A veterinary saw assembly having a tool coupler for coupling to an external power tool and a drive coupler for driving a cutting string from the power tool. The cutting string can be an abrasive wire. The power tool can be a drill. The saw assembly can be used for dehorning or foetotomy procedures. Also disclosed are saws that include the saw assembly, cutting strings for use with the saw assembly, methods of stringing the saw assembly with a cutting string, and a kit including the cutting string and instructions for its use.

Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating target tissue in a patient's spine. In general, the methods include the steps of advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen using the wire; modifying target tissue in the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the target tissue; and delivering an agent to modified target tissue, wherein the agent is configured to inhibit blood flow from the modified target tissue. In some embodiments, the step of modifying target tissue comprises removing target tissue located ventral to the superior articular process while avoiding non-target tissue located lateral to the superior articular process.

There are disclosed systems and methods for safely and effectively removing the articular cartilage and cortical bone layers from an articular surface of a human cadaveric femoral head. One embodiment includes an osseous-sanding accessory system installed upon a conventional band saw having a motor and a cabinet that houses a pulley coupled with a primary drive shaft rotated by the motor. The accessory system may include a threaded drive shaft coupled with the primary drive shaft, a grinding disk having an abrasive surface and affixed about a distal end of the threaded drive shaft, and a removable accessory table mounted to the band saw below the grinding disk. When the motor rotates the primary drive shaft, and thus the threaded drive shaft, the grinding disk rotates relative to the accessory table and abrades osseous tissues introduced to the abrasive surface of the grinding disk. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating target tissue in a patient's spine. In general, the methods include the steps of advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen using the wire; modifying target tissue in the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the target tissue; and delivering an agent to modified target tissue, wherein the agent is configured to inhibit blood flow from the modified target tissue. In some embodiments, the step of modifying target tissue comprises removing target tissue located ventral to the superior articular process while avoiding non-target tissue located lateral to the superior articular process.

A method and apparatus for transecting soft tissue, such as a ligament, and more particularly, the transverse carpal ligament. An hollow introducer needle and a threadlike cutting element enable the method to performed in a minimally invasive manner. The cutting element is routed into position about the target ligament such that the cutting element both enters and exits the body from the same side of the ligament. The substantially smooth exterior surface of the cutting element serves to provide for a kerf-less cut.

An expandable implant includes an implant body defining an internal void, the implant body including a plurality of interconnected linkages. A first plurality of the linkages has an expansion characteristic that is different from a second plurality of the linkages. An expandable bladder is sized to be disposed in the internal void. The bladder defines a bore configured to receive an expansion material, such that the expansion material applies an expansion force against the bladder, which thereby applies the expansion force against the implant body so as to cause the first linkage to expand greater than the second linkage. The expandable implant can be placed in a fracture location so as to restore height to a fractured target bone.

An expandable implant includes an implant body defining an internal void, the implant body including a plurality of interconnected linkages. A first plurality of the linkages has an expansion characteristic that is different from a second plurality of the linkages. An expandable bladder is sized to be disposed in the internal void. The bladder defines a bore configured to receive an expansion material, such that the expansion material applies an expansion force against the bladder, which thereby applies the expansion force against the implant body so as to cause the first linkage to expand greater than the second linkage. The expandable implant can be placed in a fracture location so as to restore height to a fractured target bone.

Described herein are elongate devices for modifying tissue having a plurality of flexibly connected rungs or links, and methods of using them, including methods of using them to decompress stenotic spinal tissue. These devices may be included as part of a system for modifying tissue. In general, these devices include a plurality of blades positioned on (or formed from) rungs that are flexibly connected. The rungs are typically rigid, somewhat flat and wider than they are long (e.g., rectangular). The rungs may be arranged, ladder like, and may be connected by a flexible connector substrate or between two or more cables. Different sized rungs may be used. The blades (on the rungs) may be arranged in a staggered arrangement. A tissue-collection or tissue capture element may be used to collect the cut or modified tissue.

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.

The present invention is a method for performing a percutaneous laminoplasty that includes entering a first introducer needle introducing a first tool wire into an epidural space above a selected lamina, entering a first catcher exit needle that that is caught with the first introducer needle and pulled through a patient body and entering a second introducer needle introducing a second tool wire into the epidural space below the selected lamina. The method also includes entering a second catcher exit needle that is caught within the epidural space and pulled through the patient body, moving the caught first introducer needle and the first catcher exit needle back and forth to cut the lamina and moving the caught second introducer needle and the second catcher exit needle back and forth to cut the lamina. There is also a method for performing a percutaneous foraminoplasty.