319 results about "Spinal operation" patented technology

A system for planning a spine surgery, comprising a haptic interface capable of providing force feedback to the user and a computer adapted to simulate a surgical procedure by responding to inputs from the haptic interface and outputting haptic feedback to the haptic interface is provided.The system further comprising a rapid prototyping unit including a unit that is adapted to create models of the anatomical region where the surgical procedure will be performed in its current unoperated condition and in the predicted postoperative condition. Further the rapid prototyping unit is adapted to create a three dimensional guide to be used in the surgical procedure as well as suggest revisions to the surgical procedure. The system further comprises a computer that simulates loading of the spine and planned implanted hardware using finite element software.

An exchange system is disclosed, for providing a protected path to a subcutaneous procedure site. An exchange cannula is provided with a central lumen, and a drill wire lumen that serves as a portal for a drill wire for coupling the assembly to bone. The wall thickness of the exchange cannula may be eccentric, to accommodate the drill wire lumen within the exchange cannula wall. A tensioning handle may be carried over the exchange cannula, for engaging adjacent tissue. The exchange cannula may have a proximal “T” handle. An exchange rod is movably positionable within the central lumen of the exchange cannula.

The present invention relates to a device and method which may be used to reinforce the native annulus during spinal surgery. The device is a catheter based device which is placed into the inter-vertebral space following discectomy performed by either traditional surgical or endoscopic approaches. The distal end of the catheter is comprised of an expansile loop which may be increased in diameter by advancement of a portion of the catheter via its proximal end, such proximal end remaining external to the body. The expansile loop may be formed of a woven or braided material and may be made of a polymer such as nylon, polyurethane, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene or any of the well known and biocompatible polymers. Alternatively the expansile portion of the catheter may be formed from a metallic braid of stainless steel, elgiloy, Nitinol, or other biocompatible metals. The expansile loop may be formed such that when the loop is diametrically contracted the loop feeds into its other end, similar to a snake eating its own tail. Stabilization of the outer portion of the loop and pulling out the inner portion will thereby increase the overall diameter of the loop while maintaining it as a closed loop or torus. The present invention comprises four embodiments and can be used to 1) facilitate disk fusing, 2) perform an artificial replacement of the nucleus, 3) perform an artificial replacement of the annulus, or 4, perform an artificial replacement of both the nucleus and annulus.

A method of treating spinal stenosis, in which a rasp is brought through a part of a spinal channel and then axially moved so that the rasp removes a stenosis in the spinal channel. Optionally, a shield protects a spinal cord or other sensitive tissues in the spinal channel.

An electromagnetic pedicle awl utilizes a tightly focused time-varying magnetic flux to create a localized electromotive force (EMF) near the tip of a pedicle awl. The localized EMF creates localized eddy currents in nearby nerves which in turn excite ionic nerve channels, the excitation being detected by an electromyographic recording device. In comparison to the electrically stimulated pedicle awl of the prior art, the electromagnetic pedicle awl only excites nerves directly in front of and directly to the side of the tip. The electromagnetic pedicle awl is comprised of a tapered awl or drill tip in combination with a solid core surrounded by a solenoid. A pulsed electric current source drives the solenoid to create a time-varying magnetic field in the vicinity of the tapered tip. The awl or drill tip may be stationary with respect to the solenoid or it may rotate. The electromagnetic pedicle awl in combination with an EMG detector connected to a patient is very sensitive to the pedicle hole position with respect to adjacent nerves and reduces false placement failure.

The present invention relates to a device and method which may be used to reinforce the native annulus during spinal surgery. The device is a catheter based device which is placed into the inter-vertebral space following discectomy performed by either traditional surgical or endoscopic approaches. The distal end of the catheter is comprised of an expansile loop which may be increased in diameter by advancement of a portion of the catheter via its proximal end, such proximal end remaining external to the body. The expansile loop may be formed such that when the loop is diametrically contracted the loop feeds into its other end, similar to a snake eating its own tail. Stabilization of the outer portion of the loop and pulling out the inner portion will thereby increase the overall diameter of the loop while maintaining it as a closed loop or torus. The expansile loop can use an attachment means to secure it to substantially healthy tissues of the annulus, nucleus, or endplates. The present invention comprises four embodiments and can be used to 1) facilitate disk fusing, 2) perform an artificial replacement of the nucleus, 3) perform an artificial replacement of the annulus, or 4, perform an artificial replacement of both the nucleus and annulus.

A bone anchoring assembly for use in spinal surgery or trauma surgery includes an anchoring element having a shaft and a receiving part having a substantially U-shaped cross-section with a base connected to said shaft and two free legs forming a channel for receiving a rod having an at least partially structured surface. The bone anchoring assembly further includes a locking member cooperating with the receiving part for locking said rod in the channel. At least on the locking member or in the receiving part an engagement portion for engaging said structured surface of the rod is provided. The locking member, the rod and the receiving part cooperate in such a manner that as soon as the engagement portion comes into engagement with the structured surface the rod is held in the receiving part in a form-locking manner preventing movement of the rod.

The present invention relates to a device and method which may be used to reinforce the native annulus during spinal surgery. The device is a catheter based device which is placed into the inter-vertebral space following discectomy performed by either traditional surgical or endoscopic approaches. The distal end of the catheter is comprised of an expansile loop which may be increased in diameter by advancement of a portion of the catheter via its proximal end, such proximal end remaining external to the body. The expansile loop may be formed of a woven or braided material and may be made of a polymer such as nylon, polyurethane, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene or any of the well known and biocompatible polymers. Alternatively the expansile portion of the catheter may be formed from a metallic braid of stainless steel, elgiloy, Nitinol, or other biocompatible metals. The expansile loop may be formed such that when the loop is diametrically contracted the loop feeds into its other end, similar to a snake eating its own tail. Stabilization of the outer portion of the loop and pulling out the inner portion will thereby increase the overall diameter of the loop while maintaining it as a closed loop or torus. The present invention comprises four embodiments and can be used to 1) facilitate disk fusing, 2) perform an artificial replacement of the nucleus, 3) perform an artificial replacement of the annulus, or 4, perform an artificial replacement of both the nucleus and annulus.

An implant has a first contact surface to contact a first vertebral body endplate and a second contact surface to contact a second vertebral body endplate adjacent the first vertebral body. The implant is deployable, when positioned within an intradiscal space between the first and second vertebral bodies, from a first non-expanded condition where the first contact surface has a first effective footprint area A1 to a second expanded condition where the first contact surface has a second effective footprint area A2. The ratio A2 / A1 is at least 1.05.

A removably insertable surgical apparatus is configured for insertion between adjacent vertebrae during spinal surgery and adjusted in-situ to produce varying degrees of distraction, neural-decompression, lordotic, kyphotic and / or scoliotic adjustment in the spine.

An osteoimplant comprising an expandable, biocompatible material. The expandable material may be demineralized bone particles such as demineralized cancelous chips or demineralized cortical fibers or may be another material such as a polymer. The osteoimplant has a first state and a second expanded state. The osteoimplant may be used with another device or on its own. The osteoimplant may be inserted into a device such as an intervertebral body fusion device in the compressed state. The osteoimplant may be rehydrated to expand to an increased size, for example as far as permitted by the confines of the intervertebral body fusion device and spinal endplates, thereby aiding in greater vertebral endplate contact and conformity in spinal surgery.

Systems and methods for surgical spinal correction are disclosed. A system including a plurality of bone screws, spinal rods, manipulators, and / or transverse couplers is disclosed for the manipulation of the spinal column is disclosed. A method of achieving, in a single action, manipulation and / or rotation of the spinal column using the disclosed system is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of conducting spinal surgery to correct spinal deformities wherein spinal rods are pre-bent in a physiological sagittal plane prior to attachment of the vertebrae using bone screws.

The present invention relates to a device and method which may be used to reinforce the native annulus during spinal surgery. The device is a catheter based device which is placed into the inter-vertebral space following discectomy performed by either traditional surgical or endoscopic approaches. The distal end of the catheter is comprised of an expansile loop which may be increased in diameter by advancement of a portion of the catheter via its proximal end, such proximal end remaining external to the body. The expansile loop may be formed such that when the loop is diametrically contracted the loop feeds into its other end, similar to a snake eating its own tail. Stabilization of the outer portion of the loop and pulling out the inner portion will thereby increase the overall diameter of the loop while maintaining it as a closed loop or torus. The expansile loop can use an attachment means to secure it to substantially healthy tissues of the annulus, nucleus, or endplates. The present invention comprises four embodiments and can be used to 1) facilitate disk fusing, 2) perform an artificial replacement of the nucleus, 3) perform an artificial replacement of the annulus, or 4, perform an artificial replacement of both the nucleus and annulus.

The present invention includes a rod link reducer of a spinal fixation system that includes a first and a second spinal rod manipulator; a first spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the first spinal rod manipulator and a second spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the second spinal rod manipulator; a first and a second translatable transverse shaft connected to the first and second joints, respectively; and a universal reducer connected to both the first and second translatable transverse shafts, wherein the universal reducer, the shafts and the linkers provide movement and temporary fixation of a spine that has been manipulated into a final position during spinal surgery.

A laminoplasty device including a superior attachment panel, inferior base panel, and a coupling screw for use in repair of lamina after spinal surgery. The interior of the fully assembled laminoplasty device contains a fusion corridor in which bone fusion material can be placed to facilitate regeneration of the lamina.

The invention relates to a system and methods for retracting soft tissue during spinal repair or reconstruction procedures, particularly procedures within intervertebral sites of degenerated discs and associated neural compression. A retractor system includes an implantable bone plate, two or more retractor blades, the bone plate and retractor blades being mutually engageable; and a mechanism to adjust the retractor blade relative to the bone plate. In some embodiments, the retractor system may be applied to span more than one intervertebral space. An implanted retractor system provides an aperture for a clear operating field, and protects collateral tissue. A method for retracting soft tissue to facilitate spinal surgery includes securing a bone plate to adjacent vertebral bodies, engaging one or more retractor blades to the bone plate; and adjusting the angular position of the retractor blade relative to the bone plate so as to retract tissue lying external to the bone plate.

The present invention relates to a device and method which may be used to reinforce the native annulus during spinal surgery. The device is a catheter based device which is placed into the inter-vertebral space following discectomy performed by either traditional surgical or endoscopic approaches. The distal end of the catheter is comprised of an expansile loop which may be increased in diameter by advancement of a portion of the catheter via its proximal end, such proximal end remaining external to the body. The expansile loop may be formed such that when the loop is diametrically contracted the loop feeds into its other end, similar to a snake eating its own tail. Stabilization of the outer portion of the loop and pulling out the inner portion will thereby increase the overall diameter of the loop while maintaining it as a closed loop or torus. The expansile loop then uses an attachment means to secure it to substantially healthy tissues of the annulus, nucleus, or endplates. The present invention comprises four embodiments and can be used to 1) facilitate disk fusing, 2) perform an artificial replacement of the nucleus, 3) perform an artificial replacement of the annulus, or 4, perform an artificial replacement of both the nucleus and annulus.

A surgical retractor may be provided for a surgical procedure such as spinal surgery. The surgical retractor may include a pair of tissue retainers and a pair of separators. The separators may be positioned in channels of the tissue retainers to move distal ends of the tissue retainers apart, retract tissue, and enlarge an opening in a patient. In some embodiments, a nerve root retractor may be removably coupled to a surgical retractor to retain dura on one side of the spinal column and provide working room for the surgical procedure.

A method is disclosed for introducing a spinal disc implant into an intervertebral space of a subject. The subject is placed in a lateral position, and the anterior face of the spinal disc intervertebral space is accessed, between the L5 and S1 vertebrae, from an anterior and lateral retroperitoneal approach. An operative corridor to the anterior face of the spinal disc space is established by introducing a retractor instrument anterolaterally to the spinal disc space between the anterior superior iliac spine and the anterior inferior iliac spine. The damaged spinal disc contents are removed from the intervertebral space through the operative corridor, and the implant is advanced into the intervertebral space at an oblique angle and pivoted to position the implant substantially laterally within the intervertebral space. Elongated retractor and insertion instruments, as well as a modified disc implant, are also disclosed for carrying out the method.

An endoscopic pedicle probe for use during spinal surgery to form a hole in a pedicle for reception of a pedicle screw has an enlarged proximal end for cooperation with the hand of the surgeon and an elongate shaft terminating in a distal tip that may be pushed through the pedicle to form the hole. An integrated endoscope and light extend through the shaft to enable the surgeon to visually observe the target area, and a conduit extends through the shaft to convey a fluid to irrigate the target area. In a preferred form the probe is connected with an electromyographic or mechanomyographic monitoring system to alert the surgeon when a breach is about to occur. In a further embodiment, two endoscopes are associated with the probe. The complete probe may be disposable, or just the tip may be detachable for disposal or replacement.

A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis. The retractor further comprises a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In operation, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, thereby stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.) The retractor thus forms an aperture for passage of surgical instruments and viewing of the surgical field by surgical personnel. In some embodiments, the retractor features a pair of removable handles that may be removed from the arms during surgery in order to afford the surgeon improved space management about the incision. In specific embodiments, the invention provides a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed retractor.

A spinal fixation apparatus is configured with a pair of endpieces and an intermediate compressible portion. The compressible portion may comprise a pair of mating sliders comprising toothed arms attached to the endpieces. A gear engages the toothed arms. When the gear is rotated, the sliders bring the endpieces together, compressing the apparatus.

An instrument for spinal surgery for retracting soft tissue and mounting between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process includes a relatively rigid frame, a first retractor blade mounted to the frame and a distractor element movably mounted to the frame. The distractor element has a body, a proximal end and a distal end. The distractor element has a thickness and a length. The distractor element is configured for mounting between the superior and inferior spinous processes in a working configuration. The distractor element is generally tapered at the distal end in an insertion configuration. The instrument also includes an insertion shaft attached to the proximal end and a first shaft joint mounted between the frame and the insertion shaft.

The present invention relates to a method for directed cell in-growth and controlled tissue regeneration to prevent post-surgical or post-traumatic adhesion and fibrosis formation on the injured surface of a tissue selected from the group consisting of spinal column tissue, dura mater, and spinal nerves in a mammal, comprising the step of providing, covering and separating the tissue with a bioactive biofunctional, non-porous, microscopically multilayered collagen foil biomatrix, and to a method for treating a defect in a mammal comprising the step of providing, covering and separating said tissue with a bioactive biofunctional, non-porous, microscopically multilayered collagen foil biomatrix.