319 results about "Spinal operation" patented technology

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 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.

Disclosed is a computer-integrated surgery aid system for minimally invasive surgery and a method for controlling the same. The system includes a surgery planning system for creating three-dimensional information from two-dimensional images obtained by means of biplanar fluoroscopy so that spinal surgery can be planned according to the image information and a scalar-type 6 degree-of-freedom surgery aid robot adapted to be either driven automatically or operated manually.

A minimally invasive retractor system is shown which has a support frame having two opposing pairs of horizontally oriented sides. The sides of the frame can be adjusted to vary an interior space of the frame. Four retractor blades are mounted on the frame for engaging tissue within a surgical site. Each retractor blade has an elongate body portion with a length which is oriented perpendicularly to the frame in use. One of the retractor blades can be equipped with a light source and a suction source which are integral to the blade. The blade also has an integral power source for powering the light source. The blade can also house a tissue retractor such as a dural retractor for retracting the dural sack of a patient during spinal surgery.

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.

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.

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.

A guide is disclosed for use in performing spinal surgery to prepare across a spinal disc and adjacent vertebrae an implantation space. The guide is associated with a computer controlled surgical navigation system employing an energy-detecting array to track positions of the guide in three dimensional space relative to a known reference point. The guide comprises a body for providing protected access to prepare across the spinal disc and into the adjacent vertebrae the implantation space. The body has a passage adapted to receive a bone removal device for forming the implantation space through the body. At least one electrically energizable energy emitter array is attached to the body for use in identifying the location of the guide relative to the adjacent vertebrae. A system and method for using the guide in spinal surgery are also disclosed.

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 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.

A cutting guide for use in spinal surgery includes a sidewall defining an internal cavity. A chisel guide, for use with the cutting guide, includes a first block member to be inserted into the internal cavity of the cutting guide to position the first block member adjacent the vertebral body. The chisel guide also includes a second block member connected to the first block member. An apparatus for creating a cavity in a-vertebral body endplate and in an intervertebral disc may be a compressor or a distractor having at least one cutting implement thereon. A tensioner determines a proper elongation distance in a prosthesis implanted in a vertebral body.

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 expandable spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper body, a lower body, a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of bone screws. The upper body and lower body are pivotably affixed at a first end and are capable of movement relative to each other. The ratchet mechanism is slidably disposed on one of the upper and lower body and is capable of engaging the opposite one of the upper and lower body thereby permitting movement of the upper and lower body relative to each other in a first direction, but not in a second direction. An insertion instrument capable of being attached to the expandable spinal instrument and a method of performing spinal surgery is also disclosed.