A multi-portal method for treating a subject's spine includes distracting adjacent vertebrae using a distraction instrument positioned at a first entrance along the subject to enlarge an intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae. An interbody fusion implant can be delivered into the enlarged intervertebral space. The interbody fusion implant can be positioned directly between vertebral bodies of the adjacent vertebrae while endoscopically viewing the interbody fusion implant using an endoscopic instrument. The patient's spine can be visualized using endoscopic techniques to view, for example, the spine, tissue, instruments and implants before, during, and after implantation, or the like. The visualization can help a physician throughout the surgical procedure to improve patient outcome.

For determining a precise orientation and positioning of an endoscope in an electromagnetic field, an endoscope device has a proximal insertion head and has a shaft extending distally therefrom having a center axis. The shaft extends with at least one elongated lumen through the device. A sensor rod has at least two sensor coils arranged with finite spacing in relation to one another in the longitudinal direction. The at least two sensor coils are oriented in relation to one another at a finite angle.

An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

The present invention is directed at minimally invasive systems in which the proximal end portion of the working channel has either zero or a limited range of movement in the lateral direction. A first embodiment has a slidable collar attached to a pair of flanges, wherein movement of the collar is bounded by an annular frame. A second embodiment has a substantially spherical element attached to the tube. A third embodiment has a plurality of caps. A fourth embodiment is adapted for a larger working channel.

A method for providing an endoscopic port includes inserting a distal portion of an expandable member into soft tissue in a patient's body. The distal portion of the expandable member is inflated to form a passageway in the soft tissue. A rigid tube member is delivered into the passageway formed by the expandable member through the inside of the inflatable member. A port is established between a proximal opening in the rigid tube member and a distal opening in the rigid tube member.

An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

A medical manipulator system includes a guide instrument having a treatment tool channel, an insertion body inserted into the treatment tool channel, a power source unit attachable to and detachable from the insertion body, a guide rail having a first region corresponding to a state in which the joint part is located in the treatment tool channel and a second region corresponding to a state in which the joint part is exposed from the distal end of the treatment tool channel, and the guide rail guides the power source unit to advance and retract in a predetermined linear direction defined by the first region and the second region, and a regulating part interposed in a boundary between the first region and the second region and the regulating part regulates a movement of the insertion body from the second region toward the first region.

The present disclosure provides a spinal endoscope comprising an imaging device and an elongate rigid tube coupled to the imaging device, wherein the tube receives therein: a lens coupled to the imaging device to allow observation of a tissue; at least one irrigation channel to allow injection of a cleaning liquid to secure a view for surgery; a working channel to allow passage of a surgery-tool therethrough to a target location, and an optical fiber to allow irradiation of light beams, the spinal endoscope being characterized in that the working channel includes a first portion with a circular arc cross-sectional shape face-contacting and partially corresponding to an inner circumference of the elongate rigid tube, and a second portion with a linear cross-sectional shape, wherein the second portion connects both ends of the first portion.

A hand manipulated endoscopic medical device includes a body having a proximal end, which is hand manipulated, a distal end which includes a manipulator, a light emitting device at the distal end, an imaging device at the distal end. A tool for extracting an artificial lumbar disc from between a pair of vertebral plates includes a handle, a member for transmitting force, and a sharpened end, specially configured to be placed between the artificial disc and the vertebral plate. A tool for implanting or explanting a ball to or from an artificial lumbar disc includes a pinion shaft and a pinion shaft enclosure, with a tightening knob at the proximal end of the shaft enclosure and coupled to the pinion shaft, a pinion at the distal end of the pinion shaft, a grappling device at the pinion, and a pair of semi-circular rings.

A method for treating spinal nerve compression includes sequential dilation to position an instrument cannula along a patient's spine. Instruments can be delivered through the instrument cannula to remove targeted tissue for a decompression procedure. One of the instruments can be a reamer instrument configured to abrade, cut, or otherwise affect tissue along the patient's spine.