally invasive procedure is obtained by using two sets of sequentially placed tissue dilators oriented with their axes in a plane parallel to the spinal axis and a final non-circular dilator encompassing the two sets, followed by a non-circular tubular retractor providing a working channel extending longitudinally of the spine.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for correcting spinal abnormalities, and particularly for providing compression and/or distraction of vertebrae without additional tools or instrumentation. A plate member is provided with a plurality of slots, one of which has a sloped internal edge or surface. The plate is anchored to one vertebra by a first anchor, and a second anchor is then placed through the slot with the sloped internal edge or surface and tightened. Such tightening causes the plate to move with respect to the tightened anchor, and thus to transmit compression or distraction to the vertebrae. The apparatus is particularly useful in minimally-invasive surgeries but can also be used in more traditional open surgeries.

Abstract: Methods and devices retract tissue for minimally invasive surgery in a patient. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from a first configuration for insertion that minimizes trauma to skin and tissue to an enlarged configuration after insertion to further retract skin and tissue in a minimally invasive manner. Instruments are engageable to the first and second portions and operable to move the first and second portions relative to one another.

Abstract: Methods and devices for illuminating a surgical space during surgery in a patient are provided. A retractor provides a working path for access to a location in the patient. A light instrument is positionable in working channel to emit light at the surgical space without substantially obstructing access to the surgical space.

Abstract: Methods and devices retract tissue for minimally invasive surgery in a patient. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from a first configuration for insertion that minimizes trauma to skin and tissue to an enlarged configuration after insertion to further retract skin and tissue in a minimally invasive manner. Instruments are engageable to the first and second portions and operable to move the first and second portions relative to one another.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing percutaneous surgery in a patient are provided. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion coupled to a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration to increase the size of the working channel along the length of the working channel while minimizing trauma to skin and tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices for illuminating a surgical space in a patient are provided. A retractor provides a portal or working path for access to a working space location in the patient. The retractor transmits and emits light from a light delivery system to illuminate the working channel and surgical space.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing surgery in a patient are provided. A cannula provides a working channel for access to a location in the patient. A clamp assembly is removably engaged to the cannula. The clamp assembly allows use of an endoscopic viewing system or can be removed to allow use of a microscopic viewing system in order to view the surgical site in the patient through the working channel. The clamp assembly includes a viewing element mounting portion having a length along which an endoscopic viewing element can be selectively positioned.

Abstract: Access to a greater area of surgical site with minimally invasive procedure is obtained by using two sets of sequentially placed tissue dilators oriented with their axes in a plane parallel to the spinal axis and a final non-circular dilator encompassing the two sets, followed by a non-circular tubular retractor providing a working channel extending longitudinally of the spine.

Abstract: Methods and devices retract tissue for minimally invasive surgery in a patient. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from a first configuration for insertion that minimizes trauma to skin and tissue to an enlarged configuration after insertion to further retract skin and tissue in a minimally invasive manner. Instruments are engageable to the first and second portions and operable to move the first and second portions relative to one another.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing surgery in a patient are provided. A cannula provides a working channel for access to a location in the patient. A clamp assembly is removably engaged to the cannula. The clamp assembly allows use of an endoscopic viewing system or can be removed to allow use of a microscopic viewing system in order to view the surgical site in the patient through the working channel. The clamp assembly includes a viewing element mounting portion having a length along which an endoscopic viewing element can be selectively positioned.

Abstract: An endoscope with a coupling device for the connection of a video camera, wherein the endoscope has, at its needle-shaped tube, a distal end which is provided for insertion into the body and a lens system and has a proximal end provided for looking into the endoscope and having a field diaphragm, the coupling device being attached to the proximal end, and wherein a lens system is arranged following the field diaphragm and, like the lens system at the distal end, is sealed off from the outside completely and tightly and is constructed so as to be non-adjustable and non-focusable. The coupling device has no lenses and is adjustable with respect to its axial length in the manner of a telescope.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing percutaneous surgery under direct visualization through a single cannula are shown. A device includes an elongated cannula sized for percutaneous introduction that defines a working channel between its ends. The working channel is sized to receive one or more surgical tools therethrough. A clamp assembly is engaged to the outer surface of the cannula. The clamp assembly includes a viewing element receiving portion and a viewing element includes a clamp assembly engaging portion for removably engaging the viewing element to the clamp assembly. In one embodiment, the receiving portion defines a receptacle for receiving a dovetail included on the engaging portion of the viewing element. The receiving portion may also include a pivotable clip for removably engaging a protuberance of the engaging portion. The clamp includes a mechanism that allows translation, rotation, and removal of the clamp assembly and the viewing element with respect to the cannula.