Abstract: A Static Compression Device (SC device) for active, measurable compression of a spinal fusion graft is disclosed. The device attaches to adjacent vertebral bodies or other bone pieces works with a compression tool to apply compressive force to adjacent vertebral bodies or pieces of bone to assist fusion. Once compressed, the SC device locks to maintain the compression applied at surgery, while preventing further compression after surgery. In one embodiment, the compression device applies a desired, quantified, amount of force to allow the surgeon more control over the force applied to a cervical, thoracic or lumbar implant than previously available. The SC device may be used to compresses multiple adjacent vertebrae across adjacent bone graft(s) to facilitate fusion of these vertebrae to treat pain from damaged disks between vertebrae that impinge on the spinal cord and nerve roots. SC device may also apply compression across fractures to facilitate union.

Abstract: A minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery method includes sequential steps of (a), aided by a guidance system, placing a guide wire in each pedicle of each vertebra of each spinal segment to be fused in a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery, (b) replacing one or more of the guide wires with respective pedicle markers, and (c) performing the minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery using the pedicle markers and remaining ones of the guide wires.

Abstract: A minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery method includes sequential steps of (a), aided by a guidance system, placing a guide wire in each pedicle of each vertebra of each spinal segment to be fused in a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery, (b) replacing one or more of the guide wires with respective pedicle markers, and (c) performing the minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery using the pedicle markers and remaining ones of the guide wires.

Abstract: A Static Compression Device (SC device) for active, measurable compression of a spinal fusion graft is disclosed. The device attaches to adjacent vertebral bodies or other bone pieces works with a compression tool to apply compressive force to adjacent vertebral bodies or pieces of bone to assist fusion. Once compressed, the SC device locks to maintain the compression applied at surgery, while preventing further compression after surgery. In one embodiment, the compression device applies a desired, quantified, amount of force to allow the surgeon more control over the force applied to a cervical, thoracic or lumbar implant than previously available. The SC device may be used to compresses multiple adjacent vertebrae across adjacent bone graft(s) to facilitate fusion of these vertebrae to treat pain from damaged disks between vertebrae that impinge on the spinal cord and nerve roots. SC device may also apply compression across fractures to facilitate union.

Abstract: An expandable cannula includes a proximal end portion having a substantially constant diameter therethrough, and a distal end portion, coupled to the proximal end portion and having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end portion includes a plurality of panels hinged by “living hinges” to the proximal end portion, and a locking mechanism that stabilizes the distal end portion in one of a contracted position and an expanded position. The locking mechanism may be a strut pressed overcenter during expansion distal portion to expanded configuration, or may include a locking ring and a catch for stabilizing the ring in a configuration where it holds the panels in expanded configuration.

Abstract: A Static Compression Device (SC device) for active, measurable compression of a spinal fusion graft is disclosed. The SC device attaches to adjacent vertebral bodies or other pieces of bone and works with a compression tool to apply compressive force to adjacent vertebral bodies or pieces of bone to assist fusion. Once compressed, the SC device locks to maintain the compression applied at surgery, while preventing further compression after surgery. In one embodiment, the compression device applies a desired amount of force to allow the surgeon more control over the force applied to a cervical, thoracic or lumbar implant than previously available. The SC device may compresses multiple adjacent vertebrae across adjacent bone graft(s) to facilitate fusion of these vertebrae to treat pain from damaged disks between vertebrae that may on the spinal cord and nerve roots. SC device may also apply compression across fractures to facilitate union.

Abstract: An expandable cannula includes a proximal end portion having a substantially constant diameter therethrough, and a distal end portion, coupled to the proximal end portion and having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end portion includes a plurality of panels hinged by “living hinges” to the proximal end portion, and a locking mechanism that stabilizes the distal end portion in one of a contracted position and an expanded position. The locking mechanism may be a strut pressed overcenter during expansion distal portion to expanded configuration, or may include a locking ring and a catch for stabilizing the ring in a configuration where it holds the panels in expanded configuration.

Abstract: A Static Compression Device (SC device) for active, measurable compression of a fusion graft by the surgeon at the time of surgery is disclosed. The SC device is attachable to adjacent vertebral bodies or other pieces of bone and has a device that applies compressive force to the adjacent vertebral bodies or pieces of bone to assist fusion according to Wolffs law. The SC device has a locking mechanism that maintains the compression applied at surgery, but prevents further compression (settling) from occurring after surgery. The SC device allows the surgeon the ability to compress a segment, measure the applied compression, and lock the segment in the compressed position. In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure is applied to the SC device through a compression device that applies a desired and measurable amount of force.

Abstract: A Static Compression Device (SC device) for active, measurable compression of a fusion graft by the surgeon at the time of surgery is disclosed. The SC device is attachable to adjacent vertebral bodies or other pieces of bone and has a device that applies compressive force to the adjacent vertebral bodies or pieces of bone to assist fusion according to Wolff's law. The SC device has a locking mechanism that maintains the compression applied at surgery, but prevents further compression (settling) from occurring after surgery. The SC device allows the surgeon the ability to compress a segment, measure the applied compression, and lock the segment in the compressed position. In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure is applied to the SC device through a compression device that applies a desired and measurable amount of force.

Abstract: A Static Compression Device (SC device) for active, measurable compression of a fusion graft by the surgeon at the time of surgery is disclosed. The SC device is attachable to adjacent vertebral bodies or other pieces of bone and has a device that applies compressive force to the adjacent vertebral bodies or pieces of bone to assist fusion according to Wolff's law. The SC device has a locking mechanism that maintains the compression applied at surgery, but prevents further compression (settling) from occurring after surgery. The SC device allows the surgeon the ability to compress a segment, measure the applied compression, and lock the segment in the compressed position. In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure is applied to the SC device through a compression device that applies a desired and measurable amount of force.

Abstract: A Static Compression Device (SC device) for active, measurable compression of a fusion graft by the surgeon at the time of surgery is disclosed. The SC device is attachable to adjacent vertebral bodies or other pieces of bone and has a device that applies compressive force to the adjacent vertebral bodies or pieces of bone to assist fusion according to Wolffs law. The SC device has a locking mechanism that maintains the compression applied at surgery, but prevents further compression (settling) from occurring after surgery. The SC device allows the surgeon the ability to compress a segment, measure the applied compression, and lock the segment in the compressed position. In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure is applied to the SC device through a compression device that applies a desired and measurable amount of force.