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.

A tool head assembly for a hand held tool The assembly includes a body for attaching to the hand held tool; a continuous cutting band having a cutting edge for cutting into a subject; at least one tension member coupled to the body for holding the cutting band under tension; and at least one drive member coupled to the body for rotating the cutting band with respect to the body.

The present invention discloses a rongeur type bone and cartilage removal device incorporating first and second pivotally secured handles, the first handle terminating at a forward end in a first jaw exhibiting a plurality of extending teeth, with second handle terminating in a second jaw opposing the first jaw and exhibiting a continuous blade edge against which the teeth seats during pivotal motion of the jaws.

A set of surgical instruments for an artificial hip joint implant and, more specifically, a set of improved surgical instruments, can be used in direct anterior approach hip replacement surgery and are capable of minimizing damage, such as muscle damage, which may arise during surgery, by resolving problems that existing surgical instruments possess.

An implant for an artificial hip joint and, more specifically, a dual mobility acetabular cup assembly for an artificial hip joint is configured to have improved locking mechanism between a liner and a shell and improved resistance to micromotion and to guide the liner into the shell with proper orientation by providing stable liner-shell fastening structure to the acetabular cup assembly.

Improved chain saws, components for chain saws, methods of making chain saws and components, and methods of using chain saws and components are disclosed. In some embodiments, a chain saw comprises a saw bar and a plurality of links, wherein a first link has a hook that engages a recess of a second link, thereby coupling the first link and the second link and allowing them to articulate without decoupling. The saw bar may have a rail, and the links may have grooves such that the links straddle and ride over the rail. The rail may have a projection and the grooves of the links may have notches accommodating the projection such that the projection prevents dislocation of the links. The links may have conical or pyramidal cutting teeth. The chain may be bidirectional. Robotic and automated operation of saws and other instruments are also disclosed.

A surgical sagittal saw blade assembly and cutting guide for use with the blade assembly. The blade assembly includes a static bar from which a moving blade head protrudes. The blade head is reciprocated by a drive link internal to the bar. The cutting guide has a body that is positioned adjacent where the blade is to be used to cut tissue. The cutting guide has an outer surface over which the blade assembly is positioned. The cutting guide has a constraining feature. The constraining feature holds the blade bar to the body of the guide so the blade assembly can move over the body while being constrained from movement above the outer surface of the body. The constraining feature is mounted to the body of the cutting guide so as to be able to move while constraining guide retains the blade bar.

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).

An apparatus and methods for enhanced percutaneous epidural access for performing spine surgery, epidural procedures and medical device placement that includes a first percutaneous needle having a first lumen, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured for placement in an epidural space at a first location, the first location being at least one level removed from a target lamina, a second percutaneous needle having a second lumen, a proximal end and a distal end.

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.