99 results about "Spine procedure" patented technology

Apparatus and method for minimally invasive spinal surgery employs an elongated flexible guide element inserted so as to pass in through a first lateral posterior incision, through the spinal column anterior to the spinal cord, and out through a second lateral posterior incision contralateral to said first incision. The guide element is used to guide various elements to a desired position within the spinal column as part of the surgical procedure. Preferably, two hollow rigid tubes rigidly coupled outside the body in converging relation are used to define a working gap within the spinal column through which the guide element passes. This provides a platform for manipulation of tissues and introduction of implants anterior to the spinal cord. Procedures described include reinforcement of a degenerative intervertebral disc and restoration of a damaged vertebral body.

The present invention relates generally to an algorithm aimed at neurophysiology monitoring, and more particularly to an algorithm capable of quickly finding stimulation thresholds over multiple channels of a neurophysiology monitoring system.

Instrumentation and methods are provided for performing image-guided spinal surgery using an anterior surgical approach. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a surgical navigation reference device, mounting the reference device to bone at a location remote from the spinal column and in a substantially fixed position relative thereto, accessing a portion of the spinal column from an anterior direction, and performing an image-guided surgical procedure on the spinal column using an anterior surgical approach. In another embodiment, the mounting of the reference device comprises anchoring the reference device to a portion of the patient's pelvic bone, and more specifically the anterior region of the iliac crest. In a further embodiment, the image-guided surgical procedure comprises a spinal implantation procedure wherein a spinal implant is inserted into an intervertebral opening formed along the lumbar region of the spinal column using an anterior surgical approach.

This invention relates to a spinal implant for promoting fusion of adjacent vertebrae and restoration of normal disc height. The spinal implant includes an upper and lower surface adapted to engage cancellous bone tissue in the vertebral bodies. The spinal implant also includes at least two opposing bearing surfaces adapted to bear against cortical bone tissue in the endplates of adjacent vertebrae. This invention also provides an instrumentation to prepare the intervertebral space to receive the spinal implant and techniques for treating patents in need of corrective spinal surgery.

Surgical instrumentation for use in placing an implant into a disc space between a pair of spinal vertebrae may include: (a) a distractor having a distal end that may be placed into the disc space between the pair of spinal vertebrae; (b) an inserter for use in moving the implant toward the disc space between the pair of spinal vertebrae; and, (c) a distractor/inserter rail/groove interconnection that interconnects the distractor and the inserter for relative movement thereby.

A retractor is provided for performing spinal surgery with a minimal approach, and which spares the lumbar muscles from surgical disruption. A preferred embodiment includes a blade having first and second faces wherein the faces are positioned substantially transverse to one another, and wherein at least one of the faces has a tapered width. Alternatively, both the first and second faces are tapered. Additionally, a third face positioned transverse to the first face and substantially parallel to the third face may be incorporated into the retractor. The second face also preferably includes at least one tooth, and more preferably, a plurality of teeth at its distal end for laterally engaging an articular process of a vertebra of the spine.

Natural and/or synthetic materials to form a strong barrier between the skeletal system and the great vessels. In the preferred embodiments, a natural or synthetic material is used to prevent scar tissue from forming around the vessels and/or to act as barrier placed between the vessels and the skeletal system, including the spine. Devices according to the invention may also be used over the dura and nerves following laminectomy procedures, between the sternum and the pericardium or heart following cardiac procedures, in intra-abdominal procedures such as intestinal or vascular surgery, over the brain in intra-cranial surgery, over the ovaries or other organs or tissues in the female genitourinary system, over the prostate or other organ or tissues in the male genitourinary system, or in other surgeries on humans or animals.

The invention encompasses compositions, methods, and kits, for fixing bone and/or repairing connective tissue associated with bone using a fenestrated bone screw. In certain embodiments, the invention encompasses a pedicle screw system including a bio-resorbable or implantable capsule containing cement and methods of use thereof for treating, preventing, and managing disorders in osteoporotic patients. In certain embodiments, the invention encompasses a fenestrated pedicle screw with cement containment skin that is useful in treating subjects in need of spine surgery due to neurologic deficit, deformity, or trauma, which subjects do not have sufficient time for the medical treatment of osteoporosis.

A total disc replacement system for use in spine surgery involving a pair of endplates, a pair of bearing surfaces, and an intradiscal element composed of an elastomeric polymer.

The present invention relates to a device (and corresponding method) that protects (e.g., shields and/or retracts) exiting and/or descending nerve (e.g., nerve root). This may be carried out in a controlled, unobtrusive manner during, for example, Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (“TLIF”), Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (“PLIF”), or Minimally Invasive Surgery (“MIS”) spinal procedures. Further, the device may be form-fit to one or more particular ones of the following: nerve, pedicle, annulus, vertebral body, interbody device.

An interbody cage can be utilized in a multi-access approach. Such a device can be inserted in an MIS exposure and then can be expanded insitu. Such a multi access device can expand in width to cover a larger area for fusion to occur. Such device includes a unique feature that allows for the graft material to stay in place upon deployment. Such a cage device can be configured with four graft boxes that can be filled with allograft or autograft material to allow for fusion to occur. Along with the graft boxes, such a cage can also be configured with a unique feature in the posterior piece of the device that has small cut outs or ports to allow for moldable allograft material to be injected through the inserter device.

Minimal Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) as a surgical approach is increasingly utilized because of the advantages it offers over conventional spine surgery. The smaller incision results in decreased tissue damage, less blood loss, decreased hospital stay & faster postoperative recovery. The drawbacks of MISS are the long learning curve of working through a smaller incision, longer length of surgery, & potential higher complication rate due to compromised visual field. These limitations can be overcome by more effectively using imaging and navigational devices. The pedicle device simplifies the hardest part of MISS instrumented fusion of conventional pedicle screw insertion by introducing a percutaneous temporary device to locate and create the channel for later conventional pedicle screw implantation using available imaging techniques. This results in faster conventional pedicle screw insertion with precision, thereby decreasing implantation error and minimizing soft tissue injury and blood loss, as well as neurological, vascular, and dural injuries and complications.

The present invention relates to an image-based, patient-specific medical spinal surgery technique and to a spinal prosthesis to the surgery, and particularly, to an image-based, patient-specific medical spinal surgery technique and to a spinal prosthesis which are intended to solve a problem of damage to a spine caused by installing a spinal prosthesis used in spinal surgery, by introducing an image of a patient to manufacture an insertable spinal prosthesis that is customized for a shape of a spine of an individual patient in a polymer-based material.

Devices, kits, and methods for stabilizing the spine and replacing spinous processes removed during spine surgery are provided. The device has a suitable configuration to attach to both spine surgery hardware and to the paraspinal muscles and fascia. The device contains a muscle attachment portion, one or more connectors, and one or more cross connectors. Each cross connector contains a pair of connection portions configured to attach to hardware that is implanted in the spine, such as screw heads or rods. The muscle attachment portion contains a plurality of openings for the attachment of the paraspinal muscles and fascia. Following spine surgery, a surgeon attaches the device to the hardware implanted in the surgical site, and sutures the paraspinal muscles to the openings. Thus the device provides a direct attachment to the paraspinal musculature and fascia, and thereby stabilizes the spine.