Zimmer Spine, Inc.

Endius, Inc.

James J Pagliuca

John Peter Unger

Alan E Shluzas

Thomas W Davison

Stephen J Anderson

Gene P DiPoto

Adam Sher

James E Robbins

A surgical access system for accessing a surgical target site within a spine includes a retractor and an elongated element. The refractor has a closed configuration defining a lumen with an internal circumference, and an open configuration in which the internal circumference, at least at the distal end of the retractor, is enlarged relative to said closed configuration. The open configuration creates and maintains an operative corridor to said target site. The elongated element is releasably coupled to an interior wall of the retractor and has an extension extending distal of the distal end of the retractor into the surgical target site. When coupled to the retractor, the elongated element covers a body structure at the target site without blocking access to the operative corridor.

Method for securing vertebrae

A surgical access system for accessing a surgical target site within a spine includes a retractor and an elongated element. The retractor has a closed configuration defining a lumen with an internal circumference, and an open configuration in which the internal circumference, at least at the distal end of the retractor, is enlarged relative to said closed configuration. The open configuration creates and maintains an operative corridor to said target site. The elongated element is releasably coupled to an interior wall of the retractor and has an extension extending distal of the distal end of the retractor into the surgical target site. When coupled to the retractor, the elongated element covers a body structure at the target site without blocking access to the operative corridor.

An apparatus for shielding a body structure during surgical procedures which is configured for insertion into the internal passage of a support structure, and includes an elongated body portion with a distal tip portion configured to cover the body structure without substantially displacing the body structure. The apparatus also includes a mounting portion at a proximal end portion thereof for mounting the apparatus within the internal passage of the support structure, and a member connected to the mounting portion to release the mounting portion with respect to the internal passage of the wall portion.

Apparatus and methods for shielding body structures during surgery

A surgical instrument extendable through a cannula for moving a first bone portion relative to a second bone portion includes a first portion having a longitudinal axis engageable with a first member connected with to the first bone portion. A second portion is engageable with a second member connected with the second bone portion. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion from a first position toward a second position to move the first and second bone portions away from each other. An actuator connected with the second portion moves the second portion relative to the first portion in a direction extending transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Surgical instrument for moving vertebrae

In a method of treating the spine of a patient, a fusion device is implanted via an anterior approach in an interbody space between at least two of a first vertebra, a second vertebra and a third vertebra. An access device is inserted into the patient with the access device in a first configuration having a first cross-sectional area at a distal portion thereof. The access device is actuated to a second configuration having an enlarged cross-sectional area at the distal portion thereof such that the distal portion extends across at least a portion of each of the three adjacent vertebrae. A multi-level procedure is performed through the access device across the at least three adjacent vertebrae.

Methods and apparatuses for treating the spine through an access device

A method of fixing first and second vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes inserting a first cannula into the body of the patient. A fusion device is moved through the cannula and inserted between the first and second vertebrae. A first fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the first vertebra. A second fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the second vertebra. A first fixation element is moved through the cannula. The first fixation element is fixed to the first and second fasteners. The fusion device has first and second ends, upper and lower surfaces for engaging the first and second vertebrae, and first and second side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces. Each of the first and second side surfaces extend along an arc from the first end of the fusion device to the second end. The upper and lower surfaces have teeth that extend between the first and second side surfaces along secant lines of circles partially defined by the first and second side surfaces.

Method of securing vertebrae

A surgical tool for use in expanding a tubular structure having an inner surface defining a passage through the tubular structure for receiving surgical instruments includes a first leg having a first end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure. A second leg has a second end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure. The first and second ends are movable away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface of the tubular structure and cause expansion of the tubular structure to increase a cross-sectional area of the passage along a portion of the passage.

Surgical tool for use in expanding a cannula

An apparatus () supports an endoscope () for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient. The apparatus () includes a base (), a first part (), a second part (), and a mechanism (). The base () has a guide portion (). The first part () is adapted to be fixed to the endoscope (). The second part () engages the guide portion () and is movable relative to the guide portion (). The second part () is secured to the first part () such that the first part () is movable relative to the guide portion (). The mechanism () is connected between the base () and the second part (). At least a portion of the mechanism () is rotatable to slide the first and second parts () relative to the guide portion () to change a position of the endoscope () relative to the patient.

Method for adjustably supporting an endoscope

An apparatus ( ) supports an endoscope ( ) for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient. The apparatus ( ) includes a base ( ), a first part ( ), a second part ( ), and a mechanism ( ). The base ( ) has a guide portion ( ). The first part ( ) is adapted to be fixed to the endoscope ( ). The second part ( ) engages the guide portion ( ) and is movable relative to the guide portion ( ). The second part ( ) is secured to the first part ( ) such that the first part ( ) is movable relative to the guide portion ( ). The mechanism ( ) is connected between the base ( ) and the second part ( ). At least a portion of the mechanism ( ) is rotatable to slide the first and second parts ( ) relative to the guide portion ( ) to change a position of the endoscope ( ) relative to the patient.

Apparatus for adjustably supporting an endoscope

An apparatus ( ) supports an endoscope ( ) for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient. The apparatus ( ) includes a base ( ), a part ( ) adapted to be fixed to the endoscope ( ), and a screw mechanism ( ). The base ( ) has a guide portion ( ). The part ( ) engages the guide portion ( ) and is movable relative to the guide portion ( ). The screw mechanism ( ) connects between the base ( ) and the part ( ). At least a portion ( ) of the screw mechanism ( ) is rotatable to slide the part ( ) relative to the guide portion ( ) to change a position of the endoscope ( ) relative to the patient. In another feature of the apparatus ( ), the apparatus ( ) may include a cannula clamp secured to a cannula ( ) and rotatable relative to the part ( ).

Growing community of inventors

Millis, MA, United States of America

James J Pagliuca