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 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.

An invention is disclosed comprising a cutting chain of links that pivot without longitudinal disarticulation, yet are connected without reliance on separate connections. Lateral dislocation of the links of the cutting chain is prevented by placement of the cutting chain in a channel, which guides the cutting chain along its operational path and provides resistance against normal load. The channel may be retractable and/or comprised of lubricious, heat absorbing materials. The blade may be flexible in order to cut a variable kerf. The invention further comprises a power train and drive train, designed to optimize the cutting chain for one of many applications.

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 wire saw which has excellent cutting ability and which is not easily clogged by chips formed by cutting is provided. It has a body 6 having a first metal wire 1 which is made of a cobalt-based alloy, two second metal wires 2a and 2b which are made of a cobalt-based alloy, and three third metal wires 3a-3c which are made of a cobalt-based alloy and are wound on the first metal wire 1. The second metal wires 2a and 2b are helically wound on each of the third metal wires 3a-3c in opposite directions so as to cross each other. Cutting teeth are constituted by projections 8 which are formed by the crossing points of the two second metal wires 2a and 2b.

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.

A surgical sagittal saw blade that includes a guide bar to which a blade head is pivotally mounted. Side edges extend between the opposed proximal and distal ends of the guide bar. A blade is pivotally mounted to the guide bar. The blade includes a base disposed in the guide bar. The blade has a head that extends outwardly from the base. A head extends from the base. The head extends outwardly from one of the side edges of the blade bar. Drive rods that extend from the base are reciprocated. The reciprocation of the drive rods results in the oscillation of the blade, including the blade head, around a pivot point.

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).

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.

The present invention is related to a minimally invasive device for surgical procedures which generally comprises at least a pair of assembly elements formed by a primary main body and a secondary main body joined together at their proximal and distal ends; a fastening element which is inserted in the distal end of both primary and secondary main bodies respectively, which is employed to keep them joined together; a threading element which is inserted in its inner section from the intermediate section of said device, continues to its proximal end and returns to its intermediate section on the opposite end; and a multifunction element located on the inside of the threading element.