Abstract: This invention includes surgical retractors that comprise an expandable frame that includes at least two base components, a connector, and at least two retractor blades attached to the expandable frame. Also included are surgical retractors that comprise a housing component that includes a cylindrical portion and a contiguous blade portion, assemblies comprising a surgical retractor assembled to at least one obtruator, illuminated surgical cannulas, and methods of using the same during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for distracting adjacent vertebrae during surgical procedures for implanting spinal prostheses. In an exemplary embodiment, a distractor is disclosed that maintains the empty space between adjacent vertebrae following a discectomy, and that can removably mate with other surgical instruments, such as, for example, a filler bar, an implanting tool, or a funnel. In other embodiments of the present invention a distractor is disclosed having various features to assist in implanting a spinal prosthesis, such as, for example, an angled distal end and/or an expandable paddle. In another embodiment of the present invention, an articulating inserter is disclosed. Moreover, various implants and funnels are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-rigid retractor for providing access to a surgical site, such as a patient's spine, during a surgical process. When used in spinal surgery, the non-rigid retractor allows a surgeon to operate on one or more spinal levels. The non-rigid retractor includes at least one flexible strap anchored at a first end to the spine or other internal body part at the surgical site.

Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive devices and methods for delivering a spinal connector to one or more spinal anchor sites in a patient's spinal column. In one embodiment, a spinal implant and access device is provided that includes a U-shaped receiver member, a bone-engaging member, and an extension member. The U-shaped receiver member can have a recess formed therein that is adapted to seat a spinal connector. The bone-engaging member can extend distally from the receiver member and it can be adapted to engage bone to thereby mate the receiver member to bone. The extension member can extend proximally from the receiver member and it can include a frangible portion formed thereon that is adapted to break when a predetermined force is applied thereto thereby allowing at least a portion of the extension member to be separated from the receiver member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-rigid retractor for providing access to a surgical site, such as a patient's spine, during a surgical process. When used in spinal surgery, the non-rigid retractor allows a surgeon to operate on one or more spinal levels. The non-rigid retractor includes at least one flexible strap anchored at a first end to the spine or other internal body part at the surgical site. The body of the at least one flexible strap extends from a skin incision and is anchored at a second location external to the body to retract skin and muscle from the surgical site, allowing adequate visualization of the surgical site and providing access for implants and surgical instruments to pass through the retractor and into the surgical site.

Abstract: An implantable pump and methods for detecting leaks in an implantable pump are provided. In one embodiment, the implantable drug pump includes a housing having at least one inlet port and an outlet port formed therein. The outlet port is adapted to communicate with a catheter for delivering fluid to a patient's body, and the inlet port(s) are effective to deliver fluid into the housing. The housing further includes at least one reservoir disposed therein and effective to contain a fluid. In use, the pump preferably includes a fluid having one or more drugs disposed in at least one of the reservoirs, and a radiopaque fluid disposed in one of the reservoirs. A user programmable control mechanism is coupled to the drug pump and is effective to selectively control movement of the valves between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical method includes inserting a first port that defines a first pathway to a first vertebra, advancing a first anchor through the first port to the first vertebra, inserting a second port that defines a second pathway to a second vertebra, advancing a second anchor through the second port to the second vertebra, positioning a first end of a fixation element in the first port, and advancing the first end of the fixation element subcutaneously through an opening in the first port and an opening in second port to the second anchor. A surgical access port includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The port may include a first opening formed in the sidewall that defines a passageway for medical hardware from the lumen to external to the port.

Abstract: An implant comprises a photocatalytic layer on at least one surface and is adapted to act as a sensor. In some embodiments, the photocatalytic layer is a semiconductor oxide that is doped. According to some embodiments, the implant comprises a wave guide. According to some embodiments the implant comprises a light port. According to some embodiments, the implant comprises a reflective material on a surface of the waveguide. According to some embodiments the implant comprises a composite material comprising a first material that has a transmissivity when exposed to a predetermined wavelength of light and a second material that has photocatalytic activity when exposed to the predetermined wavelength of light. According to some embodiments the implant comprises a light source adapted to irradiate the photocatalytic surface.

Abstract: An intracranial implant emitting light having a wavelength between blue and yellow light

Abstract: A blade extending tower is provided for setting blade depth on retractors having telescoping or extending blades. The blade extending tower features a base, a column extending from the base, and mating features on the column configured to engage the blades of a retractor to extend the blades to a desired blade depth. Blade depth of the retractor is set buy sliding the retractor onto the blade extending tower such that the mating features of the blade extending tower engage the blades or the retractor, stopping the blades progression while the rest of the retractor continues along the length of the column. Thus the blades of the retractor are extended from the retractor to a depth determined by the configuration of the blade extending tower.

Abstract: A blade extending tower for setting blade depth on retractors having telescoping or extending blades. The blade extending tower features a base, a column extending from the base, and mating features on the column configured to engage the blades of a retractor to extend the blades to a desired blade depth. Blade depth of the retractor is set buy sliding the retractor onto the blade extending tower such that the mating features of the blade extending tower engage the blades or the retractor, stopping the blades progression while the rest of the retractor continues along the length of the column. Thus the blades of the retractor are extended from the retractor to a depth determined by the configuration of the blade extending tower.

Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive devices and methods for delivering a spinal connector to one or more spinal anchor sites in a patient's spinal column. In one embodiment, a spinal implant and access device is provided that includes a U-shaped receiver member, a bone-engaging member, and an extension member. The U-shaped receiver member can have a recess formed therein that is adapted to seat a spinal connector. The bone-engaging member can extend distally from the receiver member and it can be adapted to engage bone to thereby mate the receiver member to bone. The extension member can extend proximally from the receiver member and it can include a frangible portion formed thereon that is adapted to break when a predetermined force is applied thereto thereby allowing at least a portion of the extension member to be separated from the receiver member.

Abstract: This invention includes surgical retractors that comprise an expandable frame that includes at least two base components, a connector, and at least two retractor blades attached to the expandable frame. Also included are surgical retractors that comprise a housing component that includes a cylindrical portion and a contiguous blade portion, assemblies comprising a surgical retractor assembled to at least one obtruator, illuminated surgical cannulas, and methods of using the same during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: This invention includes surgical retractors that comprise an expandable frame that includes at least two base components, a connector, and at least two retractor blades attached to the expandable frame. Also included are surgical retractors that comprise a housing component that includes a cylindrical portion and a contiguous blade portion, assemblies comprising a surgical retractor assembled to at least one obtruator, illuminated surgical cannulas, and methods of using the same during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive devices and methods for delivering a spinal connector to one or more spinal anchor sites in a patient's spinal column. In one embodiment, a spinal implant and access device is provided that includes a U-shaped receiver member, a bone-engaging member, and an extension member. The U-shaped receiver member can have a recess formed therein that is adapted to seat a spinal connector. The bone-engaging member can extend distally from the receiver member and it can be adapted to engage bone to thereby mate the receiver member to bone. The extension member can extend proximally from the receiver member and it can include a frangible portion formed thereon that is adapted to break when a predetermined force is applied thereto thereby allowing at least a portion of the extension member to be separated from the receiver member.

Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive devices and methods for delivering a spinal connector to one or more spinal anchor sites in a patient's spinal column. In one embodiment, a spinal implant and access device is provided that includes a U-shaped receiver member, a bone-engaging member, and an extension member. The U-shaped receiver member can have a recess formed therein that is adapted to seat a spinal connector. The bone-engaging member can extend distally from the receiver member and it can be adapted to engage bone to thereby mate the receiver member to bone. The extension member can extend proximally from the receiver member and it can include a frangible portion formed thereon that is adapted to break when a predetermined force is applied thereto thereby allowing at least a portion of the extension member to be separated from the receiver member.

Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive devices and methods for delivering a spinal connector to one or more spinal anchor sites in a patient's spinal column. In one embodiment, a spinal implant and access device is provided that includes a U-shaped receiver member, a bone-engaging member, and an extension member. The U-shaped receiver member can have a recess formed therein that is adapted to seat a spinal connector. The bone-engaging member can extend distally from the receiver member and it can be adapted to engage bone to thereby mate the receiver member to bone. The extension member can extend proximally from the receiver member and it can include a frangible portion formed thereon that is adapted to break when a predetermined force is applied thereto thereby allowing at least a portion of the extension member to be separated from the receiver member.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for spinal fixation. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices provide a spinal fixation system that can include a spinal connector which can be disposed within a recess in a head of a bone anchor. The spinal connector can have a variety of configurations. The methods and devices are particularly useful for unilateral fixation, in which one or more levels of the spine are stabilized along a single lateral side of the spine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflatable retractor for providing access to a surgical site, such as a patient's spine, during a surgical process. When used in spinal surgery, the inflatable retractor allows a surgeon to operate on one or more spinal levels. The inflatable retractor includes an inflatable body defining a central cavity, wherein the body is flaccid in a non-inflated state and increasingly rigid in an inflated state. The inflatable retractor is inserted into an incision in a deflated, or partially inflated, state and then inflated once the retractor is in position. The inflation of the retractor retracts skin and muscle from the surgical site, allowing adequate visualization of the surgical site and forms a passage providing access for implants and surgical instruments to pass through the retractor and into the surgical site.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for distracting adjacent vertebrae during surgical procedures for implanting spinal prostheses. In an exemplary embodiment, a distractor is disclosed that maintains the empty space between adjacent vertebrae following a discectomy, and that can removably mate with other surgical instruments, such as, for example, a filler bar, an implanting tool, or a funnel. In other embodiments of the present invention a distractor is disclosed having various features to assist in implanting a spinal prosthesis, such as, for example, an angled distal end and/or an expandable paddle. In another embodiment of the present invention, an articulating inserter is disclosed. Moreover, various implants and funnels are also disclosed herein.