A method of surgically preparing a sacroiliac joint comprising: a) approaching a sacroiliac joint space with a joint preparation tool comprising a cutting element including an exterior having an asymmetric cutting band such that the first side includes a first surface having a first texture and the second side includes a second surface having a second texture, the first and second textures being different such that the first texture is substantially smoother than the second texture; and b) delivering at least a portion of the cutting element non-transversely into the sacroiliac joint space for decortication, the cutting element being oriented in the sacroiliac joint space such that the first surface opposes the generally softer sacrum and the second surface opposes the generally harder ilium in order to more aggressively prepare the surface of the ilium while not over-preparing the sacrum to provide a robust biologic environment for intra-articular fusion.

Sensing technology methods related thereto for determining cut through of bone and a depth of penetration of a working portion of a surgical instrument (e.g., an oscillating saw blade in a cut). A first sensor outputs a first signal representative of a displacement of the cutting edge of the saw blade in the cut. A second sensor outputs a second signal representative of a force applied to the cutting edge of the saw blade. As such, monitoring the first and/or second sensor may allow for the saw to be stopped upon completion of a cut (e.g., when the saw passes completely through a medium to be cut or upon reaching a predetermined depth for the cut).

A method for providing a tool system for removing prosthetic cement from a bone of a patient undergoing a joint prosthesis replacement operation includes scanning the patient in the area of the joint prosthesis to obtain a profile of a line of intersection of a prosthetic cement/bone interface at its intersection with a longitudinally pre-selected plane; providing a guide member shaped as a stem of the prosthesis in a prosthetic cavity located in said prosthetic cement; and providing a cutting tool for forming a running cut through the prosthetic cement along the line of intersection. A stem of the cutting tool includes two protrusions along the length thereof. A guide member includes two grooves which each engage one of said protrusions. Grooves are profiled so the outer end of the stem is forced to follow a path corresponding to the profile of the line of intersection of the cement/bone interface.

A surgical instrument for removing an implanted glenoid component from the glenoid of a patient includes a protective cannula and a flexible wire saw. The flexible wire saw is positioned in the protective cannula such that both ends of the flexible wire saw extend out of one end of the protective cannula, with a portion of the middle section of the wire saw forming a loop that extends out of the other end of the protective cannula. Surgical methods for the use of such a surgical instrument are also disclosed.

Sensing technology methods related thereto for determining cut through of bone and a depth of penetration of a working portion of a surgical instrument (e.g., an oscillating saw blade in a cut). A first sensor outputs a first signal representative of a displacement of the cutting edge of the saw blade in the cut. A second sensor outputs a second signal representative of a force applied to the cutting edge of the saw blade. As such, monitoring the first and/or second sensor may allow for the saw to be stopped upon completion of a cut (e.g., when the saw passes completely through a medium to be cut or upon reaching a predetermined depth for the cut).

A blade assembly for use with a surgical saw. The blade assembly may comprise a static guide bar, a blade and a drive member, that when actuated, oscillates the blade. The blade may further comprise teeth that extend distally from the static guide bar, the teeth adapted to form a kerf in tissue against which the teeth are pressed. The static guide bar may be dimensioned to fit into the kerf formed in the tissue cut by the teeth. The static guide bar may comprise a thickness dependent on a length of the static guide bar. The blade assembly may be configured such that blade may be the only oscillating component of the blade assembly to provide a generally constant mass moment of inertia irrespective of the mass and/or length of the static guide bar.

Provided is a semi-cylindrical osteotomy device including: a guide portion where a tibia accommodating space in which a tibia is accommodated is formed; a cutter portion moving in the tibia accommodating space and cutting the tibia while moving along an inner circumferential surface of the guide portion; and a driving unit driving the cutter portion. According to the semi-cylindrical osteotomy device, stability of a surgery is increased by inserting the guide portion by approaching a side surface of the tibia to minimize an exposed portion of a bone. Also, a wire saw moves along a slit of the guide portion, and thus a cut bone surface of a semi-cylindrical shape is easily and quickly formed.

The Vertebral Osteotomy Saw Guide allows precise osteotomies to be performed through the vertebral column in conjunction with a thread-wire saw. The guide is designed so that it can mount to rods commonly used during spinal surgery for spinal stabilization. The mount of the guide is a polyaxial mount, allowing the angle of the guide mount to be adjusted and locked to create a desired cutting plane to produce a precise osteotomy. The guide itself consists of two interdigitated pulley wheels that allow the thread-wire saw to pass smoothly through the guide. The simple, but unique design of the guide allows a surgeon to perform an osteotomy through the vertebral column cutting from one side of the vertebral column to the other. This unique orientation allows the osteotomy to be performed away from critical structures in the region (the spinal cord, aorta, and inferior vena cava).

A reciprocating blade assembly for use with a surgical saw comprises a reciprocating member, the reciprocating member including a proximal end feature for engaging a drive member of the of the saw that, when actuated, reciprocates the reciprocating member. The reciprocating blade assembly further comprises teeth that extend outwardly from a side of the reciprocating member, the teeth adapted to form a kerf in tissue against which the teeth are pressed. The reciprocating member is contained in a guide bar assembly that includes features for engaging with a complementary fastening assembly that holds the guide bar assembly static to the saw and an opening located in a side of the guide bar assembly wherein the reciprocating member is mounted in the guide bar assembly so the teeth extend out of the side opening, wherein said guide bar assembly is dimensioned to fit into the kerf formed in the tissue cut by the teeth.

A method and apparatus for transecting soft tissue, such as a ligament, and more particularly, the transverse carpal ligament. A pair of hollow introducer needles can be used to rout a thread-like, smooth and non-abrasive cutting element around tissue, such as a soft tissue, to enable a transection of the soft tissue using minimally invasive techniques. The cutting element is routed into position about the target soft tissue such that the cutting element both enters and exits the body from the same side of the soft tissue. The smooth and non-abrasive exterior surface of the cutting element serves to provide a kerf-less cut.