Abstract: A retractor member is configured for insertion through a channel of an access member and for moving soft tissue at a treatment site that is accessible through the channel. The retractor includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and spaced from each other along a longitudinal direction. The distal end defines a retractor blade and the body defines a first surface and a second surface opposite each other along a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The retractor includes an attachment device configured to selectively attach the body to a portion of the access member such that the body is extendable through the working channel while the body is attached to the portion of the access member.

Abstract: A surgical system has a device and an inertial measurement unit supported by the device body. Accordingly, the inertial measurement unit is configured to produce an inertial signal as a function of the movement of the device body. The system further has a controlling unit configured to determine the location of at least a portion of the movable device body as a function of the inertial signal. The controlling unit (e.g., in the sterile field) also uses a detected stationary artificial magnetic field at a prescribed location to determine information relating to the prescribed location. Importantly, the controlling unit also is configured to automatically zero-out the inertial measurement unit during use as a function of the information relating to the prescribed location. The controlling unit also has an output to transmit a position signal having positional information relating to the movable device body.

Abstract: A system for delivering flowable biomaterial to an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes a delivery body defining a proximal end, a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a longitudinal direction, a cannulation extending from the proximal end to an opening adjacent the distal end, and a distal region including a tip that extends to the distal end. The distal region defines a maximum height at a location proximal of the distal end and measured along a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The distal region is for indicating a distance between the adjacent vertebral bodies. The system includes a carrier having a longitudinally elongate channel for carrying biomaterial and being insertable within the cannulation, as well as an advancement member configured for insertion within the cannulation to forcibly advance the biomaterial from the cannulation, through the opening, and into the disc space.

Abstract: A surgical imaging system for communicating images from an imaging sensor to a display device within an operating room has a video controlling unit configured to receive the images from the imaging sensor. The video controlling unit is sterile or sterilizable sufficient for use in the sterile field of an operating room. The video controlling unit is configured to atraumatically rest on the patient during the procedure.

Abstract: A system for surgically augmenting tissue of a patient has a patch configured to integrate with the tissue being repaired and an expandable member defining a longitudinal axis. The patch includes patch material that progressively integrates with tissue of the patient at least in part via biological processes in the patient. The system also has a suture channel extending through the expandable portion in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expandable portion. The suture channel has a first end and a second end sized and configured to receive and pass a suture therethrough.

Abstract: A system for surgically augmenting tissue of a patient includes a patch configured to integrate with the tissue being repaired, and an expandable member associated with the patch. The patch includes a patch material that progressively integrates with tissue of the patient. In a similar manner, the expandable member is formed of a member material that progressively degrades within the patient at least in part via biological processes of the patient. The expandable member is configured to urge the patch toward the tissue after placement in or on the patient.

Abstract: A method of repairing tissue of a patient secures at least two sutures to two initial points of the patient, and couples sutures to a repair matrix comprising a scaffold portion and an expandable portion. The scaffold portion is configured to integrate over time with the tissue being repaired. The method also expands the expandable portion to urge the repair matrix against the tissue to produce a securing surface, and then secures the at least two sutures to two additional points of the patient. The at least two sutures traverse the securing surface of the repair matrix between the two initial points and the two additional points to secure the repair matrix to the patient.

Abstract: Surgical visualization systems and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing visualization during surgical procedures. Systems and methods herein can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures, including spinal surgeries such as minimally-invasive fusion or discectomy procedures. Systems and methods herein can include various features for enhancing end user experience, improving clinical outcomes, or reducing the invasiveness of a surgery. Exemplary features can include access port integration, hands-free operation, active and/or passive lens cleaning, adjustable camera depth, and many others.

Abstract: A method of repairing tissue of a patient secures at least two sutures to two initial points of the patient, and couples sutures to a repair matrix comprising a scaffold portion and an expandable portion. The scaffold portion is configured to integrate over time with the tissue being repaired. The method also expands the expandable portion to urge the repair matrix against the tissue to produce a securing surface, and then secures the at least two sutures to two additional points of the patient. The at least two sutures traverse the securing surface of the repair matrix between the two initial points and the two additional points to secure the repair matrix to the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments of bone and tissue resection devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device can include a stationary assembly having a housing, an elongated sleeve extending distally from the housing, and a cutting region disposed distal to the sleeve. The device can further include a drive assembly having a blade shaft extending through the elongated sleeve, the blade shaft having a distal tip with a cutting surface configured to extend into the cutting region when the drive assembly advances distally relative to the stationary assembly. The drive assembly can further include an oscillator coupled to the blade shaft and configured to engage with a source of continuous rotational motion to convert the continuous rotational motion into oscillating motion of the drive shaft. Further, the drive assembly can be configured to slidably couple to the stationary assembly to permit selective translation of the drive assembly relative to the stationary assembly.

Abstract: Connectors for connecting or linking one instrument or object to one or more other instruments or objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector can include a first arm with a first attachment feature for attaching to a first object, such as a surgical access device, and a second arm with a second attachment feature for attaching to a second object, such as a support. The connector can have an unlocked state, in which the position and orientation of the access device can be adjusted relative to the support, and a locked state in which movement of the access device relative to the support is prevented or limited. Locking the connector can also be effective to clamp or otherwise attach the connector to the access device and the support, or said attachment can be independent of the locking of the connector.

Abstract: Embodiments of bone and tissue resection devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device can include a blade having a distal cutting edge configured to perform a cutting action that produces a plug or core from a media being cut by the cutting edge, a drive mechanism arranged to transfer an oscillating force to the cutting edge for oscillating the cutting edge, a shield positioned to block contact with a portion of the cutting edge, and a depth adjustment mechanism configured to translate the cutting edge along a proximal-distal axis of the shield to adjust an axial position of the cutting edge relative to the shield.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a bone and tissue resection device can include a stationary assembly having a housing, an elongated sleeve extending distally from the housing, and a cutting region disposed distal to the sleeve. The device can further include a drive assembly having a blade shaft extending through the elongated sleeve, the blade shaft having a distal tip with a cutting surface configured to extend into the cutting region when the drive assembly advances distally relative to the stationary assembly. The drive assembly can further include an oscillator coupled to the blade shaft and configured to engage with a source of continuous rotational motion to convert the continuous rotational motion into oscillating motion of the drive shaft. Further, the drive assembly can be configured to slidably couple to the stationary assembly to permit selective translation of the drive assembly relative to the stationary assembly.

Abstract: A method of inserting a fastener into a fusion cage can include attaching a fastener head of a bone fastener to a flexible bone fastener driver. The method can also include inserting the bone fastener into a threaded throughhole of a fusion cage comprising a front wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom surfaces adapted for gripping opposed vertebral endplates, wherein the front wall comprises the threaded throughhole.

Abstract: Connectors for connecting or linking one instrument or object to one or more other instruments or objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector can include a first arm with a first attachment feature for attaching to a first object, such as a surgical access device, and a second arm with a second attachment feature for attaching to a second object, such as a support. The connector can have an unlocked state, in which the position and orientation of the access device can be adjusted relative to the support, and a locked state in which movement of the access device relative to the support is prevented or limited. Locking the connector can also be effective to clamp or otherwise attach the connector to the access device and the support, or said attachment can be independent of the locking of the connector.

Abstract: A method of inserting a fastener into a fusion cage can include attaching a fastener head of a bone fastener to a flexible bone fastener driver. The method can also include inserting the bone fastener into a threaded throughhole of a fusion cage comprising a front wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom surfaces adapted for gripping opposed vertebral endplates, wherein the front wall comprises the threaded throughhole.

Abstract: Surgical access stabilization devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. For example, the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein can be used during a surgical procedure to selectively establish, stabilize, and maintain a desired trajectory and/or positioning of a surgical access device. An exemplary surgical access stabilization device can include a pad with an adhesive distal facing surface to adhere to an anchor surface, a surgical access device coupled to the pad, and a locking mechanism to selectively lock a position of the surgical access device relative to the pad. In one embodiment, the anchor surface can be the skin of a patient. An exemplary surgical access device stabilization method can include making an incision in a patient at a surgical site, inserting a surgical access device through the incision, adhering a pad to an anchor surface, e.g.

Abstract: An implant assembly includes a screw body, including anchor portion and proximal head portion, and a cradle movably mounted in the screw body to allow for controlled angulation between a spinal connection element disposed in the cradle and the screw body. The cradle is pivotable in one or more selected directions about one or more axes relative to the screw body. The cradle may be generally, substantially spherical in shape and allow for unrestricted movement in one or more directions around one or more axis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are expanding spinal fusion cage embodiments including an expandable cage assembly configured to expand from a collapsed state to an expanded state in an intervertebral space when inflated with a material. The assembly can include an inflatable section defining an interior volume configured to receive the material and expand the interior volume in response to a pressure from the received material to cause the expandable cage assembly to transition from the collapsed state to the expanded state, and a stabilization section configured to restrain the inflatable section during inflation.

Abstract: A system for facilitating a medical procedure includes an access device that is configured to provide distance information regarding anatomical structures as the access device is driven to a target anatomical site. For instance, the access device can have either or both of a camera and neuromonitoring electrodes. The camera can send real-time images of the anatomical structures as the access device is driven toward the target anatomical site. The electrodes can emit an electrical current to identify a distance from nerve structure. A visual display can include the anatomical structure identified to the operator to assist in guiding the access device to the target anatomical site.